bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corruption and Inflation Tax in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region: Sensitivity to Definition of Corruption
Authors: Samimi Ahmad Jafari
Published: January 2020

Corruption usually harms all aspects of macroeconomic performances of all countries around the World especially the developing world. The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the impact of corruption on inflation tax in MENA countries. In a previous paper1, we used Corruption Perception Index (CPI) as a definition of corruption and applied Friedman, International Bank and Vito Tanzi definitions for inflation tax. We concluded that, there is a positive and significant relationship between corruption and inflation tax. In this paper, we used two different indices for corruption; Corruption Perception Index (CPI) and Control of Corruption Index (CCI) to investigate the sensitivity to different definition of corruption. To do so, we have concentrated on a sample of 17 developing countries from Middle East and North Africa countries for which the necessary data were available for the period 2003-2008. We have used two different indices for corruption; Corruption Perception Index (CPI) and Control of Corruption Index (CCI). Our findings based on panel data (we used unbalanced panel data because of missing data) regression models indicate that in general a positive relationship between corruption and inflation tax exists. In other words, the higher is the corruption the higher will be the inflation tax. Therefore, according to the results, governments have to try to use policies reducing corruption.
Evolution of the MSMEs in India
Authors: Lokhande Madhavi A
Published: January 2020

There is a growing and worldwide appreciation that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises play a catalytic role in the development process of most economies. This position gets reflected in the form of their increasing number and rising proportion in the overall product manufacturing, exports, manpower employment, technical innovations and promotion of entrepreneurial skills. This paper attempts to look at the changing definition of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the role these enterprises are playing in the growth story of our economy. In India, the MSME sector is the second largest manpower employer, after agriculture and the output from this sector alone constitutes 40 percent share of the value added in the manufacturing sector and one third of national exports. The importance of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSME) for its contribution in the Indian economy growth is a matter of record and needs no further elaboration. However, with the changing focus from economic growth to inclusive growth, MSME sectorâ€™s role in the socio economic development of India needs to be understood, explored and facilitated. The opportunity in MSMEs exists, however, the fact remains that most of the funding goes to the larger and more solvent MSMEs and to those who have business linkages with large corporate. The banks compete with each other to grant loans to the top rung MSMEs.
Seasonal Anomalies between S&P CNX Nifty Shariah Index and S&P CNX Nifty Index in India
Authors: Dharani M.
Published: January 2020

The present study compares the risk and return of the Nifty Shariah index and Nifty index at days, months and quarters wise during the period 2nd January 2007 to 31st December 2010. The raw returns of the both indices are calculated as today price minus yesterday price divided by yesterday price. The t- test has been used to test the mean returns difference between both indices. The average Monday return of the Nifty Shariah index is compared with average return of the Nifty index by using two sample t-test. Like that, the average returns of the remaining of the days of Nifty Shariah index are compared with average returns of remaining days of the Nifty Index. The study finds that there is no difference between average day -wise returns of the Nifty Shariah index and average day return of the Nifty Index during the study period. The study also compares the average January return of the Nifty Shariah index with average January return of the Nifty index, average February return of the Nifty Shariah index with average return of the Nifty index and so on. Finally, the average return of the first, second, third and fourth quarter of Nifty Shariah with average return of the respective first, second, third and fourth quarter of Nifty index are compared. The study finds that there is a significant difference between average return of the Nifty Shariah and Nifty indices in the month of July and September. It is derived from the study that the Muslim Investors are evincing more interest to sell the shares in the market from July to September. The reason being, expenses inconnection with Ramalan Festival during that period. Therefore, the study confirms that Ramalan effect have been prevailing in the Indian Stock Market. Thus, this study reveals that the seasonal variation exits very much in Shariah Index
E-Age Technologyâ€“New Face of Indian Banking Industry: Emerging Challenges and New Potentials
Authors: Uppal R. K.
Published: January 2020

The present paper analyzes the performance of major banks in terms of productivity and profitability in the pre and post e-banking period. Under the regime of banking sector reforms, IT Act of 1999 gave new dimensions to the Indian banking sector. IT has created transformation in banking structure, business process, work culture and human resource development. It has affected the productivity, profitability and efficiency of the banks to a large extent. The paper concludes that performance of all the banks under study is much better in post-e-banking period and further foreign banks are at the top position, whereas the performance of the public sector banks is comparatively very poor. The paper suggests some measures to tackle the challenges faced by the banks particularly public sector banks. At the end, paper suggests how public sector banks can convert the emerging challenges into opportunities.
The Study Examining the Effect of Research Activities on Economic Growth: The Case of Iran
Authors: Mehdi Safdari
Published: January 2020

