bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Do Pre-Alliance Motives and Strategies Affect Post-Alliance Performance in the Airline Industry?
Authors: Akamavi Raphaël K. , Xu Yue , Mitreva Hrisa
Published: August 2015

The global airline industry has currently experienced major changes toward cooperation, where competitive advantages can be built via alliance memberships. The pressure of forming an appropriate alliance strategy is increasing because the airline industry has currently experienced uppermost shifts: intensive rivalry, rapid growth of technological explosion, environmental and terrorist events, etc. Despite positive pre-alliance motivations as recognized in most cases, after certain alliances strategies are formed and implemented, the post-alliance performance is not always satisfactory. Thus, the question of: how do pre-alliance motives and strategies affect post-alliance performance in the airline industry seems under explored. This study therefore looks into the triple relationships among: motives, strategy and performance. This study employs a systematic literature review method for this research topic. The review explores the main factors consisting of each triple dimension and then the linkages between them. Subsequently, it identifies theoretical gaps which indicate areas of further investigations.
Privileges and Problems of Female Sex Tourism
Authors: Smith Brent
Published: August 2015

This chapter provides an exploration of female sex tourism, or romance tourism, a global consumer phenomenon that has evolved over several decades. Amidst forward strides in their social and economic empowerment, many women in advanced countries still experience marginalizing constraints to their freedom, mobility, and expression in many aspects of life. Yet, scholarly research and anecdotal evidence suggest that some women have utilized sex tourism as a means to escape such domestic constraints and find entrée to myriad social and cultural privileges at certain destinations abroad. Moving beyond tenured, clichéd stereotypes that typically associate sex tourism with male consumers, this chapter brings to light the rationale, justifications, criticisms, and cultural issues pervading this institution. Despite its liberating potential for women, female sex tourism does, at least somewhat, rely upon and reinforce historically entrenched national and cultural demarcations that tend to marginalize the people (partners, families, communities) of targeted destinations in the developing world.
Global Perspective in Tourism Development
Authors: Leong Quee-Ling , Karim Shahrim
Published: August 2015

Malaysia offers a rich potpourri of delicious cuisines from diverse ethnicity. However, not much attention given to promote Malaysian food and the food seems to be ignored in the tourism industry. Furthermore, the concept of utilizing Malaysian food as a marketing means is tenuous. In this chapter, the image dimensions of Malaysian food and the effect of food images on tourists' satisfaction are discussed. Additionally, the influence of socio-demographic factors on tourists' perceived image is deliberated. Univariate and multivariate statistics are used to describe the obtained findings. The results of the study will significantly fill in the gap in the literature about Malaysian food's image and the potential of Malaysia being promoted as a food destination. Additionally, the results would indisputably provide better insight to the tourism and hospitality industry on the perceptions of international tourists towards Malaysian food and Malaysia as a food tourism destination.
Best “Experience” Practices in Medical Tourism
Authors: Li Mengyu , DeMicco Frederick J.
Published: August 2015

The principal objective of this paper is to demonstrate the best practices in the rising trend of H2H and Medical Tourism. The concept of “Experience Economy” expedites the merging process of hospitality and hospitals: patients are also travelers now whose needs are not merely commodity type of medical care anymore but a memorable wellbeing experience. Moreover, H2H optimizes the process of realizing excellent care, which serves as the fundamental reason for tourism industry. In the section of “Best Practices in Medical Tourism, Christiana Care Way, Starwood Five Human Truths, and H2H packages in Switzerland are selected to show how patient/guest experience can be made more interactive and less transactional. Therefore, although H2H demands the considerable collaboration from all parties involved in order to ultimately present the excellent care that customers, tourists, and patients want, H2H indeed carries tremendous opportunity for hospitals, hotels, Spa, restaurants, transportation, and more.
Explaining Consumer Behavior in the Hospitality Industry
Authors: Martínez Patricia , Rodríguez del Bosque Ignacio
Published: August 2015

The aim of this chapter is to explore how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) associations and corporate image influence customers´ behavior. Specifically, a model is proposed in which CSR and corporate image positively condition customer loyalty. It also proposes that the company´ social responsible initiatives influence customer satisfaction. In order to test this model structural equation modelling is employed on a sample of 382 Spanish hotel customers. This study finds that both corporate image and customer satisfaction contribute to achieve customer loyalty, also proving the roles of corporate image as a mediating variable. Additionally, our results show that CSR influences customer satisfaction. Finally, although we did not corroborate that CSR associations increase customer loyalty CSR associations have an indirect effect on loyalty through corporate image. As the results of studies concerning loyalty will depend on the services or products examined other business areas should be considered to find out about the generalization of these results. Second, other relevant variables could be included in further research.
Reconfiguring Information Services in the Light of the Post-Custodial, Informational, and Scientific Paradigm of Information Science
Authors: Pestana Olívia
Published: August 2015

