Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Firms' Inclusion in the NSE 20 Share Index on Share Performance in Kenya

This paper provides an empirical analysis of Kenya as an emerging market that has a lot of potential of investment and is getting attention from investors both locally and internationally. Nairobi Securities Exchange 20 Share index represents a tool to measure market performance, market growth and facilitates maximisation of return on investment over a long – run perspective. The Nairobi Securities Exchange 20 Share index is constituted by the best performing firms. This paper analysed the effect of firms' inclusion in the Nairobi Securities Exchange 20 share index on share performance in Kenya. The study was anchored on Efficient Market Hypothesis supported by The Price Pressure Hypothesis and Traditional Information Hypothesis. The study employed explanatory research design. Target population of the study was 30 firms included in the Nairobi Securities Exchange 20 share index in the period between 2002 and 2014. The study used secondary data, collected from Nairobi Securities Exchange 20 share index markets report. The secondary data was collected using abstraction tool. The data which was obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Buy and Hold event methodology. This study found out Average Cumulative Buy and Hold Abnormal Share Return after the firm inclusion in the Nairobi Securities Exchange 20 share index was significantly different from zero. The study recommends investors should invest in firms included in the Nairobi Securities Exchange 20 share index.
Effect of Energy Consumption and Economic Growth towards the environmental quality of Indonesia

Economic development as a process of improving people's welfare in a country can also lead the declining of the environment quality. The degradation of the environment can be caused by the energy consumption required in the development process, as well as pollution. The main purpose of this study is to analyze empirically the impact of energy consumption and economic growth toward environmental quality which is measured by environmental quality index. This study employs the econometric model of panel data of 34 provinces in Indonesia along 2011-2016. The study finds the long-term relationship between energy consumption and economic growth on environmental quality in Indonesia.
Determinants of Market Reactions to Project Finance Approvals

Prior studies of bank loan announcements depict significant capital market reactions. More recent evidence however, fails to identify such reactions (Fields et al. 2006, Maskara & Mullineaux 2011). In this study, we consider market reactions to loan initiations where the borrower has no prior record of bank lending. Zero-leverage firms are firms that have zero outstanding short-term or long-term debt in their capital structure (Strebulaev & Yang 2013). Using a unique hand collected sample of bank loan announcements for Australian Mining Development Stage entities, we find that both initial bank loans and subsequent bank loans attract significant market reactions. Further, we produce evidence consistent with announcements of such loans reducing information asymmetry which we proxy for with bid-ask spreads and trading volume. Our final analysis examines evidence of bank specialisation. We find that borrowers from the industry leader in terms of loan origination (Macquarie Bank) in this sector exhibit stronger abnormal returns.
Beyond the Big Challenges facing Facebook's Libra

The Facebook's announcement that it would create its new currency « Libra » sparked a debate with respect the added value, security and regulatory aspects of virtual currencies. Beyond the challenges facing Libra (i.e., regulatory concerns and the risk of money laundering and fraud, etc.), this study seeks to assess if the announcement of this type of project has an impact on the cryptocurrency market. A dynamic event-study methodology is used to examine the abnormal returns of Bitcoin and other major altcoin markets (in particular, Ethereum, Litecoin and Ripple) as a reaction of Facebook « Libra » announcement. Our results suggest that all the cryptocurrencies respond positively to the official announcement of Facebook's much-anticipated cryptocurrency project, and appear highly reactive during the succeeding days. Despite crucial differences between « Libra » and cryptocurrecies, the entrance of Facebook into the cryptocurrency market can be regarded as a stamp of approval that helps to legitimize the crypto space making it go mainstream.
The Pigtail Catheter for Pleural Drainage: A Less Invasive Alternative to Tube Thoracostomy

Background: Thoracostomy tubes are a mainstay of treatment for removing fluid or air from the pleural space. Placement of a chest tube is, however, an invasive procedure with potential morbidity. In an effort to reduce these complications, the use of percutaneous pigtail catheters in place of traditional large-bore tubes for thoracostomy and pleural drainage has been described. The aim of the study was to determine the role of pigtail catheters in adult population for drainage of pleural effusion. Methods: It was an observational study. All consecutive patients with pleural effusion requiring drainage were subjected to either tube thoracostomy or pig tail drainage. A standardized questionnaire was prepared for retrieving data. Outcomes of interest were time to drain and total duration of hospital stay. Results: A total of 92 patients (71 men and 21 women; age range, 17 - 86 years; mean age, 54 ± 15 years) were enrolled into the study. Thirty-five patients were treated with traditional chest tubes, whereas 57 patients were treated with pigtail catheters. There were no significant differences in either drainage days or hospitalization days between the chest tube group and pigtail catheter group (9.81 ± 6 vs. 9 ± 5.6 and 13.8 ± 6 vs. 13 ± 5.7, respectively). Conclusions: The pigtail catheter offers reliable treatment of effusions and is a safe and less invasive alternative to tube thoracostomy. There was no significant difference in time to drain and duration of hospital stay in both the groups. J Curr Surg. 2016;6(2):52-56 doi: http://dx.doi. org/10.14740/jcs300e
Do Elders Dream of Electric Seals? : A SCOT analysis of the mental commitment robot PARO in elderly care

