Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Corporate Governance on Firm Performance in Jordan

Due to widespread corporate scandals and failures around the world, there has been a renewed interest in the effect of corporate governance on firm performance. The majority of research concerning corporate governance and its effect on firm performance has been undertaken in developed countries and markets, particularly the UK and the US, but relatively little evidence is provided in the Middle East, specifically Jordan. This study investigates the effect of the corporate governance on firm performance of the Jordanian industrial and services companies during the period 2000 to 2010. This study primarily employs the agency theory to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and firm performance. The agency theory is concerned with the agency problem between principals and agents (i.e. shareholders and managers, respectively), which undermines value maximization. It has been argued that the board of directors, ownership concentration and managerial ownership are efficient corporate governance mechanisms to solve the agency problem between shareholders and management. Multiple regression panel data analysis is the main tool of analysis in this study. The statistical method used to test this impact is Generalised Least Square (GLS) Random Effects models. The study is based on the three sets of data: (1) a sample of 115 firms listed in the Amman Stock Exchange; (2) corporate governance data collected from Osiris database; and (3) data generated through the annual reports of the firms. Empirical investigation reveals a mixed set of results. Our findings fail to reveal any significant impact for the board size on firm performance. However, CEO duality tends to have a positive effect on the firm performance, which indicates that the Jordanian firms perform better if the chairman and the CEO roles are combined in a single individual. It was also found that NEDs have a negative impact on firm performance, which is inconsistent with the monitoring hypothesis of agency theory, which holds that the NEDs play an important role in the board as a source of experience, monitoring services, reputation and expert knowledge with the likelihood to improve firm performance. Furthermore, our findings report positive and negative impacts of managerial ownership and ownership concentration on firm performance (respectively). Finally, our findings reveal a positive relationship between foreign ownership and firm performance.
Selection of third party reverse logistics provider using Fuzzy extent analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose a structured model for the selection of a third‐party reverse logistics provider (3PRLP) under fuzzy environment for the battery industry, which establishes the relative weights for attributes and sub‐attributes.Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses fuzzy extent analysis to solve the 3PRLP selection problem.Findings – Owing to growing environmental legislations, reverse logistics (RL) has attained more importance among practitioners and academicians. The important decision related to RL is whether the company should maintain the separate RL system or whether it can be outsourced. RL takes 12 times as many steps to process returns as it does to manage outbound logistics (Accenture supply chain management practice), consequently many companies decided to outsource the RL activities or functions through 3PRLPs. The paper proposes a way of selecting the best 3PRLP using fuzzy extent analysis.Research limitations/implications – Fuzzy extent analysis is .
Intangible Capital and Productivity Growth in European Countries

This paper provides evidence about the diffusion of intangible investment across the EU27 member countries and investigates the role of intangible capital as a source of growth to improve our understanding of the international differences in the mix of drivers of productivity growth across Europe. Our study shows that the capitalization of intangible assets, allow identifying additional sources of long-run growth. We show that intangibles have been a relevant source of growth across European countries and that they cannot be omitted from national accounts. In particular, the ? unexplained? component of macro-economic dynamics, the Total Factor Productivity, becomes less important, while physical capital turns out to be strongly complementary with intangible capital.
The Stock Valuation Methods

The valuation of the stock of a closely held business is an integral component of the formation, financing, contribution, and redemption phases of an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). In the case of an ESOP formation, the closely held business may be a family-owned or other privately owned corporation that is sold (in total or in part) to the trust. Or, the closely held business may be a division or subsidiary of a publicly traded corporation that is being divested through an employee buy-out.
Analysis on Intensive Management in Power Grid Enterprises Based on Theory of Company Value Chain

In the light of the theory of company value chain,this paper examines the inner value chain model of the intensive management of "intensified management of three components and integrated systems of five processes" as advocated by SGCC,which reflects the goal of power grid enterprises under SGCC to realize intensive management in human resources,finance and materials,and establish the integrated systems of planning,construction,operation,maintenance and marketing.The paper presents an in-depth analysis on the features of each activity of the two categories and the relationships between both based on the theory of company value chain,and presents its contents and meanings.By the end,the paper concludes some suggestions of reliable means on operational implantation,business integration,emphasis selection and informatization construction.
Multi-Dimensional Screening Mechanism design with a liquidity constrained buyer: The 2)2 case1

This paper studies the implications of buyers’ liquidity constraints for the optimal selling strategy. The possibility that a buyer faces a binding liquidity constraint a! ects the seller’s strategy in a nontrivial way. Speci"cally, when a seller has one unit of a good to sell to a buyer with a quasilinear utility function, the &no-haggling’ result indicates that textbook monopoly pricing is optimal, absent liquidity constraints. Introducing a potentially binding liquidity constraint vitiates the no-haggling result, and can make it strictly bene"cial for the seller to use nonlinear pricing, to commit to a declining price sequence, or to require the buyer to post a cash bond. ( 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Prospective screening for postoperative deep venous thrombosis in patients undergoing infrainguinal revascularization.

