bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating The Impact Of Historical Costing On Real Earnings Management: An Empirical Study
Authors: Abdel-Azim Mohamed H. , Ibrahim Awad E. A.
Published: March 2016

The current study examines the relationship between Historical Cost Accounting (HCA) and real earnings management. Accounting literature argues that HCA provides a chance for manipulation. HCA creates large unrealized capital gains/losses that are recognized in income statements only when managers decide to sell such assets. This may induce managers to manipulate earnings. Moreover, managers are able to decide which assets to sell and during which period. Therefore, managers can exploit HCA in real earnings management by interfering in the structuring of asset sale transactions. The current study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate over dropping HCA and replacing it with Fair Value Accounting (FVA). Using a sample of the 71 most actively traded non-financial firms listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange during 20042010, multiple regression analysis is employed to test two main hypotheses: the income-smoothing hypothesis and the debt/equity hypothesis. The results provide evidence that managers in the Egyptian business environment exploit HCA in real earnings management to some extent. Managers with negative earnings changes tend to use HCA to smooth earnings, while managers with earnings changes do not. Moreover, there is no evidence for managers use of HCA to avoid violating debt contract terms based on accounting numbers.
Adoption Of Social Networks In Business: Study Of Users And Potential Users In Oman
Authors: Al-Badi Ali H. , Al-Qayoudhi Wafa S.
Published: March 2016

Web 2.0 technologies have become effective tools in recent years, being used by people everywhere for everything. One of the most effective types of Web 2.0 technology is online social networks. Social networks, like Facebook and Twitter, are being used in communication and for building social capital between people. However, they have become important tools in the business world, and business people have realized that social networks are applicable tools in their daily business tasks. There is a belief that social networking and social media are going to transform peoples live styles, change their cultures, revolutionize communication, and reform the existing business models. From this standpoint, this research investigates and attempts to understand the adoption of social networks in business. This research raises three main questions: 1) What is the impact of utilizing social networks in business?, 2) How does business increase opportunities by adopting social networks?, and 3) What are the obstacles that discourage certain organizations from utilizing social networks in their business? The main theoretical objectives of this research are to investigate and explore the opportunities and reasons behind adopting social networks in business, to investigate the impacts of social networks on business and what the consequences are for individual businesses, and to discover the reasons which are preventing certain businesses from adopting social networks. In order to achieve the researchs objectives about 130 questionnaires were distributed to different private organizations in Oman. Some of the initial findings of this exploratory study are that the majority of organizations that participated fall into the services category; 57% of the respondents have face-to-face meetings as well as online/email to communicate with their customers, and 81% of these organizations allow their employees to access/browse the Internet during working hours; 31% of the organizations said that the main gain from utilizing social networking is to encourage and empower employees to discuss ideas, post news, ask questions, and share links; 62% of the organizations agreed that one of the obstacles preventing them from adopting social networking is the lack of quantifiable business benefits. This study is expected to help businesses that are trying to gain competitive advantage by deploying these new technologies and ideas for the enhancement of their operations.
Islamic And Conventional Equity Indices: An Examination Of Cointegration And Hedging
Authors: Boldin Robert J. , Chaudhry Mukesh , Affaneh Ibrahim
Published: March 2016

Linkages between the Islamic Stock Indices, the Indices of Europe, Asia, US, UK, and Japan, and those of the emerging markets are empirically analyzed. Using methodologies that account for idiosyncratic factors in the data, evidence of linkages are found between large stock markets of Europe, Asia, US, and UK. Emerging markets indices show clear insulation from the Islamic indices. Although, emerging markets follow the Islamic based investment approach, other aspects such as economic factors as well as the size of the industry have dissimilarities. Hence, strategies for hedging or diversification, particularly in the long-run can be developed. If emerging market indices are combined with the indices of other markets, there may be considerable risk reduction with such a strategy.
Investing In Leadership, Governance And Management To Improve Quality Of Teaching And Learning: A Human Capital Perspective
Authors: Ntshoe Isaac M. , Selesho Jacob M.
Published: March 2016

