bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The robustness and accuracy of Box-Jenkins ARIMA in modeling and forecasting household debt in South Africa
Authors: Moroke Ntebogang Dinah
Published: January 2020

Abstract: This paper adopted the Box-Jenkins methodology to estimate a univariate time series model. Quarterly data collected from the South African Reserve Bank covering the period 1994 to 2014 was used. The initial plot of the series revealed that household debt is explained by an irregular and non-seasonal component. Owing to the non stationarity of the series, first differencing was applied to induce stationarity. The ACFs and PACFs identified six models. Of the six identified models,ð´ð‘…ð¼ð‘€ð´ 3, 1, 0 was selected according to the standard error estimates and the information criteria. The proposed model passed all the diagnostic tests and was further used for producing ten period forecasts of household debt. The forecasted household debt rates obtained were above 75% and within confidence bounds of 95%. Insample and out-of-sampling forecasts moved together confirming the reliability of the model in forecasting household debt and vigour in predictive ability. The proposed model exhibited the best performance in terms of Max APE and Max AE and ascertained the robustness and accuracy of the BoxJenkins ARIMA in forecasting. Both a trend of the data captured and non-seasonal peaks were predicted by the model. These forecasts were proven to be realistic and a true reflection of economic reality in the country. The paper recommended a non-seasonalð´ð‘…ð¼ð‘€ð´ 3, 1, 0 be used by researchers, policy makers and decision makers of different countries to make forecasts of household debt. The South African authorities were also encouraged to use this model to produce further forecasts of the series when making long term planning.
The Institutional and Policy Environment and the Quest for Industrialization in Nigeria
Authors: Iyoboyi Martins , Muftau O. Olarinde , S. Ademola Abdulsalam
Published: January 2020

The paper empirically investigates the impact of the institutional and policy environment on Nigeriaâ€™s industrialization, using annual data for the period 1981 to 2013. The institutional environment was proxied by quality of service delivery while government expenditure as a percentage of GDP and real exchange rate were used to reflect the policy environment. Foreign direct investment as percentage of GDP was employed to reflect technological transfer and diffusion. Using the technique of cointegration, a long run relationship was found between industrialization and associated variables. Government expenditure was found to be positively related to industrialization and statistically significant in the long and short run. In the short run, real exchange rate is positively related to industrialization and statistically significant, while a negative and statistically significant relationship was found in the long run. In the long and short run, technological transfer indicates a negative relationship with industrialization. Quality of service delivery was found to influence industrialization positively and significantly in the long and short run. A bilateral causality was found between industrialization and the associated variables. Based on the empirical findings, it is concluded that the institutional and policy environments are critical to industrialization in Nigeria and that pragmatic efforts should be made to initiate and implement policies that promote industrial growth, while enhancing the quality of institutions.
Modeling the Influence of Relationship Marketing, Green Marketing and Innovative Marketing on the Business Performance of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMES)
Authors: E T Maziriri , E Chinomona
Published: January 2020

Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) are considered as economic engines for many countries. In South Africa, the Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) sector has been acknowledged as the driving force to foster economic growth and job creations. This paper aimed at examining how relationship marketing, green marketing and innovative marketing influence the business performance of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in Southern Gauteng, South Africa. The study utilized a quantitative research paradigm. A structured questionnaire consisting of validated scales for relationship marketing, green marketing, innovative marketing and business performance was administered to a sample of 231 SMMEs managerial employees in the Southern Gauteng region of South Africa. Smart PLS was used to analyze the data and the results indicated that there are positive relationships between the posited research variables. Implications of the findings are discussed and limitations and future research directions are alluded to.
SMEs, Wealth Creation and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria
Authors: Asikhia Olalekan Usiobaifo
Published: January 2020

Most developing countries see small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) as engines of development, and as such formulate policies that could encourage their establishment and survival. However, in spite of the enormous number of such firms established and operating, the Nigerian economy is still far from being buoyant. This article reports on research testing the wealth creation model applicable to SMEs and investigated the contribution of SMEs to poverty alleviation in Nigeria. A survey of 581 SMEs was conducted and the findings revealed that only 15% of wealth created that contributed to alleviating poverty was traceable to SMEs. This increased to 24% when moderated with wealth distribution, but by only one percent when moderated by wealth motivation. This implies that although most SME operators in Nigeria have personal motivations to acquire wealth, they are not distributing it, hence the low percentage of wealth that SMEs contribute to poverty alleviation. Policy implications and recommendations were made.
Does Liquidity Management Affect Profitability in Selected Nigerian-Quoted Manufacturing Firms?
Authors: Abata Matthew Adeolu , Migiro Stephen Oseko
Published: January 2020