PURPOSE The incidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass graft procedures has not been well documented, and the need for routine prophylaxis remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the risk of postoperative DVT complicating infrainguinal revascularization. METHODS Seventy-four patients undergoing infrainguinal bypass graft procedures during a 12-month period were prospectively screened for DVT. Bilateral lower extremity venous duplex scan imaging was performed preoperatively and within 1 week and 6 weeks, postoperatively. Routine DVT prophylaxis was not used, with anticoagulation reserved for specific indications. RESULTS Of the 74 patients screened, three patients (4.1%) had DVT identified on preoperative venous duplex scan imaging and were excluded from the study. Of the remaining 71 patients enrolled, only two patients (2.8%) had postoperative DVT. Postoperative DVT was ipsilateral to the bypass graft extremity in both patients, with involvement of the peroneal vein in one patient and the femoral vein in the other. Although routine prophylaxis was not used, 18 of these patients (25%) were anticoagulated for other indications, with DVT occurring in one patient (5.6%). Of the remaining 53 patients who did not receive postoperative anticoagulation, only one patient (1.8%) had DVT. CONCLUSIONS According to this prospective study, the risk of postoperative DVT in patients undergoing infrainguinal revascularization is low. Routine prophylaxis is not recommended, with postoperative anticoagulation reserved for specific indications.
Forensic Accounting and Fraud Risk Factors: The Influence of Fraud Diamond Theory

Fraud has become a global phenomenon which attracts the attention of the world’s business organizations towards using the services of forensic accountants in or order to identify the fraud risk factors so as to detect and prevent fraud occurrences. This paper aimed to identify the fraud risk factors by forensic accountants with the effect of FDT. The use of FDT by forensic accountants will eliminate the phobia of fraud incidences in organizational settings and equally shaped the organization’s thinking to develop a sound and effective detection and preventive measures. The paper generally reviewed literatures which take the nature of conceptual approach. The information used for the study was obtained from journal articles, textbooks and the internet. Therefore, the discussion of the fraud risk factors will immensely contributes to the understanding of FDT and fraud red flags especially by the government, forensic accountants, auditors, fraud examiners and other anti-fraud bodies as well as the private business owners. The study also serves as guidance for further fraud related research. Keywords: Fraud, white collar crime theory, fraud triangle, fraud diamond, forensic accounting, red flags
The impact of compliance in posttreatment surveillance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

IMPORTANCE Posttreatment surveillance (PTS) is a key component in the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. It is unclear how beneficial this is in improving patients' survival. OBJECTIVE To determine how compliance with follow-up affects clinical outcomes in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This was a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary academic center of a total of 332 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who had completed both treatment and follow-up at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Patient and tumor characteristics, socioeconomic status, and geographic data were collected. EXPOSURES Compliance with PTS. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The effect of compliance with PTS on overall survival. RESULTS Compliance with PTS, US Census tract income level, and the distance patients travel for follow-up had significant effects on survival (P = .001, P = .001, and P = .01, respectively). Cox proportional hazard models revealed that more advanced disease (hazard ratio [HR], 1.76 [95% CI, 1.21-2.58]; P = .003), middle (HR, 1.64 [95% CI, 1.13-2.39]; P = .009) and moderate (HR, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.18-3.06]; P = .008) census tract income level, and age (HR, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01-1.04]; P < .001), were significantly associated with an increased risk of death. There was an association between compliance and tobacco cessation (P = .003), as well as the distance a patient lived from the medical center (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were significantly more likely to survive with completion of follow-up and tobacco cessation. Compliance with PTS was associated with smoking cessation and traveling less than 200 miles for follow-up.
The Urban Informal Sector of Pakistan. Some Stylized Facts

In order to prepare concrete policy proposals for the prOlllotion of the informal sector, it is essential to have a knowledgeable account of the basic characteristics and facts about this sector. This report presents the stylized facts about the urban informal sector, such as the characteristics of the self-employed and inforn1al sector enterprises; labour productivity and capital-intensity; constraints on the expansion of the informal sector; technological deficiencies; capital requirement and needs for the skil1 development, employment potential; and the earning capacity of the self-elnployed and employees. Keeping in view these stylized facts about the informal sector the report concludes with a set of concrete policy proposals for the promotion and generation of the informal sector
Empirical Evidence on the Application of CGUs in the Context of Goodwill Impairment Testing

