bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entrepreneurial Proclivity And The Interpretation Of Subjective Probability Phrases
Authors: Pellissier James M. , Van Buer Michael G.
Published: February 2016

Verbal expressions of probability are frequently used to describe business and venture opportunities. This research investigates whether entrepreneurs and on-entrepreneurs interpret such expressions differently. We also investigate whether the interpretation of verbal probability expressions is related to the entrepreneurial proclivity of subjects, regardless of whether they are entrepreneurs. The Entrepreneurial Attitude Orientation (EAO) scale was used to measure entrepreneurial proclivity. Fifty-two subjects (17 entrepreneurs and 35 non-entrepreneurs) quantified thirty-five common verbal expressions of probability. The elicited quantifications of the probability phrases were highly variable between individuals, which is consistent with the results reported elsewhere. We found no significant difference between the entrepreneur and non-entrepreneur groups interpretations of the phrases. No meaningful correlations were found between EAO score and probability phrase interpretations. Our results seem to indicate that the interpretation of subjective probability phrases is not related to entrepreneurial proclivity and that the probability phrases involved in the presentation of opportunity are unlikely to affect the way that an entrepreneur perceives that opportunity as opposed to a non-entrepreneur.
Real Exchange Rates And U.S. Bilateral Trade
Authors: Sukar Abdulhamid , Zoubi Taisier AlDaib
Published: February 2016

The persistence of the U.S. trade deficit despite the significant depreciation of the dollar in the second half of the 1980s prompted several studies seeking an explanation for this phenomenon. There has been a renewed interest on the exchange rate trade linkage as the U.S. trade deficit reached a record high despite steady depreciation of the dollar in early 1995. This paper presents an empirical analysis of the relationship between real exchange rate and U.S. exports to Canada and Japan. The major finding of this paper is that real income and real exchange rates changes are important determinants of bilateral trade flows.
Corporate Bond Returns And Weekday Seasonality
Authors: Adrangi Bahram , Ghazanfari Farrokh
Published: February 2016

This study examines trading day and calendar day returns-generating processes and tests the weekend effect in the corporate bond market. We reject the calendar day hypothesis while the trading day hypothesis cannot be rejected as the corporate bonds returns-generating process. Furthermore, we find a reverse weekend effect in the corporate bond market in that Monday returns are on-average positive and statistically significant in this sample.
Corporate Governance Turmoil: The Texas Savings And Loan Debacle Of The Eighties
Authors: Hubbard Carl M. , Kosnik Rita D.
Published: February 2016

We present an exploratory study of changes in board composition of Texas savings and loan associations during the tumultuous 1980s. The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between director turnover and S&L failure. While director turnover constitutes a board attribute that is concrete and conspicuous to the outside world, very few studies have examined its role as a potentially informative indicator of board performance. This is in sharp contract with the extensive research on executive turnover and succession.
Some Conceptions And Mis-Conceptions On Reality And Assumptions In Financial Accounting
Authors: Salvary Stanley C. W.
Published: February 2016

This paper addresses two problematic issues arising from the importation of terms into financial accounting: (1) the nature of economic reality; and (2) the role of assumptions. These two issues have stirred a lot of controversy relating to financial accounting measurements and affect attestation reports. This paper attempts to provide conceptual clarity on these two issues.
Responding To Increased Environmental Hostility: A Study Of The Competitive Behavior Of Small Retailers
Authors: McGee Jeffrey E. , Rubach Michael J.
Published: February 2016

This article presents the results of a study designed to examine how small retailers responded to the increased environmental hostility created by the recent arrival of Wal-Mart. Data on environmental hostility, competitive tactics, and performance were collected from 238 small independent retailers. Findings suggest that effective pricing tactics were the most effective competitive behavior for small merchants in hostile environments. In benign environments, on the other hand, satisfying selective markets appeared to be the most effective competitive behavior.
Tax Fairness And Effective Tax Rates: A Tale Of Two Industries
Authors: Smith W. Robert , Manzon, Jr. Gil B. , Vijayakumar Jayaraman
Published: February 2016

Industries with low effective tax rates could reasonably expect to suffer as a result of legislation designed to increase tax fairness. We analyzed ETRs in two such industries, banking and oil and gas, over a period of time that included two major tax law shifts. Our results suggest that legislation designed to promote tax fairness affects industries in an idiosyncratic manner.
An Evaluation Of The Negative Binomial Method For Tests Of Controls
Authors: Wendell John P. , Gregson Terry
Published: February 2016

