Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessing motivations for carbon offsetting by environmentally certified tourism enterprises

This paper presents survey results on tourism operator preferences and motivations for carbon offset options by environmentally certified tourism enterprises in Queensland, Australia. It found that less than a third are involved in carbon offset programmes, whereas just over a third plan to implement offsetting in the near future. Preferred offset projects are regional tree planting or renewable energy. Motivations for offsetting are related to environmental concern, commercial benefits of climate-friendly tourism, and financially supporting offset projects. This study found motivations for offsetting by larger tourism enterprises aligning with the more general business motivations and drivers for adopting corporate social and environmental responsibility practices. However, the extra cost and uncertainty about carbon issues limited the uptake of offsetting by smaller tourism operators.
Impact of Relationship Marketing Tactics (RMTs) on Switchers and Stayers in a Competitive Service Industry

Businesses today have shifted their strategic focus from emphasising customer acquisition (i.e. targeting switchers) to emphasising customer retention (i.e. targeting stayers) with the objective of creating sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships. However, current knowledge is limited in providing insights to firms regarding which marketing tactics are effective to achieve such objective. This research aims to explore and empirically test the questions as to what, why and how various relationship marketing tactics (RMTs) differentially influence consumers' decision to stay, or to switch their service providers? It examines customers' perceived level of impact of the various RMTs on their decision to choose service providers. As theory suggests and as empirically validated in this study, switchers and stayers differ significantly in their perceived level of impact of the various marketing tactics on their choice of service providers. The findings offer new insights for both practitioners and researchers
The mitochondrial protein targeting suppressor (mts1) mutation maps to the mRNA‐binding domain of Npl3p and affects translation on cytoplasmic polysomes

In all eukaryotic organisms, messenger RNA (mRNA) is synthesized in the nucleus and then exported to the cytoplasm for translation. The export reaction requires the concerted action of a large number of protein components, including a set of shuttle proteins that can exit and re‐enter the nucleus through the nuclear pore complex. Here, we show that, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the shuttle protein Npl3p leaves the nuclear pore complex entirely and continues to function in the cytoplasm. A mutation at position 219 in its RNA‐binding domain leaves Npl3p lingering in the cytoplasm associated with polysomes. Yeast cells expressing the mutant Npl3(L‐219S) protein show alterations in mRNA stability that can affect protein synthesis. As a result, defects in nascent polypeptide targeting to subcellular compartments such as the mitochondria are also suppressed.
Strategic schemas, strategic flexibility, and firm performance: the moderating role of industry clockspeed

We examine the moderating effect of industry clockspeed on the relationship between strategic schemas, strategic flexibility and firm performance. We employ two key properties of strategic schemas: complexity and focus. Using a sample of 225 firms from 14 industries, we show that the pattern of relationships among the theoretical constructs is different in fast‐ and slow‐clockspeed industries. The results suggest that complexity of strategic schemas promotes strategic flexibility and success in fast clockspeed industries, whereas focus of strategic schemas fosters strategic persistence, which is effective in slow‐clockspeed industries. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Which International Technology Transfer Channels Are Effective in Raising Firm Productivity? Research Paper

Recognition that the creation of new technology is concentrated in just a handful of countries has motivated the study of foreign sources of technology for domestic productivity growth (Keller, 2004). In this paper, we study the relative importance of foreign ownership, FDI intraindustry spillovers, FDI spillovers through backward linkages, exporting, importing, and acquiring licensing agreements as channels of international technology transfer. In contrast to the existing evidence on this topic, we recognise that access to foreign sources of technology will differ across firms within an industry and, therefore, we use firm-specific measures of global engagement. The data used comes from the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey, which provides detailed plant level information for a stratified random sample of plants in 26 transition economies in Central and Eastern Europe. Our results suggest that foreign ownership, supplying MNEs, exporting and importing are associated with higher firm productivity. We find no evidence that intraindustry FDI spillovers or acquiring licensing agreements are associated with higher firm productivity.
Do consumer shopping styles influence consumer attitudes toward services offered by shopping websites?