The education system in every country is a regular process and each year a big part of government budget and also private investments are allocated toward this system. In addition, some of the best years of every human are spent in schools and under education. Today, the economic effects of research are accounted as very important, because the relationship between level of education and income is proved to be positive. It means that educated people, in equal situation, will earn more money. More research makes people more skilled and these skills would lead to more production and service. So, in this study we will survey the relation between educated labors and economic growth in Iran. We showed that there's a long term relationship between these two, which is a positive and meaningful relation. In this study, we use production function (Feder, 1983), and also using auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) co integration method, we will survey this long term relation, error correction model (ECM) and their dynamism effects. Most of past studies have used partial data (data from a certain time period); the problem with this method is that an average relationship is used, hence it won't yield any information more than what we just need. Only the studies by Love (1987) and Wilson (1994) have used time series in surveying this relationship. But, because most of the economic time series are non stationary, there is the possibility of artificial regression. In order to avoid the consequences, unit-root tests (Phillips-Perron & Augmented Dickey-Fuller) is used.
A Simple Method for Generation of Statistical Tables by the Help of Excel Software
Authors: Irfan Muhammad
Published: January 2020

A simple and easy method is employed to construct complete statistical tables like Studentâ€™s tdistribution, F distribution, Chi-square distribution and Cumulative standard normal distribution in Excel software which are used in all fields of research. Also, we generate other statistical tables like Cumulative binomial distribution, Cumulative Poisson distribution, Fisher transformation and Fisher inverse transformation. The proposed method depends only on the Excel software; it does not depend on the traditional statistical tables.
Foreign Trade and Economic Growth: Evidence of Thirlwallâ€™s Law in Iran
Authors: Samimi Ahmad Jafari , . Ramezan Hosseinzadeh
Published: January 2020

Thirlwallâ€™s law establishes a relation between the long-run growth rate, the growth of exports and the long-run income elasticity of imports. This paper applies Thirlwallâ€™s basic balance-of-payments constraint growth model to Iranian economic growth for the period of 1971-2007 by using Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bounds Testing approach. The empirical results reveal that import is cointegrated with relative price and income, and the equilibrium growth rates coincide with actual growth rates. However, our estimated findings reveal that the Thirlwallâ€™s law has been rejected in Iran. In other words, balance of payment doesnâ€™t hinder economic growth in this country. The reason may be due to the fact that Iran is a member of OPEC and its oil export plays a significance role in the countryâ€™s foreign trade.
The Use of Artificial Neural Networks to Prioritize Impact Factors Affecting Thai Rural Village Development
Authors: Pornpatcharapong Wittaya , . Chuvej Chansa-ngavej , . Supachok Wiriyacosol , . Chanchai Bunchapattanasakda
Published: January 2020

This paper aims to prioritize impact factors which affect Thai rural village development. The basic village-leveled information database (NRD-2C) of the Community Development Department (CDD), Ministry of Interior, Thailand, was applied with Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to measure the amount of impact for each factor affecting Thai rural village development. According to results, the top 5 impact factors are â€œLand Possessionâ€, â€œElectricityâ€, â€œCommunicationâ€, â€œEducational Levelâ€, and â€œHousehold Industryâ€ with 17.88, 15.35, 14.02, 12.06, and 10.57 score of impact respectively with 95.60 percent of estimated accuracy.
Measuring the Degree of Market Power in the Export Demand for Nigerian Cocoa: An Analysis of Dutch Market
Authors: Nwachukwu Nwachukwu , . J. C. Nwaru , . C. Paveliucâ€“Olariu
Published: January 2020

The study examined the degree of market power in the export demand for Nigerian Cocoa with focus on the Dutch Market. The study covered the periods of 1961â€“2007 and data comprised published national aggregates on specific trade and macroeconomic variables from reputable sources. Two Stage Least Squares (2 SLS) approach was used in the estimation after instrumenting for simultaneity and establishing stationarity alongside cointegration relationship. Findings, on the demand side, showed that the demand for cocoa increases as income of Netherlands (importing country) increases. Total production of the nonâ€“ participating countries traced out a positive relationship with demand for cocoa by the importing country while the coefficient of price of Coffee (substitute crop) possessed a negative sign. On the supply relation side, the demand for the export crop has a negative sign, indicating decreasing marginal output with respect to cost while the proxy for ocean freight rate with its negative sign, imply increasing export cost. The result further showed that there is relative competitiveness in the Dutch market on the strength of a market power coefficient -0.712 with a Lerner index of 0.122. Based on the findings, the study calls for government intervention in the agricultural export subsector with the aim to revitalize the countryâ€™s agricultural export capacity and enhance her market power via increased market shares. These interventions could be in the form of input/production subsidies, targeted export promotion programs, farm settlement, expanded export processing zones to mention but a few.
International Forced Migration and Pak- Afghan Development Concerns: Exploring Afghan Refugee Livelihood Strategies
Authors: Muhammad Rehan Khan
Published: January 2020