In the present work, developed within the disciplinary field of Information Science (IS), and under the new post-custodial, informational and scientific paradigm of IS, which conveys a holistic view of information and has a direct effect on the organization of services, we start by analyzing the relation between health information and the IS disciplinary field. Then, we present an overview of studies on health information services and we show the major conclusions of a study of the information services in the hospitals of the Portuguese National Health Service. Taking the mentioned paradigm as the theoretical-epistemological reference of our work, and based on the findings obtained in the studies, we propose a model for the (re)organization of information services in the hospital context, considering the integrated, systemic and dynamic vision of the information.
Borderline Fields of Information Architecture
Authors: Koltay Tibor
Published: August 2015

This chapter addresses the complex relationships between information architecture and information overload from the viewpoint of the information professional. It is discussed in the light of information literacy, which cannot be considered without a discussion of other related literacies. Special attention and extended length will be given to data literacy, which is relatively new, but is on the way of gaining particular weight with the growing importance of data-related issues. As borderline fields of information architecture, information overload, the different literacies and personal information management play dissimilar roles. Information overload is the symptom, while well-known approaches and tools of information architecture, information literacy and other literacies, as well as personal information management offer different tools to alleviate these symptoms. Notwithstanding, there is undeniable connection between them, which should be made subject to further research.
Allocation of Information and Technology Professionals According to Brain Structures
Authors: Belfo Fernando Paulo
Published: August 2015

Profiles of employees must be properly analyzed and combined for a better organizational benefit. If each employee profile is understood, the organization is in a better position to assign each one an adequate role, optimizing individuals efforts and consequently, benefiting global organizational performance. Professionals of Information and technology (IT) normally are a heterogeneous team, where different competences are needed and where different profiles cohabite. The management of these teams may be improved by the lenses of neuro-organizational behavior. By understanding individual brain profiles it is possible to better allocate each one into the right function. This is a way how to efficiently orchestrate an IT team. Each professional can better contribute to the team if allocated to appropriate tasks. It is like a musician in an orchestra with all other different musicians. Each musician contribution to global music interpretation will run better, if each one plays the right instrument.
Informed Governance
Authors: Páscoa Carlos , Fernandes Benjamin , Tribolet José
Published: August 2015

How can an organization be successful if it doesn't have clear objectives? If it does not know where to go, how can it plot a route? An organization without well-defined objectives is like a drifting ship, goes along with the winds, wherever it blows to. Defining objectives is of capital importance for good organizational performance and success, vision alignment and goal focusing. Their definition must follow strict requirements that guarantee relevance and accomplishment. Moreover, objectives must be set at all levels of the organization, so that everybody tracks the same route. This research proposes an approach to the way organizations define objectives. Based on principles of Organizational Engineering and the Portuguese Air Force's top-down structure and Mission, a model is proposed that takes into account relevant organizational elements needed to guarantee the objectives' pertinence. It also provides strategies that can be used to align them with the management levels.
Information Architecture as an Enabler for Business Development
Authors: Mamede Henrique S.
Published: August 2015

Intelligence involves knowing information about some competitive factors like competitors' profitability and turnover rate. Information technology can help organizations to seize the information available. In this chapter we will present the solution architected and developed for a Portuguese company with a starting scenario that showed characteristics like dispersed information, concentration of knowledge in a single individual, no defined architecture for data or information, simple changes involving huge efforts and lack of agility. We found that business decision makers had problems of relying on the results, as the system was like a black box and often provided not accurate data. We will describe how we solved the problem, designing and implementing a business intelligence solution and the impact of having an information architecture.
Using Wiki for Managing Knowledge in Agile Software Development
Authors: Kamthan Pankaj
Published: August 2015

The movement towards agility is one of the most significant changes in industrial software engineering over the past decade. In the practice of agile methodologies, there are different types of knowledge that is created, communicated, and consumed. For the benefit of the stakeholders involved, there is a pressing need to manage this knowledge, both during development and beyond deployment of a software system. This chapter proposes a framework comprising related conceptual models as means for understanding the use of Wiki for managing knowledge in agile software development. In doing so, Wiki is considered beyond that of a technology or a tool, as a facilitator of knowledge, and placed in a larger context of the Social Web environment. For the sake of practicality, a number of illustrative examples are given, and implications of deploying a Wiki are highlighted.
Information Architecture
Authors: Magalhães Pessoa Cláudio Roberto , Erichsen Monica Nassif , Baracho Renata Maria Abranches , Jamil George Leal
Published: August 2015