While funding is undoubtedly necessary to promote the quality of the curriculum, teaching, and learning, funding in and by itself is not a guarantee to achieve equity and equality of outcomes. Accordingly, in some cases, such as the South African context, a sound funding regimen to address inequities and quality in education in the post-apartheid setting, the quality of leadership, governance and management are equally key and sometimes more critical to achieving sustainable quality and equity improvements in education, including the quality of matric learners. Five quintile 1s (non-fee paying schools) in the Fezile Dabi district in the Free State Province of South Africa were sampled for this study. The schools were used as samples because they formed what is known as non-performing schools in terms of their matric results for the 2009 and 2010 academic years. We used purposive sampling comprising schools that did not perform satisfactorily in their matric results and adopted an utilisation-focused strategy that could assist the Free State Department of Education to improve quality. The data were collected from School Management Teams comprising the school principals of the five schools and Heads of Department. Knowledge of how principals manage the curriculum in schools in South Africa is therefore limited. Although there are detailed normative frameworks (often from elsewhere) on what principals should do, there is little consideration of the reality of the work of principals, in particular contexts, and what they actually do. There was a concern about some HODs with regard to their content knowledge of the different subjects streams. There was an outcry of 45% of HODs in highly cognitive subjects, such as Mathematics, Accounting, and Physical Science, who did not possess the content knowledge required in their respective subjects streaming. Consequently, a statement was made concerning the level of leadership in high-focus subjects. Similarly, there is a perception that there should be a strong content knowledge from the HOD as an instruction leader as their subjects are regarded as highly skilled subjects.
Returns On Large Stock Price Declines And Increases In The South African Stock Market: A Note On Market Efficiency
Authors: Frisch Thomas , Kolaric Sascha , Schiereck Dirk
Published: March 2016

This study tests for underreaction and overreaction in the South African stock market by examining abnormal returns on the stocks included in the FTSE Group Johannesburg Stock Exchange Top 40 index following large price rises and drops. The results of our empirical investigation suggest that large price increases and declines are likely to be followed by positive market returns. In addition, for the post-2008 time period the risk of these stocks increases significantly for up to two years following the original event. Therefore, the results lend further support to the Uncertain Information Hypothesis.
Building An Entrepreneurial Economy: Evidence From Developing Countries
Authors: Salem Mohamed Imam
Published: March 2016

Entrepreneurship contributes to economic development in all countries all over the world and has always been a powerful driving force of innovation, productivity, job creation and economic growth. In recent years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched a broad range of intensive and creative initiatives to kick-start entrepreneurship, to further promote a business climate that supports innovation and competitiveness, and to inspire the next generation of company builders. Prior studies have not given much attention to the entrepreneurial role that universities play in building entrepreneurial economies, especially in the Arab World. This paper attempts to address the research gap relating to the process by which universities can foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. One major challenge is to develop contents and methods that encourage entrepreneurial learning. The paper confirms that entrepreneurship education can help promote an entrepreneurial and innovate culture by changing mindsets and providing the necessary skills. In this way, universities have become increasingly important for national and global economic development.
Looking For The Fundamentals Of Post-Crisis Economics
Authors: Komorowski Jan
Published: March 2016

The current global crisis leads to new theoretical concepts that will go beyond neoclassical economics. The behavioral approach helps to understand business choices, autonomy, subjectivity, efficiency, etc., and finally, it goes to define such categories as business personality, goals, values, rationality, ethics, and relations in environment. The inevitable conclusion is to replace "profit maximization" with the business development paradigm. This article explains fundamentals of this new positive behavioral economics paradigm.
The Big Mac Index: A Shortcut To Inflation And Exchange Rate Dynamics? Price Tracking And Predictive Properties
Authors: Portes Luis San Vicente , Atal Vidya
Published: March 2016

The Economist magazine has been publishing the Big Mac Index using it as a rule of thumb to determine the over- or under-valuation of international currencies based on the theory of Purchasing Power Parity since 1986. According to the theory, using the Big Mac as a tradable single-good basket, the Dollar-value of the hamburger should be equalized around the world due to arbitrage. The popularity and following of the Big Mac Index led the authors to the following two questions: 1) How effective is the Big Mac price as an indicator of overall inflation? and 2) how accurate are exchange rate movement predictions based on Big Mac prices? They find that Big Mac prices tend to lag overall inflation rates, which is highly important in studies that use Big Mac prices as measures of affordability or real incomes over time. As a guide to exchange rate movements, there is support for the theory of Purchasing Power Parity, but only as a qualitative indicator of movement in the nominal exchange rate in rich and economically stable countries, proving less effective in forecasting exchange rate movements in emerging markets. The statistical analysis is carried out using data from 1986 to 2012 from The Economist and from the World Bank for 54 countries. The importance of these findings lies on the widespread use of the index and thus perpetuation of perceptions on the relative value of currencies in the areas of corporate finance, international trade and finance, and international business.
Precursors Of Emotional Stability, Stress, And Work-Family Conflict Among Female Bank Employees
Authors: Hlatywayo Clifford Kendrick , Zingwe Tawanda , Mhlanga Tatenda Shaleen , Mpofu Bukhosi Dumoluhle
Published: March 2016

