bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Burden of Dental Caries in the Nepalese Children: A Literature Review
Authors: Khanal Sanskriti , Shah Priyanka , Ghimire Pratikshya
Published: March 2022

Dental caries is a biofilm mediated, sugar driven, multifactorial, dynamic disease that results in the phasic demineralization and remineralization of dental hard tissues. It is one of the most common global oral health problems that can occur throughout life, affecting both primary and permanent dentition. The only National Pathfinder survey of Nepal 2004 had shown 57.5% of 5-6 years age group and 25.6% of 12-16 years age group suffer from dental caries. Pain and discomfort due to untreated dental caries was 18% in 5–6-year-old. This review article draws attention to the current scenario of prevalence of dental caries in Nepalese children, which is needed to frame preventive strategies, policies and manpower allocations suitable for children. After identifying articles from PubMed, Google Scholar and hand searching, the prevalence of dental caries in Nepalese children is reviewed together.
Foreign Direct Investment Trend in Nepal and Recent Changes in Bylaws to Reduce Administrative Hurdles
Authors: Mainali Basu Prasad
Published: March 2022

Foreign Direct Investment is one of the major source of external finance for the economic growth and development of a country, specially the Least Developed Countries (LDC’s) like Nepal. Inflow of FDI is very low in Nepal in comparison to its neighboring countries. In this paper comparative analysis of FDI inflow in Nepal and in SAARC countries and administrative hurdles in importing FDI in Nepal has been analyzed to come to the conclusion.

This study is based on the secondary data of FDI inflow in recent five years, acts, rules, regulations, and bylaws regarding FDI and their recent improvements. In the past, investment climate in Nepal was not favorable to the foreign investors and FDI inflow was very low. Amendment and change in laws and regulation to simplify administrative procedures has created good investment climate in Nepal and being favorable to foreign investors. We can expect that FDI will increase remarkably in the days to come.
Girl Students in Mathematics at Bachelor level Colleges of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal: Some Problems and Prospects
Authors: Shakya Bindra Devi
Published: March 2022

This Paper is based on the study of girl students studying at Bachelor level in mathematics in six reputed educational institutes situated in Kathmandu Valley. The Paper is guided by three objectives – to examine the historical trend of girl students offering mathematics at the Bachelor level, to examine the possibility of increasing the enrollment of these students, and to identify policy instruments that can help increase their participation. Low number of girl students, low number of female teachers, limited availability of resources and equipment are among the important features that characterize the Bachelor level education in Mathematics. The Paper also enumerates some policy instruments that can assure the future career prospects of girl students studying mathematics.
Mountain Literature: Mount Everest in the eyes of the two Nepalese Climbers
Authors: Gautam Pragya
Published: March 2022

This article looks at the Mountain Literature of Nepal, based on the writings of two Nepalese mountaineers of Mount Everest, Jamling Tenzing Norgay, and Lhakpa Phuti Sherpa. It presents their feelings, observations, and the challenges they faced while climbing up the peak.

The Humans’ appetite for travelling, their spirit of adventure and exploration, and their desire to know and conquer the unknown have inspired many to climb the mountains. Though Mountaineering is a daring adventure, many climbers are attracted to it. The mountaineers try to test their courage and stamina. For that, they risk their lives in snow, bone-chilling avalanche, and sharp windy weather to reach the summit. They know that getting the pinnacle is not always easy, but it is worthwhile.

The magic of Mount Everest attracts the attention of the mountaineers. Its beauty, mystery, and majesty make Nepal, a center of attraction. For all, the mountains are the abode of Gods and Goddesses. They are the sources of peace, happiness, power, faith, and enlightenment.

The Mountaineering narratives have contributed much to the development of Nepalese mountain literature. It is a rich source of information, that is beneficial not only for the Mt. Everest climbers but also for the lover of mountains.
Sistem Pendukung Keputusan Menentukan Optik Terbaik Dengan Metode Simple Additive Weighting
Authors: Aprilia Yunita Nur , Wahidin Ahmad Jurnaidi
Published: March 2022