This paper main objective is to raise information and knowledge demands in an information technology consulting organization, aiming to prepare an information architecture project, where the information and knowledge management will contribute to the expected improvement. A descriptive research has been prepared, using an interview script that enabled to reach the desired goal. It was concluded that existing investments are isolated, without an effective planning that might allow the company to achieve results that would bring real improvements to it.
Information Architecture and Business Modeling in Modern Organizations of Information Technology
Authors: Soares Edilaine Rodrigues , Zaidan Fernando Hadad
Published: August 2015

The modern IT organizations has been structured in such a way as to establish the motivation of the teams and workers in the exercise of their functions; meet the needs and expectations of the customer and the organization; anticipate the factors that threaten the achievement of the expected results; reduce costs and maximize profits in a holistic view of the estimates of lucrativeness and the profitability index ROI-Return on investment of the software project. This chapter aims to present the information architecture and business modeling at IT organizations. This architecture allows associate the people management to the software projects management in an interactive and productive dynamic of learning and growth professional career. This motivating and representative scenario shows how the organization can be aligned to their economic interests, making it competitive in the market and successful in business.
Information Architecture
Authors: Irene da Fonseca e Sá Maria
Published: August 2015

Due to the large number of information circulating on the Internet we must find ways of filtering, replicating and managing the flow of information. Castells (2006, p.8) states that the “Internet is a medium that allows for the first time, the communication of many to many, at any chosen time, on a global scale.” Therefore Information Architecture (IA) is a discipline that aims to evaluate and direct digital resources to user needs, so that the navigation and use enable better interaction between the information spaces and the people. The importance of IA is linked to the growth of connections to informational space, mostly by ordinary people without specific knowledge about the digital medium. Thus, a growing concern about issues of usability and accessibility in the digital environment, giving rise to standards and legislation. While usability is attentive to the satisfaction of users with specific profiles, accessibility points to the need of everyone.
Organizational Architecture and Online Social Networks
Authors: Grützmann André , Carvalho de Castro Cleber , Meireles Anderson Antonio Freire de Moraes , Rodrigues Renan Carlos
Published: August 2015

The global marketplace is changing, forcing companies to establish stronger partnerships to compete at higher levels. Interorganizational networks are becoming a reality—not only for small enterprises, but also for larger companies. To face increasing global competition, companies need to strengthen their competitive advantages and solicit complementary resources from partners in order to get closer to customers. The Internet and its associated technologies, especially online social networks, can help with both tasks. Customers are using social media to share content, opinions, criticisms, and even compliments with companies and products. This chapter discusses the formation of interorganizational networks and points out some of the benefits that online social networks can contribute to these new organizational architectures.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Talent Management in Turkey
Authors: Farndale Elaine , Atli Dincer
Published: August 2015

Addressing the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and talent management, we examine these fields largely from the perspective of employee attraction. We first present the historical development of CSR, detailing its current standing in Turkey. We then go on to describe how talent management has developed, and its particular relevance in emerging markets. Pulling these two fields together, we explore how a firm's CSR activities can improve employer branding to attract and retain key human resources. Comparing the results of Capital Magazine's “CSR Leaders in Turkey” and “Most Admired Companies in Turkey” research (both conducted annually from 2009 to 2013), we are able to identify how corporate reputations are related to CSR in the specific context of Turkey.
Revisiting the Link between Consumer Sentiment and Economic Activity
Authors: Çelik Sadullah
Published: August 2015

This chapter revisits the relationship between consumer confidence(sentiment) and economic and financial variables for the emerging market of Turkey using the recently developed and superior frequency domain causality and wavelet comovement analysis. The main theme is to assess the information content and the relationship of consumer confidence indices (which are advocated to be leading economic indicators) with important economic and financial variables in Turkey. This will help to understand the dynamics of interaction between households, firms and the public sector in Turkey. There are two basic contributions of this study to the existing literature: first, as far as we know, this study is the first of its' kind concentrating on the consumer confidence and several other financial parameters for an emerging market by adopting a frequency domain and wavelet comovement analyses. Second, the use of frequency analysis enables us to examine the test results over different frequencies rather than limiting ourselves in time domain and a linear world.
M&A Activity, Financial Distress, and Trade Credit
Authors: Uğurlu Mine
Published: August 2015

