bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An intellectual structure of activity-based costing: a co-citation analysis
Authors: Kuo Hsiu-Kuei , Yang Chyan
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to show that by exploring the intellectual structure of activity-based costing (ABC) based on the citation database of Google Scholar, one can understand the evolution and core ideas of the ABC discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

– This study employs the document co-citation method to model the intellectual structure of ABC between 1988 and 2008. After an initial co-citation analysis of the condition-limited literature set to find the relationships between core articles, this study further implements multivariate statistical techniques to construct representations for the ABC intellectual structure.

Findings

– A total of four important subjects chronologically provide a panoramic view of the evolution of ABC. This study finds some dimensions of the results to be in accordance with prior research, but further achieves insights into the core ideas underpinning the ABC discipline. It demonstrates the validity of this study conducting a co-citation analysis based on the citation data of Google Scholar.

Research limitations/implications

– The classification, core articles, and evolution of the ABC literature published in the past two decades benefit academic researchers conducting future studies that build systematically on prior research.

Practical implications

– The intellectual structure of the ABC discipline explains and predicts the stages of ABC implementation's life cycle. For the accounting profession, this helps a consultant/practitioner in sub-fields of the ABC domain to quickly and easily enlarge the coverage and viewpoints or perspectives within his/her cluster of interest and to jointly consider the successful factors of implementing ABC in an organization.

Originality/value

– The empirical feasibility of using digitally archival information to model an intellectual structure of ABC is attained; and the intellectual structure and its various representations provide researchers, consultants, and practitioners with a macroscopic and dynamic view of the ABC discipline.
Towards dynamic and evolving digital libraries
Authors: Li Liew Chern
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The overarching aim of this paper is to initiate a new conceptualisation of digital cultural heritage libraries' design and development that emphasises a holistic understanding of a digital cultural heritage as part of information ecology and of the activities taking place between and amongst the various elements of the ecology that are governed by social, cultural, political, economical, and technical affordances and constraints.

Design/methodology/approach

– A research framework is developed based on viewpoints, reviews of existing literature and concepts of information ecology and activity theory.

Findings

– The conceptual framework comprises of a set of dimensions: content; context; connectivity; consideration; collaboration; construction; confidence and continuity. These dimensions are indicative of the kinds of issues and questions that could be considered in transitioning a digital cultural heritage library into a system that is dynamic, and one which evolves within the stakeholders' socio-cultural contexts. The issues and questions highlighted and outlined under the dimensions may be used to help one to situate their digital cultural heritage in the space and environment it operates in, to discover which direction to take to transition the digital cultural heritage library and to safely navigate the journey for the transitioning. The dimensions may also signal the elements needing ongoing consideration as the digital cultural heritage library evolves on its journey within the ecologies concerned.

Practical implications

– These dimensions are indicative of the kinds of issues and questions that could be considered in transitioning a digital cultural heritage library into a system that is dynamic and one which evolves within the stakeholders' socio-cultural contexts. The issues and questions highlighted and outlined under the dimensions may be used to help one to situate their digital cultural heritage in the space and environment it operates in, to discover which direction to take to transition the digital cultural heritage library and to safely navigate the journey for the transitioning. The dimensions may also signal the elements needing ongoing consideration as the digital cultural heritage library evolves on its journey within the ecologies concerned.

Originality/value

– This research presents concepts from information ecology and activity theory that could be incorporated in digital library research, design and development.
Metadata quality in learning object repositories: a case study
Authors: Palavitsinis Nikolaos , Manouselis Nikos , Sanchez-Alonso Salvador
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to address the issue of poor quality of metadata records describing educational content in Learning Object Repositories (LORs). Through this, it aims to improve the discoverability of learning objects in such LORs through a structured process that supports metadata creation.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper presents a proposed metadata quality assessment certification process for LORs. The process was designed as a generic approach that may be customized to fit various application domains.

Findings

– Initial results from the application of the process in the context of a specific LOR report an improvement of the quality of about 11,000 metadata records. More specifically, metadata completeness for all metadata elements used in the repository under examination was significantly improved from 30 percent to 85 percent.

Research limitations/implications

– The main limitation of the findings is that they come from the application of the proposed process on a relatively small repository, which does not allow safe generalizations without further experimental study in bigger ones where resources and requirements scale up.

