bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction Effects Between Strategic Involvement And Vision Salience On Executive Affective Perceptions And Organizational Climate
Authors: Wang Jifu , Ren Luh-Yu
Published: March 2016

The moderating impact of vision salience on strategic involvement was examined in its relationship with executive affective perceptions of satisfaction and organizational climate. It is argued that only executives have clear vision can involvement in strategic decision-making enhance executive affective perceptions and help to create and nurture supportive climate in organizations. Data were collected using a survey of 226 executives from a Fortune 500 company. The results showed that the interaction term has much greater prediction power for perceptions of executive affective perceptions and supportive climates, and the implications for managers are discussed.
Financial Analysis Of Information Security Breaches*
Authors: Damanpour Faramarz , Heydari M. Hossain
Published: March 2016

Each year, due to hacker attacks and virus infections billions of dollars are wasted. The impacts are globally felt and are not restricted to a single industry or agency, but it includes academia, individual, industry, and government agencies. In fact, hackers and viruses are becoming more and more sophisticated and are increasingly harder to detect. In this paper an attempt has been made to present Internet security and vulnerability, security policies, financial impacts, remedies, and a model to evaluate the opportunity costs of variables involve in security breaches.
In Search of the Optimal Venture-to-Capital (V2C) Business Model
Authors: Rasila Tommi
Published: March 2016

This paper illustrates the differences between traditional and emerging business models in the recently identified Venture-to-Capital (V2C) area. This area refers to the stage in the development of a company when it is between Venture and Capital, ie. before the idea or the venture is eligible for Venture Capital investment. Many entities exist to assist companies in the V2C operating space. Most obvious taxonomy of the V2C players includes Incubators, Advisors, Business Angels and Classic/Seed VC. All these have different business models, including motive, contribution, incentive and revenue model. There is, however, a large number of new operatives in this field which do not quite fit this traditional taxonomy.In this study, a number of these new operatives are examined and their business models outlined. When comparing the traditional and new business models, three observations are made as conclusions: New models are hybrids of traditional models with only some new features; Contributing intellectual capital in the sense of sweat capital or business knowledge is seen as a key requisite; Trend goes towards obtaining equity interest in the target company for upside potential in the compensation. This study paves way to future research in creating new taxonomy for Venture-to-Capital operatives and delineating a best practice to the practitioners in the field.
Household Debt In Small And Mid-Sized Cities Of America
Authors: Shahjahan Marza
Published: March 2016

Of the manifold problems that low income households wrestle with in their everyday lives the most worrisome is the household debt problem. It is double edged-the debt is unavoidable-but the inadequate income renders the households unable to service the debt efficiently. This makes them psychologically depressed and liable to the constant anxiety and gnawing. And the concern of the household regarding their failure to keep creditors satisfied involves constant anguish, restlessness and lack peace of mind.
The Augmented SOLOW Model And The OECD Sample
Authors: Canarella Giorgio , Pollard Stephen K.
Published: March 2016

In their influential work on the augmented Solow model, Mankiw, Romer and Weil (1992) showed that cross-section evidence was reasonably consistent with the Solow growth model augmented to include human capital for a wide range of countries. However, for the sample of OECD countries, they found that the model had low explanatory power and underestimated the output elasticity of physical capital. We revisit their seminal work using data from the recently released version 6.1 of the Penn World Table. We find that the ability of the augmented Solow model to explain the cross-country variation in income per capita in the OECD sample improves significantly. Our results highlight the importance of taking into account changes that take place over time in the collection and measurement of national accounts data in estimating and testing the augmented Solow model.
Bankruptcy Prediction In The Textile Industry
Authors: Cardwell Paula M. , McGregor Calvert C. , Synn Wonhi J.
Published: March 2016

This paper extends the use of Altmans Z-Score bankruptcy predictor to the textile industry. Generally, firms benefited from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) but suffered financially after the Asian currency crisis. The study finds that Type I classification errors support prior research while Type II classification errors are much higher than previous literature findings. The results indicate a need for a modified bankruptcy predictor for the textile industry.
A New Paradigm For Studying The Economic And Behavioral Consequences Of Framing Health-Related Decisions
Authors: Levin Irwin P. , Lauriola Marco
Published: March 2016