This study examined the nexus between liquidity management and profitability in selected Nigerian-quoted manufacturing firms. Many business failures have been recorded over the years due to inability to balance the link between liquidity and profitability. Descriptive research design was employed to analyze the data gathered from 2004 to 2014. The study found a positive relationship between credit policy, return on equity and return on capital employed. It equally found that operating cash flow and cash conversion cycle are negatively related to all the metrics of profitability. The study therefore recommends among others, that managers should strive to achieve a reasonable level of profit to optimize shareholdersâ€™ wealth and keep the firms in business. Also, managers should effectively manage account receivables and inventory at optimal level to avoid tie down liquid assets unnecessarily. Investors should pay close attention to firmsâ€™ operational cash flow in order to access their true state before committing their funds.
Factors Influencing Fashion Adoption among the Youth in Johannesburg, South Africa
Authors: Venter Marike , Chinomona Richard , Chuchu Tinashe
Published: January 2020

Fashion in Africa has undergone a tremendous transformation process due to an increase in international trade. As a result, African consumerism has surfaced. Through being part of the global community, the youth in Africa capitalizes on the wide variety of fashions available, and they view fashion as a medium for expressing their identity. More specifically, in South Africa, fashion is used as the ideal vehicle for the youth to re-map previously fixed racial identities. Although a number of studies have explored this subject in an array of contexts, limited research has focused on factors that drive fashion adoption among the youth in Johannesburg. In view of this identified research gap, the present study aims to investigate the impact of fashion consciousness, the need for uniqueness, interpersonal influence, individualism/collectivism, and masculinity/femininity on fashion adoption. A Field study was conducted in Johannesburg and research data were collected from 400 respondents aged between 18 to 29 years. Linear regression analysis was performed to explore the relationship between the quantitative outcome variable and the predictor variables of the study by use of the SPSS 22 and the AMOS 22 software program. The results reveal that two of the five variables positively influence fashion adoption, while individualism/collectivism has an inverse relationship with fashion adoption. The significance of gaining insight into such factors, draw from the rich political history of South Africa and how the youthâ€™s conflicting identities may influence the modern concept of adopting global fashion trends.
Evidence-Based Practices of Promoting Entrepreneurship Education in Higher Education Institutions in Africa
Authors: Basardien Fawzy , Friedrich Chris , Twum-Darko Michael
Published: January 2020

This research applies the changing of cognitive mechanisms of University students through Entrepreneurship Education (EE). The study hypothesises that entrepreneurial orientation (achievement orientation, personal control, innovation and self-esteem) improves after completing the entrepreneurship module. The context of this research involves undergraduate commerce students from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in South Africa. The study involves quantitative research using questionnaires through a longitudinal approach. The research design consists of a pre-test, post-test and post-test after the intervention. The impact of the training intervention was assessed over a 12 month period based on a randomised control design. This study indicates that entrepreneurial orientation was influenced through this Entrepreneurship module. The practical implications of this study emphasises the importance of training approaches that are based on empirical research. The uniqueness of this paper lies in the pedagogy used that allows the effectiveness of assessing a training program.
Responsiveness to Knowledge and Organisational Performance of Listed-Companies in the Construction Sector
Authors: CE Eresia-Eke , S Makore
Published: January 2020

In order to improve performance, the place of tangible and intangible resources deployed in operations has become critical. However, reliance on tangible resources as the bastion of better organisational performance seems to be waning; partly due to the ease with which these are copied. This implies that reliance on intangible resources, of which knowledge is a prime component, becomes inevitable. Rather than take on the titanic knowledge management construct holistically, the interest of this study is in the sub-construct of responsiveness to knowledge (RTK) largely because of its relevance in the construction sector in South Africa where client expectations, work methods and indeed, project employees are in a constant state of flux. Empirical in nature, the study uses a census of construction companies listed on the Johannesburg stock exchange (JSE) and focussed on the issue of responsiveness to knowledge and its association with the organisational performance (OP). Quantitative data collected from employees in a cross-sectional manner, were analysed. In terms of results, the study points to a positive association between RTK and OP in construction companies. Despite this finding, it would appear that companies undertake knowledge management on an ad-hoc and informal manner rather than by following a systematic process. Consequently, the study contends that attention, investment and institutionalisation of a mechanism for responding to knowledge as an integral part of the knowledge management bouquet, can enhance organisational performance.
Modeling South African Accounting Academic Staff Teaching Rationalism Factors for the Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge
Authors: Nzuza Zwelihle Wiseman
Published: January 2020

