bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Model Complexity and the Performance of the Selection Criteria in Asymmetric Price Transmission Models
Authors: Acquah Henry de-Graft
Published: January 2020

The role of model complexity in asymmetric price transmission model selection is not well understood. In order to appreciate the role of model complexity in model selection performance, this study fits alternative asymmetric price transmission models that differ in complexity to simulated data and evaluates the ability of the model selection method to recover the true model. The results of Monte Carlo experimentation suggest that in general BIC, CAIC and DIC were superior to AIC when the true data generating process was the Manning Error Correction model (MECM). However, AIC was more successful when the true model was the Complex Error Correction Model (CECM). The tendency of the complex model (CECM) to over fit the relatively simpler true asymmetric data generating process (MECM) is minimized in larger samples. The research findings demonstrate the role of model complexity in asymmetric price transmission model comparison and selection.
An Investigation on Network Relationship of Elderly Nursing Home
Authors: Tseng Chun-Yao , . Su-Chin Lin
Published: January 2020

All developed countries have been facing the trend of aging population and view it as an importance social policy which has to plan care and nurse senior citizens. The elderly caring and nursing organizations are obligated to provide more comfortable and suitable environment for a high quality life of elders. Based upon Maslowâ€™s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, there is a hierarchy of five needs within each individual, including physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness and love Needs, self-esteem needs and self-actualization needs. Individuals would acquire emotional support, materiality and service through social network. This study investigates two main issues related to network relationship of elderly nursing home. First, this study demonstrates the network relationship between elderly nursing home and other related groups, including family and friends of elderly resident, exclusive volunteers, neighborhood community centre, religion groups and other welfare associations. Second, this study investigates what the network relationships would influence the satisfaction of five elderly residentsâ€™ needs. To better understanding the real connection among groups related to nursing home, this study uses case study with the perceptions of social network to know the network relationship in the nursing home and what it influences their residentsâ€™ needs.
Marketing Communications and Environmental Turbulence: A Complexity Theory View
Authors: Mason Roger B.
Published: January 2020

This paper investigates how the choice of different marketing communications activities is influenced by the nature of the companyâ€™s external environment, when viewing the environment through a complexity theory lens. A qualitative, case method, using depth interviews, investigated the marketing communications activities in four companies in order to identify the promotional activities adopted in more successful firms in turbulent and stable environments. The results showed that the more successful company, in a turbulent market, subtly uses some destabilizing promotional activities but also makes use of some stabilizing promotional activities. This paper is of benefit by emphasizing a new way to consider promotional activities in companies.
Market Orientation Determinants: Reflections from Academics in Universities of Technology in South Africa
Authors: Mokoena B A , Dhurup M
Published: January 2020

Internationally, universities have come under increased pressure to respond to the changing market environment. A new axis for higher education institutions (HEIs) is a key to successful marketing, which lies in identifying the core business of institutions. Market orientation more closely reflects a philosophy that will not only serve to bring unity of purposes in HEIs, but serves as an indispensable tool that can assist HEIs to deliver their core business. The dynamics in the HE environment, the growth potential and the regulatory challenges make universities of technology (UoTs) ideal institutions for a study on the implementation of market orientation. It is against this backdrop that this paper considers the factors contributing to market orientation through the lenses of South African UoT academics through a quantitative study; 507 (n=507) academics participated in the study. Data are analysed through exploratory (to determine the factor structure) and confirmatory factor analysis (to confirm factor structure), descriptive and correlation analysis (to analyse the composition of the sample and to establish validity). Through the factor analysis procedure, seven factors were established, namely intelligence generation, inter-functional coordination, student-orientation, market intelligence dissemination, intelligence response design, intelligence response implementation and interdepartmental dynamics as a basis for operationalising the marketing orientation concept among UoTs. Through confirmatory factor analysis, the identified components seem to encapsulate the determinants of UoTs appropriately. From a practical standpoint, top management of universities could use these core market orientation factors to guide their strategic marketing plans and their strategic imperatives with the universities vision and mission in order to remain relevant and competitive. Future studies could expand these factors to provide a better understanding within HEIs in relation to their various stakeholders.
Performance of High School Students in Vhembe District
Authors: Kyei Kwabena A , Maboko T
Published: January 2020