This study is a contribution to the public debate about demographic challenges caused by an increasing elderly population and lack of professional care to support them. The Norwegian Technology Board has given some advice towards a future health care for elders, among them supporting the implementation of robot technologies. One robot that is in use already at Norwegian elderly care centres is a social robot shaped as a seal puppy with thick white fur and big black eyes; the mental commitment robot PARO. Especially elderly demented people are said to calm down and become more socialised if the robot is present. The thesis sets out to investigate how the mental commitment robot PARO has been interpreted and adapted by different groups at residential and treatment centres for people with dementia; which ethical aspects emerge when a robot like PARO is introduced or evaluated in elderly care; and finally how does the introduction of PARO in elderly care influence care practises and knowledge? The descriptive framework, Social Construction of Technology (SCOT), by Wiebe Bijker and Trevor Pinch is the main theory in use to answer these questions. The thesis analyses how relevant social groups form and interpret the technology, demonstrating the interpretative flexibility of the robot. This flexibility comes from social negotiations among the members of different social groups, more than technical properties of the artefact. The empirical material was collected through semi structured interviews of sixteen respondents working at dementia care centres, distributors, and governmental advisory organisations. The study is approved by the National Data Protection Official for Research (NSD), given the project number 24540. NSD has demanded that sites and people described in this study are kept anonymous; protecting the vulnerable group of demented elders. The SCOT analysis has revealed that the robot is interpreted in a wide range of different ways. Major solutions the robot fulfils are that it calm down elders, it increases social contact and is a new distraction that makes the caregivers more observant towards the elders, enabling the carer to see the elder in a new way. Major issues with the robot are that it is highly expensive equipment, stigmatising in some situations and creates a risk of deception due to its animal characteristics. The thesis concludes that a traditional caring paradigm competes with a new robot care paradigm. However, the caregiver and the social factors are crucial elements to why the robot works so well at some places, while not working in other situations.
SECURITY AND TRUST AFFECTING INTEREST IN USING INTERNET BANKING WITH TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL (TAM)

Along with the development of the Internet in Indonesia, the Internet Banking service has an added value for banks in Indonesia in providing the best service to its customers. With a growing number of banks offering Internet Banking facility caused the competitive rivalry between banks. This study aims to determine the effect on Security and Trust in Interests in Using Internet Banking. The research method is quantitative model TAM (Technology Acceptance Model). The data used in this study are primary data. The data collection is done by using a questionnaire. This study showed that variables simultaneously Security and Trust significantly affect the Customer Interests in Using Internet Banking.
The staging and surgery of musculoskeletal neoplasms.

Abstract This review has outlined the surgical staging of benign and malignant musculoskeletal neoplasms. Based on their unique natural history, these neoplasms behave in a predictable fashion. The surgical staging system assigns progressively higher degrees of risks to the neoplasms based on their surgical grade, their anatomic location, and the presence or absence of metastases. The staging system articulates well with preoperative planning, defining the margins needed for local tumor control. Because surgery distorts most of the imaging modalities available, all clinical staging studies must be completed before surgical intervention. As more data accrue as to the importance of DNA ploidy, genetic markers, and other characteristics, it is likely they will play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal neoplasms in the future.
Dynamics of capital adequacy and profitability of internationalized deposit money banks in Nigeria

The study examined the dynamic responses of profitability indexes to capital adequacy ratios of authorized internationalized deposit money banks in Nigeria. The data were sourced from the financial year books of the deposit money banks and analyzed with static and dynamic panel estimators. The static estimator shows that the banks have differences in managerial style, size and profitability. Also, it was revealed that return on asset and return on equity responded positively to asset size, efficiency of the use of asset and current ratio in the static models and they were highly significant. However, they were insignificant in the dynamic specifications except asset size that was significant in the return on asset model showing a weak dynamic response of profitability to capital adequacy ratios. Hence the study recommended that Banks should improve their share based as to increase the asset as this will improve profitability.
Adaptive Governance as an Avenue for Delivering Public Purpose in the Wake of Financialization