South African universities are under pressure to maximize the amount of accounting students, with specific reference to expand the number of qualified black African accountants, especially the Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMA). Accountants are at the center of countriesâ€™ economy and act as lecturers in the academic institutions. Therefore, the issue of inadequate production of a new brand black qualified accountants may have something to do with accounting academic staff teaching rationalism, and this study seeks to address that subject. Literature has been used to investigate factors influencing accounting academic staff teaching rationalism and to propose a suitable model for accounting academic staff teaching rationalism factors for the preservation of South African indigenous knowledge. The proposed model forms the basis of the study results and is grounded on sound perception theories: bottom-up theory and top-down theory. The significance of a proposed model is subject to experiments by other scholars within the boundaries of the republic of South Africa or even outside.
Influence of Small Business Ethics on Buying Decisions of Customers: A case of Indigenous Owned Fast-Food Outlets in Zimbabwe
Authors: Rambe Patient , Ndofirepi Takawira Munyaradzi
Published: January 2020

While the prevalence of ethical consumerism has pressured small businesses to embrace ethical behaviour, in ethically precarious business conditions the relentless pursuit for profit by small businesses may compel them to compromise their moral values. As such, a tacit struggle may persist between such businessesâ€™ strategic orientations (e.g. profitability, improved performance) and demands of ethically conscious consumers. Drawing on ethics theory, this study explored the influence of the ethical conduct of small fast food outlets on buying intentions of customers. A survey was conducted on 116 probabilistically sampled customers of an indigenous owned fast-food outlet in two cities in Zimbabwe. Findings suggest that customers considered ethical conduct of business ventures when making their purchase decisions although it was unclear whether ethical consumers persistently maintained their buying decisions (i.e. purchasing ethically made products). Ethical business practices, however, remained an enduring feature of enterprises striving to optimise their profit motives.
Structural Equation Modelling applied to proposed Statistics Attitudes-Outcomes Model: A case of a University in South Africa
Authors: Ncube Bokang , Moroke Ntebogang Dinah
Published: January 2020

The purpose of the study is to investigate the structural relationships among constructs of the statistics attitudes-outcomes model (SA-OM) using exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) methodology. The sample consists of 583 first-year undergraduate students enrolled for statistics courses at the university in South Africa. ESEM reveal that all but two of the nine constructs have well to excellent reliability. To enhance the model, we deleted the eight variables. All other indicators have a significant loading into a construct. Congruency of the SA-OM and expectancy value model (EVM) is noted. The SRMR for all modified models are less than 0.10 suggesting that all these models have acceptable fit. Moreover, all the modified models have RMSE values within the ranges of adequate fit. On the contrary, all the models have unacceptable fit according to PCF, CFI, AGFI and PGFI statistics, i.e. according to all parsimony fit indices except the RMSE. The results also reveal that all incremental fit indices but the BBNFI approve the modified models as acceptable since most of these indices are almost equal to a cut-off point of 0.9. However, BBNNI disapprove the ML3 and ML5 models as being acceptable. A host of inconsistencies in fit indices are noted.
Cultural Diversity and its Influence on the Attitudes of Africans and Indians toward Marketing Communication: A South African Perspective
Authors: Ijabadeniyi Abosede , Govender Jeevarathnam Parthasarathy , Veerasamy Dayaneethie
Published: January 2020

Abstract: Culture has been reported to be one of the major factors influencing attitudes toward marketing communication. However, identification across prevailing cultural dimensions could have unique implications for attitudes toward marketing communication. This paper examines how African and Indian cultural values may or may not influence attitudes toward marketing communication. It explores how Africans converge with or diverge from Indians with regards to culturally sensitive attitudes toward marketing communication, based on a Marketing Communication-Specific Cultural Values (MCSCV) model adapted from the individualism-collectivism constructs. Attitudes toward marketing were measured based on the advertising scale of the Index of Consumer Sentiment toward Marketing (ICSM) practices. Data generated for this study were based on responses provided by 283 and 92 African and Indian shoppers at the main shopping malls in the most predominant African and Indian townships in Durban, South Africa viz. Umlazi and Chatsworth, respectively. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) were conducted on the dataset. Findings revealed that both races displayed more individualistic than collectivistic tendencies toward marketing communication, but Africans exhibited more collectivistic tendencies than their Indian counterparts. In addition, respondentsâ€™ individualistic tendencies have a significant influence on attitudes toward marketing communication which showed that consumersâ€™ indigenous cultural disposition play a moderating role on attitudes toward marketing communication. This study builds on the marketing literature by validating the implications of cultural diversity for marketing communication. The study emphasizes how the interplay between target marketsâ€™ underlying cultural dispositions and cultural values held toward marketing communication, influence the consistency or inconsistency in consumersâ€™ attitudes toward marketing communication. Keywords: Culture, Individualism, Collectivism, Consumer behaviour, Advertising
Modelling Volatility Persistence and Asymmetry with Structural Break: Evidence from the Nigerian Stock Market
Authors: Adewale Aluko Olufemi , Olufemi Adeyeye Patrick , Oseko Migiro Stephen
Published: January 2020