Auditors often use statistical sampling techniques to test controls. Dhavale (1991) presents a new statistical technique based on the negative binomial distribution for this purpose. This article examines in detail the properties of the new method. The article also provides the computational details necessary to apply the new method. The article concludes that the new method may be useful to auditors in some circumstances.
Reverse LBO Underpricing: Information Asymmetry Or Price Support?
Authors: Noronha Gregory , Yung Kenneth
Published: February 2016

Most studies attribute the underpricing of initial public offerings of equity securities to the ex ante uncertainty resulting from the information differential between the firm going public and the market. Rund (1991, 1993), however, proposes that underpricing could result from underwriter price support in the early after-market. In this paper we examine firms that were once public, went private via leveraged buyout and then went public again. It is reasonable to expect that since these reverse LBOs (RLBOs) were once publicly traded, they should have less of an information differential with the market than firms going public for the first time. Our tests indicate that there is little or no information asymmetry between RLBOs and the market. We find that RLBO initial returns are more consistent with price support than with information asymmetry.
Activity Based Costing With Reciprocal Dollar Value Allocation
Authors: Milne Ronald A.
Published: February 2016

The general model of Activity Based Costing (ABC) allocates indirect costs to products using a two-state procedure which first assigns overhead costs to homogeneous cost pools and then assigns those costs directly to products based on the products use of activities. This procedure does not consider cross-servicing between service departments or activity centers, but rather uses the direct method of cost allocation. This paper presents Activity Based Costing with Reciprocal Dollar Value Allocation (ABC-RDVA) as one approach to using ABC in an environment where production service departments experience ea substantial level of cross-servicing, and use of the direct method would distort product costs.
The Relationships Among Locus Of Control, Perceptions Of Stress And Performance
Authors: Bernardi Richard A.
Published: February 2016

This study examines the relationship among locus of control (Rotter, 1966) perceived stress, and performance of 206 newly-hired juniors (106 males and 100 females) from two Big-Six accounting firms. The data indicate that the more internal the individuals locus of control, the more that individual perceived stress as leading to higher achievements. Positive perceptions of stress were also related to higher grade point averages.
Market Anomalies Revisited
Authors: Chatterjee Amitava , Maniam Balasundram
Published: February 2016

The existence of market return anomalies have long been recognized in the finance literature. Several studies have documented the effects of size, dividend yields, E/P ratios, book-to-market value ratios, weekend, and turn of the year (January effect) on market returns. Still, much controversy surrounds the existence of, and explanations for the observed market anomalies. This study uses 1987-92 returns data to help provide more current evidence concerning market anomalies. A multivariate regression model (MVRM) is used to test for the presence of size effect, weekend effect, and January effect in this period. Evidence indicates the existence of a January effect for small firms, but other effects are not detected an any significant levels.
Modeling Exchange Rates With Neural Networks
Authors: Jamal A. M. M. , Sundar Cuddalore
Published: February 2016

This paper applies the neural network model to forecast bilateral exchange rates between the U.S. and Germany and U.S. and France. The predictions from the neural network model were compared to those based on a standard econometric model. The results suggest that the neural network model may have some advantages when frequent short term forecasts are needed.
Earnings Management Under SFAS No. 115: Evidence from The Insurance Industry
Authors: Jordan Charles E. , Clark Stanley J. , Smith W. Robert
Published: February 2016

Critics of SFAS No. 115 argue that allowing unrealized holding gains and losses on available for sale securities to bypass income and flow directly to owners equity creates opportunities for gains trading and earnings management. That is, to achieve a desired earnings level, management may selectively sell securities with the realized gains and losses affecting income. This study provides empirical evidence that earnings management under SFAS No. 115 is occurring in the insurance industry.
Earnings Forecasts And Institutional Demand For Common Stock
Authors: Eakins Stanley G. , Stanswell Stanley R. , Wertheim Paul E.
Published: February 2016

Given that institutional investors now control over 50% of the equity funds in the market, it is important to understand the factors that influence their investment choices. A factor widely believed to influence institutional investment is analysts forecasts of future earnings performance. This paper investigates the ownership vs. earnings relationship using a number of different model specifications. The findings indicate that contrary to the generally accepted wisdom, there is little empirical evidence indicating that institutional investors are influenced by analysts forecasts. Even within the sub-sample of those firms where the analysts are most in agreement, the relationship between the change in institutional ownership and analysts forecasts is insignificant. These results persisted across the six year time period investigated.
Porters Strategic Types: Differences In Internal Processes And Their Impact On Performance
Authors: Kumar Kamalesh , Subramanian Ram
Published: February 2016