Berkembangnya bidang industri saat ini menyebabkan persaingan antar perusahaan menjadi semakin ketat dan kompetitif. PT. Domba Mas Indonesia merupakan perusahaan yang bergerak dibidang distributor atau ritel lensa kacamata. Optik merupakan outlet yang menjadi pembeli produk dan pembelian dilakukan berulang kali. Perusahaan memberikan reward terhadap optik terbaik setiap bulannya dengan tujuan meningkatkan semangat optik dalam pembelian. Sistem Pendukung Keputusan suatu sistem informasi spesifik yang ditujukan untuk membantu manajemen dalam mengambil keputusan yang berkaitan dengan persoalan yang bersifat semi terstruktur. Dengan adanya sistem yang dibangun, PT. Domba Mas Indonesia menggunakan metode SAW dapat menenentukan optik terbaik dengan menggunakan recomendasi dari sistem. Dari hasil penghitungan terhadap lima alternatif dengan menggunakan lima kriteria didapat alternatif dengan nilai tertinggi 0,8916 yaitu Optik UD. Ginsa Primata. Sistem dibangun menggunakan Dreamweaver dan PHP My Admin. Proses pengambilan keputusan didasarkan pada kriteria-kriteria yang telah di tetapkan oleh PT. Domba Mas Indonesia.Penghitungan menentukan optik terbaik lebih akurat, data dan laporan penentuan optik terbaik dapat tersimpan secara baik didalam database. Sistem yang dibuat kemudian diuji menggunakan black box testing dengan hasil semua pengujian dapat diterima atau sesuai dengan yang direncanakan
The Effect of Long Term use of Glibenclamide on Serum and Urinary Sodium and Potassium Level in Type 2 DM Patients
Authors: A. Ali Ali
Published: March 2022

Long-term use of sulfonylureas including chlorpropamide, is known to potentiate the antidiuretic action of arginine vasopressin (AVP), predisposing to hyponatremia.The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of long term use of glibenclamide on serum and urinary levels of sodium and potassium in Type 2 DM patients in Iraqi DM centers. Ninety eight patients with Type 2 DM who were maintained on different doses of glibenclamide for at least 1 year, attending the centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Al-Rusafa, Baghdad, were enrolled in the study, in addition to 15 normal healthy subjects. Patients were allocated into three groups according to the dose of glibenclamide that they received. Blood and urine samples were obtained for evaluation of sodium and potassium levels in these samples by flamephotometry. The results indicated that glibenclamide use resulted in significant elevation in serum levels of sodium and potassium compared to controls, while urinary excretion of these cations was not significantly changed. Stratification of patients according to the dose of glibenclamide revealed that this effect on sodium and potassium was not dose dependent. In conclusion, long term use of glibenclamide impairs normal values of Sodium and potassium independent of the administered dose.   

Key words: Glibenclamide, sodium, potassium.
Detection of Carbohydrate Antigen CA19-9 Levels in Sera and Tissues' Homogenate of Breast and Thyroid Benign Cases
Authors: H. Alubaidi Gheid , A. Ali Zeyan , R. Mahmood Abdulrahman
Published: March 2022

The aims of the present study are to evaluate the levels of CA19-9 in sera and tissues' homogenate of breast and thyroid benign patients in order to assess its use as an early diagnostic parameter in differentiation between malignant and benign cases. The study was conducted on 8 patients with breast benign tumor and 8 patients with thyroid benign tumor, by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The results of CA19-9 levels in sera were (15 Â±1.58 and 10.67 Â±2.08)U/ml respectively compared with serum CA19-9 levels of control group which was 7.74 Â±4.92 U/ml, the results were found to be highly significantly in breast tumor patients and non significantly in thyroid tumor patients than control group. The results of CA19-9 levels in tissues' homogenate were (356.2 Â±173.75 and 20 Â±14.4)U/ml respectively. The results were found to be highly significant in tissues' homogenate of breast tumor patients and non significant in thyroid tumor patients of higher compare with the it's serum levels of the same patients groups.  

Key words: Carbohydrate antigen CA19-9, Benign Cases  and  CA19-9, Breast tumor  and CA19-9, Thyroid tumor  and  CA19-9.
Conditional Relation between Beta and Returns: Evidence from a Frontier Market
Authors: Fernando P.M.S. , Samarakoon S.M.R.K.
Published: March 2022

Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is one of the most significant finance literature models, which assumes a positive linear relationship between the required rate of return and systematic risk on stocks. The model is frequently used in the business world, but empirical tests repeatedly reject the model's validity in its unconditional form. Pettengill et al. have developed an alternative conditional CAPM approach where the unconditional test procedure developed by Fama & MacBeth, (1973) is improved by taking up and down market conditions. This paper investigates both the conditional and unconditional versions of CAPM in both individual and portfolio stock returns between January 2008 and December 2019 on the stocks listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). Population of this research includes all the companies listed on CSE and the top 50 stocks with large market capitalization has been selected as the sample. The results of unconditional test procedure show that there is no statistically significant risk-return relationship is found in any test period in both individual and portfolio stock returns. Thus, this result is similar with the previous literature findings. The results of the conditional tests show that there is no significant positive (negative) risk-return relationship in portfolio stock returns and individual stock returns in CSE during up (down) market months. But findings indicate a significant positive risk-return relationship in individual stock returns in upmarket periods; whereas, a significant inverse risk-return relationship is not provided in down market periods.