This paper investigates the effects of firm constraints on the likelihood of M&A involvement and explores if mergers mitigate financing constraints. The results display that young and small firms facing financial constraints, corporations that have low R&D expenditures and capital investments have higher likelihood of M&A activity. Firms that compete in technology-driven industries are more likely to merge. Equity- constrained firms have high likelihood of M&A involvement while cash insolvency and leverage are not significantly related with mergers. The results support the positive relation between the use of trade credit and financial distress displayed in previous studies, but reveal that distressed firms involved in mergers reduce trade credit significantly. Results indicate that mergers mitigate the positive relation between distress and trade credit. Distressed firms involved in mergers avoid payables which rank lower in pecking order finance. M&As seem to alleviate financing constraints for cash-constrained corporations in an emerging market.
Causes of Growth of Turkish Economy
Authors: Popovic Milenko
Published: August 2015

This chapter provides an analysis of the proximate causes of growth of the Turkish Economy. Previous researches on this issue have been not only critically reviewed but also used to provide some additional insights on long run growth of Turkish economy. Emphasis of the paper is, however, on causes of growth in the era of globalization. Sources of growth have been analyzed for different sub-periods of this era in order to see how different reforms, like trade and capital account liberalizations, economic crisis and post-crisis policy measures and similar have influenced economic growth of Turkey from 1980 till 2013. Apart from conventional sources of growth analysis, demand and industry side sources of growth analysis have been also given. A lot of interesting insights have been obtained from these analyses.
International Business Initiatives of the Turkish Enterprises in Global Trade
Authors: Gökmen Aytaç
Published: August 2015

The amount of trade and international business volume in the world has amounted considerably as a result of the fast moving globalization and declining borders especially after the 1990s. International business and trade are important tools for countries and enterprises to increase their volumes of production and commerce as well as enhance employment, increase the national income and raise revenue for enterprises to make further investments. Turkey is located at the threshold of Europe and Asia, consolidating East and West, and North and South at the convergence of various trade routes. However, despite of being close to various countries, a great deal of Turkey's export potential is focused on the EU and developed countries. However, the production means in Turkey are not adequate, so it imports factors of production from abroad by way of international business operations. Thus, the aim of this study is to review the theory of globalization, international business, firm internationalization process of businesses, impact direction of multinational businesses as well as the commercial operations of the Turkish enterprises, real and commercial abilities of the Turkish firms and international business activities on the global basis; compare this to its entire trade volume and propose comments on these issues resting on credible national and international publications and figures.
Changes in the Turkish Wage Structure in the EU Accession Process
Authors: Aydiner-Avsar Nursel , Onemli M. Burak
Published: August 2015

This chapter aims to analyze the evolution of Turkish wage structure following the introduction of new labor law in 2003 in the EU accession process. The authors first present a descriptive picture of the changes in wage inequality between 2003 and 2013. They then conduct an econometric analysis of the relative importance of individual, job- and workplace-related factors on wages across the wage distribution to understand what drives this outcome. It is found that wage inequality decreased from 2003 to 2007, and increased during the global economic crisis. Increased returns to college education, skilled white collar jobs as well as returns to construction sector stand out as the major factors increasing wage inequality. Though to a lesser extent, increased returns to blue-collar jobs, formal job status and reduced returns to employment in large firms are factors reducing wage inequality in Turkey in the post-2003 era.
The Impact of Turkey's Internal Economic Situation in 2000s on Its Foreign Economic Relations
Authors: Basilgan Muslum
Published: August 2015

Turkey is an important country both in terms of population and geographical location. In terms of population, Turkey is the second largest country in Europe after Germany. Geographically, Turkey serves as a bridge between Europe and Asia. This features enables Turkey to develop economic relations with a lot of countries and regions. However, Turkey has experienced negative results in the field of economics as in many areas because of political uncertainty and government structure based on coalition and could not make full use of its potential for many years. After living one of the worst economic crisis in history in the 2001 year, the people in Turkey has decided to a government of one party than government based on coalitions. With the political stability, Turkey became a center of attraction in direct foreign investment and portfolio investment for both countries in the region and developed countries. Despite these positive developments, the greatest difficulty encountered in the economy in this period is the current account deficit problem.
On The Risk-Return Relationship in European and MENA Major Stock Markets During the 2008 Financial Crisis
Authors: Lahmiri Salim , Gagnon Stephane
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between risk and return in financial markets. In particular, a comparative study is conducted to shed light on such association by using stock market data from Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Europe. The exponential generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroskedastic in the mean (EGARCH-M) methodology is adopted to investigate the return generating process in financial markets under study during the 2008 financial crisis. Empirical findings show evidence that some MENA region financial markets generated more risk reward than European stock markets.
EU-Turkey Customs Union and Bilateral Foreign Direct Investment Flows
Authors: Marszk Adam
Published: August 2015