This study investigates the livelihood strategies employed by Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan. These refugees were forced to take refuge in Pakistan after Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1978. Three decades after their migration, and after repeated Pakistani government attempts to resettle them in Afghanistan, scores of Afghan refugees still reside in Pakistan. This paper discusses the evolving relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan over the years and their respective implications. Researching the various livelihood strategies that Afghan refugees pursued their impact on the Pakistani labor market is discussed. By means of taking a case study of an Afghan refugee woman, this study concludes that there exists a gender dimension in Afghan refugee population. In doing so two developmental concerns are identified i) development projects focused on refugee assistance in Afghanistan and Pakistan ignore the development concerns of the women population ii) countries that provide refuge to victims of war are exposed to a new set of development challenges in addition to their already burdened economy. This paper furthers the academic debate on achieving the development challenge of attaining a stable South Asia, in light of the AfPak strategy initiated by President Obama in 2010, and reflects on potential areas for policy making for Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States.
A Comparative Investigation of the Relation of R&D Expenditures to Economic Growth in a Group of the Less Developed Countries and OECD Countries
Authors: Mehran Mokhtari
Published: January 2020

This research attend to relation between expenditures of research & development & economic growth in two groups of less developed & OECD countries with a panel data model & statistical inputs of less developed countries & developed countries, we survey effect quantity of these expenditures on economic growth in two groups of countries. The first question appearance is that the research is more importance for OECD countries. These countries allocate huge budget to research & development, that in 30 of OECD countries cost %81 of total R&D of the world however, less develop countries allocate little expenditure to the part of R&D thus coefficients of R&D variable show that investment in research is more effected in economic growth of OECD countries as compared with less developed countries. This show that less developed countries allocate their little budgets of R&D to ceremonial affair & they donâ€™t pass of research stage to technology that industry needs but OECD countries can to reduce the result of this researches to productive crops, presses & services.
Effectiveness of a Romanised Mandarin Web-based Instruction in Teaching Writing and Reading Skills at Word Level for Non-native Learners
Authors: Giap Lim Soo
Published: January 2020

The time allocated to teach the sound system of Hanyu Pinyin in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) is insufficient for learners. Hence, it is suggested a web-based instruction incorporate into the curriculum as a self-learning material for learners to enable them to manage their learning process in the absence of instructor.The objective of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of utilizing Guru Hanyu Pinyin web based instruction as a teaching tool for non-native speakers in improving the writing and reading skills at disyllabic word level in Hanyu Pinyin. The study compares the academic achievements for Hanyu Pinyin of two different groups of students whereby the experimental group adopts the webbased instruction and the control group adopts the traditional approach as the mode of learning. This research is targeted on first year elementary level Mandarin students at UiTM Penang campus. The research sample has been selected through stratified random sampling. The findings for writing of disyllabic words showed that the mean score of the experimental group is better than the control group but there is no significant statistical difference between them. At the same time, the findings also indicate that the experimental group, which was using this Guru Hanyu Pinyin web-based instruction, is performing better than control group in term of reading skill. As the result, the students from experimental group can read the pronunciation of initials and finals better. This paper also discusses some limitations that were discovered during the research and proposes some recommendations for future research.
Lexical Choices and Ideology in Translation: A Case Study of 'The old Man and the Sea
Authors: Najafian Maryam
Published: January 2020

The present research aims at conducting a critical study of the novel 'The Old Man and the Sea' written by Ernest Hemingway (1976) and its two translated versions in Persian; one rendered by Faramarzi (2006) the other by Shahin (1979). The researchers apply a comparative lexical analysis proposed by Newmark (1988) and Venuti (1995). An attempt has been made to reveal the ideology behind the original sample words and to show how translators and the effect thereof handle it. The data of this research consists of 10 ideological laden terms selected randomly among 45 words from the original text and the corresponding Persian translations. The results of this study suggest a significant difference between the two Persian translations and the original novel. It revealed that one of the translators has attempted to 'domesticate' his translation while another has been attentive to 'foreignize' it. As for implication, it seems necessary to note that translational decisions made by actual translators under different socio-cultural and ideological settings in real life and real situations should be considered. The perlocutionary consequences resulted from adoption of such decisions are of importance.
Assessing Organizational Capacity in Housing Provision: a Survey of Public Housing Agencies in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Ibem Eziyi O.
Published: January 2020