Traditional attribute framing effects occur when the same object is evaluated differently depending on whether a particular attribute is labeled or framed in positive or negative terms. For example, in one of our earlier studies, 80% lean ground beef was evaluated more favorably and was worth 8 cents more per pound than 20% fat ground beef. In the present study of health-related judgments and decisions, attribute framing effects were extended to situations where consumers had to infer framing valence depending on whether ones health status was described in comparison to a lower standard or a higher standard of reference. For example, a persons health status was rated higher when the same level of vitamin intake was stated in terms of its distance above an established low-protection level compared to when it was stated in terms of its distance below an established high-protection level.
A New Financial Architecture For South American Countries
Authors: Canac Pierre
Published: March 2016

Several South American countries experienced financial crises during the 1990s and each responded differently. Thus Brazil floated the real following its 1997 crisis, Argentina started the decade with a currency board arrangement, but was forced to give it up some ten years later at more or less the same time that Ecuador adopted the dollar as its official currency. Chile, on the other hand, has been an island of financial stability in a subcontinent in turmoil. This article provides an alternative model for South American countries that could lead to more stability in the region and more independence from any of the major economies, especially the United States. This model borrows heavily from the experience of the European Union in general and European Monetary Union in particular. It recommends that the countries in South America first join a reformed Mercosur before forming a South American Monetary Union. In addition to creating a new common central bank or currency board, some other regional institutions will probably need to be created in order to coordinate economic policies, to negotiate with other countries, and to settle disputes that might arise among members.
Family Values, Competition And The Environment: An International Study Of Business Ethics
Authors: Bernardi Richard A. , Long Shelby P.
Published: March 2016

This study compares the attitudes of international college students concerning personal versus business ethics, the environment, and competition. The sample consists of 999 business students from Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, South Africa, Spain, and the United States. While Hofstedes cultural constructs were significant for two of our five research questions (one dealing with family values and the other with ethical practices), Paulus (1986) Image Management Subscale was significant for three of the research questions. Our data do not support gender differences in ethical sensitivity after controlling for social desirability response bias on an international sample.
Adopting US-GAAP Or IASB Accounting Standards By The Arab Countries
Authors: Zoubi Taisier A. , Al-Khazali Osamah
Published: March 2016

This paper examines whether Arab countries have adopted the standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (lASB) or the US-GAAP. The results of this study show that companies in the Arab world use different accounting rules and regulations for measurement, recognition, and disclosures of financial position and results of operation. Consequently, comparability of the financial results of different companies in different countries in the Arab world is impaired. We recommend adopting financial accounting standards issued by the IASB. Our study shows that adopting IASB standards has a positive impact on the economic development of the Arab countries.
The Rush To Outsource: The Interplay Of Location And Dislocation
Authors: Boyd David P.
Published: March 2016

In their quest for economic efficiency, American firms are increasingly outsourcing their processes as well as their products. Companies may outsource operations themselves or use the services of special outsource firms such as contract manufacturers and external service providers (ESPs). The present study focuses on evolving dynamics within these intermediaries, particularly their accelerated move to offshore operations. This paper examines the causes and effects of this trend. The first casualties register in the American workforce. Though U.S. firms and consumers enjoy some near-term benefit from this job transfer, long-term implications are ominous. By broadening their geographic locus and hiring local professionals, ESPs unwittingly expedite the emergence of an indigenous labor pool to replace them. Already domestic providers are encountering local ventures that offer value-added technology in upstream areas like architecture, development and integration. If such firms continue to gain recognition in high-end activity, they may credibly lay claim to the commodity work of product assembly and transaction processes. American firms are targeting these same areas, especially the nascent realm of business process outsourcing (BPO). As U.S. outsourcers rush relentlessly downstream and transplant their backend support services to overseas locations, they may be outsourcing their own future. The paper will give three case study examples at each end of this labor food chain. As domestic examples we include a domestic contract manufacturer and a BPO provider. Both firms have established an overseas presence. Lastly, we examine an overseas competitor leveraging its upstream success in high-value IT services to secure a beachhead in BPO.
The Hidden Business Costs Of European Union Enlargement: The Case Of The Czech Republic
Authors: Phillips John , Stark Emil , Wheat Jerry
Published: March 2016

Enlargement of the European Union (EU) will take place on May 1, 2004. Nine countries from Eastern Europe will become full fledged members of the union. While these countries have met the EU accession criteria many are not really ready to compete with Western European companies. One of the major impediments for firms in the East is the hidden costs of joining the union. This paper explores some of the case of the Czech Republic, what hidden costs are currently apparent, and suggests changes that would make the Czech Republic more competitive in Western Europe.
International Harmonisation Of Accounting Standards: The Case For A Mandatory Requirement For The Direct Method Of Reporting Operating Cash Flows
Authors: Yap Christine
Published: March 2016