Practical implications

– This paper addresses implications for the development of a repository in the educational domain, identifying issues related to the metadata application profile, the support to domain experts and the mechanisms that may be put in place to support metadata creation.

Originality/value

– The value and also the originality of the approach presented lies within the fact the proposed approach quantifies issues related to metadata creation and management by studying actions and perceptions of stakeholders who are involved in the repository lifecycle.
Undergraduate perceptions of the development of team-working skills
Authors: Jackson Denise , Sibson Ruth , Riebe Linda
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The ability to working effectively with others (WEWO) is critical yet industry continues to lament deficiencies in new graduates. Progress in developing this highly valued skill in undergraduates is impeded by a lack of conceptual clarity and evidence of how best to measure it, and a tendency to adopt an outcomes-focused, rather than process-oriented, approach. This paper aims to investigate undergraduate perceptions of how well a stand-alone employability skill development programme, operating in an Australian Business Faculty, is fostering the WEWO skill set and which pedagogical practices are considered to add most value.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study examines undergraduate perceptions using data gathered from a skills audit of 799 business undergraduates from all four sequential units within the skills programme. Undergraduates rated and described their development against an established framework of WEWO behaviours.

Findings

– Findings indicate that, overall, skill development is rated highly among the undergraduates although the behaviours of conflict resolution, social intelligence and influencing others were rated less highly than others within the skill set. The importance of class activities and assessment items, including the use of virtual learning tools were identified by students as critical to the development of WEWO behaviours.

Originality/value

– The study highlights the important role of constructive alignment, sequential skill development, consistency of delivery and ensuring student “buy-in” to education practitioners in their efforts to meet industry expectations of graduates who can WEWO.
Age, gender and work experience as predictors of success
Authors: M. Fournier Susan , M. Ineson Elizabeth
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the predictive value of age, gender and work experience in relation to hospitality management (HM) academic success, as measured by year one leadership programme (LP) achievement and cumulative grade point average (CGPA). The association between LP and CGPA success and internship performance is also evaluated.

Design/methodology/approach

– The sample comprised 349 international undergraduate HM students. Secondary data were compiled and analysed using SPSS. Eight hypotheses, developed from the literature were tested using χ2, t-tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests as appropriate.

Findings

– Although age was not a predictor of success, males significantly outperformed females. Pre-programme work experience was not a predictor of LP performance but length of paid work experience and supervisory work experience were linked significantly to mean CGPA. LP achievement was positively associated with CGPA and with successful internship completion.

Research limitations/implications

– Although the student sample was international and spanned three cohorts, the data collection was limited to one institution.

Practical implications

– Pre-programme work experience, in particular supervisory experience, and the incorporation of management competency-linked LPs into first-year HM curricula are recommended.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes to the under-researched predictive value of age, gender and pre-programme work experience in relation to HM academic performance, in particular in an LP context. An additional innovative finding is the positive association between LP achievement and success in HM professional practice.
Future research agenda for FM in the Nordic countries in Europe
Authors: Anker Jensen Per , Dannemand Andersen Per , Rasmussen Birgitte
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to identify trends and challenges in relation to the FM profession in the Nordic countries of Europe and to identify inputs to a common Nordic research agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study is based on theory from innovation systems and strategic foresight. First, a review of literature was carried out and an innovation systems model of the FM sector was developed. Second, four national workshops were held involving FM practitioners and researchers from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Third, the results of the workshops were presented and discussed at a Nordic FM conference in August 2011. Finally, an adapted Delphi survey was carried out as a final data collection and validation of the findings. This article has the main focus on the results of the Delphi survey.

Findings

– The results of the study show that the main issues vary considerably between the four countries, both with regards to megatrends in the strategic environments, the current trends and challenges and the future needs for new competences and knowledge. Despite the large national differences the study is able to identify joint interest across the four countries. Based on the study a common Nordic research agenda is proposed with two headlines: Valuation and professionalization of FM, and Resources and sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

– The study provides directions for future research with particular focus on the Nordic countries in Europe.

Practical implications

– The study identifies trends and challenges as well as need for new knowledge and competences for FM practice in each of the four Nordic countries.