Organizational capacity is essential for effective implementation of policies and programmes. Consequently, assessment of organizational capacity helps organizations to identify their strength and weakness in order to make informed decisions about how best to address challenges they face. The goal of this study was to assess the status of organizational capacity of public housing agencies in housing provision in Ogun State Southwest Nigeria. It was motivated by a gap in literature on the specific areas that contribute most to organizational capacity of public agencies in housing provision in Nigeria. Using questionnaire as the principal data collection instrument, primary data were collected from randomly selected 90 staff members involved in the design, planning, implementation and management of public housing projects in four public housing agencies in the study area. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and the result showed that most respondents felt that the overall organizational capacity of the agencies in housing provision was adequate. Management capacity was found to be slightly higher than resource capacity with the agencies having most strength in leadership style and weakness in the methods of administration of funds for housing projects. Substantial need and capacity building was found in critical areas such as funding, staff motivation and methods of dispensing of funds for housing projects. The paper suggests that partnerships with private sector organizations, robust staff well-fare schemes and re-training of staff can enhance organizational capacity of public agencies in public housing provision in Nigeria and other developing countries.
Attitudes and Awareness towards Environmental Management and its Impact on Environmental Management Practices (EMPs) of SMEs in Sri Lanka
Authors: Weerasiri Sudath
Published: January 2020

The main objective of this paper was to investigate whether there is an association amongst SMEsâ€™ attitudes, awareness on environmental issues and their environmental management practices. A questionnaire-based survey was chosen to obtain the information on attitudes, awareness and environmental management practices of SMEs. The questionnaire was developed to find out SMEsâ€™ current environmental management practices as well as their attitudes and awareness on environmental issues. The associations amongst attitudes, awareness and environmental practices for waste, energy, and the environment were investigated by calculating correlation coefficient. These analyses revealed that there is no significant association between attitudes and awareness or attitudes and environmental management practices. Attitudes appear to be remaining positive even where awareness is limited. Managers/owners who expressed rather more positive attitudes appear no more likely introduce environmental management practices for their organizations than managers/owners with less or negative attitude.
N Dama Cattle Conservation: The Potential Roles of Artificial Insemination and the National Policy
Authors: Olaniyan Olaniyan , . Hiemstra , . Sipke-Joost
Published: January 2020

Regular access to genetically superior bulls from an open nucleus breeding system is an impetus for Nâ€™Dama cattle utilization and conservation. However, shortage in the number of bulls that could be distributed to the farmers for subsequent breeding remains a challenge in some countries of West Africa. In this regard, the potential benefit of artificial insemination (AI) and the roles of national policy were assessed. The open nucleus-breeding scheme of International Trypanotolerance Center (ITC) in the Gambia was used as a case study and the research questions were answered with literature review, focus group discussion, and Likert-scale questionnaire. Introduction of AI into the breeding scheme of Nâ€™Dama cattle can create higher selection intensity and promote a wider dissemination of genetic gain made at the nucleus. With improved AI techniques, a better use of improved Nâ€™Dama bulls can be achieved. Notwithstanding, there are concerns about low pregnancy rate, quality of the semen, inadequate knowledge of AI technicians, and the regular availability of quality bulls. For the Gambian national policy, the environmental component is the most relevant for conservation of Nâ€™Dama cattle. This can be buttressed with more flexibility and a clearer communication of the objectives through workshops and local media.
Explanatory Study of Women Working in the Management of Universities
Authors: Batool Syeda Qudsia , . Hassan Raza
Published: January 2020

The paper aims to investigate the gender in higher education andcareer experience of women academicians to understand the factors that undermine their career progression. The objectives of the study are to overview the existing situation of women and men in universities and to identify the barriers that cause the underepresentation of women. Both primary and secondary data was used in the study.Questionnaire (Quantitative method )was used to collect the data. The sample of the study consists of 120 women academician of three universities. The sample universities were AIOU, AJ&K and FJWU. Data was analysed through percentage,tabulation and graphs. The paper examined the factors such as work/family conflict, exclusion of women from policy formulation,facilities provided by organization, attitude of male superior and colleagues and difficulties to exercise authority over male.The findings show that work/family conflict and difficulties to exercise authority, exclusion of women from policy formulation are negatively impact on womenâ€™s career progression.This study provides an opportunity to develop an insight into the issue of womenâ€™s representation in academic and administrative positions in universities. The findings of this study may provide information to different working organizations. There are different projects and programs of ministry of education, ministry of women development. This research would be beneficial both for public and private universities. The study might serve to strengthen efforts to implement equal opportunities for women in the universities and encourage women to put themselves forward for appointment to management positions.
Impact of On-Job Training on Performance of Telecommunication Industry
Authors: Khan Nadir , . Muhammad Ibrahim , . Muhammad Khalil Shahid
Published: January 2020