This study examined differences in the environmental perceptions, management philosophy and values, and performance goals of strategic types based on Porters generic strategies, in the context specific setting of the health care industry. Results of the study show that different strategic types differed on a number of dimensions of managerial philosophy and values, and in terms of the major goals emphasized, thus emphasizing the differences in internal processes.
An Empirical Test Of The View Of Inventory As A Liability IN Explaining Financial Distress
Authors: Foster Benjamin P. , Sullivan M. Cathy , Ward Terry J.
Published: February 2016

This study reports a first attempt in a financial distress context to test the extreme JIT and TOC view that inventory is a liability. We compared inventory levels and the change in inventory for healthy and financially distressed manufacturing firms. We also compared the explanatory power of logistic regression models including traditional accounting ratios to that of models including accounting ratios created by viewing inventory as a liability. We found some support for the extreme view of some JIT and TOC proponents that traditional inventory should be considered a liability.
A Test Of The Validity Of The Screening Hypothesis Versus The Human Capital Theory Using The Wu-Hausman Specification Test For Endogeneity
Authors: Gullason Edward T.
Published: February 2016

This paper tests for the validity of the screen hypothesis. The Wu-Hausman specification test for endogeneity is conducted by estimating a Mincerian semi-log earnings equation with two different years of schooling measures included as independent variablesone exogenous, and one endogenous. It is found that the exogenous formulation of years of school helps to explain the variance of the natural logarithm of earnings, while the endogenous formulation does not. These results indicate that schooling is used as a screening device.
The Process Of Post Regulatory Changes And Industry Development Following Motor Carrier Deregulation: An Intervention And Profitability Study
Authors: Nelly Walter P. , Taylor Patrick A.
Published: February 2016

The Motor Carrier Act of 1980 was supposed to make the U.S. motor carrier industry more economically efficient, largely by stimulating market entry. That entry would presumably depress industry earnings and returns to motor carriers equities. While we find a deregulated industry that offers easy entry to new competitors, incumbent firms do not exhibit lower stockholder returns as new firms go public. When profits are examined, however, returns on total capital and profit margins tend to decline for both incumbent and entrant firms. The increased risk and lower returns, documented by pre-deregulation studies give way to a competitive and stable post deregulation industry.
Post-Announcement Return Volatility And Takeover Outcomes: Evidence Of Differential Information Arrival
Authors: Hall, Jr. John R.
Published: February 2016

This paper focuses on the effects of information arrival on asset return volatility. Rather than examine aggregate patterns in daily variances, this paper exploits the information rich circumstances of merger and tender offer bids to generate hypotheses of varying information arrival, and tests those hypotheses. The results reveal that differing bid circumstances, such as the presence of competing bids, do generate different levels of volatility, and these difference are consistent with the hypothesized information arrival differences.
Product-Mix Decisions Under Activity-Based Costing With Resource Constraints And Non-proportional Activity Costs
Authors: Yahya-Zadeh Massood
Published: February 2016

Companies adopting activity-based costing as a management and decision-making tools should be aware of its potential drawbacks. Activity-based costing relies heavily on the assumption of proportional activity cost structures. Further, it ignores resource and technological constraints. I argue in this article that both problems can be addressed through the integration of the activity-based costing with operational decisions based on Goldratts Theory of Constraints, (TOC). The proposed approach offers the added benefit of mitigating the short-run bias of the TOC approach in product-mix decisions.
A GIS Approach To Casino Market Modeling
Authors: Fung Devlin , Wilkes Susan
Published: February 2016

The casino entertainment industry has emerged as one of the greatest contributors to nations economy in terms of revenues, employment opportunities, and the building and construction industry. As a high investment business information from market research is a critical part of in the initial investment plan. The use of Geographic Information Systems has played an important role to assist decision making in business applications. It provides a whole new dimension to information processing by introducing spatial aspect to market research. The case suty in this research paper demonstrates the application of GIS for analyzing the casino center markets in Louisiana and Mississippi, and its use as a decision support tool in an executive information system.
The Role of Saving In Pakistans Economic Growth
Authors: Sinha Dipendra
Published: February 2016

We study the relationship between saving and economic growth using time series data for Pakistan for 1960-95. We find that both total saving and private saving have a long run positive relationship with GDP. The augmented Granger causality indicate that the growth of GDP Granger causes the growth rates of both private saving and total saving. However, the growth rate of private saving is found not to be Granger causing growth of GDP while the growth of total saving is found to be causing the growth of GDP.
Auditors As Advocates For Their Clients: Perceptions Of The Auditor-Client Relationship
Authors: Jenkins J. Gregory , Lowe D. Jordan
Published: February 2016