ABSTRACT The purpose of the current research was to examine the influence of consumer shopping styles on Indian consumers' attitude toward services offered by shopping websites. Online service factors like product information, refunds, transactions, ability to return and exchange products, ability to cancel orders, and customer support services were examined. Unlike research findings from other countries, it was found that different consumer styles had no influence on consumers' online service attitude. Only a quality-conscious shopping style influenced consumers' website service attitude. The findings can help online shopping firms and retailers in understanding fears and apprehensions of consumers regarding online service. Service-related factors like refunds, product delivery, information availability, customer service, and financial transactions can be modified to improve consumers' attitudes toward online shopping websites. Future research can address issues related to consumer attitudes toward website features, layout, design, displays, and pictorial images.
Modeled precipitation variability over the Greenland Ice Sheet

On the basis of the evaluation of recent Greenland precipitation studies, some of the deficiencies in the modeled precipitation are probably related to the topographic data employed in modeling. In this paper the modern digital elevation data of Ekholm [1996] is used. If the horizontal pressure gradient force in σ coordinates is separated into its irrotational and rotational parts, which are expressed by the equivalent geopotential and geo-stream-function, respectively, the topographic effect on the precipitation can be accurately modeled. The equivalent geopotential and geo-stream-function are implemented in a fully consistent manner in the generalized ω-equation in this paper. A simplified large-scale condensation without evaporation of condensate is also used. These improvements are combined to yield an improved dynamic method. Two aspects of the precipitation distribution are refined by the improved dynamic method. One is the 10 cm yr−1 contour near Summit, Greenland, and the other is a relative large precipitation area centered near the point (70°N, 49°W). Extensive comparisons are made between the retrieved precipitation and the observed annual accumulation time series from 11 ice core sites on the ice sheet. The modeled precipitation from the original method must use sealers to have a high degree of interannual correspondence between the measured accumulation and the retrieved precipitation, but the retrieved precipitation from the improved method increases at all ice core sites and a good correspondence is obtained without any sealer being required. The spatial average of multiyear mean error ( e¯j) is 11.5 cm yr−1 for the modeled precipitation from the improved method, while that for P from ERA-15 is 14.5 cm yr−1. The total mean error (eM) is 3.0 cm yr−1 for the improved method, while eM for the P from ERA-15 is 4.0 cm yr−1. These two errors show that the precipitation modeled by the improved method is better than the P from ERA-15. Thus the distribution of precipitation over the 11 sites retrieved by the improved dynamic method is considerably refined. Large downward trends in annual amounts are present in the precipitation retrieved by the improved dynamic method for all of Greenland and its southern and central west coastal regions. The modeled precipitation from the improved dynamic method and observed accumulation from ice cores are all in agreement with the Thomas et al. [1999] result that the southern Greenland ice sheet above 2000 m is approximately in balance. It also shows that local thickening and thinning areas of the ice sheet derived by airborne laser altimetry from 1993 to 1999 over the entire Greenland above 2000 m [Krabill et al., 2000] are approximately consistent with precipitation change retrieved by the improved dynamic method.
Agency Relationships in Family Firms: Theory and Evidence

Does owner management necessarily eliminate the agency costs of ownership? Drawing on agency literature and on the economic theory of the household, we argue that private ownership and owner management expose privately held, owner-managed firms to agency threats ignored by Jensen's and Meckling's (1976) agency model. Private ownership and owner management not only reduce the effectiveness of external control mechanisms, they also expose firms to a "self-control" problem created by incentives that cause owners to take actions which "harm themselves as well as those around them" (Jensen 1994, p. 43). Thus, shareholders have incentive to invest resources in curbing both managerialand owner opportunism. We extend this thesis to the domain of the family firm. After developing hypotheses which describe how family dynamics and, specifically, altruism, exacerbate agency problems experienced by these privately held, owner-managed firms, we use data obtained from a large-scale survey of family businesses to field test our hypotheses and find evidence which suggests support for our proposed theory. Finally, we discuss the implications of our theory for research on family and other types of privately held, owner-managed firms.
More Voodoo Correlations: When Average-Based Measures Inflate Correlations

ABSTRACT A Monte-Carlo simulation was conducted to assess the extent that a correlation estimate can be inflated when an average-based measure is used in a commonly employed correlational design. The results from the simulation reveal that the inflation of the correlation estimate can be substantial, up to 76%. Additionally, data was re-analyzed from two previously published studies to determine the extent that the correlation estimate was inflated due to the use of an averaged based measure. The re-analyses reveal that correlation estimates had been inflated by just over 50% in both studies. Although these findings are disconcerting, we are somewhat comforted by the fact that there is a simple and easy analysis that can be employed to prevent the inflation of the correlation estimate that we have simulated and observed.
Methanogen community composition and rates of methane consumption in Canadian High Arctic permafrost soils.