Women exposure to quality education and equity legislation has accelerated their participation in the workplace. The study investigated the relationship between emotional stability, stress, and work-family conflict among female bank employees in the border region of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Findings highlighted significant positive relationships between work-family conflict, stress, and neuroticism. The findings support most relationships found in literature. Correlations were also found amongst biographical data of female banking employees. The implications of this study are discussed along with recommendations for future research and professional managerial practice.
The South African Banking Director Network: An Investigation Into Interlocking Directorships Using Social Network Analysis (SNA)
Authors: Senekal Burgert A. , Stemmet Karlien
Published: March 2016

The theory of complex systems has gained significant ground in recent years, and with it, complex network theory has become an essential approach to complex systems. This study follows international trends in examining the interlocking South African bank director network using social network analysis (SNA), which is shown to be a highly connected social network that has ties to many South African industries, including healthcare, mining, and education. The most highly connected directors and companies are identified, along with those that are most central to the network, and those that serve important bridging functions in facilitating network coherence. As this study is exploratory, numerous suggestions are also made for further research.
A Framework For Linking Process Factors To Organisational Performance In A Government Department
Authors: Mafini Chengedzai , Isaac Pooe David Rabolane
Published: March 2016

Organisational performance in the public sector in South Africa remains an issue of concern, due to the fact that most government departments continue to perform below the expected standard. This presented an impetus to conduct research on organisational performance in the sector on a continuous basis, in order to find current solutions. In this study, the relationship between organisational performance and four organisational process factors; namely, organisational structure, change, teamwork, and leadership in a South African government department was examined. A conceptual framework and four hypotheses which linked these four process factors and organisational performance were proposed. A six-section survey questionnaire was administered to 272 randomly selected members of a government department who were based in Gauteng Province. The proposed relationships were tested using a combination of Pearsons correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Positive and statistically significant relationships were observed between organisational performance and the four process factors, leading to the acceptance of all hypotheses. The framework proposed in the study may be used in the diagnosis of performance problems in the public sector.
Micro-Loans In Ghana: Assessing Relationships Between Payment Of Interest And Loan Characteristics
Authors: Etim Alice S. , Heilman George , James Peprah
Published: March 2016

This paper assesses differences in loan characteristic variables between those who pay interest on their micro-loans and those who dont. The findings indicate significant differences between interest payers and interest non payers based on the sufficiency of the loans, the recency of the business and loan, and the portion of profits needed to repay loans.
The Role Of Universities In Building A Knowledge-Based Economy In Saudi Arabia
Authors: Salem Mohamed Imam
Published: March 2016

A knowledge-based economy is one of the vital components of modern economies. Growth in most of the economies of the world, and most developed economies in particular, are increasingly based on knowledge. In a knowledge-based economy, economic development is dependent on investments in education, learning and training, among others. Universities are today becoming aware of the essential role that higher education plays in the construction of knowledge-based economies. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has adopted the drive toward a knowledge-based economy through focusing on the higher education sector. Saudi Universities are playing a pivotal role toward the Kingdom's transition into a knowledge-based economy and hence achieving economic growth and development. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the important role that universities play in building a knowledge-based economy through innovation, research commercialization, and technology transfer as economic development policies. The role of universities in building a knowledge-based economy in Saudi Arabia is also investigated. The paper confirms that Saudi universities are considered as a very important entity in the aim for the Saudi economy to achieve sustainable growth and development.
Determinants Of Innovative Capability Of A Country And Its Role In Economic Growth
Authors: Jackson Faye Hall , Sara Tejinder , Kahai Simran K.
Published: March 2016

This paper discusses the role that innovation plays in global competition and provides examples showing how firms from selected emerging markets use innovation to compete with global firms from the developed world. This paper also discusses the role of innovative capability in growth of a country by suggesting that in the long-term, a nations higher order competitive advantage can only be built with the innovative capability of its firms. In this context, an empirical model was used to identify the determinants of innovative capability of a country. The discussion of these determinants should be useful to policymakers in countries attempting to promote economic growth by improving the productivity of firms in their respective countries.
MERCOSUR: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Downey Clara
Published: March 2016

Regional economic integration has resulted from the globalization phenomena. Nations establish trade blocs as a strategic maneuver, while firms seeking growth and investment opportunities require knowledge of prevailing business laws. Prudent, integrated policy-making will support the trade blocs interactions and provide firms with a sense of certainty. The business bankruptcy laws of South Americas largest trade bloc, MERCOSUR, are investigated to determine if they are moving toward alignment that would foster growth within the association and attract foreign investors.
Investigating Factors Influencing Customer Online Buying Satisfaction In Gauteng, South Africa
Authors: Rudansky-Kloppers Sharon
Published: March 2016