Abstract: This study contributes to existing literature on the Nigerian stock market by modelling the persistence and asymmetry of stock market volatility taking into account structural break. It utilises returns generated from data on monthly all-share index from January 1985 to December 2014. After identifying structural break in the return series, the study splits the sample period into pre-break period (January 1985 â€“ November 2008) and post-break period (January 2009 â€“ December 2014). Using the symmetric GARCH model, the study shows that the sum of ARCH and GARCH coefficients is higher in the pre-break period compared to the post-break period, thus indicating that persistence of shock to volatility is higher before structural break in the market. The asymmetric GARCH model provides no evidence of asymmetry as well as leverage effect with or without accounting for structural break in the Nigerian stock market. This study concludes that the Nigerian stock market is characterised by inefficiency, high degree of uncertainty and non-asymmetric volatility.Keywords: Persistence, asymmetry, stock market volatility, structural break
The Trade-Offs Between Pro-Poor and Cost-Reflective Tariffs in South Africa: A Regulatory Perspective
Authors: Maphosa Michael , Mabuza Patrick
Published: January 2020

Abstract: This paper presents arguments for and against cost reflectivity and pro-poor tariff policy in South African electricity supply from a regulatory perspective. This debate has been ongoing for decades in developing countries; however, there is still no clear direction on how countries should approach these two important competing policy positions. There are those that argue that achieving cost-reflective tariffs will attract private sector investment into the electricity supply industry (ESI) that will lead to much needed competition and reduced electricity tariffs. However, there are also those who argue that cost-reflective tariffs will make it difficult to achieve government social objectives of universal access through pro-poor tariffs, as cost-reflective tariffs will be unaffordable to the majority of the population. The fundamental question is what should come first, between cost-reflective tariffs and pro-poor tariffs in a developing country context, specifically in South Africa. This paper therefore attempts to examine the real trade-offs between pro-poor tariff policies and cost-reflective tariffs. The study attempts to answer one critical question: How can the electricity sector attract local and foreign investors, without necessarily affecting government social objectives such as universal access to electricity? The study finds that electricity consumers, and in particular poor households, have historically benefited from relatively cheap electricity and that tariffs have not been cost reflective. In other words, there is a mismatch between tariffs and the underlying costs of supplying electricity in South Africa. It also finds competing expectations between poor consumers and utilities. Consumers expect to receive electricity at an affordable price, while utilities argue that a good, reliable electricity supplyâ€™s tariffs must be matched with costs. Lastly, the study finds that it is difficult to achieve cost reflective tariffs in the short run, in an environment characterised by a high number of consumers dependent on government social grants and cross-subsidies. The study therefore recommends a gradual movement towards cost-reflective tariffs, together with the introduction of competition and energy efficiency and demand side management (EEDSM), in order to minimise the impact on the poor.Keywords: Tariffs, pro-poor, cost reflectivity, electricity, consumers
The Impact of the Buy Zimbabwe Campaign on Performance of Zimbabwean Companies in the Retail Sector
Authors: N. Ndlovu , J. Mafumbate , A. Mafuka , M Brena
Published: January 2020

Abstract: The majority of the Zimbabwean retail companies were in the collapsing mode over the past ten years. This miserable predicament necessitated the government to craft locally-driven remedies, and one of them was the Buy Zimbabwe campaign. This prompted the researcher to assess the impact of the â€œBuy Zimbabweâ€ campaign on the performance of the Zimbabwean firms. The study objectives were to establish the impact of â€œbuy Zimbabweâ€ campaign on demand for local products and factors affecting demand for local products. Furthermore to establish if a company participating in the â€œbuy Zimbabweâ€ campaign performs better than non-participating firms, earnings per Share was used in the inter-firm performance comparison. The descriptive research design was employed, although the research was both quantitative and qualitative in nature. The classical linear multiple regression analysis was used to establish and explain the relationship between company performances. The results indicated a positive linear relationship between â€œbuy Zimbabweâ€ campaign and company performance in case of those that adopted Buy Zimbabwe, whereas in case of those that did not adopt Buy Zimbabwe there was a negative linear relationship. The results also discloses that quality and affordability of the product are the most influential factors affect demand for local products and buy Zimbabwe campaign was regarded as the least factor to be considered by consumers. Results from this study point towards the need to put in place supportive policies for the â€œbuy Zimbabweâ€ campaign to be effective. Keywords: Buy Zimbabwe, retail sector, local products, competitiveness, customer loyalty
Contribution of Industrial Work Practice Performance and Creativeness to the Academic Skill and Its Effect to the Outcome of Skill Competency Test of Computer and Network Technology Skill Package in Vocational High School
Authors: Pratiwi Ayu Septiana , Sudjimat Dwi Agus , Elmunsyah Hakkun
Published: January 2020