Even though standard setters have now embraced cash flow statements there remains ambivalence as to the best format (i.e. direct or indirect method) for disclosing cash flow from operations. In 1987 the FASB asserted that information about the gross amounts of cash receipts and cash payments is more relevant than information about the net amounts of cash receipts and payments. Yet apart from Australia and New Zealand, most standard setting bodies, including the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), permit a choice between the direct and indirect methods. When given this choice, the vast majority of companies have opted for the indirect method of reporting operating cash flows (OCFs).This difference in OCF presentation between jurisdictions is relevant in this era of harmonisation of accounting standards: both the European Union parliament and the Australian Financial Reporting Council have decided to set 2005 as the target date for the adoption of standards produced by the IASB. Underlying this policy of verbatim adoption of international accounting standards, presumably is the belief that adoption of standards issued by the IASB would lead to an improvement in financial reporting. Such a view was presented recently when current Australian accounting standards were criticised as being deplorable by the Chairman of the IASB, David Tweedie (Australian Financial Review, 5 August 2003, p.1). Yet by reviewing the literature on cash flow statements, this paper argues that not all Australian standards would be improved by adopting international standards. In the case of cash flow reporting, maybe the IASB should review its standard and accept the lead of Australia and New Zealand, by not permitting choice of method and mandate the direct method: surely an intended consequence of harmonisation is to narrow areas of difference and variety in accounting practice.
Impacts Of Exchange Rate Fluctuations And Government Debt On Economic Performance For A Latin American Country
Authors: Hsing Yu , Baraya Aristides R. , Budden Michael C. , Wallace Dawn
Published: March 2016

Applying the autoregressive conditional heteroskedascity (ARCH) model as developed by Professor Robert F. Engle (1982, 2001) and based on a 1970-2002 sample, real GDP was found positively affected by the peso depreciation, the U.S. economy, real M2 money, government spending and the expected inflation rate, and negatively influenced by government debt. The gradual recovery of the U.S. economy is expected to help the Colombian economy. An increase in government spending helps raise real output, but increasing government debt to finance rising budget deficits would reduce national output.
Examination Of Intrinsically Motivated Shopping Behaviors Across Contexts
Authors: Lesser Jack A. , Mahdavinia Mohammad
Published: March 2016

This exploratory research determines the measurement dimensions of intrinsic motivation for shopping behavior contexts. In addition, the dimensions are suggested to be strongly related and they are assessed for their possible unidimensionality. Based on findings, this research indeed provides evidence that the dimensions are highly related. Evidence is also found to support the similarity of intrinsic motivation dimensions across different contexts, such as age and income. Different future research strategies are suggested for further advancement of inquiry about intrinsic motivation in shopping and intrinsic motivation in general.
Effects Of Exchange Rates On International Transfer Pricing Decisions
Authors: Chan Canri , Landry Steven P. , Jalbert Terrance
Published: March 2016

The following Table was submitted by the authors as an update, however, the International Business & Economics Research Journal, Volume 3, Number 3, page 39 had already gone to press. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Eye Tracking Evaluation Of Chinese Web Sites For The Chinese Market
Authors: Theuner Gabriele R. , Steinmetz Stefan
Published: March 2016

This paper assesses and analyzes ways Chinese and European people view web sites designed in English and Chinese languages. The results suggest some similarities and differences based on different cultures.The Chinese market is gaining more and more importance in the international business arena. Due to the strong Chinese Internet growth rates increasingly more global enterprises use the Internet for e-Commerce, market penetration and expansion, and to communicate information in China. But the success of online communication with customers in the Chinese market is in many cases not as effective as planned, because of cultural differences between Chinese and European people. Specific reading behavior, different cultural color definitions, diverse meanings of symbols or pictures as well as differing Chinese attitudes and values have to be considered when designing web sites for China.To gain more knowledge about the needs, tastes and behavior styles from Chinese Internet users, an experiment was designed with the following hypothesis: Chinese and Europeans differ concerning web site evaluation and recognition due to culture. Web sites designed for Chinese (Mercedes, Sony Ericsson, and China Eastern) were tested using an Eye Tracking camera.Observation, using an Eye Tracking camera, combined with a survey, showed that Chinese users share only preferences like clarity and comprehensibility in web site quality with German users. Significant differences can be named concerning amount of information, design/color design and terminology. During the tests it also became clear that the order in which the Chinese users look at elements (navigation bar, text, pictures, etc.), and the tested recognition is not identical to European users.
Health Outcomes And The Cost-Quality Trade-Off In Health Care: Empirical Study Of OECD Countries
Authors: Holstein Adora D.
Published: March 2016