Originality/value

– This is the first comprehensive foresight study aimed at developing a research agenda for FM across the Nordic countries.
Facilities management research in Finland – state-of-art about current Finnish PhD-projects
Authors: Nenonen Suvi , Sarasoja Anna-Liisa
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The goal of this paper is to present a description of ongoing PhD-projects as a part of facilities management (FM) research in Finland.

Design/methodology/approach

– The empirical evidence is collected from PhD-research projects, the facilities management research sector in Finland. The aim is to identify and analyze: drivers for the research; dominant research themes; theories; research methods.

Findings

– The Finnish research in facilities management began already in the beginning of 1990s at Helsinki University of Technology (nowadays Aalto-University). The research followed the embryonic phase of development of facilities management as a profession. At first the research was focusing on the facility services, e.g. problems related to outsourcing, contracting-out,co-operations. Nowadays, the research focus is wider and more scattered as a topic and methods wise.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper describes the situation only in one Finnish university in Finland excluding the research projects, which do not aim to doctoral degrees.

Practical implications

– The focus is on research, but the reflections to the development of the industry as well as to the affordance in the education can be made. The results offer material for the future research agenda and also for collaborative and comparative research initiatives.

Originality/value

– This paper provides important input to the European FM research by describing the current PhD research initiatives in Finland. The overview is useful in the discussion of topics for FM research, relevance and implications for practice, and the development of FM as an academic field.
The challenge in poverty alleviation: role of Islamic microfinance and social capital
Authors: Hassan Abul
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the growth of Islamic microfinance (bila sudi-qardh) scheme in Andaman Islands and to see how Islamic microfinance sector and social capital contribute to face the challenge in poverty alleviation.

Design/methodology/approach

– The researcher developed a questionnaire and conducted non-random survey with the samples of Islamic microfinance group members to examine the Islamic microfinance and cash awqaf effect for the development of the local common resources (LCRs) in general; and financial, physical capital as well as social and human capital effects of the group members in particular.

Findings

– This study found that collective action through Islamic microfinance groups actually helps to increase environmental awareness, economic betterment of the members and fruitful management of LCRs through Islamic microfinance.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper's findings are limited to the Islamic microfinance groups' management in Andaman Islands in India.

Originality/value

– The paper explores social, financial and physical capital effects such as environmental awareness, economic upliftment of the Islamic microfinance groups' members and potential for LCR management through united action of the groups.
9/11, foreign threats, political legitimacy, and democratic institutions
Authors: D. Wisman Jon
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The manipulation of fears generated by 9/11 resulted in restrictions of civil liberties. Although this danger to freedom has been descriptively addressed, its deeper causes and dynamics have not received extensive treatment. This article reassesses the political reaction to 9/11 in terms of economic theory and evolutionary biology. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The explanatory framework is drawn from findings in the economics of war and the biological evolution of war-like behavior in the human species.

Findings

– The fact that war and its threat were ever-present in human evolution resulted in two social propensities that render society vulnerable to political manipulation. External threats dramatically heighten social cohesion as well as loyalty to leaders. In pre-state societies, all members could clearly witness and judge the nature of an external threat, and because leaders led responses, they were vulnerable to injury or death. In modern highly complex societies, by contrast, the nature of threats is less transparent, and leaders can command far from immediate danger. Consequently, in modern times, leaders can be tempted to generate, especially in times of economic dysfunction, fear of an external threat to rally support and detract attention from otherwise inadequate leadership.

Originality/value

– This article presents a deeper analysis, grounded in economics and evolutionary biology, of the manner in which political leaders can exaggerate the dangers of foreign threats to enhance their power at the cost of civil liberties.
Ethics and the economy
Authors: Trainer Frederick
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– An examination of the economy reveals it to be structured in ways that contradict generally accepted ethical values. This is primarily due to the narrowness of its principles, being focused on the maximisation of monetary costs and benefits and on the separation of the economic realm from the realm of ethics. Economics now exists as an independent realm in which some crucial values can be routinely disregarded. The problematic nature of the economy is most apparent when issues of global sustainability and justice are considered. It is argued that these problems are systemic; they are inevitably generated by the structures built into the current economic theory and practice and cannot be remedied without fundamental system replacement. A radically alternative economy is sketched, in which institutions and practices enable and reward more satisfactory values. Implications for the economics profession are considered, notably to do with the lack of concern with the problems evident within economics. It is suggested that “virtue ethics” best enables thinking about this field. This paper seeks to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper is a critical theoretical discussion of the ethical implications of the economy. Thus, there is little to say about “methodology” other than that several aspects of conventional economic theory and practice are considered, and in general rejected.