Keywords: Colombo Stock Exchange, CAPM, Conditional Relation, Unconditional Relation
Reaction of Right Issues and Debenture Issues on Share Prices: Evidence from Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayarathne M.D.S. , Samarakoon S.M.R.K , Dissanayake A.R.
Published: March 2022

Right issues and debenture issues are the types of methods for raising capital to finance organizations. These events are fully affected to stock prices. This paper studies the effect on the share price of listed firms on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) to the right issue announcements and debenture issue announcements. The study consists of 85 right issue announcements and 106 debenture issue announcements over the 2012-2019 periods (8 years). The study analyses the share price performance of companies in the period immediately prior and post their right issue announcements and debenture issue announcements by using daily data for 281 days. All share price index for 281 days were used to estimate the market return. The analytical tool is the event study methodology in which the market model is used to calculate the abnormal returns of the study by using the secondary data. The observational findings indicate that the average abnormal return and cumulative average abnormal return of right issue announcements are statistically significant at a confidence level of 95 at the announcement day "0". Cumulative average abnormal returns were reported positively until the day of -1 and then shifted negatively. The results are statically significant around the day of announcements. That means the right issue announcements are affecting the stock prices. For the debenture issue announcements, there are both negative and positive average abnormal returns in the event period. The debenture issue announcements have positive average abnormal returns at the announcement day "0," and the value is statistically not significant. All of the cumulative average abnormal returns in the event period are more than their critical value and statistically significant. That means the debenture issue announcements are affecting the stock prices in the Colombo stock exchange. And the cumulative average abnormal returns represent the negative slope in the pre-event period. Further, it is continuing in the post-event period.

Keywords: Colombo Stock Exchange, Debenture issue announcement, Right issue announcements, Market model, Stock prices
Mediating role of Marketing Information Systems Effectiveness on the relationship between Marketing Information Systems (MkIS) and the Business Performance in Sri Lankan Manufacturing Companies
Authors: Doluweera L. K.
Published: March 2022

In the midst of global competition and a turbulent business environment, the survival of businesses is possible if and only if the business organizations harness their business opportunities by optimizing and matching their core competencies with such opportunities. In this hypercompetitive world, in the race for sustainable competitive advantage, knowledge enriched, strategically oriented Marketing Information Systems (MkIS) embedded with marketing intelligence, enable marketing decision makers to gain an unmatched competitive advantage.

However, MkIS effectiveness is a rarely examined complex construct, and the research effort in this direction has been sporadic and whether MkIS effectiveness leads to improved business performance has rarely been effectively investigated globally.

Hence, the objective of the present research is to investigate the degree of adoption of MkIS, to discover the effectiveness of MkIS, to find the managerial and organizational factors that affect the adoption of MkIS and to investigate whether there is a positive correlation between such adoption of MkIS and Business Performance mediated by MkIS effectiveness in Sri Lankan manufacturing companies.

In this regard, the empirical research conducted by the present researcher in 40 Sri Lankan manufacturing companies, triangulated with the in-depth interviews with marketing Executives revealed, that MkIS adoption (ADP) is in its infancy in Sri Lankan manufacturing Companies (t value =-13.626, significance 2 tailed = 0.000).

The research surprisingly revealed that Sri Lankan Manufacturing companies, embraced Learning Organizations (LO) together with marketing managers’ MkIS related ICT knowledge (EDU) have the strongest, 50 %, influence on Adoption of MkIS (ADP) (ADP = .425 * LO + .567 * EDU – 1.937, 50%, of variance, R2=0.504), especially through embedded systems and continuous learning, innovatively through “meta noia” – a fundamental shift of the mind, and through the fifth discipline – the conceptual frame work of LO – (systems thinking), creating improved innovative products and fulfilling the customers’ ultimate expectations.

The findings strengthen the body of knowledge about the positive relation between the adoption of MkIS and business performance, mediated by the MkIS effectiveness, by weakening the traditional belief of the “IT paradox” of Sri Lankan Manufacturers.

Keywords: Marketing Information Systems (MkIS), MkIS Effectiveness, Business Performance, Manufacturing companies, Sri Lanka
Spiritual Growth and Social Entrepreneurship: Understanding the integration of spirituality and social entrepreneurial process
Authors: Abeywardana T. , Peiris I. K. , Ulluwishewa R.
Published: March 2022

The business world today is moving from capitalism to social entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurs view a social mission as an explicit and central one than following the path of individual wealth creation. Seizing opportunities and utilizing resources are the key factors that influencing entrepreneurial process. Entrepreneur’s belief system is shaped or process of interpretation that makes entrepreneurs pursue solutions to social problems. Transcends from wealth creators to social warriors may be explained by focusing on their spiritual orientation (Ganzin, Islam, & Suddaby, 2020). The objective of the study is to explore the connection of spirituality development to social entrepreneurial process of social entrepreneurs. The paper offers a new theoretical conceptualization in relation to understanding how spiritual growth influences social entrepreneurs. Thus, the paper tries to build up the relationship between spiritual growth and social entrepreneurial process. As such, our paper strengthen the existing social entrepreneurship theory by introducing the spirituality dimension to the cognitive process and highlights the trigger points related to social entrepreneurial behavior that transcendence individual wealth creation. Furthermore, the linkage between the attributes of social entrepreneurial process and spiritual development phases is an eye opening to both spiritual and entrepreneurial studies.