Main aim of this text is presentation of the effects of customs union between the European Union and turkey on bilateral FDI flows in light of the theory of linkages between economic integration and FDI flows. First section of the text is a survey of main theoretical links between economic integration and FDI flows. Second section focuses on the history and scope of the customs union. Third and fourth sections are empirical and are devoted to presentation of the results of analysis of FDI inflows to the European Union and turkey, including main trends and impact of the economic integration. According to the results of the conducted research, FDI inflow to both sides of the agreement increased substantially. Intraregional FDI flows grew since the formation of the union which may be attributed to the positive impact of reduction of trade barriers and access to enlarged markets as well as linked changes in the turkey's legislation. FDI inflow from the third countries also increased.
Motivation of EFL Students in Turkey
Authors: Christiansen Bryan , Demir Dilara , Günsever Hacer , Kaymak Melike Esra
Published: August 2015

The global marketplace is characterized by various changes occurring in economic, social, natural, and technological areas. As such, experts in numerous fields are still working to revise various systems and infrastructures to operate in a robust manner within the new realities of today. This paper focuses on part of the educational aspect of that massive effort by examining the intrinsic motivation of Turkish students of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and its potential impact on the country's long-term economic sustainability since English remains the global business language. The paper commences with an introduction to the realities of contemporary globalism that underscore the very purpose for this work, and the subsequent sections present and then synthesize all material to provide suggestions to create a paradigm shift in thinking required for teaching EFL in Turkey.
Turkish Corporate Governance Regime
Authors: Oba Beyza
Published: August 2015

This chapter focuses on the characteristics of Turkish corporate governance regime with an emphasis on the dominant characteristics of emerging economies. In Turkey, corporate governance practices were introduced as a precondition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) rescue package in and around the 2001 financial crisis. Governance practices were enforced by World Bank (WB) and were supported by the TUSIAD (Turkish Industry and Business Association). While OECD-based governance principles were drafted by the Capital Market Board (CMB) their implementation has gone through modifications that are characterized by the institutional environment, the culture and legal system in which they were embedded and accordingly, today corporate governance practices, especially the board structuring and transparency routines reflect this local milieu.
The role of Financial Market Infrastructures in Financial Stability
Authors: Martinez-Jaramillo Serafin , Molina-Borboa Jose Luis , Bravo-Benitez Bernardo
Published: August 2015

Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs) are essential for the well-functioning of the financial system, as they play a central role in facilitating clearance and settlement of financial transactions such as payments, securities, and derivatives contracts. Nowadays, it is widely acknowledged that the proper functioning of systemically important FMIs is also vital to maintain financial stability; their failure for solvency reasons or operational disruptions could almost certainly lead to systemic instability. As a consequence, the adequate supervision of FMIs is inherent to the function of preserving financial stability. The aim of this chapter is to provide a general overview of the different FMIs; discuss their role in financial stability and to give an overview of the efforts made by some financial authorities towards the supervision, risk assessment and reinforcement of FMIs.
Regulating Global FMIs
Authors: Unterman Aaron
Published: August 2015

A key regulatory response to the 2008 financial crisis has been to greatly enhance the role of financial market infrastructures (FMIs) including central counterparties and trade repositories in the global OTC derivatives market. This chapter analyses the implications, from a regulatory perspective, of reliance on internationally active FMIs that can be systemically important to multiple jurisdictions by examining the multiple sources of domestic and international laws applicable to such entities. This chapter argues that, although achievements have been made, greater international coordination is necessary to ensure that global FMIs operate in a stable and efficient manner.
Exploiting Parallelization to Increase the Performance of Payment Systems Simulations
Authors: Laine Tatu Antero , Korpinen Kasperi
Published: August 2015

The large amount of data and the need to perform large numbers of simulations of payment systems are a challenge and a starting point for this paper. Parallel and distributed simulation systems are widely used in many applications such as in military applications and entertainment. Parallel computing has been applied in other econometric areas such as VAR models but not in payment system simulations. In this empirical paper, a reduction in total execution times of payment system simulations is studied by exploiting computational parallelization in a one multicore PC environment. The preliminary results of parallel simulations are reported and the possible benefits of analyzing financial market infrastructures using this technique are discussed. This information can be very useful for choosing a parallelization strategy and designing the next generation platforms for parallel processing of payment and securities settlement system simulations. This is the first time parallel computing techniques have been applied to payment system simulations.
Using FMI Transaction Data in Simulations
Authors: Heuver Richard , Heijmans Ronald
Published: August 2015