Recently auditors have come under increasing criticism for appearing to act as advocates on behalf of their audit clients. Such criticisms strike at the very heart of the public accounting profession the publics trust of the auditors. Given the considerable importance of this issue we conducted a survey of one national accounting firms auditing managers and senior managers to ascertain their attitudes regarding such advocacy. Results suggest that some members of the firm view their role somewhat differently than the traditional watchdog role commonly ascribed to them. Implications of our study as well as suggestions for future research are discussed.
Understanding The Factors Underlying Ethical Organizations: Enabling Continuous Ethical Improvement
Authors: Arnold Vicky , Lampe James C. , Sutton Steve G.
Published: February 2016

Over the past decade, issues surrounding corporate ethics and the ethical decision making of individuals in business have been a major focus in the popular press, academic research and curriculum revision efforts in business schools. One of the quandaries faced throughout these efforts is how to enable an individual to make ethical decisions In this paper, a model is proposed that focuses on organizational culture as the means by which to provide an environment that fosters ethical decision making by the organizations members. A four-stage model for understanding the current ethical state of organizations is formulated. Subsequently, the focus shifts to the underlying factors and situations that may intentionally or unintentionally exist and that may cause an organization to progress to a higher stage or regress to a lower stage.
Corporate Liquidity And The Significance Of Earnings Versus Cash Flow: An Examination Of Industry Effects
Authors: Lancaster Carol , Stevens Jerry L.
Published: February 2016

Prior studies in this journal tested relationships between measures of cash flow, accrual income, and both static and dynamic liquidity. The analysis is extended in this paper to test for industry effects where the relationships are not constant across industry groupings, making it difficult to generalize the findings from a larger sample of firms. The finding in other studies that accrual income has no incremental explanatory power for changes in the cash conversion cycle measure of liquidity can be generalized across industry groupings. But, prior studies find that working capital from operations and cash flow from operations have incremental explanatory power for liquidity measures while we show that this relationship is industry-specific and cannot be generalized across all firms. Also, we find that the incremental explanatory power of accrual income for changes in measures of static liquidity, such as current and quick ratios, is found almost exclusively in the manufacturing industry. Industry effects found in this study suggest the need for more caution in generalizing relationships between accrual income, cash flow, and liquidity measures.
Market Receptiveness To Franchise Systems In The Health Care Industry
Authors: McIntyre Faye S. , Gilbert Faye W.
Published: February 2016

In this study, cluster analysis is used to identify two consumer segments that differ in responsiveness toward franchised health care systems. These receptive and unreceptive clusters are differentiated in terms of the importance of health care constructs as well as in demographic characteristics. Younger, male respondents who live with a larger number of residents in the household may be the most receptive to franchise options, while the majority of all respondents seem open to the idea of franchised services. Further, results from this sample support the importance of competence, accessibility, empathy, and pricing to consumers in selecting health care providers, with less emphasis on local ownership.
Evidence Of Investors Responses To Managerial Investment Decision-Making
Authors: Walsh Robert J.
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates the stock price reaction of some pre-management buyout (MBO) investment decisions of managers. This paper finds that managers who engage in non-acquisition type investment expenditures (like plant expansions) in the pre-MBO period could lower the firms stock price. In addition, managers whose companies buy the assets or a stake in another firm give their company a positive stock price movement. Lastly, there is a statistically significant difference in stock price reaction depending on whether the investment expenditure is non-acquisition or acquisition.
CEO Succession And Strategic Change And Orientation In Small And Medium-Sized Firms: New Perspectives From France
Authors: Haddadj Slimane
Published: February 2016

This paper explores the connection between CEO transmission and strategic considerations in small and medium-sized firms. Specifically, it examines whether external transmission differs from internal transmission in its strategic change, and whether the firms strategic patterns can be explained by the CEOs perception of the business environment.
A Program For The Year 2000 Problem
Authors: Balsmeier Phillip W. , Bergeron Terry M.
Published: February 2016

This paper addresses the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem and details a program for a firm designed to eliminate or reduce the potential effects. The mission of any firms Y2K complainant program should be to take the necessary measures to ensure that proper topics are addressed. A company should have a comprehensive (global if necessary) Y2K Program in place and be committed as a company to see its success. Management needs to recognize the significant challenge represented by the Y2K problem and anticipate the need of an all out effort by all employees to ensure success. Employee involvement can range from those actually writing corrective code, to conducting and facilitating the testing procedures, to those who interface with customers to address and answer questions and concerns.
A Meta-Analysis Of Empirical Materiality Studies
Authors: Vance David E.
Published: February 2016

This paper builds on the work of Messier, Martinov-Bennie and Eilifsen (2005) A Review and Integration of Empirical Research on Materiality: Two Decades Later. That paper is an excellent qualitative summary of empirical materiality studies. However, it makes no attempt at quantitative integration. 