Abstract: Skill Competency Test (UKK-Uji Kompetensi Keahlian) is one educational programme in Vocational High School to assess studentâ€™s competency and skill as with the skill competency. Competency and skill students can be influenced by many factors. These can come from industrial work practice in DU/DI, a students creativity, and academic skill from learning activity in shcool. The study aims to reveral the contribution of several factor that affect to the outcome of skill competency in Vocational High School. Among factors that have been selected to be investigated is the industrial work practice in DU/DI, a students creativity, and cademic skill from learning activity in shcool. This study uses a quantitative approach. The research population was students at 12th Grade of Computer and Network Technology Skill Package in Vocational High School of Tulungagung Regency for 293 students, is Vocational High School 1 Boyolangu, Vocational High School 1 Rejotangan, Vocational High School Sore Tulungagung, Vocational High School Veteran Tulungagung. Sample taking technique in this research used proportional random sampling. The research sample was 169 students. Data collection of this study is using instrumen test for academic skill, questionnaire for creativity and documentation for industrial work practice performance and outcome of skill competency. Data analysis is using descriptive analysis and path analysis with SPSS for windows on significant 0, 05. The results of this study: (1) there is a significant contribution between industrial work practice to the academic skill was 0,09(9%); (2) there is a significant contribution between creativity to the academic skill was 0,003(3%); (3) there is a significant contribution between industrial work practice to the outcome of skill competency was 0,025(2,5%); (4) there is a significant contribution between creativity to the outcome of skill competency was 0,002(2%); and (5) there is a significant contribution between academic skill to the outcome of skill competency was 0,003(3%). The conclution of this research is outcome of skill competency can be affected from industrial work practice, creativity and academis skill.Keyword: Industrial work practice, creativeness, academic skill, outcome of skill competency test of computer
Sustainable and efficient organizations: The case of handcrafts micro-business in Southern San Sebastian
Authors: Vargas-Hernandez Jose G.
Published: January 2020

This paper analyzes sustainability and efficiency of organizations committed to the exploitationâ€™ activities of Tule Thypha Spp at the ZapotlÃ¡nâ€™s lake taking into consideration the socioeconomic and environmental impact in the municipalities of Gomez Farias and ZapotlÃ¡n el Grande. The initial hypothesis departs from the consideration of the scarce social capital of organizations that limits developmentâ€™s sustainability. The research method employed is the ethnographic complemented with field work supported by informal interviews, documental and bibliographic research. The hypothesis of this research is proved empirically and confirms similar findings by the research conducted on the mainstream theory of social capital and its implications on economic development. The outcomes of the application demonstrate that the drama of economic efficiency and sustainable development of micro-business is tied to constrain of social capital. This finding has implications for the design and implementation of economic and social policies oriented towards the improvement of economic growth and sustainable development.
Study of Operating and Marketing Strategy Factors in the Formulation of Strategies of Small Manufacturers
Authors: Abdollahi Seyed Mohammad
Published: January 2020

The main purpose of this research is to measure the relative importance of a selected number of primary operating and marketing factors which may be involved in the formulation of strategies of small manufacturers. One hundred manufacturing owner-managers in Iran were investigated. The marketing factors emphasized most often were improvement in product quality and reduction in product cost. However, improvements in customer service and in scheduling appeared to contribute more to actual firm performance. Overall, there seemed to be more emphasis on the production strategy factors than marketing factors as a means to gaining competitive advantage.
Workersâ€™ Participations in the Management of H.P. State Electricity Board
Authors: Chandel Parkash
Published: January 2020

Participative management recognizes the desire of the workers for a say, an involvement and control over and understanding of the decisions which affects their lives. Workersâ€™ participation in management which meet the aspirations of the workmen and have recently emerged are respectively the whitely type councils, profit-sharing plans and co-partnership, and worker-director schemes, sharing of information with, and consulting, workers to sharing the right of decision-making on issues of interest to the working class. Whatever may be the form of control there is inevitably some flow of power and authority from management to workers.
Review of HBRâ€™s 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself
Authors: Srinivasan Shiva Kumar
Published: January 2020

Its a Book review. Check out full PDF instead
Service Gap Analysis of Indian Railways in Trivandrum and Ernakulam Districts
Authors: C. R. P.
Published: January 2020