Online shopping has increased significantly worldwide in the last few years. South Africa is no exception, but although this country has experienced an increase in online shopping, it seems to lag behind the rest of the world where this development is concerned. Research into the factors which influence customer online shopping satisfaction is thus imperative in order for South African retailers to develop the correct strategies for online sales. With this information, they can convert potential customers into real customers and retain them. This research investigates the factors which influence customer online buying satisfaction in the Gauteng province of South Africa. The researcher made use of secondary research to construct a model of factors influencing online customer satisfaction and then tested the model among South Africans living in the Gauteng province. A sample of 111 online shoppers was used and quantitative research was conducted by means of a structured questionnaire. It was found that convenience, delivery, and time saving were viewed by customers as the most important reasons for buying online, while branding was viewed as the least important factor. The research results confirmed the model developed by the researcher. Results of the study, as well as recommendations for future research, are presented.
Sustainable Government Debt: The Case Of Poland
Authors: Jacobsen Gorm
Published: March 2016

Due to government budget deficits in many countries for decades, government debt has become a big problem for some of these countries. This problem accelerated further after the financial crises starting at the end of 2008, a crisis that led to a low and even negative economic growth for many countries. The first part of this article gives a standard theoretical discussion of what could be meant by sustainable government debt. At the end, there is an illustration with some figures for Poland where the conclusion seems to prove the need for a reduced government budget deficit to avoid a serious government debt problem in the future.
Identifying New Product And Service Export Opportunities For South Africa Using A Decision Support Model
Authors: Viviers Wilma , Cuyvers Ludo , Steenkamp Ermie , Grater Sonja , Matthee Marianne , Krugell Waldo
Published: March 2016

In the face of slow economic growth and development, and the perennial problems of unemployment, poverty and inequality, the South African government and business community have long recognised the importance of growing and diversifying the countrys tangible goods and services export sectors. One of the challenges in designing and implementing effective export promotion strategies is identifying the right markets, given South Africas ever-fluid skills, capacity and trading relationships. The Decision Support Model (DSM) is an export market selection tool that makes use of a sophisticated filtering process to sift through an extensive range of product-/service- and country-related data to reveal those product-/service-country combinations (export opportunities) that are the most realistic and sustainable. The DSM, which has been applied for Belgium, Thailand and South Africa, not only brings greater precision to the export market selection process, but also unveils opportunities that may not have been contemplated before thus supporting the quest for export diversification. This paper examines the role of the DSM for products and the DSM for services, respectively, and illustrates how, using the results from the application of these models, they herald the start of a new era in export market selection and promotion in South Africa.
Differential Investment Performance In South Africa Based On Gender
Authors: Willows Gizelle , West Darron
Published: March 2016

Research has shown that, as a result of certain behavioural biases, individuals do not always make investment decisions in such a way as to maximise their expected utility. These biases have also been observed to manifest differently within gender: men are more overconfident, they display higher risk tolerances and they exhibit stronger self-efficacy and self-attribution biases. The trading behavior and resultant returns of 19,021 individual investors from a South African investment house were analysed over a five-year period (1 January 2007 31 December 2011). The results showed a statistically significant negative correlation between trading frequency and investor return. While there is no statistically significant difference in the returns earned by men and women; men trade more and have higher variances of returns than women. The data suggests that, on a risk-adjusted basis, women are better investors than men.
The Process Of Globalization In Latin America
Authors: Theodore John D.
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this article was to examine and evaluate the historical and developmental process of globalization in Latin America from the 1970s to the second decade of the 21st century and make proposals for the additional developments needed in education, society, labor, management, politics, economics, business, government, and legal areas in order for the region to attain higher developmental levels in regional integration and globalization on a continuous basis. It also examined the advantages and disadvantages of globalization as perceived by its proponents and adversaries in the region.
Barriers And Challenges Restraining Zimbabwean Banks In Going Multinational
Authors: Mlambo Courage , Mapondera David , Tenderere Morris
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates the barriers and challenges restraining Zimbabwean banking institutions in going multinational. The paper drew attention from the fact that although multinational banking had increased drastically in the last two decades, Zimbabwean banks have failed to go multinational. Findings from this study indicate that cultural distance, government policy, information asymmetry, level of technology, legal and regulatory barriers and barriers to entry are the main challenges that restrain Zimbabwean banks from going multinational. The paper also examines policy options to address the challenges faced by Zimbabwean banks when going multinational.
Further Exploration Of Global Asset GMVPs: Does Risk Reduction Benefit From Weekly Data?
Authors: Zibri Arben , Kukeli Agim
Published: March 2016