Increasing permafrost thaw, driven by climate change, has the potential to result in organic carbon stores being mineralized into carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) through microbial activity. This study examines the effect of increasing temperature on community structure and metabolic activity of methanogens from the Canadian High Arctic, in an attempt to predict how warming will affect microbially controlled CH4 soil flux. In situ CO2 and CH4 flux, measured in 2010 and 2011 from ice-wedge polygons, indicate that these soil formations are a net source of CO2 emissions, but a CH4 sink. Permafrost and active layer soil samples were collected at the same sites and incubated under anaerobic conditions at warmer temperatures, with and without substrate amendment. Gas flux was measured regularly and indicated an increase in CH4 flux after extended incubation. Pyrosequencing was used to examine the effects of an extended thaw cycle on methanogen diversity and the results indicate that in situ methanogen diversity, based on the relative abundance of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene associated with known methanogens, is higher in the permafrost than in the active layer. Methanogen diversity was also shown to increase in both the active layer and permafrost soil after an extended thaw. This study provides evidence that although High Arctic ice-wedge polygons are currently a sink for CH4, higher arctic temperatures and anaerobic conditions, a possible result of climate change, could result in this soil becoming a source for CH4 gas flux.
THE EFFECT OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF COMPANIES LISTED ON THE NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE

x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background of the Study 1 1.1.1 Social and Environmental Accounting and Reporting 1 1.1.2 Financial Performance of Companies 6 1.1.3 Relationship between Social and Environmental Accounting and Reporting and Financial Performance 7 1.1.4 Nairobi Securities Exchange 8 1.2 Research Problem 10 1.3 Research Objective 12 1.4 Value of the Study 12 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 14 2.
Fate of the ACL-injured Patient

We followed 292 patients who had sustained an acute traumatic hemarthrosis for a mean of 64 months. The KT-1000 arthrometer measurements within 90 days of injury revealed the injured knee was stable in 56 pa tients and unstable in 236. Forty-five unstable patients had an ACL reconstruction within 90 days of injury. Sur gical procedures performed >90 days after injury in cluded ligament reconstruction in 46 patients. Factors that correlated with patients who had late surgery for a meniscal tear or an ACL reconstruction (P < 0.05) were preinjury hours of sports participation, arthrometer mea surements, and patient age. Follow-up data are presented for the patients divided into four groups: I, early stable, no reconstruction; II, early unstable, no reconstruction; III, early recon struction; and IV, late reconstruction. No patient changed occupation because of the knee injury. Hours per year of sports participation and levels of sports par ticipation decreased in all groups. Joint arthrosis was documented by radiograph and bone scan. Joint sur face injury abnormalities observed at surgery and me niscal surgery showed greater abnormalities by radio graph and bone scan scores ( P< 0.05). Reconstructed patients had a higher level of arthrosis by radiograph and bone scan.
Demand of External Finance by Manufacturing SMEs in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Poverty can be reduced if more good jobs are created. Smalland medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are good job creators, but there are few such firms in the countries that would need them most. Limited access to finance is frequently suggested as a reason why these firms fail to prosper, but recent evidence indicates that only expanding financial supply does not sufficiently improve the status for the SME sector. This paper contributes to the discussion with a demand-side perspective, by examining how SMEs finance themselves and what drives their demand for external finance. I use a panel dataset of Ethiopian manufacturing firms from 2012-2013 to investigate what type of firms use bank loans. Secondly, I also conduct interviews with managers to explore financial behaviour in the SME sector. The results show that standard capital structure theories to some extent can explain financial demand, but perceptions and attitudes among managers also matter. To improve financial status for SMEs, strengthening contract enforcement and lowering the perceived barriers to the banks should be policy implications for Ethiopia and developing countries in general.
INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, EXTERNAL FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND INVESTMENT CHOICE: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTANI FIRMS

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of internal and external financial constraints on investment choice. The data have been taken from 9 major sectors (52 listed firms in the Karachi Stock Exchange) namely; Pharmaceutical & Bio Technology, Textile, Sugar, Tobacco, Chemicals, Oil and Gas, Fixed line Telecommunication, Industrial metal and Mining, and Cement sectors for the time period 2004 to 2010 on annual basis. Multiple regression analysis has been done to examine the relationship among firm’s size, dividend payout ratio, firm’s age, and investment. The empirical findings show that there is positive relationship between the firms’ size and investment while a negative relationship exists between firms’ age and investment. It also reports that there is negative relationship between dividend payout ratio and the investment. This shows that if a firm grows old or high dividend payout ratio then it will tend to spend less for expansion as compared to the young firms.
Separating Trading and Banking: Consequences for Financial Stability ∗