This research is about On-Job training and Performance of organization. It discusses the importance of training and its output, which is very necessary for individual performance and over all organizational performance. In this research study, various variables, which are the outcome of Training, have been taken into account. Further, more the relationship of all those variables with the over all organizational performance has been studied. A structural model has been developed according to the results and relationship of these variables. The research will add a significant figure to the performance of organization and will raise the importance and value of training in organizations. The results are applicable to all type of organizations and will help managers to make their firms more productive and stable.
Testing for Twin Deficits and Ricardian Equivalence Hypotheses: Evidence from Iran
Authors: Bagheri Farzane , . Salma Keshtkaran
Published: January 2020

The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between budget deficit and current account deficit in Iran from 1971 to 2007. Twin deficits, which argues that a larger budget deficit leads to an expanded current account deficit, and Ricardian equivalence hypothesis, which states that there is no casual relationship between these two deficits, are examined for this purpose. To achieve this goal, Johansen co-integration and Granger causality tests are used for the period under study. The results indicate that there exists a long run equilibrium link between budget deficit and current account deficit. There is a one-way causality relationship from the budget deficit toward the current account deficit.
Virtual Applications and Real Problem: Education and Higher Education in Iran
Authors: Tavakol Mohamed
Published: January 2020

Important aspects of Education and Higher Education such as Flexibility, Access, Relevance, Privatization, Human Resources, National Development, Innovation, and Globalization are all subject to a radical transformation as a result of substantial changes and new circumstances occurred and are occurring with the introduction into and application of information technologies (IT) in this realm. It was justifiably expected that these transformations would also occur in the Iranian Education and especially Higher Education. The paper, after outlining the new expectations from and challenges in Education and Higher Education throughout the world and the rise of new perspectives for them, will focus on major developments in virtual Education and Higher Education in Iranâ€”considering the framework of recent socio-economic demands and expectations. Based on a descriptive method, and with the use of available official data, though critically, an overview of e-learning in Iran will be portrayed and its recent developments, quantitatively and qualitatively, resulted from the introduction of IT into the pre-university and university systems (as an important part of national TAKFA plan and its aftermath) would be reviewed, and the achievements and shortcomings during the last ten years analyzed and discussed. It will be demonstrated in this paper that the aptitude for and expectation from virtual education is very high in the country. The paper tries to shed light on why the gap between what is realized and what is expected is so deep.
The Living Conditions of Female Head Porters in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana
Authors: Baah-Ennumh Theresa Yaaba , . Martina Owusu Adoma
Published: January 2020

Migration of the economically active population from northern to southern Ghana is an old age phenomenon sustained by the incessant perception of abundant job opportunities in the south. Recently, young girls and women who migrate to work as head porters have dominated the phenomenon. The purpose of this paper was to examine the reasons for their continuous migration to the Kumasi Metropolis and the conditions under which they live and work. Complementary data from 100 head porters and five institutions revealed that most of the head porters were children (under age 18) living in harsh and hazardous conditions which include poor housing, health care delivery, nutrition, and water and sanitation. The authors conclude that the relentless desire of young girls and women to work as head porters in the south and the associated poor living conditions could be minimised if youth policies are implemented with direct focus on capacity building for the head porters. The long-term remedy to the menace, the authors maintain, lies with socioeconomic development of the rural-supplying areas to bridge the development gap between the urban and rural areas.
The Global Economic Crisis and its Effects in Romania
Authors: Trifu Alexandru
Published: January 2020

The crises represent malfunctions that may occur within every domain of the human activity. That is why the causes, their way of emergence and their consequences are studied. The crisis is analyzed by economists considering specific criteria, these offering it the characteristics of a phenomenon with poisonously consequences for the affected organizations, institutions and social groups: inflation, unemployment, stagnation, recession etc. The evolution of the financial crisis will lead economies into a deflationary spiral in the next year or even a longer lasting, as deficit reduction efforts will take large, and probably we shall assist an output of some euro area of weaker states. World economies are hit by this crisis to various extents, depending on the vulnerabilities of each and their exposure to toxic assets. The response to the crisis is contingent upon the fundamental principles we believe in, the available resources, the institutions and the instruments we can make use of. In Romania, the response to the adverse effects of the crisis cannot be similar to that made by some European countries or the U.S. There are several differences between the Romanian economy and these economies, which do not allow copying the package of measures developed there.
Globalization and Consumer Behavior: Global Marketing Strategies Implication-Homogeneity and Heterogeneity (Preliminary Study)
Authors: Nezakati Hossein
Published: January 2020