Findings

– The paper rejects conventional economic theory and practice and points to the need for a radically alternative model.

Originality/value

– The author is not aware of work making the main points this paper raises, i.e. to do with the important connections with “The Simpler Way” perspective on sustainability and economics.
Contextualizing phenomenology in event management research
Authors: Ziakas Vassilios , Boukas Nikolaos
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Although the core phenomenon of events is the experiences and the meanings attached to them, there is limited management research on the experiential, existential and ontological dimensions of events. Phenomenology provides a sound philosophical framework for studying the multifaceted dimensions of experiences and associated meanings of events. However, quite surprisingly, phenomenology has not yet been systematically applied on the event management field. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to introduce phenomenology to the study of events, demonstrate its value for the field and encourage as well as guide its application on event management research.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review and synthesis of the main phenomenological streams of thought was undertaken in order to develop a research paradigm for the application of phenomenology on the event management field.

Findings

– The paper explains why phenomenology is needed in the study of events and their management, its conceptual underpinnings and streams of thought and finally suggests a research framework for conducting phenomenological studies in event management.

Research limitations/implications

– The consequences of the phenomenological perspective are delineated for explaining how the study of event meanings and experiences can be undertaken from this perspective. The limitations of phenomenology are noted such as the emphasis on “lifeworld” subjectivity and subsequent difficulty to claim the generalizability of research findings.

Practical implications

– The suggested research framework can guide future event management research on how to apply phenomenology to the study of event experiences and meanings. On this basis, practitioners can get insight regarding how to develop and design events that optimize the perceived experiences of attendees.

Originality/value

– While the experiential paradigm and the phenomenological turn have been spread across many disciplines emphasizing the essence of lived experiences in a variety of human interactions and exchanges, the event management field lags behind. This is unfortunate and has to be addressed as the experiences and meanings shape the essence of events. Therefore, this conceptual paper hopes to inspire, encourage and guide event management researchers to embrace and apply the phenomenological perspective on their future research endeavors, which can profitably complement and expand the predominant research paradigms in the field.
Three biomimetic flight control sensors
Authors: Chahl Javaan
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Insects depend on the spatial, temporal and spectral distribution of light in the environment for navigation, collision avoidance and flight control. The principles of insect vision have been gradually revealed over the course of decades by biological scientists. The purpose of this paper is to report on bioinspired implementations and flight tests of these sensors and reflexes on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The devices are used for the stabilization of UAVs in attitude, heading and position. The implementations were developed to test the hypothesis that current understanding of insect optical flight control systems is feasible in real systems.

Design/methodology/approach

– Design was based on behavioral and anatomical studies of insects. The approach taken was to test the designs in flight on a UAV.

Findings

– The research showed that stabilization in attitude, heading and position is possible using the developed sensors.

Practical implications

– Partial alternatives to magnetic, inertial and GPS sensing have been demonstrated. Optical flow and polarization compassing are particularly relevant to flight in urban environments and in planetary exploration.

Originality/value

– For the first time the use of multispectral horizon sensing, polarization compassing and optical flow-based heading control have been demonstrated in flight.
Verification of a special inertial measurement unit using a Quadrotor aircraft
Authors: Flores-Abad Angel , Xie Pu , Martinez-Arredondo Gabriela , Ma Ou
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Calibration and 6-DOF test of a unique inertial measurement unit (IMU) using a Quadrotor aircraft. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the above issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– An IMU with the special capability of measuring the angular acceleration was developed and tested. A Quadrotor aircraft is used as 6-DOF test platform. Kinematics modeling of the Quadrotor was used in the determination of the Euler angles, while Dynamics modeling aided in the design the closed loop controller. For safety, the flight test was performed on a 6-DOF constrained reduced-gravity test stand.