This study applies multivariate regression analysis to cross-section data of 30 OECD countries to determine if there is a trade-off between health care cost and the quality of the health system on one hand, and better health outcomes on the other. It also investigates whether a higher quality health system leads to superior health outcomes. The empirical results provide positive answers to the above two questions. Indices of responsiveness, fairness or accessibility, and overall efficiency of the health system developed by the World Health Organization were used in this study to measure health system quality. The rate of infant mortality and a disability-free or healthy life expectancy measure developed by the WHO are used as indicators of health outcomes. The empirical models control for the effects of cross-country differences in literacy level and health-risk or lifestyle. The study finds evidence that the more responsive and accessible the countrys health system is, the longer is the healthy life expectancy of its people. Moreover, the more accessible and efficient the countrys health system is, the lower is the rate of infant mortality.
A Comparison Of Corruption Perceptions: The Czech Republic And Sloakia
Authors: Wheat Jerry E. , Swartz Brenda , Wadsworth Frank
Published: March 2016

When the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1989 Czechoslovakia regained its independence from Soviet domination as a result of a so called velvet revolution. Four years later in 1993 the two parts of Czechoslovakia separated in a velvet divorce to become two independent states: The Czech Republic and Slovakia. Slovakia was at the time less developed than the Czech Republic. Previous studies of corruption indicate that the less developed a country is the more corruption would be expected. This study uses data from the Business Environment and Economic Performance Survey (BEEPS) of the World Bank and the European Bank for reconstruction and Development to explore perceptions of corruption in the two countries.
Organisational Structuration: Emergent Social Action In Committee Work
Authors: Jones Grant
Published: March 2016

The concept of structuration is still under construction. After tracking its development to date, this paper asks what happens to the concept when it is applied to understanding work behaviour in an organisational context. The concept of structuration is made more elaborate by introducing a new constituent to the process, the element of preferential role. What influence, if any do the actuations of preferential roles by individuals have on the social structure and of the collective group behaviour? The paper serves as a model for anyone who seeks ways of testing the concept of structuration in practice.The research reported in this paper suggests an answer to a practical question thrown up by the concept of structuration. Structuration is one way of resolving the opposition between those collectivists who seek to observe structure as a determinate of individual behaviour and those individualists who see group behaviour as nothing more than the sum total of individual behaviours. Anthony Giddens, who is generally credited with the formulation of the concept, provides little instruction on how to actually operationalise the concept of structuration in an empirical investigation. Great in theory; how is it studied in practice? Moreover, how can the concept be put to work in understanding the social organisation of work and its outcomes? After sketching the development of the concept of structuration, this paper reports on one attempt to study structuration as it occurs in a work setting (a house of parliament) that has particular characteristics that make it ideal for the observation of structuration in action.The unit of work that is studied is the parliamentary committee. A single parliamentary inquiry provides a unit of work to observe, which is at once discrete and well bounded and also has a wider institutional context within which the committee fits. It also provides people to study who are both political actors (in the sense prescribed by political science) and social actors (in the sense prescribed by sociology). The parliamentary committee is an ideal group to choose to test the influence of preferential role and structuration, since it is here that structuration can be observed in a highly explicit form. Parliamentarians are not wage slaves, limited by official role descriptions and duty statements. They are out to shape structures in ways that can assist individual agendas and are expected to some extent to construct their own roles. That said, the parliamentary committee is also a work group, the structure of which is - at least in theory - determined by collective agreement. Nine parliamentary committees were studied in this project. Two of those committees are cased in this paper. However, in all cases observed, structuration occurred through the interaction of two pervasive sets of forces: the corporatist dictates of party structures and the actuation of the preferential roles of committee members.
The Effect Of Price Limits Changes On Return Volatility: Evidence From The Stock Exchange Of Thailand
Authors: Polwitoon Sirapat
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates the effect of price limits changes on stock return behavior on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET). We compare the short run behavior of stock return under different regimes of price limits. The comparison is based on structural volatility, as measured by ratio of open-to-open return variance and close-to-close return variance. We also examine the covariance components of the 24-hour return and 12-hour return to detect the relation between limit width and the pattern of overreaction. We analyze the impact of trading volume and market value on structural volatility and overreaction as well. We find that return behavior at the SET is found to be rather consistent with those of other exchanges that employed price limit namely, Tokyo Stock Exchange and Taiwan Stock Exchange. In particular, the changes of price limit at the SET magnify the pattern of return behavior that exists before and after the changes resulting in increases in structural price volatility and overreaction during the narrow limit regime.
An Examination Of Global Market Segmentation Bases And Strategic Positioning Decisions
Authors: Hassan Salah S. , Craft Stephen H.
Published: March 2016