Keywords: Social entrepreneurship, Spiritual growth, Entrepreneurial process
Factors Affecting Customer Satisfaction in Mobile App-Based Taxi Services
Authors: Perera M.D.M. , Samarasinghe S.M.
Published: March 2022

With the technology revolution, studying about customer satisfaction has been a major concern for the companies in highly competitive industries. Transportation industry is not an exception, especially, the mobile app-based taxi industry in past few years with the increased usage of mobile applications. A good customer base for a company ensures the long-term survival and competitiveness in the market. Achieving customer satisfaction is the only way to gain and retain a good customer base for the company. Therefore, focusing on the factors affecting the customer satisfaction is important to gain competitive advantage and to become the leader in the industry. Though there were some studies done in this domain, there was a lack of research in relation to mobile app-based taxi service in the Sri Lankan context. Thus, the purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting customer satisfaction in mobile app-based taxi services and to identify their impact. The research model and the hypotheses for the study were derived based on a comprehensive review of literature. The study followed a positivistic approach with the quantitative method. Convenience sampling method was used due to the time constraint of this research. An online questionnaire survey was administered to collect data for this study. Data analysis was done using structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The model was tested by collecting data from hundred mobile app-based taxi users in the Colombo District. Reliability and validity of the measurement instrument were established. Price, Trust and Coupon Redemption had significant effects on Customer Satisfaction in mobile app-based taxi services. The findings of this study provided implications for policy makers and mobile app-based taxi service companies.

Keywords: Customer Satisfaction; Taxi Services; Mobile app-based taxi; Transportation
Work-Life Balance among Fresh Male Graduates in Sri Lankan Context: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Medamarandawela J. M. S. T. , Weerakotuwa P. R. W. M. S. C.
Published: March 2022

Work-life balance is a wide concept which involves prioritizing between work and life. Many research findings emphasize that work-life balance focuses more on women, but there is new clear indication which also emergent concern for men. The requirement of addressing the work-life balance related problems of men are becoming an upcoming trend in Sri Lankan workplace. The present study attempts to explore how do male employees perceive the concept of work life balance in Sri Lankan organisations. In addressing this primary objective, under interpretivism research philosophy and qualitative research methodology, face to face interviews with 12 working men were conducted. The data were analyzed by using thematic analysis. The findings of the study were revealed neglecting attitude towards the work life balance from young male employees even though they acknowledge it as an essential area in professional life. Moreover, it was apparent that respondents realize themselves as an enthusiastic cluster with lots of energy who can contribute more to the profession and grab more opportunities for their future, therefore, they compel to focus more on career than their personal life. However, almost all the participants perceived the concept of work life balance as gender irrespective concept. And also, young males believe that they are not much hassle on their family matters because respondents highlighted that their parents are continuously encouraging them to reach their career goals far as possible. It was noticeable that fresh male graduates are more concerned about their career development therefore they are given more priority towards the work life. Moreover, the study focused on the current practices available in the organizational context of Sri Lanka. Use of flexible working hours and supportive working environment subordinates are identified as effective practices. The Responsibility of organisations in helping the balance between work- and life is highlighted.

Keywords: Work-life balance, Fresh male graduates, Work-life balance strategies
Quality of Life and Quality of Work Life as Determinants of Employee Productivity: Self-reports of Tea Harvesters in Sri Lanka
Authors: Gamage A.T. , Wickramaratne W.P.R.
Published: March 2022