In this chapter the authors provide a method to aggregate large value payment system transaction data for executing simulations with the Bank of Finland payment simulator. When transaction data sets get large, simulation may become too time consuming in terms of computer power. Therefore, insufficient data from a statistical point of view can be processed. The method described in this chapter provides a solution to this statistical problem. In order to work around this problem the authors provide a method to aggregate transaction data set in such a way that it does not compromise the outcome of the simulation significantly. Depending on the type of simulations only a few business days or up to a year of data is required. In case of stress scenario analysis, in which e.g. liquidity position of banks deteriorates, long time series are preferred as business days can differ substantially. As an example this chapter shows that aggregating all low value transactions in the Dutch part of TARGET2 will not lead to a significantly different simulation outcome.
A Multi-Layer Network of the Colombian Sovereign Securities Market
Authors: León Carlos , Pérez Jhonatan , Renneboog Luc
Published: August 2015

This chapter examines the network of Colombian sovereign securities settlements. With data from the settlement market infrastructure we study financial institutions' transactions from three different trading and registering networks that we combine into a multi-layer network. Examining this network of networks enables us to confirm that (i) studying isolated single-layer trading and registering networks yields a misleading perspective on the relations between and risks induced by participating financial institutions; (ii) a multi-layer approach produces a connective structure consistent with most real-world networks (e.g. sparse, inhomogeneous, and clustered); and (iii) the multi-layer network is a multiplex that preserves the main connective features of its constituent layers due to positively correlated multiplexity. The results highlight the importance of mapping and understanding how financial institutions relate to each other across multiple financial environments, and the value of financial market infrastructures as sources of data for working on multi-layer financial networks.
Implementation Aspects of Indicators Related to Payments Timing
Authors: Kaliontzoglou Alexandros , Müller Alexander Pascal
Published: August 2015

Timing analysis in an RTGS payment system offers input to operators, overseers and supervisors about the behavior of the system or individual participants. Timing related indicators can be used as a monitoring tool to identify liquidity circulation problems. Study of the behavior of participants may help identify changes due to business practices shifts, reactions to unexpected events or even to various types of stress. Furthermore, the indicators can be used in simulation studies, where the impact to timing of different levels of induced stress to a system or changes of its institutional features may be measured and compared. This chapter explores the experiences and challenges while setting up and evaluating two payments timing indicators for the European RTGS TARGET2. The indicators are the “value weighted average settlement time” as well as a form of payments “delay” indicator. The goal is to present specific aspects of a methodological framework for implementing such indicators, for possible replication based on granular transaction level data of other RTGS payment systems.
Intraday Liquidity Flows within the Financial Market Infrastructures in Mexico
Authors: Alexandrova-Kabadjova Biliana , Garcia-Ochoa Liliana , Heijmans Ronald , Serguieva Antoaneta
Published: August 2015

In this chapter, the authors present a methodology to study the flow of funds in large-value payment systems (LVPSs). The algorithm presented differentiates the flow of payments into two categories: 1) external funds, i.e. funds transferred from other financial market infrastructures (FMIs) or provided by the central bank, and 2) the reuse of incoming payments within the same FMI. Using individual transaction data, the algorithm evaluates to what extent incoming payments are used to cover obligations. The method also studies the flow of intraday liquidity under the framework of its provision within Mexican FMIs. The aim is to evaluate the impact of intraday liquidity provision, and understand how liquidity is transmitted to participants in the Mexican Large Value Payment System, or SPEI®.
Liquidity Saving Mechanisms in Payment Systems and Settlement Liquidity
Authors: Nakajima Masashi
Published: August 2015

Payment systems are one of the key Financial Market Infrastructures (FMIs) and have showed remarkable progress over the past two decades. The first half of this chapter focuses on the evolutionary process of payment systems, starting with the Deferred Net Settlement (DNS) system and progressing to the Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system. Subsequently, much more sophisticated payment systems have been put in place, which include the “Hybrid System,” and the “RTGS system with Liquidity Saving Mechanism (LSM).” In the latter half of this chapter, experience from the “Next-Generation Real-Time Gross Settlement” (RTGS-XG) project of BOJ-NET is discussed. BOJ-NET is the large-value payment system operated by Bank of Japan (BOJ). BOJ-NET added an LSM in 2008 and became an RTGS system with LSM. The impact of the LSM's introduction is analyzed, which includes the liquidity-saving effect, the average waiting time in the queue, the turnover ratio, and the volume of idle liquidity.
Ownership, Incentives and Regulation of CCP Risks
Authors: Carter Louise , Hancock Jennifer , Manning Mark
Published: August 2015