Findings

– The developed IMU is suitable for measuring states and its time derivatives of mini UAVs. Not only that but also a simple control algorithm can be integrated in the same processing unit (a 32 microcontroller in this case).

Originality/value

– The tested IMU as well as the safety constrained test techniques are unique.
A relational perspective on public sector leadership and management
Authors: Clark Michael , Denham-Vaughan Sally , Chidiac Marie-Anne
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to discuss critical perspectives on what has become a dominant approach to public sector management and leadership in England and sets out a new conceptual perspective on leadership to improve this situation, namely a relational one.

Design/methodology/approach

– A review of key literature on the topics discussed.

Findings

– A new relational perspective on leadership and management is proposed, along with epistemological, ethical and practical considerations.

Research limitations/implications

– The paper proposes this new approach to leadership and management in the public sector, but no empirical findings are discussed.

Practical implications

– The perspective proposes that an explicit consideration of relationships and contextual factors should lie at the heart of leadership and management and all its practice.

Originality/value

– This is the first time that a relational perspective on public sector management and leadership has been explicated.
Leading the resettlement of adults with profound learning difficulties from hospital accommodation to supported housing in the community
Authors: Ellis Roger , Sylvia Hogard Elaine , Sines David
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide an analytical description of the leadership provided by an official identified as “P” in the resettlement of adults with profound learning difficulties from hospital care to supported housing in the community. His story, presented as a case study, is contextualised in the history of the resettlement and its policy context, and in the evaluation of the resettlement.

Design/methodology/approach

– This is a case study of the leadership activities and style of an individual based on evidence from a series of interviews; documentary evidence; and the results of a formal evaluation.

Findings

– The leadership was highly effective in achieving a resettlement which had to overcome numerous hurdles and which achieved externally evaluated outcomes in improving the quality of life of the service users concerned.

Research limitations/implications

– This is a case study of an individual with the attendant difficulties of scientific generalisation. The achievements of the individual in terms of outcomes were evaluated through the use of valid and reliable measures.

Practical implications

– The descriptions of leadership behaviour and style and the obstacle overcome should be illuminating to those facing comparable management challenges.

Originality/value

– This would be the only case study in the literature of leadership in this area. The evaluation which measures its success is also unique.
Public sector leadership development in Bangladesh: present state and future prospect
Authors: Mohabbat Khan Mohammad , Shahriar Islam Md.
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The story of the Bangladesh public sector is not a happy one as it has often failed to uphold efficiency and equality in delivering services to the people. Hence leadership has a critical role to play to ensure equality, effectiveness and efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the present condition and future prospect of leadership development in the Bangladesh public sector by focusing on the efforts initiated both by the government of Bangladesh and international organizations during the last ten years.

Design/methodology/approach

– This paper has reviewed available literatures on theories of public sector leadership development and its application in Bangladesh to identify the state and future prospect of public sector leadership development utilizing available theories.

Findings

– The analysis shows that partisan politics, dominance of generalists, absence of long-range feedback and monitoring systems and lack of efficient and knowledgeable trainers are the major impediments to public sector leadership development. International organizations provide proposals, frameworks, technical assistance along with funds to develop the public sector leaders but in implementing the schemes they have a very limited role in the implementation process.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper does not offer much empirical evidence on public sector leadership development in Bangladesh, but creates the platform for further research on public sector training and leadership development with empirical data. Significant variables can be drawn out of this piece of work to design future research on this very important issue.

Originality/value

– This paper will help the interested individuals involved in the public sector leadership development in Bangladesh to understand the divergence between the efforts put in by the government and international agencies in developing public sector leadership.
Assessing the social relevance of school transport in Flanders (Belgium)
Authors: van Lier Tom , De Witte Astrid , Mairesse Olivier , Hollevoet Joachim , Kavadias Dimokritos , Macharis Cathy
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the social relevance of school transport in Flanders, Belgium, by using a social cost-benefit analysis (SCBA).

Design/methodology/approach

– The use of a SCBA already showed to be an appropriate tool for the appraisal of transport projects as it generates a large amount of information on the investment and its return for society.