We present a model to analyze the consequences of separating proprietary trading from deposit banking. Our model extends the setup of Diamond and Dybvig (1983) by differentiating between non-fungible loans and fungible securities. Endogenously, some banks use these securities to speculate and experience fundamental bank runs in bad states of the world. In some situations, traditional banking disappears completely leading to full disintermediation. Deposit insurance removes runs but induces moral hazard as banks engage more in proprietary trading. Disintermediation becomes more likely. Deposit insurance leads to a redistribution from depositors and the deposit insurance to outside investors. Separating trading from deposit banking offsets this redistribution. Nevertheless, the overall effects of separate banking on social welfare are ambiguous: Banks become more stable, reducing the costs for the deposit insurance, but the overall loan volume drops.
Teaching Experiential Learning: Adoption of an Innovative Course in an MBA Marketing Curriculum

Colleges of business administration are under continuing pressure to develop innovative courses to meet demands from the business community. At the same time, faculty members are facing increasing challenges in adopting innovative technologies because of the amount of risk and effort involved. This article examines the adoption of Marketplace, a purely experiential learning course, in an MBA curriculum. The investigation shows that group dynamics and product characteristics were two key factors in the success of the innovation adoption. Findings from an empirical study demonstrate that the students perceived the simulation course as a viable alternative to the lecture-based pedagogy.
Minor milk constituents are affected by protein concentration and forage digestibility in the feed ration

The present study was conducted in order to investigate if selected minor milk components would be indicative for the nutritional situation of the cow. Forty-eight dairy cows were offered a high digestible ration vs. a lower digestible ration combined with 2 protein levels in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Milk glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, cholesterol, triacylglycerides (TAG), uric acid and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) were measured and correlated mutually and towards other milking parameters (yield, h since last milking, days in milk (DIM), urea, etc). The variation range of the suggested variables were broad, a fact that may support their utilisation as predictive parameters. The content of milk metabolites was significantly affected by the change in rations as milk glucose, glucose-6-phosphate, uric acid, and the ratio cholesterol: triacylglycerides increased with higher energy intake while BHBA and TAG decreased. The content of some of the milk metabolites changed during 24 h day/night periods: BHBA, cholesterol, uric acid and TAG increased whereas free glucose decreased in the night period. Certain associations between milk metabolites and calculated energy parameters like ECM, body condition score (BCS), and body weight gain were found, however, these associations were to some extent explained by an interaction with DIM, just as changes in milk metabolites during a 24 h period seems to interfere. It is concluded that the practical use of the suggested milk variables should be based on more than one metabolite and that stage of lactation and possibly time of the day where the milk is collected should be incorporated in predictive models.
Customer perception of service quality and perceived price and fairness: a comparison between public and new private sector banks

This study examines the difference between public sector and new private sector banks with reference to service quality and perceived price and fairness. Dimensions of service quality are tangibility, information technology and human behaviour. A cross-sectional research project on 445 retail banking customers through a structured questionnaire was conducted. The population of the study is valued retail urban customers of public and new private sector banks in Rajasthan, who frequently visit bank premises for transactions, have accounts in at least two banks and have availed of at least one IT-based service. Results reveal that new private sector bank customers' mean score is found more than public sector bank customers' for service quality dimensions. For perceived price and fairness public sector bank customers' mean score is found to be more than new private sector bank customers'. This study explains the difference of service quality and perceived price and fairness between public and new private sector banks. It also identifies underlying reasons for these differences to understand the finer nuances of the Indian banking sector.
Determinants of SME Loan Default: The Importance of Borrower-Level Heterogeneity

Using unique borrower-level balance sheet information for a cross-section of 6,000 Irish SME loans, this paper tests the determinants of default at the micro level. Typical financial ratios, such as the ratio of the loan to total assets, the current ratio, leverage ratio, liquidity ratio and profitability ratio, are found to be significant predictors of default. Further, the length of time the borrowing firm’s owner has been with the firm mitigates the likelihood of default. Conditional on the above, significant sector-level effects remain. The paper moves beyond average effects of the above-mentioned variables by repeating the analysis across seven sectors of economic activity, and across the quintiles of firm size, exposure and credit quality. The share of defaults is shown to fall as firms get larger, and to rise as loans get larger relative to assets. The results suggest that different warning signals can be identified, particularly for borrowers of different sizes and with small versus large loans. These results contribute to the literature on “fundamentals-based” modelling of corporate default risk, and represent one of very few sets of results on the determinants of default in SME lending in particular.