This paper uses meta-analysis to quantitatively integrate the findings of 42 studies reporting 14,033 materiality decisions by 6,762 individuals. Materiality is broadly defined as an amount that would make a user change his or her mind about a company. Since this definition is subjective, it is no surprise that individual materiality decisions are widely dispersed. What might be surprising is that the mean threshold of materiality over 14,033 decisions was 8.52% percent of net income. The factors which contribute to variability include the interest group making the materiality decision, the accounting issue in play, study method, and the amount of detail provided to the decider.

 The contributions of this study are to synthesize prior research quantitatively, to describe the application of meta-analytical techniques to accounting research, and raise questions for further research which might reduce the uncertainty in applying the concept of materiality in the future.
Effective Pedagogy For Business Schools Post-9/11/01
Authors: Eisner Susan P.
Published: February 2016

In the year since the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks on the United States, many educators have sought ways to respond appropriately and effectively in their classes. Much has been written to guide elementary and secondary educators; it is largely curricular in nature. Little has yet been geared toward college educators or pedagogy.  This paper begins to serve that need by presenting pedagogical options business school instructors may find helpful. The literature review and results of a  student survey suggest that active learning may be particularly effective in business school teaching today. 
The Way That Companies Should Manage Their Human Resources As Their Most Important Asset: Empirical Investigation
Authors: Hagen Abdalla , Udeh Igwe , Wilkie Macil
Published: February 2016

Although research reveals a direct relationship between a company’s success and its commitment to management practices that treat its people as assets, trends in management practice are moving away from these principles. This study provides a sound business case confirming that the way a company manages its people is a real and enduring source of competitive advantage. Drawing on their practical experience, the surveyed CEOs agree that the seven management practices (selective hiring, extensive training, employment security, self-management teams and decentralization, comparatively high compensation contingent on organizational performance, reduction of status differences, and sharing information) suggested in this study are the way that companies should manage their people as their most important asset. However, there are differences in the ranking order of management practices between CEOs and Pffer and Veiga  (1999).
Improvements In Audit Report Lag And Reporting Timeliness: A Non-Event For Technology Advances
Authors: Bean David F. , Bernardi Richard A.
Published: February 2016

Technological advances have transformed the professional lives of all accountants.  Consequential expectations would include improvements in the timing of the audit report and the reporting of financial information.  There is a presumption in the empirical literature that audit report lag is a primary cause of financial reporting delay.  This empirical research study finds little or no change in the audit report lag and timeliness of reporting during the period 1996 to 2001.  Audit report lag appears to play a questionable role, if any, in financial reporting delays and other factors such as inertia and interest may be the major impediments to timely reporting.  Finally, given the financial atmosphere after the Enron-Arthur Andersen debacle, our research finds no difference among auditing firms for the variables examined.  While this could be interpreted in a positive manner, it could also indicate that all Big-5 firms potentially have similar problems.
A Study Of Quality Management In Small Organizations Providing Services Directed At People
Authors: Khamalah Joseph N. , Lingaraj B.P.
Published: February 2016

This paper reports on a study of managerial perceptions of the implementation of total quality management (TQM). Results of a survey covering small firms in northeastern Indiana providing services directed at people are presented. Aspects discussed include the unique nature of this category of service firms, TQM deployment, tools used, successes, failures, benefits, and problems encountered. The majority of respondents indicated their firms’ commitment to TQM but a significantly smaller proportion demonstrated notable engagement with and actual implementation of a formal TQM program. Even smaller percentages had benchmarked internal quality standards, used TQM tools and quality-enhancing activities, rewarded employees for successful quality performance, and involved suppliers in their quality programs. Strategic implications of these findings are considered.
The Integrated Process Model For Learning Organization
Authors: Chen Guoquan , Liu Raymond R.
Published: February 2016

This paper proposes an integrated process model of a learning organization, which consists of six processes - “sensing”, “innovating”, “selecting”, “implementing”, “diffusing”, “feedback”, and one base - “knowledge base & knowledge management”. Based on the literature review and the interviews with multinational corporations in China, this model integrates the important organizational learning processes and knowledge management to reflect the reality of learning organizations comprehensively. Based on the integrated model, key elements that affect organizational learning processes are identified. Finally, the contributions, implications, limitation, and future research of the integrated process model are discussed.
Policing the Pirates: Digital Models for Music Distribution
Authors: Boyd David P.
Published: February 2016