Findings

– This paper clearly shows that organizing school transport is socially relevant, using a SCBA as a tool for evaluation. The analysis also provides insight in potential ways for improving school transport organization and financing and allows assessing whether further gains for society are possible. It reveals that the budget granted for the obligatory organization of school transport is not sufficient and that schools are generally forced to use part of their educational budget to be able to organize the (socially relevant) school transport.

Practical implications

– Findings from this study can assist schools and organizers of school transport in improving their organization. It demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of the investment.

Originality/value

– Not many socio-economic evaluations of school transport have been done in literature. This study supports the use of SCBA within this context, further developing its use to answer similar research questions.
The influence of national cultural values on the use of rewards alignment to improve sales collaboration
Authors: Magnusson Peter , Peterson Robert , A. Westjohn Stanford
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore how national cultural values affect sales collaboration directly and how it interacts with the firm's reward structure. The results are linked with firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

– The conceptual framework is tested on a large sample of sales organizations across 26 countries. Due to the nested nature of the data, hierarchical linear modeling is used to test the hypothesized framework.

Findings

– Sales collaboration is positively related to firm performance, while individualism and masculinity are negatively related to sales collaboration. Rewards alignment leads to greater sales collaboration and is particularly important in highly individualistic and masculine societies.

Practical implications

– The study identifies rewards alignment as an actionable management tool to foster greater sales collaboration and, in turn, enhanced firm performance. The study suggests that this is particularly important in cultures associated with high individualism and masculinity. These two values can hinder sales collaboration within the firm, but firm practices (rewards alignment) can counter societal tendencies.

Originality/value

– The effects of cultural values have been neglected in prior research on sales collaboration and firm performance. The findings in this study suggest that culture is important and, at times, it can be beneficial for the organizational culture to counter the dominant national cultural values.
Use, abuse or contribute!
Authors: Hynes Niki , Caemmerer Barbara , Martin Emeline , Masters Eliot
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of a positive country image (CI) by companies. First, it examines how organisations embed dimensions of a positive country image into their external marketing communications. Second, it examines the alignment between the countries’ image dimensions and those of the company and how company values and actions could act to either use, abuse and detract from an established CI.

Design/methodology/approach

– A two-part methodology was adopted. Two countries with strong positive CIs were chosen for comparison purposes. Content analysis of web sites, together with interviews with company representatives, were undertaken.

Findings

– The use of the CI/country-of-origin framework is extended from an extrinsic “made in” cue for consumers, to being part of the value offering of a particular product or service from an organisational perspective is extended. Evidence is structured into a framework of companies which use and/or contribute to the CI.

Research limitations/implications

– The two chosen countries both have positive CIs: future research should examine this relationship in countries with different images. The sample size is relatively small and future research should determine the generalisability of the proposed typology.

Practical implications

– Generating, communicating and maintaining a CI requires co-ordinated efforts from policy makers but needs to be built on solid foundations of reality: companies using CIs should be cognisant of the alignment between their actions, messages and the CI.

Originality/value

– This study extends prior work by examining the relationship between CI, company strategy, products and services offered and the manner in which companies action's can affect CI.
The educational impacts of young people's participation in organised sport: a systematic review
Authors: Schucan Bird Karen , Tripney Janice , Newman Mark
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of young people's participation in organised sport on their educational outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

– Systematic review of the literature. A comprehensive search was used to identify all research evidence about engagement, impact and value in culture and sport. A combination of manual and automated screening was used to select studies for inclusion in this review based on pre-specified criteria. Included studies had to use a “high”-quality experimental research design, focus on children and young people and have quantitative educational outcome measures. Results from the individual studies were transformed into a standardised effect size and meta-analysis was used to combine the results from individual studies where appropriate.

Findings

– Young people's participation in sport may lead to improved educational outcomes. Young people's participation in organised sports activities, when compared to non-participation, improves their numeracy skills. Young people's participation in organised sport linked with extra-curricular activities, when compared to non-participation, improves a range of learning outcomes for underachieving pupils. These findings are based on six “high”-quality studies conducted in the UK and North America. Study populations included young people within the range of four to 16 years old.