This paper examines the conceptual linkages between global segmentation strategy and brand positioning from the perspective of firms operating in increasingly globalized markets. The manuscript suggests the combined use of macro/country-level as well as micro/behavioral-level bases of segmentation in order to leverage similar strategic positioning across global markets. The analysis presented paves the way for embarking on future research to enrich the academic understanding and managerial practice of linking global segmentation with strategic positioning decisions.
The Relationship Between Employment And Real Exchange Rate: The Case Of Turkish Apparel Industry
Authors: Bilgin Mehmet Huseyin , Danis Hakan
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates the relationship between employment and real exchange rate in Turkish apparel industry. In particular, the relationship between employment and real exchange rate is sophisticated than it seems. It is widely accepted that there exists a link between real exchange rate and employment. However, the literature on this relation is insufficient and there is no consensus on whether real exchange rate has positive or negative effect on employment. Yet, we know that the sign and magnitude of this relation depend on various conditions, which ought to be analyzed in detail. We lay out an empirical model using employment, real wage, real exchange rate and production series of Turkish apparel industry. Our results indicate that there is a positive relationship between employment and real exchange rate in the long run.
Testing For Unit Roots In The Presence Of Multiple Trend Breaks: An Application To Chilean Inflation Rate Series
Authors: El-Ramly Hala M.
Published: March 2016

This paper is an application of the subject of testing for unit roots in a time series in the presence of structural change. The series used is that of the Chilean monthly inflation rate. A characteristic of this series is that, with the exception of the 1972-1977 period during which the inflation rate in Chile greatly accelerated then decelerated, the Chilean inflation rate over the 40-year period of the study stayed within a limited range. In spite of this relatively stable performance, the application of the standard unit root tests to the series results in the inability to reject the unit root. However, when a test that allows for three endogenously determined breaks in the slope of the trend function of the series is used to account for the structural change of the 1972-1977 episode; the result is a strong rejection of the unit root in favor of a, more reasonable, stationary characterization of the series.
Water And Other Drinks Consumption Evaluation In Kuwait
Authors: Alhumoud Jasem M. , Al-Medij Jaber
Published: March 2016

The problem of securing and gaining reliable water supplies has been an issue of great importance to the people of Kuwait, ever since the earliest days of settlement in the region. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the Kuwaitis' attitudes concerning water and other drinks consumption. A simple, yet structured questionnaire, which provides the data base for the study was designed, presented, and employed in a person-survey of a random sample of 2,500 individuals residing in the six governorates of Kuwait. The frequency distribution of the type of water (tap, filter and/or bottled), number of classes of water, number of classes of other drinks, and other socio-economic characteristics of the sample population are presented. Results show that although an overwhelming majority of Kuwaitis know that drinking water is health enhancing, most do not drink as much per day as they should. Results also show that people in Kuwait consume a lot of dehydrating drinks. More importantly, this research establishes a baseline of information about public opinion, knowledge, and behavior regarding drinking water and other drinks, so that the impact of public education programs, in particular, may be assessed and measured in the future.
User Views On The Complex Accounting For Financial Instruments
Authors: Tan Chyi Woan , Tower Greg , Hancock Phil , Taplin Ross
Published: March 2016

This paper examines Australian and Singaporean users views on fair value accounting for all financial instruments in financial institutions via a survey on various aspects of contention in this debate. Overall, users showed general support for fair value accounting for all financial instruments. In addition, the findings revealed that users will support fair value accounting so long as there is no perceived difference between the banking and trading books, fair values of non-traded financial instruments are reliable and volatility in earnings will not be misunderstood. It was also found that user experience increases the level of support for the proposed fair value accounting model. These results highlight actual user preferences with noticeable support for arguments from both sides of the debate (JWG and JWGBA) in this highly contentious and topical area of accounting for financial instruments.
Exploring The Media Strategy For International Marketers With Small Budgets: A Cross-Country Consumer Perspective
Authors: Gao Zhihong , Newman Cynthia M.
Published: March 2016