Tea industry plays a prominent and strategic role in Sri Lanka due to its significant impact on national output, employment and socio-economic status. Therefore, the overall worker productivity in tea industry plays an integral role in terms of national income and foreign exchange earnings. Today, the tea industry in Sri Lanka has been facing the burning issue of declining worker productivity which is the lowest among the tea producing countries in the world. In order to increase the level of worker productivity, simply applying conventional Human Resource Management (HRM) practices are not adequate and a sustainable HRM model is a vital requirement as a strategy for dealing with this crisis and sustains the tea industry in the competitive global marketplace. This research was aimed at proposing human care practices (HCPs) and knowledge management practices (KMPs) as sustainable Human Resource Management Practices (SHRMPs) for enhancing the worker productivity through quality of work-life (QWLs) and quality of life (QLs). The study is specifically focusing on the tea industry, since tea is the key contributor for overall performances of the plantation industry. Un-structured, one-on-one interviews used as the qualitative research technique for this study and 100 randomly selected tea harvesters who are working in well performing tea estates in Sri Lanka reported a list of HCPs and KMPs that enhance QWL and QL and in turn that enhance the worker productivity. The responses of tea harvesters were grouped into pre-defined structure according to comparative importance and validated with the findings of previous research studies. The findings were well supported by the premises of psychological contract and social exchange theories. The study also provides some implications for policy decisions and future research directions on identified HCPs and KMPs as sustainable HR practices which has direct relationship on the worker productivity.

Keywords: Sustainable human care practices, Knowledge management practices, Quality of life, Quality of work life, Productivity
impact of workload, co-worker pressure and supervisor pressure on employee presenteeism: Evidence from Sri Lanka
Authors: Opatha H.H.D.P.J. , Uresha K.I.
Published: March 2022

Presenteeism is one of the major contemporary issues in Human Resource Management (HRM) as it negatively impacts on worker productivity and ultimately on organizational productivity and goal achievement. Thus, employee presenteeism which refers to attending work while ill needs to be discouraged. A systematic empirical study was carried out with regards to employee presenteeism owing to little research done, contextual gap and intellectual curiosity of authors. Objectives of the study were; (1) to find the degree of presenteeism of Sri Lankan executive and non-executive employees in Colombo District under study; (2) to find the impact of workload on employee presenteeism; (3) to find the impact of co-worker pressure on employee presenteeism; (4) to find the impact of supervisor pressure on employee presenteeism; (4) to find the overall impact of workload, co-worker pressure and supervisor pressure on employee presenteeism; and (5) to investigate whether there is any significant difference between male and female employees under study in terms of presenteeism. The nature of this study was analytical; time horizon was cross sectional; and the unit of analysis was individual. A theoretical framework was formulated based on some empirical evidences in literature review and logical beliefs of the authors. Three different instruments were developed by the authors to measure the workload, co-worker pressure, and supervisor pressure while Stanford Presenteeism Scale (SPS) was utilized to measure employee presenteeism. Reliability and validity of the instruments are assured. Survey method was utilized and 72 executive and non-executive employees in Colombo district responded to the questionnaire through the sampling technique of convenient sampling technique. Small sample size can be a major limitation of the study and it can be suggested to explore more on the difference between executive and non-executive employees in terms of presenteeism using a larger sample. The empirical findings revealed that the degree of employee presenteeism is between average and high and there is a significant positive impact from workload, co-worker pressure and supervisor pressure on employee presenteeism. Further it was revealed that there is no significant difference between male and female employees under the study in terms of presenteeism.

Keywords: Co-worker Pressure, Presenteeism, Supervisor Pressure, Workload
Critical Review of Literature on Talent Management Practices
Authors: Sandeepanie M.H.R. , Gamage P.N. , Perera G.D.N. , Sajeewani T.L.
Published: March 2022

Talent management practices is one of the greatest inspiring aspects in ultra-modern phase’s HRM practices. Although the concept “talent management practices” is growing popularity over a decade with the debating nature, it had conceptual confusions due to the ambiguity nature of the underlying concepts. Effective talent management practices involve driving of business goals successfully while having a rewarding “talent pool”. Global HR specialists discovered talent management practices related to diverse industries. There is a tendency to be a discrepancy between intended and actual talent management practices. With this view, there are four key objectives in this exploratory study. The first objective is to resolve the existing conceptual confusions to the variable “Talent Management Practices” and to establish the definitions for the underlining concepts called, “Talent” and “Talent Management”. Afterward, the second objective is to explore the different “Talent Management Practices” operated in numerous global contexts including both manufacturing and service sectors. The third objective is to establish a definition for “Talent Management Practices”. The fourth objective is to identify the key dimensions of Talent Management Practices. The archival method was adopted by the researchers. The systematic reviewing process has covered empirical research on talent, talent management and talent management practices which have been published between 1990 and 2019 in academic journals and published books.

Global manufacturing industries namely, cement manufacturing, steel case manufacturing, coal and mining, energy, automotive and service sectors namely, healthcare, hospitality, fast food service, banking, education, telecommunication and IT services are operating numerous talent management practices in attracting, acquiring, developing and retaining high performing talents. This research study is extremely imperative for future researchers in exploring avenues for context specific talent management practices relevant to various global industries. Further, resolving of conceptual confusions could significant in determining more aspects and perspectives towards talent management and its practices.