Indian Railways is the largest rail network in Asia and worldâ€™s second largest under a single management. This study aims to identify the perception and expectation level of the passengers towards the service provider in Trivandrum and Ernakulum districts and to identify relative importance of service quality dimensions rated by the passengers. Descriptive research was adopted and the Multistage Area sampling was constructed by taking a series of simple random samples in various stages. A structured questionnaire developed by the researcher and primary data is collected through interview scheduling method. The overall opinion towards service provider in Ernakulum and Trivandrum districts are satisfied by the passengers. By applying the gap analysis, it shows that lowest service gap is occurred in â€œassuranceâ€ and â€œreliabilityâ€ dimension and little bigger service gap is occurred in the â€œtangibilityâ€ dimension. The empirical investigation study is able to accomplish research objectives, by thoroughly analyzed and identified competitive position of railways strengths and weaknesses among the passengers.
Oil Revenues, Economic Growth and Resource Curse in Iran Economy
Authors: Mehrara Mohsen , . Abbas Rezazadeh Karsalari
Published: January 2020

This paper explores the relation between oil revenues and economic growth in Iran using annual data for the period 1959-2008 to check whether this relation has a structural breakpoint effect. The results indicate the threshold level of growth rate of oil revenues above which oil revenues significantly slows growth is around 22% percent for Iran economy. In contrast, linear estimation without any allowance for threshold effects would misleadingly have us believe that an increase in the oil revenues increase the growth rate. Failure to account for nonlinearities conceal the resource curse in these countries particularly during extreme oil booms as suggested in previous studies.
The Uptake of Organic Agriculture: A Decade of Worldwide Development
Authors: Paull John
Published: January 2020

It has been claimed that organic agriculture is the fastest growing agriculture based industry in the world. The land devoted to organic agriculture worldwide has increased over the past decade from 15.8 million hectares to 37.2 million hectares exhibiting a compounding rate of growth of 8.9% per annum. This paper disaggregates the global growth in organic agriculture land over the past decade using country as the unit of analysis. For each country, two indices of organics sector growth are derived, firstly, the actual hectares increase, and secondly, the hectares-multiplier, that is the factor by which the organic hectares have changed over the decade. Growth over the past decade is presented for 71 countries which taken together account for 35.3 million organic agricultural hectares, that is 94.8% of the total global organic agriculture area and 58.2% of the total global agriculture area. The analysis reveals that, underlying what appears at the global level to be steady incremental growth over the decade, the growth appears very uneven when disaggregated by country. The decadal increase in organic hectares ranges from Australiaâ€™s gain of 4.3 million organic hectares and Chinaâ€™s gain of 1.9 million organic hectares through to Costa Ricaâ€™s decrease of 1549 organic hectares. Globally, the organic hectares total has multiplied by 2.3 in the decade from 2001 to 2011, but this has varied greatly by country. Uruguay increased its organic hectares dramatically with a hectares-multiplier of 716.1, and India with a multiplier of 689.7. In contrast, Denmark has barely increased with a hectares-multiplier of 1.07, while Suriname exhibited the greatest shrinkage with a multiplier of 0.03. China and India are the only countries that rank in the top ten countries for both of the indices of organics growth, namely, the decadal organic hectares increase and the decadal organic hectares-multiplier.
The First Impression of Non-native Romanised Mandarin Learners towards a Newly Designed Web-based Instruction with Customized Architecture Framework
Authors: Giap Lim Soo
Published: January 2020

The Web-based instruction (WBI) is the instructional materials that are used in the learning system that involves the network operation center (NOC), the WWW resources, the learners, instructors and the regularly conducted lectures of fulltime teaching staff. The main objective of this paper is to describe the system architecture of web-based Hanyu Pinyin (Romanised Mandarin) instruction and its main features. The Hanyu Pinyin WBI is tailored to tackle the weaknesses and to meet the specific needs of Malay learners. This paper also discusses the first impression of UiTM students who study through Guru Hanyu Pinyin web-based instruction (Romanised Mandarin Web-based instruction). To conduct the study, descriptive statistical tool was used. A group of 28 students in UiTM Penang campus were selected to attend a 4-hour self-learning session using Hanyu Pinyin instruction at the language computer laboratory. An questionnaire on user friendliness of the instruction is given to them to find out their first impression about the instruction. The finding shows that the majority of the students feel that Guru Hanyu Pinyin WBI is user friendly
Weak Form Efficiency of Pakistan Stock Market using Non-Parametric Approaches
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , . Maria Irfan
Published: January 2020