This paper reports a cross-country comparative study of the media choices for the marketing of Master of Business Administration education in China and the United States from a consumer perspective. To date, limited discussion in the standardization versus adaptation debate has focused specifically on the issue of media strategy from the perspective of a specific category of international marketers, even though media planning is often the most costly and challenging part of international marketing communication. The current study is an effort to bridge this gap.
Usefulness Of Derivative Instruments In Emerging Markets: Turkish Experience
Authors: Saatcioglu Cem , Karagul Iskender , Volkan Ara G.
Published: March 2016

This article presents an overview of derivative markets, definitions of derivative investment instruments, development of global derivative markets and the applicability of derivative markets in Turkey, given their economic value added to the Turkish economy. Readers will acquire insight into investing in various investment instruments and hedging against risk. Turkish derivative markets will be described, supportive statistical data will be presented, and readers will be introduced to the development and current status of these derivative markets in the Turkish emerging market. Finally, the contribution of derivative instruments and derivative markets to the Turkish economy will be discussed.
The Renminbi Dilemma: To Float Or Not To Float
Authors: Lakehal-Ayat Merouane
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the Renminbi (the Chinese currency) and suggest whether or not the currency should be allowed to float. The paper makes use of four popular approaches to determine whether or not the currency is currently undervalued and if so, what mechanisms should be used to allow for its proper valuation. According to the purchasing power parity, balance of payments approach, and the asset management approach, the Chinese currency is undervalued and will therefore appreciate in the future. We believe that although floating of the currency is advisable for the long run, it will not be in the best interest of the Chinese economy in the short run given the state of its banking system in particular. Adopting a pure float will probably cause major macro and micro economic imbalances that will be difficult to tackle. Instead, we suggest a pegging of the Renminbi against a basket of currencies to ensure flexibility and stability in the system.
Value Orientation Of Jamaicans Compared To Students In The United States Of America
Authors: Dastoor Barbara , Roofe Edeta , Mujtaba Bahaudin
Published: March 2016

This study investigates differences in the value orientation of Jamaican students who live and study in the US for an extended period compared to Jamaican students in Jamaica and US students to see if there is support for the theories of convergence, divergence and crossvergence given the effects of globalization on different countries. Dorfman and Howels (1988) scale, which measures Power distance, Uncertainty avoidance, Collectivism, Masculinity and Paternalism, assessed value orientation in this study. The results reveal that there are no differences between Jamaican students in Jamaica and those in the US that suggests strength in the Jamaican culture as Jamaicans live in the US. However, there was only one significant difference between Jamaican students in the US and the US students; uncertainty avoidance was significantly higher for the former. This supports divergend or retaining ones distinctive cultural orientation despite ongoing interaction over time. There was no difference between US students, Jamaicans in US and Jamaican universities on all other dimensions. This lends support to convergence or merging of cultures.
Faculty Development Practices In Distance Education For Success With Culturally Diverse Students
Authors: Mujtaba Bahaudin
Published: March 2016

The student population is becoming more geographically and culturally diverse in the online arena because students from all parts of the world are able to register for online classes. These diverse students need competent and qualified online facilitators that are able to use diverse teaching pedagogies to meet their learning needs. Therefore, developing and training faculty members through a successful orientation program to integrate diverse cyberspace technology into the classroom for student learning are a necessity today. As such, administrators should focus on the effective development, training, and retaining of technologically savvy educators to teach in various distance learning modalities (online, on-ground, and blended formats) using cyberspace technology while focusing on effectively achieving learning outcomes with diverse students. The document discusses diversity issues, the desires and views of online students based on a survey of 229 graduate students, and suggestions for new online faculty members. An emersion model of training used for faculty orientation and development is presented.
Foreign Financial Institution Equities: Returns From Emerging Markets And Developed Markets Differ
Authors: Elliott R. Stephen , Schaub Mark
Published: March 2016

With the vicissitude of the capital markets, investors continually seek new and innovative techniques that will identify securities that outperform the market. In addition to the usual fundamental and technical analysis, the international markets may provide enhanced profit potential. Investors may purchase securities of foreign companies to gain greater diversity and new investment opportunities.
Trends Of Changes In The Polish Industry Innovativeness (Against The Background Of Leading World Economies)
Authors: Mazurkiewicz Adam , Sitkowska Rozalia
Published: March 2016