Keywords: Talent, Talent Management, Talent Management Practices, Global Contexts
Organizational cynicism and its relationship with employee’s performance in big four audit firms in Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayasekara P. , Seneviratne C.
Published: March 2022

Organizational cynicism has become a growing issue in present organizations. Empirical studies done on the concept of organizational cynicism and employee performance have been mainly carried out in foreign counties, there is dearth of research in this respect in the Sri Lankan context. Therefore, a gap can be identified to discover the relationship between organizational cynicism and employee performance of employees in different levels in Sri Lankan audit firms. Hence, examination of organizational cynicism and employee performance of employees in Sri Lankan audit firms was conducted throughout this research study. This research is expected to reveal the relationship of all three types of organizational cynicism (i.e. cognitive cynicism, affective cynicism, and behavioural cynicism) have with employee performance in audit firms in Sri Lanka. The perception of employees in the audit firms in Sri Lanka about their organization and the employment contract and their motivation towards work are further analysed. Primary data are collected through questionnaire from audit trainees, supervisors, managers in big 4 audit firms in Sri Lanka (n = 80) by using a convenient sampling technique. Analysis of data is undertaken quantitative approach and to achieve the research objective, Hierarchal multiple regression models are used by using SPSS to identify the impact of organizational cynicism on employee performance. The study concludes that organizational cynicism has a significant negative relationship with employee performance at audit firms and that each dimension of organizational cynicism (cognitive, affective, and behavioural) individually have significant negative relationship with employee performance. Furthermore, it was revealed that most of the respondents experience a breach of contract by the firm’s management. Thus, causing organizational cynicism and affecting negatively on employee performance. The findings of this study are expected to be particularly useful to audit firm management in effectively managing and retaining the best suited employees for auditing, for the success of the firm.

Keywords: Affective cynicism, Behavioural cynicism, Cognitive cynicism, Employee performance.
Buddhist Teachings, Spirituality and Female Entrepreneurs’ Business Decisions in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera L.E.A.N. , Surangi H.A.K.N.S.
Published: March 2022

Purpose – Female entrepreneurship has been pointed out by researchers as well as policymakers as one of the main drivers of economic and social development in any country. Over the years, a great deal of research has been conducted on the area of female entrepreneurship. However, to date, there has not been much discussion of the area of female entrepreneurs’ religious behaviour which is remarkable. Hence, this study examines the nature of female entrepreneurs’ religious behavior and how Buddhist teachings and Buddhist spirituality influence business decisions of female entrepreneurs, during start- ups throughout the ongoing business operations. Although Buddhism is a vast literature, this study focuses mainly on the five precepts. Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on social constructionism philosophy and narrative design was used to explore the female entrepreneurs’ religious behavior. A snowball sampling procedure was applied, and seven interviews were conducted to generate data for the study. This qualitative data analysis was complemented and supported with data from narrative in-depth interviews, observations and collected documents and field notes.

Findings – Findings revealed that Buddhist female entrepreneurs’ business decisions are influenced by their religious teachings, especially the five precepts and religious spirituality. Those decisions are related to the start-up, operations, pricing, networks, profit sharing, finance, problem solving and sustainability. According to the results, female entrepreneurs have engaged in strong religious practice in their businesses and their personal lives since their childhood. Buddhist teachings and spirituality can be identified as the key factor of business success and work-life satisfaction of Buddhist female entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka.

Implications – The findings can support the facilitating and promoting of spiritual entrepreneurship among entrepreneurs. It could be of valuable use to furthering our understanding of the role of Buddhist teachings and spirituality on entrepreneurs’ business decisions and the influence of other religious teachings and spiritualties in fostering decision making among entrepreneurs.

Keywords: Buddhist teachings, Five Precepts, Buddhist spirituality, Female entrepreneurs, Business decisions, Qualitative
Factors influencing Financial Performance of Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Northern Sri Lanka
Authors: Shahila Y. , Kajendra K.
Published: March 2022