This chapter develops a framework to analyse the factors influencing central counterparties' (CCPs') risk controls and the role of regulation. The framework illustrates the importance of sound regulation of CCPs and helps to explain why different CCPs may make different risk management choices. Key factors include ownership, governance and the profile and preferences of participants. International standards for the design and operation of CCPs and other financial market infrastructures (FMIs) are reflected in the Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMIs). Modelling key elements of these standards, the chapter demonstrates the importance of a flexible regulatory framework that achieves the desired level of stability while allowing the mix of risk controls applied by each CCP to vary according to its particular incentives and operating environment. The chapter goes on to discuss the emerging trends towards competition and interoperability between CCPs and cross-border provision of clearing services, and consider the implications for CCPs' risk management choices.
Undressing the Global Derivatives Market
Authors: Massarenti Marco
Published: August 2015

Trade repositories are market infrastructures collecting and maintaining the records of over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives transactions for a large number of asset classes. They have been under the spotlight since the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh and have recently gained very high importance in the field. Reporting obligations have started or will be coming into force in the near future worldwide. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the history and landscape of trade repositories, to outline advantages of having these market infrastructures in place and to briefly review the literature available based on data stemming from trade repositories.
Eight Years of Utilizing Virtual Worlds for Education
Authors: Schutt Stefan , Linegar Dale
Published: August 2015

The authors' team of developers and educators has been working since 2006 to deploy virtual worlds for training within secondary and special schools, vocational education, higher education, private industry and the community sector. During that time the team has dealt with a complex web of interrelated factors in an environment of continual technological and institutional change. These factors include technological change, organizational politics, pedagogical fashions, changes in policy and funding environments, and the human aspects of working with teachers and students. The authors conclude that utilizing virtual worlds for education can be rewarding but is not always easy, requiring qualities of nimbleness and self-reinvention.
Teacher Perceptions of the Practicality and Effectiveness of Immersive Ecological Simulations
Authors: Metcalf Shari J. , Kamarainen Amy M. , Cooke Cailean B. , Turkay Selen , Grotzer Tina , Dede Chris
Published: August 2015

Recent research with Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVEs) in education has shown that these platforms can be effective and engaging for students; however, educators and administrators have practical concerns about the adoption of MUVE-based curricula. This study looks at implementations of EcoMUVE, a MUVE-based curriculum designed to support middle school learning of ecosystem concepts and processes. Research questions looked at teacher perceptions of the curriculum's implementation feasibility, alignment with curricular objectives and standards, and perceived value. Results showed that EcoMUVE was very well-received, and technical issues were manageable. Teachers felt the curriculum was effective, aligned well with standards, and compared favorably with a non-MUVE alternative. Particular technological and curriculum features that contributed to EcoMUVE's perceived value included student-directed learning, an inquiry, role-based pedagogy, immersion in the virtual environment, and the ease of collecting and comparing data with graphs.
Teacher-Created Augmented Reality Experiences
Authors: O'Shea Patrick , Curry-Corcoran Daniel
Published: August 2015

This paper describes the process and results of a project to incorporate Augmented Reality (AR) technologies and pedagogical approaches into a Virginian elementary school and a corresponding process to train a group of Australian teachers to develop AR experiences for their own educational settings. The process involved training a group of 5th grade teachers in Newport News Virginia and a corresponding group of k-12 teachers in Queensland, Australia on the design and production of narrative-based AR games in order to give them the skills to build their own AR games. This chapter focuses on describing the training process, the pedagogical approach, and an exploration of the practical issues that arose from these projects (e.g. policy and fiscal issues that dictated the choice of technology). The discussion of the results from this effort demonstrates the promise of the approach, and shows the potential for educational practices.
Applying E-Portfolio Evaluation Criteria to the Blackboard LMS E-Portfolio
Authors: McKenna Gary F. , Baxter Gavin J. , Hainey Thomas
Published: August 2015