Tendencies concerning innovativeness changes in selected sectors of the Polish economy were identified in the paper. The trends were depicted against the background of the USA, Japan and the EU-15 and they comprised: public and business financing of the R&D area with reference to GDP, R&D expenditure per capita, and venture capital funds supporting innovations commercialization. The observed correlation between the financing level of the R&D area and the innovativeness level of the US economy made the basis for the analysis conducted. The analysis concentrated on trends occurring in the Polish economy in the context of industry innovativeness, in particular processing industry, including the sector of investment goods. Conclusions resulting from the analysis of innovation commercialization processes with venture capital funds were presented. Countermeasures which were taken in Poland to prevent the marginalization of financing the R&D area were demonstrated as well.
Multinational Clients: A Source Of Competitive Advantage For Multinational Audit Firms
Authors: Rose Anna M.
Published: March 2016

This research evaluates the competitive advantages of the Big 6 audit firms in selected foreign markets, namely in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom. In particular, the current study investigates audit pricing for multinational clients headquartered in the above regions. The analyses consider the degree of multinationality of the client and the locations of multinational clients operations in order to gain insight into the determination of audit fees and audit firms competitive advantages. The results indicate that audit fee premiums increase as the level of multinationality of the client increases in the Malaysian market, but not in the Hong Kong or UK markets. Also, in Malaysia, the magnitude of the Big 6 audit fee premium increases for clients with subsidiaries in developed countries. However, in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, the location of client subsidiaries in developed countries does not provide additional competitive advantages for Big 6 firms.
One Step Closer To European Union: Smart Card Technology In Turkey
Authors: Lawler James , Erdem-Arslan Deniz
Published: March 2016

Europe and Asia are competing to deploy smart cards for functions from banking to retailing to telecommunications. This study analyzes factors that contribute to the implementation of smart card technology, focusing on smart card and magnetic card technologies in the financial industry in Turkey. The paper examines the effects of technological and business factors on Turkish banks, such as Akbank, Deniz Bank, Garanti Bankasi, and Tekstil Bank. The business factors are budgeting, culture, customization, and loyalty, and the technical factors are infrastructure, multi-functionality, payment speed, and transaction security. This exploratory study will assist international and local entrepreneurial entrants to the financial industry in Turkey, in taking advantage of smart card technology.
A Nonparametric Comparison Of The Per Capita Yearly Economic Needs For The Water Supply In The USA-Mexico Border Region
Authors: Pena-Sanchez Rolando
Published: March 2016

Based on demographic and economic information, this research paper evaluates a nonparametric comparison of the per capita yearly economic needs for water supply of two international regions conformed by 100 cities and/or communities (localities) along the border of United States and Mexico, from which 57 are located on the American side and 43 on the Mexican side; part of the discrepancy exhibited by both borders about the per capita yearly economic needs for water supply is explained as a reflection of the demographic-gap among adjacent localities of the common border region; we present confirmatory evidence of discrepancies. The per capita yearly economic needs estimate should be considered in order to increase the sustainability for water supply. The United States-Mexico border in terms of water supply needs should be interpreted as an issue of national security. If the accelerated rate of population growth on both sides of the border between United States and Mxico continues including the area around the water river basins, this could produce a dramatic scenery in the future (for year2020): An expected percentage of population growth of 108 % accompanied with a long-term economic needs volume of $ 3,393,870,000.00
Global Labor Practices And Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Mujtaba Bahaudin G. , Cavico Frank J. , Jones Cyndy
Published: March 2016

As companies work in the international marketplace, a level of corporate responsibility is expected by the international business community and by the consumers. Companies must set standards for operations that satisfy the expectations in the home country as well as the host countries. Multinational companies can no longer set financial goals in terms of sales and profitability as the only measures of success; but they must also set standards for ethical and socially responsible behavior of their own enterprise as well as their stakeholders. This paper, using Nike as an example, describes challenges associated with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for large multinational organization. Furthermore, this paper discusses what Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is, and what is not, so managers can clearly and realistically state their goals and perspectives on what social responsibility means to their organizations and stakeholders.
Second Generation Asian-Indian Reactions To Asian-Indian And American Magazine Advertisements
Authors: Khairullah Durriya H. Z. , Khairullah Zahid Y.
Published: March 2016

This paper is an extension of a previous study which addressed cultural perceptions of first generation Asian-Indians. The current study includes second generation Asian-Indians in the U.S. (The United States of America) and compares their reactions to the first generation subjects regarding Indian magazine advertisements versus American magazine advertisements of the same product class. The results indicate that cultural perceptions of the second generation Asian-Indian are similar to cultural perceptions of first generation Asian-Indians in the earlier study. In general, both generations appear to prefer Indian advertisements more than the corresponding American advertisements. This offers opportunities for U.S. marketers to continue to develop culturally attuned advertising strategies to effectively reach the growing and affluent Asian-Indians in the U.S.
On The Determinants Of Currency Unions
Authors: Marchesiani Alessandro
Published: March 2016