Originality/value

– This paper builds on the existing evidence base in two main ways. First, it focuses specifically on the impacts associated with organised sport whereas previous reviews have had a broader focus. Second, it uses meta-analytic methods to synthesise study findings. This paper provides pooled effect sizes for overall educational impacts and translates these into potential changes in test/grade scores.
Promising parenting programmes for reducing adolescent problem behaviours
Authors: P. Haggerty Kevin , McGlynn-Wright Anne , Klima Tali
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– Adolescent problem behaviours (substance use, delinquency, school dropout, pregnancy, and violence) are costly not only for individuals, but for entire communities. Policy makers and practitioners that are interested in preventing these problem behaviours are faced with many programming options. The purpose of this review is to discuss two criteria for selecting relevant parenting programmes, and provide five examples of such programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

– The first criterion for programme selection is theory based. Well-supported theories, such as the social development model, have laid out key family-based risk and protective factors for problem behaviour. Programmes that target these risk and protective factors are more likely to be effective. Second, programmes should have demonstrated efficacy; these interventions have been called “evidence-based programmes” (EBP). This review highlights the importance of evidence from rigorous research designs, such as randomised clinical trials, in order to establish programme efficacy.

Findings

– Nurse-Family Partnership, The Incredible Years, the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Strengthening Families 10-14, and Staying Connected with Your Teen are examined. The unique features of each programme are briefly presented. Evidence showing impact on family risk and protective factors, as well as long-term problem behaviours, is reviewed. Finally, a measure of cost effectiveness of each programme is provided.

Originality/value

– The paper proposes that not all programmes are of equal value, and suggests two simple criteria for selecting a parenting programme with a high likelihood for positive outcomes. Furthermore, although this review is not exhaustive, the five examples of EBPs offer a good start for policy makers and practitioners seeking to implement effective programmes in their communities. Thus, this paper offers practical suggestions for those grappling with investments in child and adolescent programmes on the ground.
Do return and volatility traverse the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) stock markets borders?
Authors: I. Bouri Elie , Yahchouchi Georges
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to examine the dynamic relationship across stock market returns in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arabic Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Oman from June 2005 to January 2012.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper uses a multivariate model with leptokurtic distribution which allows for both return asymmetry and fat tails. The paper also derives from the model the conditional correlation between stock markets and examines the impact of the global financial crisis of 2008 on the conditional variance and correlation.

Findings

– The empirical results show that the Middle East and North African (MENA) markets are interconnected by their volatilities and not by their returns. Volatility persists in each market and significant volatility spillovers from small to relatively larger markets. During the crisis, the paper finds that conditional volatilities across markets increase but then during the post-crisis period return to their pre-crisis levels. More importantly, the conditional correlation behaves differently, with a significant evidence of downwards trend in some correlations across the MENA stock markets.

Research limitations/implications

– One limitation of the study relates to the relatively short-sample period which drives the empirical results.

Practical implications

– The key results imply that there is still a possibility of benefits from portfolio diversification across specific MENA countries during periods of high volatility.

Originality/value

– No previous study investigates the transmission of both the first and second moments of the return series across the MENA stock markets allowing for time-varying volatility and correlation and accounts for the 2008 global financial crisis to examine whether the conditional volatilities and correlations have strengthened or weakened during the crisis and afterwards.
The relationship between the shares of nutrient consumed across selected food groups and income in Nigeria
Authors: Ogundari Kolawole
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this study is in twofolds. First, to take a critical look at nutrient consumed and its trends and second, to examine the relationship between share of nutrient consumed across selected food groups and per capita income in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author uses seemingly unrelated regressions.

Findings

– The result of the first objective reveals that the average calorie, protein and fat intakes were still below the recommended daily allowance since the 1960s as diets in Nigeria remained very much cereal-based over the years. Also, the results of objective two show that calorie, protein, and fat share of animal products respond positively but inelastic to the per capita income growth in Nigeria over the years.

Originality/value

– Contrary to previous studies, the present study is designed not to fit aggregated nutrient demand from various food items as a function of income, but to relate the nutrient share of each homogenous and heterogeneous food product categories to the aggregated nutrient intake from these food groups and per capita income in Nigeria.
Public infrastructure investment and fiscal sustainability in Latin America: incompatible goals?
Authors: Carranza Luis , Daude Christian , Melguizo Angel
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to understand the relationship in developing countries between fiscal consolidation and public investment – a flexible part of the budget that is easier to cut during consolidation effort, but with potentially negative growth effects. Analyzing in detail the case of Peru, the paper explores alternative fiscal rules and frameworks that might help create fiscal space for infrastructure investment.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper analyses trends in public and total infrastructure investment in six large Latin American economies, in the light of fiscal developments since the early 1980s. In particular, the paper explores the association between fiscal consolidations (improvements in the structural fiscal balance) and public infrastructure investment rates. In the second part, the paper analyzes recent changes in the fiscal framework of Peru and shows how they were conductive in creating additional fiscal space.