The demand for infrastructure and utility services is an acute challenge for countries in middle- and low-income countries undergoing high levels of urbanization, demographic shifts, and civil and political reorganization. The demand for utilities occurs alongside a trend toward increased financialization of the local state. A challenge for meeting demand for utility services is the shift toward increased financialization where the delivery of public purpose is challenged. This chapter aims to highlight governing arrangements that aid in understanding how public purpose can be delivered through utilities using the case study of Medellin, Colombia. Through examples of public infrastructure projects and the delivery of water by its utility-company, Empresas Publicas de Medellin, the paper discusses how this company achieved alignment of essential services with public purpose through adaptive governance structures that mitigate adverse effects of financialization and promote the integration of economic, environmental, and social goals. While this case does not propose a transferable model of governance, it highlights arrangements that enable a more mixed, adaptive, and nuanced understanding of how adverse effects associated with total financialization might be abated.
Exploring Service Quality Dimensions of IT Shared Services in the Malaysian Public Sector

Sharing services is an increasingly viable business strategy involving the consolidation of support functions managed by one agency or known as a shared service organization or shared service center. The intention is to provide a more effective and efficient service to the organization. In order to ensure that the service quality of the shared services is consistently excellent, customer satisfaction is one of the best tools to measure the performance level of the services provided. There have been few studies on shared services relating to the Information Systems domain. Thus, there are many research opportunities, especially for the outcome and evaluation phases. For this research, we need to know the relevant quality dimension for shared services. This paper explores the dimensions and factors of service quality for IT Shared Services. It then develops the service quality model for measuring IT shared services customer satisfaction based on past studies and interviews with shared services IT managers in MAMPU. Three case studies on IT infrastructure shared services in the public sector of Malaysia are used. This article recommends nine (9) dimensions, namely tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, continuous service improvement, change management, technology availability and security. The dimensions identified will assist the shared service organization in giving priority attention to improving service quality delivery.
Blockchain and Business Model Innovation: Designing a P2P Mortgage Lending System

This paper explores P2P lending in the context of mortgage financing. While P2P lending has gained considerable traction in the consumer loan segment, it remains absent for the economically and socially important mortgage sector. Following a design research approach (most specifically, Action Design Research), the paper defines a series of questions about how a sound business model would make P2P mortgage lending feasible from a technical and business perspective. In order to provide an initial answer, a model is developed by providing a theoretical explanation and a partial formalization in Business Process Modelling and Notation (BPMN). The business model introduces artificial intelligence, blockchain/smart contracts and Business-Process-as-a-Service (BPaaS) as its main features. A preliminary evaluation of the model’s feasibility and effectiveness is offered, as a way of providing an initial prescriptive theory on a subject (P2P mortgage lending) where academic studies and business applications are basically absent.
How Executive Incentive Design Affects Risk-Taking: A Literature Review

Due to agency problems, firms use management control systems to motivate employees to act in the firms’ interest. This process includes motivating employees to increase effort as well as aligning risk preferences. Whereas Bonner and Sprinkle (2002) review and discuss research findings regarding the effects of monetary incentives on effort and performance, we approach the latter component, i.e., risk. The purpose of this literature review is to systematically present and review research findings regarding the effects of monetary incentives on risk-taking. We thus distinguish between individual performance-based pay, equity-based pay and tournament compensation. Further, implications for incentive system design in practice as well as paths for future research are discussed. On the one hand, we provide suggestions on how to increase employee risk-taking and reduce loss-aversive behavior. On the other hand, we discuss instruments that prevent employees from taking high (excessive) risks. Ultimately, when designing incentive systems, it is always crucial to consider the potential effects on both effort and risk-taking.
Enhancing Cross-Border Knowledge Transfer Between MNC Subsidiaries : A Multi-level Model of Subsidiary Power in Transferring Solution Knowledge

Turun kauppakorkeakoulu • Turku School of Economics Bachelor’s thesis x Master’s thesis Licentiate’s thesis Doctor’s thesis Subject International Business Date 6.8. 2019 Author(s) Minna Goyal Student number 510047 Number of pages 117 + appx. Title Enhancing Cross-Border Knowledge Transfer Between MNC Subsidiaries: A Multi-level Model of Subsidiary Power in Transferring Solution Knowledge Supervisor(s) D.Sc Niina Nummela M.Sc Anna Karhu
Orchestrating Governmental Corporate Social Responsibility Interventions through Financial Markets: The Case of French Socially Responsible Investment