This paper studies the performance of Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) of Pakistan via nonparametric approaches. The study includes the weekly open and closing prices of KSE- 100 indexes for the period of 1st January 1999 to 31st August 2009. Several non-parametric approaches including KolmogorovSmirnov test (Lilliefors test), Ryan-Joiner test (Shapiro-Wilk), Anderson-Darling test, Phillips Perron (PP) unit root test and Runs test are used to test the conviction of the KSE stock market. All non-parametric tests graphically and numerically inform us that both return series do not follow the assumption of normality and randomness, which means rejecting the hypothesis of weak form of efficiency. Generally, results from the observed analysis strongly recommend that the Karachi Stock Market of Pakistan is not efficient.
The Reality of Political Culture in Jordan after Twenty Years of Political Openness
Authors: Al-Azzam Amin A.
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore the reality of the political culture in Jordan after twenty years of political openness by identifying the most important features of contemporary Jordanian political culture. In addition, the study aims to examine the main factors that shape this political culture. To build the argument on a solid ground, the study raises some significant questions about the reality of the Jordanian political culture such as: has political culture changed significantly since 1989 (after the political openness)?, what are the main factors that contributed in shaping the political culture in Jordan?, and what is the main type of political culture that clearly prevails in the society?. The study is carried out by using the descriptive analytical approach, as a method for examining the findings of the survey through distribution of 400 questionnaires to five groups of political elite in Jordan. The study concludes that there cannot be a real democratic system in Jordan without the establishment and consolidation of democratic values in the political culture of Jordanian citizens. Another conclusion of the study is that traditional political culture is still prevailing in Jordanian society, which is social, tribal, and family ties prominence despite the passage of twenty years on the political liberalization.
Intellectual Capital of Enterprises and Its Role in the Integral Process
Authors: Belyakova Tatiana
Published: January 2020

In August 2012 Russia entered the World Trade organization (WTO) and took all the obligations on establishment of this organization according to the Marrakesh agreement. As a participant of the international trade system, Russia obtains a legitimate access to a very much unified legal space and international legal protection guaranteed by WTO norms, which should finally promote development of Russian foreign trade and Russian interests abroad. Thus, annually, within the framework of the world trade, economic participant benefit from application of simplified customs procedures $ 900 bn. Within Russia, according to the data of the Economic Cooperation and Development organization, this benefit may be $18 bn. concerning protection of rights of intellectual property, the Russian Federation has not taken any additional obligations, â€“ and During the period of negotiations the national legislative base was brought in line with the WTO norms. This article is going to consider questions of creation and usage of the intellectual capital in export-oriented innovative enterprises related to development of science and high-technology production, exportation of developed technologies and high-tech products.
Index Analysis Model to Enhance User Comfort in Energy Efficient Buildings
Authors: Mohammadi M. Pir , . Gurupiah Mursib , . M. Moslemi Haghighi
Published: January 2020

This paper presents the research proposal initiated based on needs of high developing country like Malaysia in energy efficiency studies. The research proposal developed based on a â€œcurrentâ€ research gap to enhance design related building user comfort criteria towards efficient energy used. Research aims to develop index analysis model to enhance consideration of user comfort towards efficient energy use. The relevant objective and methodology of research in four (4) phases is presented. Firstly, it is to investigate building design attributes related to user comfort in sample size of office buildings. Secondly, it is to capture architectural design related â€œEnergy Efficientâ€ attributes using the same sample size of energy efficient consultants within conducting quantitative interviews. Thirdly, it is to evaluate interrelation of EE attributes versus user comfort attributes with in professional group discussion. Finally, it is to develop index analysis model in consideration of user comfort towards efficient energy used. Accordingly, each objective comply novel findings. In conclusion this paper brief proposed research steps to aims to develop index analysis model to enhance consideration of user comfort towards efficient energy use.
The Relationship between Risk Management and Internal Audit Effectiveness at Local Government Level
Authors: Badara Muâ€™azu Saidu
Published: January 2020

Risk management can play important role in ensuring objective achievement of organizations. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between risk management and internal audit effectiveness at local government level. The paper is a literature review paper and the paper concluded that risk management can influence the effectiveness of internal auditors at local level. The paper needs to be validated empirically.
Economics Of Food And Leisure Services
Authors: Trifu Alexandru
Published: January 2020

Important in this paperwork is to underline the significance and the role of one of the economic niche domain, that is food and leisure. We think that this name, evoqued in the title, is more appropriate, than catering, to design the economic process of providing, transformation (even production) and consumption of food, especially within firms, corporations, in the benefit of theirs employees. Therefore, weâ€™ve analyzed some theoretical and practical aspects of this kind of Economics. Because, itâ€™s indeed an aspect of Economics, regarding the factors of production (on a larger scale, the resources), the production and preparation of different meals and, finally, meet the demand required by the people who intend to mix the food pleasure with work activities.The practical example is from Romaniaâ€™s services, which domain is not enough developed and there are many things, especially of qualitative order, in order to improve catering or food services within the entire Romanian economic system.
An Investigation into the Impact of Social Networks on Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Authors: Khakbaz Peyman Pournasr
Published: January 2020