An important part of educational effective practice is performing evaluations to optimise learning. Applying evaluation criteria to virtual and personal learning environments enables educators to assess whether the technologies used are producing the intended effect. As online educational technologies become more sophisticated so does the need to evaluate them. This chapter suggests that traditional educational evaluation frameworks for evaluating e-Learning are insufficient for application to LMS e-portfolios. To address this problem we have developed evaluation criteria designed to assess the usability of LMS e-portfolios used within higher education. One of the main problems with evaluating the usability of LMS e-portfolio is that there is a distinct lack of empirical evidence of evaluation criteria designed and developed for evaluating e-portfolios. This chapter describes the results of applying newly developed LMS e-portfolio evaluation criteria within one UK higher education institution.
Identity, Citizenship, and Moral Constructs from the Virtual Self
Authors: Martin Stewart
Published: August 2015

Many young people now access digital networks that include individuals very unlike them who promote different cultural, religious and ethical value systems and behaviour. Such value systems can create conflicts of expectation for young people seeking to resolve their relationship to a national citizenship in a pluralistic society, especially if they are experiencing adolescent uncertainties or a growing awareness of social inequalities. The emergence of trans-national political structures and their differing value systems, together with the rise of international tensions, have increased uncertainty about the nature of identity and entitlement to a national citizenship. This paper describes the ongoing Citizens project study of identity development in young people, using real-world scenarios to discover the values that underpin their engagement with this wider range of religious and cultural value systems and to explore personal identity, political issues and citizenship.
A Research Lens for Studying Power in Learning Games
Authors: Warren Scott Joseph , Gratch Jonathan S.
Published: August 2015

Digital games have been used to support learning since the 1980s. However, the last decade has seen games, simulations and virtual world use take firm hold of the academic imagination. There also has been a rapid expansion of sponsored, formal research, informal inquiry, and a growing body of theory supporting the use of learning games. As a result, several challenges to their use have been identified such as flaws in the games themselves, inadequate methods of assessment due to complex, confounding variables, and the perceptions of students and teachers. This piece describes a research method called Critical CinéEthnography meant to address this lack. It stems from a discursive, systems-oriented view of learning that explores of the arguments and truth claims made by learners and teachers. The method employs video capture of out-of-game discussion, artifacts, and body language that should allow researchers to build a complex picture of participant experiences that can be easily shared with academics and practitioners alike.
Design-Based Research with AGILE Sprints to Produce MUVES in Vocational Education
Authors: Cochrane Todd , Davis Niki E. , Mackey Julie
Published: August 2015

An innovative approach to effective design, development and testing of Multi-User Virtual Environments (MUVE) in vocational education is provided. It blends Agile software development with design based research (DBR), seeded with educational frameworks and theories relevant to vocational education. Legitimate peripheral participation was used as a filter to inform design thinking for authentic vocational contexts because moving towards being work ready increases the student's legitimate practices particular to a vocation. Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge TPACK (Mishra & Koehler 2006) provided a framework to link content and pedagogy with the MUVE technology. Software development techniques for MUVEs are shown to have characteristics compatible with design based research. A design based methodological process that introduces software development within phases is described. The approach is illustrated in the design of two MUVE to simulate (1) the hazardous situation of temporary traffic management and (2) communication on a maritime ship's bridge.
Australian Universities' RPL Policies and Practices
Authors: Pitman Tim , Vidovich Lesley
Published: August 2015

This chapter explores the difficulties surrounding the credentialing of open learning through an analysis of policies and practices relating to recognition of prior learning (RPL) in the Australian higher education sector. Here, credentialing encompasses both RPL for credit, where we ask to what extent there is a hierarchy of value placed on prior learning; and RPL for access where the notion of ‘meritocracy' is foregrounded. The main argument is that, in the context of the Australian higher education sector, and possibly well beyond, RPL is more likely to be operationalised for strategic reasons relating to competitive university positioning within the sector, than for pedagogic motivations. As a result, equity considerations - especially for the most disadvantaged students - are further marginalised. It is one thing to develop processes through which open learning facilitates the production of knowledge, but another for this knowledge to be recognised by the Academy.
Rediscovering the North American Legacy of Self-Initiated Learning in Prior Learning Assessments
Authors: Coulter Xenia , Mandell Alan
Published: August 2015

Throughout history, particularly in the United States, adults have engaged in deliberate acts of learning so as to meet their particular needs or interests. Education has been viewed simply as an integral part of being alive and, until the professionalisation of adult education, adults were considered competent self-reliant learners. In this chapter, we will argue, firstly, that this legacy is continued when prior learning assessments of student-initiated learning do not match extant, already-established knowledge. Secondly, this chapter posits that the recognition of uniquely acquired knowledge is not only appropriate within the university setting, but that the process itself may begin to free the university from an unhealthy preoccupation with what is already known and open it up further to new and multiple ways of knowing.