This research aims to explore consumer behavior and their responses to possible effects of globalization, resulting in adopting different global marketing strategies in an Asian country particularly Malaysia which is so different of European ones, especially, in terms of cultural aspects. Homogeneity and heterogeneity in consumer behavior are the main approaches of this research. Rather than causes hindering the possible phenomena of two-polarity of world economy or empires, to find out companies global marketing strategies are the research objectives. So, this research examines data collected through, respectively, qualitative and quantitative methods and addresses companiesâ€™ marketers and consumers. However, due to innumerous affecting variables and multidimensional nature of globalization, at this point of study there is no absolute evidence to show results but the theoretical assumptions on companiesâ€™ tendency toward standardization or customization strategies.
Examining the Equilibrium Relationships between Foreign Direct Investment Inflows and Employment in Manufacturing and Services Sectors: Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Bekhet Hussain Ali
Published: January 2020

The current paper examines the long-run and short-run equilibrium relationships between FDI inflows and employment in Malaysian manufacturing and services sectors using ARDL approach for the 19722011 period. It employs ADF and PP tests to detect the stationary levels of above variables. Also, it utilizes the bounds F-statistics test to identify the co-integration among variables. Results of ARDL approach indicate the presence of significant long-run and short-run equilibrium relationships between FDI inflows and employment in manufacturing and services sectors. The paperâ€™s findings are of particular interest and importance to Malaysian policy makers towards increasing FDI inflows and employment in manufacturing and services sectors.
You are Kind, you are Smart, you are Important: the Linkages between Individual Factors and the Intention to Repatriate among Malaysian Self-Initiated Expatriates
Authors: Fatimah Siti , . Lilis Surienty
Published: January 2020

â€˜Brain drainâ€™ is a terminology used to describe the migration of people endowed with a high level of human capital. Countries, a developing such as Malaysia, consider this to be a detrimental effect to the countryâ€™s growth with the outflow movement of their talented professionals. Problems seem to increase when these individual have silo mentalities regarding their home countriesâ€™ development when they show limited number of return. Thus, there is a need to study the determinants of the intention to repatriate among these talented professionals. In addition, it becomes a more interesting study when it is directed to the selfinitiated expatriates who determine their own outgoing and incoming. The development of the proposed model would be in line with the Malaysian government efforts to attract the talented professionals to serve their home country. The theoretical framework for this study consists of factors from the individual perspective and their relationships with the intention to repatriate. The Theory of Reasoned Action developed by Fishbein seems to be the appropriate theory to be applied in this study explaining factors to determine intention. This paper concentrates more on conceptualizing the relationship between individualâ€™s factors and the intention to repatriate among the self-initiated expatriates. Based on a review of extent literature on self-initiated expatriates and the intention to repatriate, a model is presented and propositions outlined for future empirical testing.
Roadmap of Excise on Cigarette Policy Package in Indonesia: an Analytical Hierarchy Process Approach
Authors: Syaifudin Noor
Published: January 2020

On national budget, the revenue from excise is keeping to increase as the consumption level of cigarette tends to increase as well. The need of high revenue to satisfy the expenditure will tend to force the government to keep this industry to be existed. However, the potential loss of the state revenue caused by the illicit products is threatening. This study attempts to address this policy problem by providing policy recommendations based on in-depth analysis and evaluation of the policy alternatives. The Analytical Hierarchy Process employed to obtain quantitative measurement of the analysis. As the need of the state revenue to satisfy the national budget, thus the high excise revenue will be required, whilst on the other side the consumption of cigarette needs to be controlled. This confirms that the increase in excise rate will affect in curbing the cigarette consumptions. As several stakeholders will be impacted in the reduction its economic output to the overall economy, thus the Government of Indonesia need to shift this impacted industries to other sectors which will obtain a better output. Finally, this paper recommends an integrated roadmap of excise policy package for controlling the cigarette consumptions in order to satisfy and ensure the national budget, curbing the cigarette consumption and managing the cigarette industries. The proposal comprises of: increasing the excise tariff, encountering the illicit cigarette, simplifying the cigarette industry structure, non tariff policy, introducing new potential excised objects, and shifting the impacted sectors.
One Village One Product (OVOP) in Japan to One Tambon One Product (OTOP) in Thailand: Lessons for Grass Root Development in Developing Countries
Authors: Anh Nguyen Thi
Published: January 2020