The study is to determine and explore the factors which influence the Financial Performance of Rural Women Entrepreneurs in Kilinochchi District, Northern Province. Independent factors such as Family factors, Physiological factors, Managerial factors, learning factors, and Financial factors were considered. Performance of the Women Entrepreneurs is evaluated by the Financial Return (sales) of their businesses. Secondary objective of this Research Study is to measure the correlation between dependent variables and independent variables considered in every factor. Furthermore, Final data for the research were collected from 60 rural women entrepreneurs using systematic random methods. through questionnaires and by face-to-face interviews. The collected data were initially cleansed and coded, and then recorded quantitative data were analyzed by the software tool Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of the univariate analysis revealed how factors influence rural women entrepreneurs’ performance. Family factor, Physiological factor, Managerial factor, learning factor, and Financial factor mean values were 4.36, 3.91, 3.87, 4.00 and 3.75 respectively, it means factors are influencing the rural women entrepreneurs’ performance significantly. According to the correlation analysis, the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variable is positive, but the strength between them has been different. Between family factors, it has a moderate relationship. While Physiological factors, Managerial factors, and Learning factors have a weak relationship, Financial factors have a strong relationship with the financial performance. So, the hypotheses were accepted based on the correlation analysis. Multiple regression analysis revealed that all the 05 factors have influenced 73% of the Performance (Financial Return) of rural women entrepreneurs. This study evaluates the women entrepreneur’s performance by financial return only.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Women Empowerment, Rural Development, Financial Performance, SME
Conceptualizing the relationship between Spiritual Orientation and Entrepreneurial Orientation in developing sustainable enterprises
Authors: Wickramasekera E. , Peiris I. K. , Ulluwishewa R.
Published: March 2022

Entrepreneurship has long been considered a critical element that contributes to economic development while encouraging new entry that is led by Entrepreneurial orientation (EO) consisting of the key dimensions of the propensity to act ‘autonomously’, a willingness to ‘innovate’ and ‘take risks’, a tendency to be ‘aggressive’ towards competitors, and ‘proactive’ relative to marketplace opportunities. To outlive and protect the capacity to form esteem over time, firms must keep up a suitable level of EO which has gotten significant conceptual and experimental consideration, speaking to one of the few ranges in enterprise inquire about where a total body of information is creating (Rauch, et al., 2009). Spirituality fortifies entrepreneurs’ commitment to creating their trade, subsequently making strides their efficiency, and empowering adaptability and imagination both in commerce arranging and its usage and will create a pro-social business with a sense of interconnectedness and community. Thus, it is with greater value to understanding the spiritual outputs of entrepreneurs since it made entrepreneurs having greater kindness, fairness, and increased awareness of other employees’ needs making people more ethical in business and improved teamwork creating a positive impact on the triple bottom line of the venture. Spiritual Orientation impacts ‘autonomy’ by providing flexibility for new ideas towards enhanced innovativeness. Competitive aggressiveness is outperformed by advancing the welfare of others with SO. A spiritual entrepreneur would focus on principles, virtues, ethics, values, emotions, wisdom, and intuition promoting proactiveness. As such, spirituality clarifies how business visionaries continue despite challenging situations by expanding their ideas of future-oriented sensemaking. This paper theorizes how a spiritually driven EO will lead to sustainable business ventures that focus on people, profit, and the planet. We assert that entrepreneurs must develop the spiritual maturity to create the right balance of EO dimensions as such, spiritual orientation and entrepreneurial orientation go hand in hand in creating a sustainable organization.

Keywords: Spirituality, Spiritual orientation, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Entrepreneurship, Sustainability
Determinants of Social Entrepreneurial Intention of Sri Lankan Entrepreneurs (An Evidence from Current Entrepreneurs of Ratnapura District)
Authors: Amitha W.A.K. , Dharmaratne K.L.B.G. , Naotunna N.P.G.S.I.
Published: March 2022

Today the whole world is embraced by harsh problems than ever in the history of mankind. People are suffering due to many kinds of social and environmental issues; climate changes, environmental pollution, natural disasters, diseases, poverty, crime, corruption, economic crises etc. Mankind has to provide innovative and sustainable solutions since they are the root causes to occur such as disasters to the world. To solve these harsh problems, social entrepreneurs have a big role to play. They are the change agents who combine change and innovations and they should possess the behavioural intention to start social enterprises. However, as per the preliminary findings, Sri Lankan entrepreneurs do not intend to start social enterprises or convert their existing businesses into social enterprises. Accordingly, the current study was dedicated to investigating the impact of the determinants on low social entrepreneurial intention (SEI) of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs which was proved by the preliminary findings. Further, the study investigated the significance of SEI in Sri Lanka. The study was conducted as a quantitative study and the deductive approach was used. Mair and Noboa’s model (2006) adopted by Hockerts (2015) was used with five latent constructs; prior Experience with social problems/social organizations, social entrepreneurial self-efficacy, empathy, moral obligation and perceived presence of social support. Out of 1,800 Registered entrepreneurs in Ratnapura District to the date, 317 entrepreneurs were selected as the sample based on Krejcie and Morgan (1970) table. Convenience sampling technique was deployed, and data collection was done through a questionnaire survey. Structural equation modelling was performed to analyse the variable interested with the assistance of AMOS 16 and SPSS 21. Social entrepreneurial self-efficacy and moral obligation were not validated and analysis was done by using the rest of the three variables. Analysis results indicated that the empathy, prior experience and perceived presence of social support have a direct positive impact towards SEI. Empathy and perceived presence of social support are the partial mediators of the model which significantly affect the relationship exist between prior experience and social entrepreneurial intention. Hence, it is concluded that both the partial mediators create mechanisms for prior experience to impact the SEI rather than individual impacts.