The paper studies the differences in risk reduction among global minimum variance portfolios (GMVPs) derived from the optimization of weekly and monthly return. This research follows the analysis of Zibri and Kukeli (2014) regarding differences in performance which is measured for different revision frequencies and transaction costs. The data used are weekly/monthly returns for stock, bond, gold, oil indices for the period 1996-2013. If more frequently rebalancing is applied, most restrictive weekly GMVPs reduce risk more than returns vis--vis monthly GMVPs.
Identifying Industrial Clusters For Regional Economic Diversification: The Case Of South Africa's North West Province
Authors: Pisa Noleen , Viviers Wilma , Rossouw Riaan
Published: March 2016

Dependency on commodity exports is seen as a structural weakness in resource dependent regions. Not surprisingly, such regions have made economic diversification a key priority. The economy of South Africas North West Province (NWP), a rich platinum and gold mining region, is highly specialised and dependent on a few sectors. This paper proposes industrial cluster formation as a means of diversifying the NWP economy and enhancing competitiveness in the province. The structural path analysis and Power-of-Pull methods were used to identify and rank order the industrial clusters that offer the greatest economy-wide benefits, while also creating opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration.
Oil Prices, Exchange Rates, And Inflation Expectations In South Africa
Authors: Sibanda Kin , Hove Progress , Murwirapachena Genius
Published: March 2016

Informed inflation expectations facilitate the extemporisation of a proper monetary policy framework that allows for the achievement of economic objectives, among them price stability. This study used the vector autoregression model to assess the impact of crude oil prices and exchange rates on inflation expectations in South Africa. Monthly time-series data for the period July 2002 to March 2013, obtained from the electronic database of the South African Reserve Bank were used. The study obtained statistically significant results suggesting that both crude oil prices and the exchange rates have a positive impact on inflation expectations in South Africa.
How Debt Financing Decisions Relate With Financial Performance Of State-Owned Corporations In Kenya
Authors: Nyamita Micah Odhiambo , Dorasamy Nirmala , Garbharran Hari Lall
Published: March 2016

Financing decisions, especially debt financing, have been revealed to have noteworthy implications for the operations of corporations. Studies on finance have revolved around the theory that certain financial policies, like debt financing, should either boost or hamper a corporations competitive performance. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the effects of debt financing on the financial performance of state-owned corporations in Kenya. The financial leverage, which is the proportion of debt financing of state-owned corporations, based on the total debt and the total assets, was the object of analysis for the period 2002 to 2012. The fixed effects (FE), random effects (RE) and the generalized method of moments (GMM) panel data regression analysis models were applied using the financial performance ratios, such as ROA, ROI and ROE. The results determined that debt financing is inversely related to financial performance of state-owned corporations in Kenya.
Public Interest Considerations In The South African Anti-Dumping And Competition Law, Policy, And Practice
Authors: Sibanda Sr. Omphemetse S.
Published: March 2016

The paper addresses the delicate issue of public interest considerations when determining anti-dumping, competition, and investment measures to balance it with the interest of other interested parties in South Africa. It is particularly argued that the South African anti-dumping legislation must be amended as to clearly mandate the consideration of public interest when imposing an anti-dumping (or safeguard measure). Also, it is argued that the foreign direct investment regime must take into account policy considerations such as black economic empowerment in the public interest. The South Africas competition legislation will be used as an example of the level of convergence that may be achieved having regard to the non-competition factors incorporated in the legislation and potential or perceived difficulties in reconciling a competition analysis with a public interest analysis.
The Influence Of Cultural Diversity On Marketing Communication: A Case Of Africans And Indians In Durban, South Africa
Authors: Ijabadeniyi Abosede , Govender Jeevarathnam Parthasarathy , Veerasamy Dayaneethie
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates the cultural diversity between Africans and Indians in Durban, South Africa, based on marketing communication. While cross-cultural marketing research has been concentrated on Western and Eastern societies, there is a lack of such research in Africa. The study examines the cultural values of Africans and Indians based on the individualism-collectivism cultural dimension, adapted to account for marketing communication-specific cultural values (MCSCV). The study was a quantitative study which used judgmental sampling technique to recruit subjects and analysed data using the t-test. Surveys were completed by 283 African and 92 Indian respondents at the main shopping malls in two of Durban’s renowned African and Indian townships viz. Umlazi and Chatsworth, respectively. The findings of the study revealed that Indian respondents showed more individualistic tendencies toward marketing communication, as compared to their African counterparts. The study highlights that target markets’ indigenous cultural values may not necessarily serve as predictors for market segmentation. The study further shows that directing stereotypical marketing communication strategies toward culturally homogeneous markets based on indigenous cultural dispositions, without investigating the compatibility of both cultural contexts, can be deleterious. The paper builds on current thinking in cross-cultural marketing literature and develops an orientation of MCSCV.
An Exploratory Study Of The Variation In Unemployment Length Of Graduates Of Different Degree Programs
Authors: Dunga Steven Henry
Published: March 2016