This paper studies the determinants of currency union membership. Geographical distance, colonial heritage, language, sizes and bilateral trade between two countries as predictors of their propensity to adopt a common currency are accounted for. To deal with endogeneity, two-step probit estimation method is performed. The estimation results show that geography, colonial heritage, size, and speaking the same language predict monetary unions quite well. However, bilateral trade does not enter significantly in the second-stage estimation, thus revealing that bilateral transactions between two countries are not a useful indicator of their membership in a common currency area.
Development Of Convenience Store System In Japan: Toward The Synchronization Of Production And Distribution
Authors: Fujimoto Hisao
Published: March 2016

This paper presents a finding from a case study of the convenience store system in Japan. Based upon two theories, strategic network theory and postponement-speculation theory, the evolutionary process of the supply chain management in the convenience store system is explained. Seven Eleven Japan, which is one of the large convenience store chains, has been developing its advanced system for several merchandise categories. This system is beyond the boundary of convenience store chains. The synchronization of production and distribution is persistently being aimed under the condition of the instantaneous consumption.
Market Concentration And Industry Profitability: The Case Of Greek Banking (1997-2004)
Authors: Maniatis Paraschos
Published: March 2016

An empirical investigation of the relationship between market concentration and performance in the Greek banking, this paper finds that market concentration has a weak effect on bank profitability. This finding could be attributed to the long tradition of the Greek governments to keep the financial institutions under immediate either in the form of state-owned institutions or indirectly through a complex and rigid regulations concerning interest rates, credit standards and credit rationing.
The Problem With Derivatives In Valuing Securities
Authors: Christner Ronald
Published: March 2016

This paper concludes that we have auditors who, in general, do not understand derivatives but who are stipulating to the accuracy of the financial reports of companies that make extensive use of derivatives. We have financial analysts, many of which do not have an in depth understanding of derivatives, or accounting standards that govern them or their effect on company valuation. Even if the security analysts are knowledgeable about Derivatives it is doubtful that they have enough, or the correct, information to do a thorough analysis. We have many government regulators, most of whom even in the securities industry,generally have little or no knowledge relating to derivatives. And we have the general public, many of whom invest in the securities of these companies, but are not able to assess the effect of derivatives usage on their prospective investments.
Time Series Stochastic Properties Of Growth Miracles And Growth Disasters
Authors: Avila Rafael , Faria Hugo J. , Montesinos-Yufa Hugo , Morales Daniel
Published: March 2016

Preliminary findings of this research suggest significant stochastic properties differences between growth miracles and growth disasters. Miracles real GDP per capita exhibit at least one unit root whereas disasters is either stationary or has a negative unit root. Average growth rates appear to be significantly different. Average population growth rate is stationary for disasters, for miracles the existence of a negative unit root cannot be rejected. Consumption for miracles is either stationary or tends to decline, for disasters is stationary or tends to increase. Investment average and volatility are apparently significantly greater for miracles. Government expenditures for disasters are non stationary, for miracles are stationary with an incipient tendency to decline. Moreover, average government expenditures apparently are greater and more volatile for disasters. Finally, openness is stationary for disasters and for miracles it has at least one unit root.
Comparative Small Business: Toward A Model
Authors: Amin M. Ruhul , Banerjee Sharmistha
Published: March 2016

This paper addresses the issue of comparability of the small business across geographical boundaries based on organizational contextual, structural variables and the effectiveness indicators. The authors argue that (1) there are already many features, profiles, managerial challenges and the role the small businesses play in a political economy that are common to many countries; (2) the gradual homogenization (due to successful penetration and integration of web based information and transactional technology) of business cultures in a borderless and seamless global business environment may enable tentative generalizations based on empirical as well as ethnographic studies. The paper first defines small business effectiveness and then outlines several common factors through a review of case and ethnographic studies. Finally, the author takes one of the common factorsthe issue of capacity utilization and proposes a quasi deterministic empirical econometric model and shares the findings through a secondary analysis of survey data collected from 179 small scale enterprises in West Bengal, India. The findings reflect positively on the efficacy of the model. The authors conclude: the scholarly pursuits such as this are likely to enrich and contribute to the nascent comparative small business literature and enhance the empirical understanding of the small business dynamics. Consequently, a greater homogenization of the global business practices may facilitate more small business to small business transactions within the country specific diverse global business cultures.