According to the entertainment industry, the digital revolution is usurping its product and undermining its profit. Internet Service Providers have shown reluctance to interfere in the private domain of their users so at the behest of Hollywood, Congress in 1998 passed the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.  Nonetheless, the Recording Industry Association of America alleges that rampant Net piracy has precipitated a five percent worldwide decline of music sales in both 2000 and 2001.  The personal computer has become an expedient means of downloading songs from peer-to-peer file-sharing services or “burning” CD copies onto a blank disk. To ensure compliance with the Act, some record labels have embraced technology that distorts the error correction codes on illegally copied CDs.  However, this copy control solution is beset with various problems, including consumer aversion and technical fallibility.  After examining the dialectical tension between business cost and consumer choice, this paper proposes some other options.
Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks Or Simply Using The Old Tricks At The Right Time
Authors: Henderson Ken , Spiller Shane , Kunz Michelle , Ratliff Janet
Published: February 2016

This study used a specially designed questionnaire to explore student perceptions of tertiary service quality and preferences for fourteen commonly used teaching methods within five dimensions of higher learning.  A convenience sample of 243 undergraduate and graduate students was drawn. Overall, the similarities in the service quality gap between these student groups were greater than the differences. Specifically, students perceived their education emphasized learning of facts and principles but they preferred to be taught learning of skills and procedures.  Their most favored learning methods were textbooks and lectures and their least favored learning methods were role playing and team presentations. The perceived comparative value of the effectiveness of alternative teaching tools in accomplishing five dimensions of higher learning is discussed.
Euro Currency Trends In The Global Market
Authors: Obi C. Pat
Published: February 2016

This study presents preliminary evidence on the long-term relationship between the euro and major international financial and non-financial assets. A secular relationship, if it exists, should provide the impetus for the new European currency to not only sustain itself over the long haul but also become a commanding international currency just like the U.S. dollar. Empirical results show that the pricing of crude oil is inversely related to the value of the euro, priced in U.S. dollars. Unit root tests show that series are stationary after first differencing, and cointegrated. However, Granger causality tests reveal that the euro does not Granger-cause crude oil price.  Also, there is no reverse causality from oil to euro. Nonetheless, a two-way causality exists between the euro and the U.S. stock market. Contrary to the findings in earlier studies, there is no evidence of causality from the U.S. stock market to leading European financial market series.
Intellectual Property And Academia
Authors: Dowling William A. , Dowling V. Blair
Published: February 2016

Accompanying the exponential growth in the technology sector in the last decade has been the development and implementation of new policies and protocols regarding intellectual property by many academic institutions.  Characteristically, considerable debate has accompanied the process.  The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between technological progress and the development of university policies and protocols pertaining to intellectual property. 

 

Initially, a set of commonly accepted definitions for "Intellectual Property" (IP) is established.  This is accomplished by drawing from federal laws and statutes, the American Association of University Professors guidelines for IP policy content and wording, and several current university policies.  As these definitions are developed, it becomes apparent that one must next broach the issue of where software and other new forms of technology-related materials fit into current classifications.  This paper includes an overview of current approaches to IP agreements among research-level universities in the United States, and a brief coverage of historical precedents.  Special attention is given to recent changes in policies which seem to have been caused by technological advances, and several outside opinions and recommendations for modifications due to technology are presented.  The question of whether or not any changes in IP policy are warranted becomes central, and some care is taken to analyze the consequences of various proposals for modification (or lack thereof), concluding with some recommendations on the topic.
Corporate Higher Education: Models And Examples
Authors: Coll Joan H. , DeWitt Brownyn
Published: February 2016

Corporate education has become a major influence in higher education today.  The goal of this initiative is to explore the forms that higher corporate education takes.  Among the most prevalent are: specifically designed university programs, partnership programs between a company and a university, and corporation designed programs created and offered to meet the specific needs of educating their employees in training matters and providing development within the corporate structure.  While there is no set formula for fashioning a successful program the myriad variations provide an opportunity to explore the pros and cons of each model.  An example of a successful corporate higher education program is explored.
A Close Look At The Driving Forces Of The Sino-Foreign International Joint Ventures
Authors: Si Steven X. , Bruton Garry D.
Published: February 2016

The current study employs measures developed for examining Sino-American international joint ventures (IJV) driving forces in transitional economies.  This research reports some significant differences of the IJV factors existing between mature economies and transitional economies. This study also proposes key driving forces to inform a Sino-American IJV in the Chinese context.  In addition, the current study explores the degree to which the above factors affect Sino-American IJV establishment in the context of contemporary Chinese conditions.
Tobacco Counter-Marketing And Policy In A University Setting: The Use Of Experiential Learning Projects To Bring About Change
Authors: Mader Deanna D. , Harrah J.D. , See James M.
Published: February 2016