The drive to reduce poverty and unemployment in most developing or newly industrialized countries has many forms, the most common avenue, however, is the provision of education and a resultant expectation of employment. South Africa has in the past decade struggled with the issue of unemployment. Even in the face of very high graduate rates compared to other countries in the region, there is still high unemployment. The most common in South Africa is frictional as opposed to structural. An obvious expectation is that once people have attended tertiary education, getting a job should be easier than those without any education. However, there seems to be a mismatch between the skills required in the workplace and the skills the graduates looking for jobs have. Using data from graduates of one of the big universities in South Africa, the study investigated on the time, graduates take to get a job focusing on graduates from different degree programs. The results show that graduates eventually get employed but differences exist in the waiting period. The results show that of the six degree programs namely Bachelor of Commerce in Economics, BCom Human Resources, Bachelor of Arts Psychology, Bachelor of Education (BEd), Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Law, the law degree graduates have the longest waiting period and the BEd has the shortest waiting period before getting employed. The study, however, showed that all the graduates in the sample were employed. The results also indicated that 58percent of the graduates in the sample were not employed in the field they studied in. The study therefore recommended that to deal with unemployment in general, people should be afforded the opportunity to study for a degree, and that although low paying, BEd provides higher prospects of employment than most other degrees.
Size Of Industrial Organization: Impact On Workers Behaviour
Authors: Akintayo Dayo , Babalola S.S.
Published: March 2016

The study investigated the influence of size of organization on workers behaviour (labour turnover, absenteeism, and job satisfaction and strike prone activity behaviour) in industrial organizations in South-Western Nigeria. This was for the purpose of determining the appropriate management strategies that could foster commitment, cooperation and compliance among industrial workers in Nigeria. The study adopted ex-post facto research design. A total of 320 respondents were drawn from the selected work organizations to represent both large-scale and small-scale organizations, using proportionate stratified sampling technique. The researcher utilizes a set of questionnaire for data collection. The five hypotheses generated for the study were tested at 0.05 alpha level using Pearson product moment correlation and t test statistical methods. The findings of the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between size of organization and workers behaviour. It was therefore being recommended that organizational support system should be encouraged in order to foster commitment, reduction in labour turnover, dissatisfaction, absenteeism and strike prone activity among industrial workers. Also, labour and management education that could incorporate psychological issues such as burnout, stress, interpersonal relations and conflict management should be organized for workers on continuous basis in order to foster attraction to organization among the work force.
The Value Of B2B Face-To-Face Sales Interaction In The United States, Canada And Latin America
Authors: Byrnes Thomas J. , Mujtaba Bahaudin G.
Published: March 2016

Establishing and maintaining solid, long term marketing relationships are instrumental to the success of a sales representative as well as the firm the representative is employed by (Jap, 2001). This research incorporated all relevant aspects of implementing a market driven strategy to support a sustainable customer marketing relationship, including understanding face-face customer sales requirements. The ultimate goal was to understand the customers satisfaction level with face-face sales representatives versus electronic relationship (email and telephone sales support) and as well determine if there is any greater loyalty in a face-face sales interaction versus electronic. As a result of this research, the findings indicate that customer satisfaction levels and loyalty are not compromised by engaging in an electronic relationship with the clients versus engaging in a face-face relationship. The results demonstrate that the customer satisfaction levels and loyalty are actually higher in the indirect channel versus the direct channel.
China Miracle Or Mirage
Authors: Speter Morris K.
Published: March 2016

For centuries China has been seen as a backward country. It was dominated by the European powers and, since the middle of the last century, by a very doctrinaire communist government. However, in the last 10 15 years China has emerged as an economic giant with an economy growing at 10% + per annum operating in a decidedly capitalistic fashion. Thus, we have the paradox of an anti communistic economic system operating under an anti capitalistic political system. The question for the future is whether this economic miracle will continue into the 21stcentury or is it but a temporary mirage and China will revert back to its previous secondary role on the worlds stage?
Maquiladoras: An Important Asset For Mexicos Economy
Authors: Heinzman Jr. Joseph , Valentini Gian Marco
Published: March 2016