The transition to IFRS based reporting has resulted in fundamental departures from many of the long accepted norms embedded in indigenous GAAP systems now superseded in IFRS adopting jurisdictions. The rules relating to goodwill accounting, measurement and reporting represent an excellent case in point, the traditionally dominant capitalise and amortise regime having been disposed of in favour of an impairment testing regime pursuant to which periodic amortisation charges are no longer required. There has been much criticism of this new impairment testing regime, principally along the lines that it results in an increased potential for opportunism in financial statement preparation due to the subjective and unverifiable nature of a range of judgements necessary to the execution of the impairment testing process. In this paper, we add to the extant literature’s catalogue of concerns by providing detailed empirical evidence on the nature and impact of cash generating units (CGUs), a central technical element of the IFRS impairment testing regime. These have not been subject to previous detailed empirical research. This paper addresses that gap. It is argued that firms reporting subject to IFRS have a range of opportunities to define and use CGUs in ways inconsistent with the objective of transparent and representationally financial reporting. Several strands of evidence consistent with this contention are presented and discussed.
Shipper Versus Carrier Perceptions of Carrier Selection Variables

A great deal of attention in physical distribution management has been raised by both practitioners and academicians as to what type of carrier service is desired by shippers and consignees. From the viewpoint of the buying system, the selection of an appropriate transport mode and the selection of a given carrier and particular services offered by the carrier is an important decision. Billions of dollars are spent annually by the shipping public. The sheer magnitude of the expenditure coupled with the limitation on customer service which can result from the carrier selection choice is making it an increasingly important decision. Purchasing systems need better information concerning carrier selection variables than they now have to enable them to design the organisation for buying carrier services, and to select, train, and supervise traffic people as well as to decide how much of the process can be computerised.
Higher Dissatisfaction Higher Turnover in the Hospitality Industry

Turnover crisis reducing has been highlighted as a remarkable research theme in the hospitality industry. Regardless of the significant number of studies on employee turnover, it remains a vague issue and requires further research, It is well known that the service industry is highly dependent on the “human factor” which has become a major part of the hospitality product. The aim of this study is to give a clearer idea of enhancing employment factors to reduce the turnover crisis, Mobley`s model (1977) determined how job dissatisfaction can lead to job turnover. The results of this study will show that improving the work environment and increased wages, by analyzing the internal and external factors, could decrease the turnover crisis, An intention to stay within the hospitality organization amongst, unacceptable working conditions, poor training and low salaries could lead to higher employee turnover.
The Financial Value Impact of Perceptual Brand Attributes

The authors assess which brand asset metrics provide incremental information content to accounting performance measures in explaining stock return. The analysis focuses on the five “pillars” (i.e., central brand attributes) that form the basis for the newly updated Young & Rubicam Brand Asset Valuator model: differentiation, relevance, esteem, knowledge, and energy. Analysis shows that perceived brand relevance and energy provide incremental information to accounting measures in explaining stock returns. However, esteem and knowledge do not; that is, their effects are reflected in current-term accounting measures and in brand relevance and energy. The financial markets do not view brand differentiation as having incremental information content, but they should. Changes in differentiation are indicative of future-term accounting performance, which in turn affects stock return. These conclusions are invariant to the use of alternative accounting performance measures, risk adjustments, and the inclusion of additional brand attributes into the analysis.
Challenges in the economic participation of women as entrepreneurs

PIDS Policy Notes are observations/analyses written by PIDS researchers on certain policy issues. The treatise is holistic in approach and aims to provide useful inputs for decisionmaking. This Policy Note is culled from the APEC 2015 Research Project commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The main objective of the project is to provide the analytical framework that will form part of the basis for the substantive priorities the Philippines will push for as APEC host economy in 2015. The project’s main output is a set of policy studies with recommendations that can serve APEC 2015 purposes and can be used as inputs to the Philippine government’s future development planning, strategizing, and visioning exercise in a post-2015 scenario. The author is a consultant of PIDS. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of PIDS or any of the study’s sponsors. Policy Notes
On high-frequency circuit equivalents of a vertical ground rod