Four million deaths from tobacco-related illness and disease occurred worldwide in 1999 and that number is likely to increase to 10 million by the 2030s. Each year, 430,000 Americans die from such causes. Tobacco use among young people has remained constant, and in some cases, increased even though information regarding the hazards of tobacco consumption has received growing attention over the last decade, The present paper discusses the process and results of an undergraduate experiential learning project designed to 1) educate college students about the hazards of tobacco consumption, 2) prevent or reduce college students’ consumption of tobacco products through counter-marketing efforts, and 3) assess and change current tobacco related policies on campus. The two-semester project incorporated both fall and spring Promotion Management and Health Care Management classes and involved cooperation from the College of Business, the Medical School, and the Office of Student Affairs.
The Impact Of Non-Audit Fees Disclosures On Company Value Following The Enron Collapse
Authors: Eduardo Marcelo , Zhang Tao
Published: February 2016

Investor confidence regarding the reliability of financial statements is absolutely critical for publicly traded companies. The bankruptcy of Enron has brought to the forefront the issue of auditor independence and financial statement reliability. As a response to the criticism that the growth in consulting services by CPA firms was leading to a conflict of interest and significantly hindering auditor independence, the SEC approved new auditor independence regulations that required publicly traded firms to disclose the level of fees that were paid to their external auditor for non-audit services. 

 

This paper investigates the impact that the Enron collapse has had on investor perceptions about auditor independence and financial statement reliability. Using data from proxy statements concerning non-audit fees paid to external auditors, we find evidence that auditor independence and therefore financial statement reliability are compromised by the provision of these non-audit services. The results indicate that in the wake of the Enron revelations, investors perceive financial statements as being less reliable and thus require an additional risk premium, which translates into lower stock prices and a loss of firm value. We also find that there is negative relationship between the extent to which firms use non-audit services and the negative abnormal returns they suffered during the Enron collapse.
Bimodality In Interim Reports: An Analysts' View
Authors: Kahra Hannu A. , Kanto Antti J. , Schadewitz Hannu J. , Blevins Dallas R.
Published: February 2016

Cumulative abnormal residuals (cars) show how markets adjust to published information. Theoretically, cars are assumed to display unit normal behavior.  Despite its merits, car has proved to be a somewhat imprecise measure of market response to published information.  In practice, cars exhibit considerable deviation from theoretical unit normal behavior. Three disparities between theory and practice can be pinpointed.  These are car: (1) location, (2) shape, and (3) stability.  In our previous work we have demonstrated that cars are often bimodally distributed.  This finding shows one reason why it takes semistrong efficient markets some time to digest new information. Cars, for the time period during which markets analyze the new value determining data, are usually bimodally distributed. One mode of the distribution represents the impact of good news. The other peak is caused by bad news.  The valley, between the two peaks, indicates the influence of neutral news.  This paper analyzes the interim reports, which constitute the data for our previous related studies. This research identifies the type of new information that creates bimodal cars.
Analysis Of Online Customer Reviews
Authors: Otto James R. , Wagner William
Published: February 2016

The overall satisfaction of the customer is an important issue for online retailers.  This paper analyzes online customer ratings of electronic goods in the areas of Overall Customer Satisfaction, Customer Service, Delivery, Ease of Purchase, Price, and Shipping Options.  The authors develop neural network and multiple regression models that relate Overall Customer Satisfaction evaluations to the other rating factors.  By using these models, online retail managers can determine how to best allocate their resources to improve customer service, delivery, ease of purchase, price, and/or shipping options in ways that can best improve overall customer satisfaction.
Traditional Brands vs. On-Line Brands: A Comparative Assessment
Authors: Aderton Elizabeth , Nandan Shiva
Published: February 2016

In this paper we compare and contrast the branding strategies of traditional and on-line companies. To illustrate the similarities and differences between the two, we examine four well-established traditional brands and four successful on-line brands.  We then offer recommendations for successful branding in the ever-evolving business and technological environment of the future.
Computer And Internet Uses Among Elderly Population: Adding Activity And Quality To Life
Authors: Kamal Mustafa , Patil Godavari D.
Published: February 2016

Activity theory suggests that except for the inevitable changes in biology and health, older people are the same as middle-aged people with essentially the same psychological and social needs. In this view, decreased social interaction that characterizes old age results from the withdrawal of society from the aging person. Our study suggests that a large percentage of older citizens are computer literate, use Internet on a regular basis and believe that lack of basic computer skills is a disadvantage. Various activities ranging from email and chat on the Internet to surfing the net for useful information are common. We conclude that computer uses among older population adds value to their life.
Does Sport Matter?: An Analysis Of The Personality Of Sport
Authors: Sanchez Ron , Sutton-Brady Catherine
Published: February 2016