Following the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, Thailandâ€™s economy which did rely on external capital and resources suffered from an imbalanced economic growth. As a solution to the economic restructuring process, endogenous development concept proved to be an alternative development paradigm which prioritizes the community development, human empowerment in the transformation of local resources. Accordingly, One Tambon One Product (OTOP) was designed to unlock grass-root potentials by generating income through developing local products in a national, regional, and global scale. This initiative was first developed under the name of One Village One Product (OVOP) by local people in the poorest Oita Prefecture, Japan in 1961. The aim of the paper is to compare two development models of OVOP and OTOP. The comparative study draws useful lessons from the experience of OTOP for future applications of the OVOP model in developing economies. The paper finds that there are inevitable differences in terms of administration, finance management, human resource management, and marketing promotion management between bottom-up OVOP in Japan and top-down OTOP because of social diversity, political culture, and economic capability in Thailand. The paper contributes to provide a comparative study into models of sustainable development in the context of increasing gap between the urban and rural in globalization.
Religious Diversity and Political Change in Thailand
Authors: Lovichakorntikul Petcharat
Published: January 2020

Thailand continues to undergo a process of political modernization, moving from a feudal to a fully-fledged and modernized capitalist society. This is a process that has involved numerous missteps and backward turns â€“ most recently the 2006 military coup and the 2010 massacres â€“ and the dissolution of previously existing cultural and social bonds. Marketization of all regions of the country has brought about changes in land ownership, social relations and gender relations but has not, as yet, brought about changes in religious beliefs or in the relationships between people of different belief systems. The majority Buddhist philosophy has been invigorated by emphasis placed on figures such as the goddess Guan Yin, who is eminently appropriate for the age of plenty, while animist hill tribes people incorporate new ways of life into a flexible and accommodating belief system. Only in the southern provinces bordering Malaysia, where the majority of people are ethnic Malay Muslims, is there a division between people based on religion. A faction of people in the border regions have been agitating for autonomous rule or, at least, an end to unfair and unpleasant treatment by high-handed representatives of the Thai state and their mandate to enforce the longstanding triumvirate of Thai language, Buddhist belief and respect for the monarchy as defining characteristics of citizens. Agitation has led to acts of terrorism and suppression including atrocities on both sides. These divisions are not reflected in any other part of the country, although plenty of other symptoms of division are.
Education, Economic Growth & Poverty Rate in Nigeria: Any Nexus?
Authors: Ehigiamusoe Ehigiamusoe
Published: January 2020

Education is seen as a veritable tool for the socio-political and economic emancipation of any country from the shackles of ignorance, poverty, unemployment and low economic growth. But despite the enormous increase in education expenditure and literacy rate in Nigeria in the past two decades, noninclusive growth and high poverty rate still permeate all facets of human endeavour. In this light, the paper examines the interrelationships among education, economic growth and poverty in Nigeria. The study adopts econometrics methodology as the analytical tool using secondary data from 1980-2012. Evidence from the study suggests that though a long-run relationship exists among education, economic growth and poverty rate in Nigeria, but neither total education expenditure nor literacy rate cause changes in poverty rate in Nigeria. While government expenditure on education was found to have a positive and significant impact on economic growth (both in the short-run and in the long-run), literacy rate has positive but insignificant impact on growth. This could be due to high rate of unemployed school leavers, weak institutional mechanism, obsolete school curricula, shortage of critical infrastructure, and brain drain syndrome which characterize the country. The paper therefore recommended an increase in budgetary allocation to education as well as a review of the school curricula with a view to making the educational system more responsive to growth and poverty reduction in Nigeria. Government should also create the enabling environment for the creation of jobs through the provision of critical infrastructure which accelerate the development of small scale enterprises. This will provide gainful employment for school leavers and make them contribute more to inclusive growth and poverty reduction in Nigeria.
Are Trade Liberalization and Democracy Driving Development in Central Africa Region? Empirical Lessons
Authors: Tchouassi Tchouassi
Published: January 2020