Vertical ground rods have been used extensively from the early days of electrical engineering for earth termination of electrical and lightning protection systems. They are usually represented with equivalent circuits with lumped and distributed parameters based on quasistatic approximation, which limits the upper frequency of their validity domain. However, lightning-related studies often require modeling in the megahertz frequency range. Also, emerging technologies, such as power-line communications, require analysis in frequency ranges even up to a few tens of megahertz. The rigorous electromagnetic (EM) field theory approach may be used for such frequency ranges, but equivalent circuits are needed for the usual network analysis methods. In this paper, we look at possibilities to construct simple equivalent circuits that can approximate or match results from the EM model. In particular, we compare a usual homogenous distributed parameter circuit with a nonhomogenous one determined by curve matching with results from the EM model. The analysis is illustrated using numerical simulations.
Shawshank redemption and unpalatable messages: the wellbeing of feedback professionals

The study presents an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the wellbeing of healthcare feedback professionals. Nine participants engaging with patient feedback were interviewed and explain that others just don’t get what their role entails. The vivid metaphor of Shawshank Redemption is used to describe their change agent role as changing a super tanker’s direction. Feeling undervalued, most have experienced a breaking point; yet in spite of the challenges, their passion for their work is evident—perhaps this is a vocation and I wana do it.
Short-term variability of exhaled nitric oxide in young male patients with mild asthma and in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND Exhaled nitric oxide (NOexp) is an indicator of eosinophilic airways inflammation. This study evaluated short-term variability of NOexp in 13 healthy subjects (19-41 years, eight males) and in 31 patients with asthmatic respiratory symptoms (19-21 years, all male) to obtain data for assessment of short-term changes of NOexp in clinical situations. METHODS Mild asthma was confirmed in 10 patients (Group = asthma). Twenty-one patients with asthmatic respiratory symptoms did not fulfill the functional criteria of asthma (Group = respiratory symptoms). The procedure to determine NOexp followed the European Respiratory Society (ERS) guidelines; the mean expiratory flow used during sampling was 0.09-0.12 l/s. NOexp for each subject was determined as the mean of at least three successive measurements at the baseline, followed by determinations at 10 min, 6 h and 24 h after the baseline. RESULTS At the baseline, the mean (SD) value of NOexp was 6.6 (2.3) parts per billion (ppb) in the healthy controls, and significantly higher both in patients with respiratory symptoms (14.6 (11) ppb, P = 0.0076) and in those with asthma (34.2 (43) ppb, P < 0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficient of NOexp measured at baseline and after an interval of 10 min was 0.959 in healthy subjects, 0.986 in patients with respiratory symptoms and 0.936 in asthma patients, respectively. Short-term variability in terms of coefficient of variation (CoV) of repeated measurements of NOexp at 10 min, 6 hand 24 h was 5.1, 10.8 and 11.7% in healthy subjects, 71, 16.4 and 22.2% in patients with respiratory symptoms and 13.5, 19.4 and 26.4% in asthma patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Reproducibility of NOexp using standardized methods was good both in healthy subjects and in asthmatic patients. However, in asthmatics the short-term variation of NOexp was over two times as high as in healthy subjects. The level of NOexp was elevated, except in asthma, also in patients with asthmatic respiratory symptoms who did not fulfill the functional criteria of asthma.
Age influences the predictive value of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II and Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre scoring models in patients admitted to Intensive Care Units after in-hospital cardiac arrest

Introduction: Outcomes following in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) are generally poor though different patient populations may benefit to different degrees from admission to Intensive Care Units (ICUs). Risk stratification algorithms may be useful in identifying patients who are most likely to benefit from ICU admission and so may aid allocation of this scarce resource. We aimed to compare the performance of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) scoring systems in predicting outcome following ICU admission after IHCA in younger (≤69 years) and older (≥70 years) patients. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective observational study in two adult ICUs from January 2006 to February 2010 inclusive. Patients were divided into younger (≤69 years) and older (≥70 years) patients. The primary outcome measures were acute hospital mortality and area under the curve (AUC) calculation for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Two hundred and sixty-one adult consecutive adult patients admitted following IHCA. Hospital mortality was 58.6%. ROC analysis demonstrated that ICNARC was more accurate than APACHE II in predicting acute hospital outcomes in the adult population (AUC 0.734 vs. 0.706). Both scoring systems performed weaker when predicting outcomes in younger patients compared to older patients (ICNARC AUC 0.655 vs. 0.810; APACHE II AUC 0.660 vs. 0.759). Discussion: Both APACHE II and ICNARC predict outcome well in older patients. In younger patients, their value is less clear, and so they must be used with caution.