This paper examines the intrinsic characteristics of sport and reaffirms the idea that celebrity endorsers bring more to the endorsement process than just their personal qualities. This idea was previously proposed by McCracken (1989) in his transfer of meaning theory. The importance of this research lies in the fact that given the risks associated with celebrity endorsement, marketers must be aware of all factors that influence consumers’ evaluations of the celebrity endorsement. The proposition therefore is that an athlete’s sport is a factor that influences consumers’ celebrity endorsement evaluations. In other words the athlete and his sport cannot be separated.
Future Time Perspective As A Temporal Anchor: Applications To Organizations
Authors: Thoms Peg , Blasko Dawn
Published: February 2016

Future time perspective was introduced as a cognitive dynamic orientation.  We propose a model explaining its relationship with personality and organizational behavior, explain results of empirical tests, and identify uses.   There has been a great deal of confusion regarding the meaning and measures of Future Time Perspective.  Despite being treated as a stable trait for many years, it is reemerging as a temporal anchor that affects human behavior. 
Service Quality In Accounting Firms: The Relationship Of Service Quality To Client Satisfaction And Firm/Client Conflict
Authors: Saxby Carl L. , Ehlen Craig R. , Koski Timothy R.
Published: February 2016

This paper presents the results of a study using the marketing-based SERVQUAL scale to examine the relationship between service quality and both client satisfaction and firm/client conflict in an accounting firm setting.  Using a sample of 154 clients, we confirm that service quality is positively related to clients’ satisfaction with their accounting firm and negatively related to firm/client conflict.  We also examine the individual dimensions of service quality to provide insight into specific steps accounting firms can take both to increase client satisfaction and to decrease firm/client conflict.
Demands, Backorders, Service Level, Lost Sales And Effective Service Level
Authors: Thomopoulos Nick T.
Published: February 2016

The typical way service level is measured in industry is the demand filled over total demand. Unfilled demand becomes a backorder or lost sales. Lost sales demand is often not known or measured by the management.  This paper shows how to estimate the lost sales demand and also shows how to measure an effective service level.  Tables are provided for easy reference and two examples show how to apply the results of this paper to industry situations.
Cultural Paradigms Of Age Discrimination And Unearned Privileges
Authors: Mujtaba Bahaudin G. , Hinds Rose Marie , Oskal Cuneyt
Published: February 2016

Discrimination cases and lawsuits are causing anxiety for many employers, managers and employees in the United States and are driving many good employees to courts or other organizations. One of the greatest fears of company officials and individual managers is the likelihood of either being sued for something that they have done intentionally or unintentionally, or for something that they should have considered doing but did not.  One form of discrimination that has become widespread deals with age.  Age discrimination in the workplace impacts people of all sizes, races, colors, religions, and ethnicities.  It is no secret that age-related lawsuits proliferated during the last few years’ recession and more recently age related claims have been on the rise as some of the layoffs seem to have been targeting older workers.  Juries often side with aggrieved employees, even if the evidence is flimsy. Because of these trends, companies and their managers are realizing the need to protect their firms by periodically reviewing workforce diversity and proactively analyzing their work environment for latent signs of discrimination. 

 

A cultural perspective of aging is discussed in the enclosed document along with the societal norms and perceptions of aging from the perspective of people in Afghanistan, Turkey, Jamaica, and the United States.  Also, the concept of “unearned privilege” is discussed as it applies to age in different cultures.  The focus of this material is discrimination based on age in order to create awareness and reduce the negative impact of stereotypes associated with “older workers.”  It is imperative that older workers are kept in the American workforce as long as possible, as there will be a shortage of skilled labor as early as 2005, if older workers continue to retire early.
Is There Any Difference In The Retirement Intentions Of Female And Male Physicians?
Authors: Bahrami Bahman , Jacobson Sarah
Published: February 2016

Since the percentage of active female physicians in the United States is increasing rapidly, their retirement behavior will represent an important organizational and policy consideration in years to come.   The present study, is the first to explore possible differences in retirement intentions among female versus male physicians.  Findings are based on data obtained from a random national survey of nearly four thousand physicians regarding factors potentially relevant to their retirement.  Our empirical analysis identifies several factors that are correlated with male and female physicians retirement intentions.  Significant factors affecting male physicians retirement decisions include: expected social security income, pension income, the availability of early retirement incentives, decreasing annual income, current age, the existence of dependents in the family, years of service as a physician, the health status of ones spouse, stress/burnout, personal interests, the availability of part-time jobs, and general working conditions.  In the case of female physicians significant variables are: other expected income, perceived adequacy of retirement income, current age, years of service, work stress/burnout, the availability of part-time jobs,  and the employment setting.  An understanding of these factors is potentially important for healthcare administrators in dealing with the retention and retirement issues of the female and male physicians and may lead to more effective institutional decision making in this regard.