ABSTRACT Although a growing stream of research investigates the role of government in corporate social responsibility (CSR), little is known about how governmental CSR interventions interact in financial markets. This article addresses this gap through a longitudinal study of the socially responsible investment (SRI) market in France. Building on the “CSR and government” and “regulative capitalism” literatures, we identify three modes of governmental CSR intervention—regulatory steering, delegated rowing, and microsteering—and show how they interact through the two mechanisms of layering (the accumulation of interventions) and catalyzing (the alignment of interventions). Our findings: 1) challenge the notion that, in the neoliberal order, governments are confined to steering market actors—leading and guiding their behavior—while private actors are in charge of rowing—providing products and services; 2) show how governmental CSR interventions interact and are orchestrated; and 3) provide evidence that governments can mobilize financial markets to promote CSR.
Comparative studies of consumer-buying behaviour towards private health insurance policy: An empirical evidences of Nigeria and Ireland

Private health insurance (PHI) is a type of insurance taken up voluntarily and paid for privately either by individuals or by employers on behalf of individuals. Over the years, Health insurance policies have received valuable attentions from private and public researchers because of its invaluable contributions to the economy. However, much work has not been done linking customers buying behaviors to private health insurance purchase in developed and developing economies. This concepts form the basis of this study, which aims to give theoretical explanations to customer buying behavior towards private health insurance in Nigeria and Ireland. This was formulated by 5-point alternate hypotheses (Ha), developed from the literatures thus producing the results which complement the research topic. The methodology makes use of quantitative and qualitative data collections by the use of questionnaires and focus group respectively among residents of Nigeria and Ireland. This study therefore, established that all investigated objectives of this research has been fulfilled and the alternate hypotheses have been accepted. The result of this research led to a conclusion that, irrespective of the countries, customer-buying preferences are generally similar with little variations from external factors such as pestle analysis. Aside that, price, comprehensive coverage, income, recommendations, promotions and discounts are the major determinants of customer buying behaviours towards private health insurances policy as shown in this study.
Exploring Financial Management Practices of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Nigeria

Exploring Financial Management Practices of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Nigeria by Alero Obazee MSC, University of Benin, 2014 MBA, University of Benin, 2007 BS, University of Benin, 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management
Status of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Facilities in Public Secondary Schools in Yenagoa, Nigeria

Adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services have positive implications on students learning outcomes. Hence, this study assessed the status of WASH services in public secondary schools in Yenagoa. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, which involved direct field observation of WASH facilities and the administration of structured questionnaire to the entire 16 public secondary schools in Yenagoa. However, the analysis involved 15 schools, as one of the schools did not return its questionnaire. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) classification of WASH services in schools. The results show that WASH services in most of the schools are inadequate and unsatisfactory. Hygiene service was the worst provided WASH services in the schools as only two (13.33%) schools had basic hygiene service, one (6.67%) school had limited hygiene service and 12 (80%) schools had no service. Next was water service where three (20%) schools had basic drinking water service, another three (20%) schools had limited drinking water service and nine (60%) schools had no water service. Although sanitation had the best WASH coverage in the schools, basic sanitation service was only obtainable in seven (46.67%) schools, limited sanitation service in five (33.33%) schools and no service in three (20%) schools. Also, the toilet to students’ ratio ranges from 1:27 to 1:760, which were higher than the WHO recommended average of 1:25 for girls and 1:50 for boys. The study recommends the prioritization of the provision of WASH services in schools.
Correlation Between the Peak Nasal Inspiratory Flow and the Visual Analogue Scale Before and After Using a Nasal Decongestant

Summary Introduction: The measurement of the peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) is easily and swiftly obtained, but hardly spread in Brazil though. On the other hand, the visual analogue scale (VAS) for nasal obstruction is a subjective measurement that can also be used. Objective: To evaluate the correlation between PNIF and VAS for nasal obstruction before and after occurring a change in the nasal patency caused by the topic vasoconstriction. Study outline: Non-randomized clinical and experimental study. Method: 60 volunteers, including patients, doctors, nurses and administrative assistants of the institution were submitted to PNIF and VAS examinations before and after the nasal vasoconstriction with oxymetazoline chloride at 0.05%. Results: The average value found for pre-vasoconstriction VAS was 4.1 and, for post-vasoconstriction, it was 2. This represented a 44% range between the measurements. With regard to PNIF values, the average found when measuring the vasoconstriction was 151 l/min and 178 l/min after vasoconstriction, showing a 20% increase. At the pre-vasoconstrictor moment, increasing a point in average VAS value corresponds to a 3.8% decrease in average PNIF value. In the post-vasoconstriction, each increase of a point in average VAS value corresponds to a 4.5% decrease in average PNIF value. Conclusion: There was an important correlation between the objective measurement of the nasal obstruction through PNIF and the subjective measurement provided by VAS before nasal vasoconstriction. A similar correlation could also be observed after using the decongestant.