Maquiladoras are foreign-owned companies located for the most part along the California and Texas border in Mexico. Because of particular customs treatments, very low wages compared to wages in the United States, and the geographic proximity to the United States, maquiladoras represent a strong attraction for American investors and corporations. Maquiladoras are also an important asset for the Mexican economy and are accountable for about 45% of Mexicos total exports. Finally, maquiladoras are an important source of job opportunities for the Mexican workforce today and in the future.
Issues In Conducting Empirical Research In The Peoples Republic Of China: A Case Study Of Primary Research On Purchasing Practices In Chinese Small Businesses
Authors: Hubbard Katharine A. Bohley , Adams Jeffery H. , Whitten Deborah D.
Published: March 2016

This paper addresses the issues involved in conducting empirical research in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Major hurdles that researchers have to overcome when conducting empirical research in the PRC, include language, cultural issues, cost of the research, obtaining local contacts, and government restrictions. The challenges faced in an actual research effort in China will be compared and contrasted to research issues discussed in the academic literature. Finally, recommendations for conducting empirical research in the PRC are presented.
Liquidity Risk Financial Disclosure: The Case Of Large European Financial Groups
Authors: Boussanni Abderrahim , Desrochers Jean , Préfontaine Jacques
Published: March 2016

This paper examines the informational content and the usefulness of financial groups' liquidity risk public financial disclosure. This theme is of interest since the factors that influence the level of liquidity risk are complex, and they strongly interact with other originating factors from related financial risks. These characteristics have made it more difficult for financial services industry regulators and private sector ERM experts to recommend a practical and well defined framework for the management and subsequent public disclosure of liquidity risk financial information. The results of the study are based on an in-depth content analysis of the Annual reports (2004) published by twenty-one of Western Europe's largest financial groups using the liquidity risk management factors proposed by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and its Joint Forum (2003, 2006). The results of the study revealed a disparity between commercial banks from the same or different European countries as to the level and extent of liquidity risk public financial disclosure. The same was also found for the description of the risk management structures and the accompanying explanatory comments on liquidity risk management practices. In addition, the study documented the overall scarcity of quantitative data which supports qualitative discussions on liquidity risk management. There were also areas of more complete financial disclosure that apply to factors explaining the origins of cash flows, and the explanations and discussion about foreign exchange risk management.
Queuing Models To Balance Systems With Excess Supply
Authors: Mendoza Gastón , Sedaghat Mohammad , Yoon K. Paul
Published: March 2016

Many manufacturing and service activities can be modeled using queuing theory. The optimization of the long-run solution to imbalances between supply and demand is very important to established businesses. This paper presents a family of queuing models that minimize the expected total cost incurred when restoring equilibrium to a stochastic system that has become unstable due to changes in the environmental parameters affecting its behavior. Analytical expressions for the expected total cost in terms of a policy parameter are derived from which numerically-savvy users can obtain the policy that minimizes the expected total cost. To determine the model parameters that most affect the optimal policy and to facilitate the determination of near-optimal policies, exact solutions were found for a large number of scenarios and then used to fit a regression model. The resulting regression equation can be used by practitioners to find policy parameters that approximately minimize the expected total cost due to imbalances in supply and demand.
Investment Strategies, Trading Information And Option Market: Evidence From The Toronto Stock Exchange
Authors: Assogbavi Tov , Fagnissè Siméon
Published: March 2016

This paper empirically investigates the relationship between equity price change and volume in order to determine the extent to which option trading affects the absolute price?volume relationship. The analysis is based on Zellner's 'Seemingly Unrelated Regression, (SUR) method shows that, on average, the trading volume of option eligible equity issues is less sensitive to price changes than the volume of equity issues without options. This result supports the hypothesis (Ross, 1976) that investors may be more inclined to turn to the option market rather than acting directly on the securities in order to carry out their different investment strategies on the stock market. A direct implication of this finding suggests that investment strategies that use both volume and price change to make inferences for investment decisions have to integrate, at least when dealing with an option eligible equity, both stock and option markets into their analysis.
Moderating Variables On SMEs Strategies And Competitiveness For International Trade: A Survey Of Horticultural Traders In Urban And Peri-Urban Areas In Kenya
Authors: Tenai Joel K. , Bitok Julius K. , Cheruiyot Thomas K. , Maru Loice C.
Published: March 2016

Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME) strategy and competitiveness in international trade in developing countries context have not been fully explored. This paper posits that SMEs competitiveness as a result of its strategy is moderated by an array of internal and external factors. Accordingly, this paper examines key moderating variables on the SMEs strategies as a construct that influence enterprise competitiveness. The objectives of the paper are three fold: to identify the moderating factors on SME strategies and competitiveness, to evaluate the level and extent of moderation of such variables and to evaluate the relationship between enterprise strategy and competitiveness. The hypotheses were developed and tested using data collected using survey of traders in the urban and peri-urban areas of Uasin Gishu District, Kenya. Systematic random sampling technique was used to pick 50 of the 200 traders in the market. Data was collected using self-administered structured questionnaire to the respondents. Factor analysis was used to extract latent factors and provide an understanding of structures and identify the moderating factors. Further, linear multiple regression analysis was performed on the extracted factors against sales volume as a measure of competitiveness. This was used in the assessment of various dimensions of the enterprise performance of SMES. Ten factors with high eigen values of more than one were extracted. The regression model could not provide conclusive results on the effect of strategy on competitiveness, but could be indicative of the complexity of the underlying interactions.
Improving Performance Through Logistics Strategies
Authors: Villarreal Bernardo , Cortez Elizabeth , Carrales Gabriela , Novelo Paulina , González Daniela
Published: March 2016

A fundamental challenge that Mexican companies are facing today to become global competitors is that of devising and implementing strategies to reduce transportation, inventory and warehousing operating costs, and improve on-time delivery. This paper describes the efforts of a Mexican company to achieve this goal while overcoming the countrys unfavorable transportation infrastructure and environment.
Strong Impact Of Comprehensive Income On European Groups Listed In American Markets
Authors: Fernández Francisco Sousa
Published: March 2016

The aim of this paper is to analyze the impact of Comprehensive Income on Net Income according to SFAS 130 issued by FASB for a sample of 136 corporate groups on the European continent listed in NYSE and NASDAQ for the period 1999-2004, taking as a reference the information contained in the reconciliation with US GAAP when they presented their accounts to the SEC. We have detected noticeable extreme values and outliers and, on average, marked negative effects on the groups considering the analysis detailed by size and industries, essentially motivated by the stock-exchange crisis of the early 2000's and by unfavorable exchange rates, particularly between the Euro and the U.S. dollar. All of this reveals the greater connection of Comprehensive Income with the reality of the markets than Net Income, which presumes that SFAS 130 issued by the FASB contributes to the increase of the relevance of the financial information in the performance area.
Determinants Of Residents Recycling Behaviour
Authors: Kaciak Eugene , Kushner Joseph
Published: March 2016

Environmental concerns, combined with the scarcity of landfill sites have made recycling a more desirable alternative to traditional methods of garbage disposal. The purpose of the paper is to determine the factors that influence recycling behaviour. We also examine the socio-demographic characteristics of those who recycle. Logistic regression and means-end-based laddering techniques are used. The results of this research should be helpful in designing public campaigns to promote recycling.
An Examination Of Tourists Loyalty Towards Medical Tourism In Pattaya, Thailand
Authors: Mechinda Panisa , Serirat Sirivan , Anuwichanont Jirawat , Gulid Nak
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study is to explore the antecedents of tourists’ attitudinal loyalty towards medical tourism in Pattaya (a major tourist destination in Thailand). Multiple regression analysis indicated that attitudinal loyalty towards medical tourism was mainly driven by satisfaction, trust, perceived value, destination familiarity, as well as destination image, respectively. When examining these antecedents between hospital tourists and clinic tourists, the results indicated that trust becomes the most important driver for hospital tourists whereas satisfaction becomes the most important driver for clinic tourists.
Cash To Accrual Accounting: One Nations Dilemma
Authors: Tickell Geoffrey
Published: March 2016

Over the past three decades, there has been a slow but steady global movement undertaken by most governments to move from cash-based accounting to accrual-based accounting. This migration is the result of calls for greater accountability, increased transparency and more informed decision-making from the public sector. Questions remain regarding the implementation of accrual accounting within public sector organisations. This paper reports on an investigation into Fiji's attempt to use accrual accounting as its financial reporting format. Findings suggest that, due to the nation’s low-skilled public service, high labor turnover and insufficient investment in capital equipment, undertaking the move to accrual accounting for this and similar developing nations require a different approach to that used by developing economies. This paper concludes with recommendations on how to effectively introduce accrual accounting in the public sector of developing nations.