Findings

– The authors argue that post-crisis fiscal frameworks, notably fiscal rules that are increasingly popular in the region, should not only consolidate the recent progress towards debt sustainability, but also create the fiscal space to close these infrastructure gaps. These points are illustrated in a detailed account of recent developments in the fiscal framework and public investment in the Peruvian case.

Originality/value

– The paper contributes new evidence to the literature on fiscal consolidation and the composition of government expenditures. While the literature based on evidence from the 1990s has argued that fiscal consolidation plans in Latin America have almost always led to a significant reduction in public infrastructure investment, the paper finds less clear cut evidence when extending the analysis backwards (1980s) and forwards (2000s). The example of the case of Peru is used to explore fiscal institutions and rules that might be useful for other developing countries that face important infrastructure gaps.
Financial development dynamic thresholds of financial globalization
Authors: Asongu Simplice
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The issue of which financial initial conditions are necessary to materialize the benefits of financial globalization remains open to debate in the literature. In this paper, the author tries to put some empirical structure on the concept of financial threshold conditions in order to give policymakers guidance on the Kose et al. and Henry hypothesis. Its object is to assess whether financial benefits of financial globalization are questionable until greater domestic financial development has taken place in African countries. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– In framing the financial dimension in a more concrete and tractable manner, the author examines the concerns of how domestic financial initial dynamics of depth (economic and financial systems), efficiency (banking and financial systems), activity (banking and financial systems) and size, play out in the financial development benefits of financial globalization. The estimation approach consists of assessing the impact of financial globalization through out the conditional distributions of domestic financial development dynamics.

Findings

– The introduction of previously missing financial dimensions into the debate generates a number of important findings. Only financial initial (threshold) conditions of size are necessary to materialize the benefits of financial globalization. While financial depth only partially validates the hypothesis, dynamics of efficiency and activity (credit) do not confirm the hypothesis.

Practical implications

– Addressing the issue of surplus liquidity in African financial institutions could improve the benefits of financial size and potentially reverse the trends of financial efficiency and activity. Depending on the context of sampled countries, the appropriate role of policy has always been either to stem the tide of capital flows or encourage them. Policymakers who have been viewing their challenges exclusively from the latter perspective for benefits in growth (finance) might be getting the financial dynamics badly wrong.

Originality/value

– Blanket financial development policies may not reap the financial benefits of financial globalization until domestic financial dynamics of depth, efficiency, activity and size are critically considered. The introduction of the last three previously missing components in the literature sheds more light on the globalization-development nexus.
Assessing some stylized facts about financial market indexes: a Markov copula approach
Authors: Candido Silva Filho Osvaldo , Augusto Ziegelmann Flavio
Published: January 2014

Purpose

– The aim of this paper is to measure and evaluate the relationship between returns-volatility and trading volume and returns and volatility of financial market indexes using time-varying copulas.

Design/methodology/approach

– The time dynamic dependence parameter is allowed to evolve according to a restricted ARMA-type equation which includes a constant term that is driven by a hidden two-state first-order Markov chain.

Findings

– In using this time dynamics in conjunction with non-elliptical distribution functions and tail dependence measure, the authors are allowing for (and focusing on) non-linearities in the returns-volume-volatility relationship. The results support the assumption that current trading volume provides information about future volatility as well as that there is a negative relationship between returns and their volatilities in financial market indexes.

Originality/value

– The authors provide an interesting empirical interpretation for the regimes the authors have identified: in the high dependence regime the sequential information arrival hypothesis and/or noise trading hypothesis are valid, consequently future volatility prediction is possible and persistent but does not last indefinitely; in the low dependence regime, the future volatility prediction is more unlikely to occur, since both trading volume and return negatives have a low (near zero) relation with future volatility.