This paper documents that trade liberalization and democracy contribute positively to economic development. A panel of 11 Central Africa countries with 176 observations from 1995 to 2010 was used to econometrically verify this assertion. Estimation using the general least square (GLS) with the overall R-square (R2 = 0.0325) shows that there is a relationship between the economic development captured here with Human development indicators (HDI), democracy, importations, exportations, inflation and regional integration. Inflation and exports negatively affect the well-being of the population. An increase in inflation rate causes a reduction in purchasing power. An increased in exports commodities tends to decrease the quantity of goods available for the country of origin. Imports have a positive effect on HDI probably because this variable tends to increase the quantity of goods available. Imports and democracy have a positive effect on the level of development among Central African countries. The paperâ€™s findings are important to Central Africa policy makers towards creation and increasing trade within, between and with other democratic countries.
Characteristics of Entrepreneurs and the Practice of Islamic Values in Influencing the Success of Small Medium Enterprises in Kelantan and Selangor
Authors: Ahmad Maisarah
Published: January 2020

Although many studies have been done in connection to the entrepreneurial characteristics, they only described the profile of entrepreneurship through the listing of characteristics and factors affecting the success of entrepreneurs. However, in this study, the researchers aim to identify the positive features and their relationship with the success of entrepreneurs in Kelantan and Selangor in terms of Islamic values practice.The study was conducted on 200 respondents in Kelantan and Selangor. Through correlation analysis, the characteristics were observed to have significant relationship with the success of small entrepreneurs. All key variables have significant relationship with the entrepreneursâ€™ success excluding the type of product and education. The multiple regression analysis showed that the characteristics of small entrepreneurs have a positive influence on success. The results also showed that the interaction of characteristics of entrepreneurs with the Islamic values have positive correlation with success.
JSB as Democratic Emblem and Urban Focal Point: The Imagined Socio-Political Construction of Space
Authors: Choudhury Bayezid Ismail , . Paul Jones
Published: January 2020

Jatio Sangsad Bhaban [JSB], more commonly known as the National Assembly Building, or Capital Complex of Bangladesh, was designed by the renowned architect Louis I. Kahn and is an iconic landmark in the urban landscape of Dhaka (Capital of Bangladesh). It was commissioned in 1962, and a site was selected on the northern outskirt of the then Dacca (Dhaka). From the inception of the city, the rapid growth occurred mostly in a spontaneous way, which later occurred surrounding the JSB. JSB has become a central physical focus in Dhaka because of organic growth of Dhaka. JSB, the national assembly building of Bangladesh, can be viewed as a product of Bangladeshi nationalism, a socio-political construct that expresses both the national identity and the democratic spirit of the Bengali people after the countryâ€™s tumultuous history of subjugation, occupation. This paper proposes that there exists an imagined, symbolic and metaphorical connection between the spatial construction of JSB as an urban focal point, and its socio-political construction. This imagined nexus is explored in this paper in line with the theoretical framework of Lefebvreâ€™s (1991) groundbreaking treatise on the â€˜production of spaceâ€™. The imagined and real socio-political construction of space is also endorsed by a range of discourses from urban anthropology, urban geography, human and cultural geography.
The Psychological Effect of Uploading Food Picture on Social Media to Willingness to Dine Out
Authors: Resti Novia Dwi
Published: January 2020

Lately, people like to capture food picture and post to social media. They share, recommend and critic the food and restaurant to other social media users. Based on exploratory research findings, this phenomenon is assumed having a relation with personality traits, self-concepts and perception of social media users. This paper aims to investigate the effect of restaurant attractiveness, personality, selfconcepts, self-control, and perception to willingness to dine out. Qualitative studies are carried out to get the indicators for designing questionnaires and afterward the questionnaires are distributed by survey. Sample size for qualitative research is 12 respondents who like to post food picture on social media and 102 social media users in Indonesia as respondents for survey. Collected data are analyzed using multivariate analysis. The finding shows that restautant attractiveness, self-concepts, and consumer perception have positive effect to consumerâ€™s willingness to dine out after looking at the posted food picture on social media. Implication of this research can help manager of restaurant or cafe to plan marketing program based on consumer personality and other psychological concepts.
Efficiency Considering Credit Risk in Banking Industry, Using Two-stage DEA
Authors: Ghafoorian Hadi , . NikIntan Norhan , . Mohammed Ndaliman Abubakar , . Fazel Mohammadi Nodeh
Published: January 2020

The increased competition in the banking industry and banks' efforts to participate in new markets has affected bank performance and credit risk. Their presence in new markets and strong competition from other competitors today makes them face more uncertain situation. Given the importance of this issue, there are few studies about the efficiency calculated with regard to credit risk. Banking literature on this subject is poor. This paper introduces two-stage data envelopment analysis technique for estimation of their efficiency with regard to credit risk, its output and inputs in the first and second stage. Non-performing loans is output to proxy credit risk.