Social networks have various aspects affecting the identification of opportunities in some ways. The present paper aims at investigating the effects of social networks on entrepreneurial opportunities in the area of entrepreneurial businesses. The research method is descriptive-survey and practical. The statistical population is the social entrepreneurship managers. Data collection was conducted through scientist-made questionnaire with the reliability is best (0.92). Data analysis is conducted in two different levels of descriptive and deductive. In summation, social network have greatest impact on entrepreneurial opportunity via several ways that teaching and learning.
Migration and Inter-Dependence, Sustainable Urbanism in the Pearl River Delta Region, South China
Authors: Alam Alam , . Khalil , . Momtaj Bintay
Published: January 2020

Under influence of globalization regional boundaries seem to be melted with the hands of migrants and pave the integration process. Ideally integration occur through voluntary linking in the economic and political domains of two or more formerly independent states to the extent that authority over key areas of national policy is shifted towards the supra-national level. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of South China is unique as its status transformed from an international boundary between the UK and the Peopleâ€™s Republic of China (PRC) to an internal boundary inside China under â€˜one country-two systemsâ€™ in 1997. Cross-border migration between Hong Kong and the PRD can be seen as the discourse of dependant development. Contrary to the contribution of migrants through spontaneously locating and relocating themselves across border with their social and entrepreneurial interplay in history, governments responded selectively to cross-border issues While most research emphasize economic and political aspects, analysis into the migration history reveals that integration in the PRD region is a unique form of â€˜inter-dependent urbanismâ€™ through the hands of temporary and permanent migrants who once happened to be separated by force, are merging in the same nation-state recently. This subtly perceived trend of urbanization has scope to achieve sustainability of the region.
Twin Deficits and Feldstein-Horioka Puzzle in the Case Iran
Authors: Bagheri Farzane , . Fatemeh Daroghe Hazrati
Published: January 2020

The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between budget deficit and current account deficit in Iran's economy through twin deficits and Feldstein-Horioka puzzle. To achieve this goal, Engel-Granger and seemingly unrelated regressions are used during "1971-2007". The results indicate that there exists a long run equilibrium link between budget deficit and current account deficit. There is a oneâ€“way causality relationship from the budget deficit toward the current account deficit .Testing the validity of the Feldstein-Horioka puzzle indicates a low level of international capital mobility for Iran.
Early 20th Century Examples of Stakeholder Reporting from U.S. Corporate Annual Reports
Authors: Feeney Kevin
Published: January 2020

The content of traditional annual reports for publicly owned corporations is undergoing significant change. Whether in the traditional printed form, or increasingly, via web-based formats, annual reports are moving beyond the mere reporting of the fiscal yearâ€™s financial results. Corporate annual reports are beginning to include supplemental disclosures on the corporationâ€™s labor and supplier activities environmental activities, governance, social responsibility and, most recently, sustainability. This trend has been observed more frequently for corporations based outside of the United States, though a small number of U.S corporations have embraced these concepts as well. Such supplemental disclosures are made not only to its shareholders, but also to individuals, groups and other entities that have a direct stake (i.e. stakeholders) in the corporationâ€™s activities, successes and/or other matters at hand. This paper looks at the development of the stakeholder model and some of groups involved in the expansion of annual reports to include their concerns. Looking back historically, the paper examines early examples of stakeholder reporting from 20th Century annual reports of Ford Motor Company and by certain publicly owned U.S. railroads. Lastly, the paper provides evidence of an earlier example of stakeholder reporting then that previously identified in the literature.
The Effect of Price and Climatic Variables on Maize Supply in Ghana
Authors: Acquah Henry De-Graft
Published: January 2020

This study examines the effect of previous price and climatic variables on maize supply in Ghana. For this purpose, two separate approaches are used: (i) a lag model using the OLS technique and (ii) a quantile regression approach. Results from the lag model indicates that an increase in previous year maize price and previous growing season temperature positively affect current year maize supply. However, an increase in previous growing season rainfall negatively affects current year maize supply. The quantile regression results show that maize supply responds differently to previous maize price and climatic variables across the different quantiles of crop area distribution.
Social Support for Child Abuse Cases in Institutional Care
Authors: Abd Abdul Razak
Published: January 2020

The purpose of the study is to initially examine the experience and interpretation of support received by the sexual abuse victims living in institutional care. Five teenage female participants were interviewed. Preliminary results of this qualitative study revealed a number of critical issues that may be considered seriously by the stakeholders. One of the concerns is the on-going traumatic experiences faced by the victims. Dealing with several psychosocial challenges, participants are more likely to share their problems and get support from their peers that are close to them in comparison to the staffs in the institution. The findings of this study suggested a number of social work implications that must be addressed regarding the welfare and well-being of sexual abuse victims.