Keywords: Social Entrepreneurial Intention, Empathy, Prior Experience and Perceived Presence of Social Support
Kocsis Károly (főszerk.). Magyarország Nemzeti Atlasza – Társadalom (Interaktív verzió). Budapest: CSFK Földrajztudományi Intézet, 2021.
Authors: Bátorfy Attila
Published: March 2022

Kocsis Károly (főszerk.). Magyarország Nemzeti Atlasza – Társadalom(Interaktív verzió). Budapest: CSFK Földrajztudományi Intézet, 2021.https://emna.hu/
‘You will hardly recognise Russia…’
Authors: Zhuchkova A. V. , Danilov D. A.
Published: March 2022

The interview of the critic Anna Zhuchkova with the poet, novelist and playwright Dmitry Danilov touches on a number of topics — from the prevalent trends in modern Russian literature to Danilov’s own artistic principles; from ‘new ethics’ to Christian ethics; and from personal to shared responsibility. The interview discusses Russia’s destiny, the country’s past and future, and the role of literature in the life of its people. The conversation also provides an insight into Danilov’s personality. The author of the celebrated plays A Man from Podolsk [Chelovek iz Podolska], What Were You Doing Last Night? [Chto vy delali vchera vecherom?], and Seryozha Is Really Dumb [Seryozha ochen tupoy] talks about his younger days in the USSR, a failed attempt to become a student at Moscow State University, moral principles rooted in Christian ethics, and his favourite books; pondering Russia’s current situation, he comes up with predictions.
INVESTIGATION OF STRUCTURAL, ELECTRONIC, ELASTIC AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF Cd1-x-yZnxHgyTe ALLOYS
Authors: Mehmet Tamer  , Zhoomart Moldaliev  , Hasan Özdemir
Published: March 2022

Structural, optical and electronic properties and elastic constants of Cd1-x-yZnx HgyTe alloys have been studied by employing the commercial code Castep based on density functional theory. The generalized gradient approximation and local density approximation were utilized as exchange correlation. Using elastic constants for compounds, bulk modulus, band gap, Fermi energy and Kramers–Kronig relations, dielectric constants and the refractive index have been found through calculations. Apart from these, X-ray measurements revealed elastic constants and Vegard’s law. It is seen that results obtained from theory and experiments are all in agreement.
METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR BUILDING A MODEL OF COORDINATION FLOWS OF SYNERGY EFFECT FROM INTERACTIONS BETWEEN SUBJECTS OF THE MARKET OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: UMANETS T.V. , LUKASHCHUK V.V.
Published: March 2022

Topicality. Transformational changes in the era of building an intelligent society - Society 5.0, the emergence of "digital capitalism" in the world and the course taken by Ukraine towards digitalization in aggregate lead to a new organizational practice of entrepreneurship and economic management, where innovations in the field of science and technology will play a leading role in ensuring balanced economic development and solving social problems. The above has led to the intensification of activities related to the processing and dissemination of information in management structures, which has become an important area of work in economic research in Ukraine. This explains the need to take into account in practice the informational relationships between the subjects of management structures in the context of the digitalization of the Ukrainian economy and the coordination of their actions.Aim and tasks. The purpose of the article is to develop and substantiate the methodological foundations for constructing a model of coordination flows of synergistic effect from interaction between the subjects of the market of innovative technologies.Research results. The component base of construction of model of coordination streams of synergetic effect from interaction between subjects of the market of innovative technologies on the basis of economic synergetics and the theory of "soft" modeling on the following components is offered and substantiated; conceptual and categorical apparatus of modeling; conceptual approach to building a model of coordination flows to calculate the synergetic effect of the interaction between the subjects of the market of innovative technologies; elements of information interaction of participants of managerial relations; organizational and hierarchical structure of the model of coordination flows to calculate the synergetic effect of the interaction between the subjects of the market of innovative technologies.Conclusion. The model of coordination flows to calculate the synergetic effect of the interaction between the subjects of the market of innovative technologies is a three-tier management system, which has the main characteristics of multidimensional hierarchical systems. The range of information change varies from "0" to "1" and allows the selection of the information base to use the method of integrated assessment and expert observation. The main result of the decision according to this model is to obtain sufficient (optimal) quantity and quality of information by each management entity in the market of innovative technologies, which allows to formulate a general quasi-optimal solution facing the market of innovative technologies of Ukraine.This model is universal and can be used to analyze any information flows, as well as it is advisable to use in the construction of hybrid models of decision-making in the management of the processes of the market of innovative technologies.