Despite the attempts by South African government to make education accessible to all by introducing free food and free textbooks at the primary school level, there is still high failure rate in mathematics and science in high schools in the country. This study makes attempt to establish some factors that affect the performance of students, especially in science subjects in high schools in the Vhembe district in the Limpopo province. A survey was conducted in 17 high schools randomly sampled in the Vhembe district. Purposive sampling was used to get the grade 11 and 12 students and their teachers. About 700 students, 70 teachers and 17 principals were interviewed. The study concludes that the overall pass rate is 70% but the rate in mathematics and science is hardly 40%; and the key factors affecting performance are lack of laboratory for practical, awards, shuffling and textbooks. The study recommends that science laboratories be built in schools, textbooks be supplied in good time and teachers to motivate students by giving awards.
Effect of Deposit Interest Regional Development Bank, Deposit Interest Rate Government Bank, Inflation, GDP and Money Supply Against Exchange Rate US Dollar
Authors: Marlissa Elsyan Rienette
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Deposit Interest Rate Regional Development Bank, Bank Deposit Interest Rate Government, Inflation, Economic Growth (Real GDP), and the money supply of the rupiah per US dollar. The study uses panel data regression analysis with the model Random Effects Model (REM) method and Pooled EGLS (cross section random effects). The results show that factors of interest rate Regional Development Bank, the interest rate on deposits Bank government, the level of inflation, economic growth, money supply have the simultaneous and significant impact on the rupiah per US dollar. While the partial test results show that the interest rate on deposits BPD and the amount of money circulating have a significant negative effect on the rupiah per US dollar. While variable economic growth (GDP) has insignificant negative impact on the rupiah per US dollar.
Analysis of the Perceptions of School Administrators on the Recent Published Regulation
Authors: Kapusuzoglu Saduman , Ozturk Habibe
Published: January 2020

The aim of study is to examine the perceptions of school administrators about the regulation published on 10th June 2014. This study is a qualitative research and in order to acquire the data phenomenological method, which provides to focus on cases that we are aware of but do not have deep and detailed insight, was used. The target group of the study included 5 primary, 5 secondary and 2 high school administrators in Ankara province PolatlÄ± district. The target group was designed based on purposive sampling method. The data was collected by using semi-structured interview method. Content analysis method was conducted to analyze the data. School principals in the study, expressed their ideas as follows; the assessments for school managements should be done by a lawful and objective exam. The exam should be written. The exam should be esteemed at; general ability, education management and regulations. The written exam should apply for both work of director and assistant director. Although the first rule for being appointed to educational institutions is being selected by an exam, the management knowledge and ability, masterâ€™s degree, in service training on management etc. should be given importance, too.
Role of Communication in Developing Psychological Contract Breach: Mediating Role of Power Distance
Authors: Mallah Marvi , Syed Sumaiya , Memon Salman Bashir
Published: January 2020

The communication plays very important role across organizations. Similarly, the psychological contract exists all the time within the organization. This article explains the role of communication in minimizing the psychological contract breach (PCB) mediated by power distance. The organizations are required effective communication in order to create a strong bond between the organization and the employees. The PCB not only has harmful impact on employees but also negatively affect the performance of the organization. This research suggests the impact of communication on PCB if the communication is strong there are more chances of low PCB but if communication is not strong the chances of high PCB within the organization is observed. The research also examines the communication mediated by high and low PD and suggests its impact on the PCB. The research suggest within the organization if communication is strong its leads toward the lower PCB among the employees and when the communication is mediated by lower power distance it will leads toward the lower PCB vis-a-vis.
Monetary Policy Shocks and Industrial Sector Performance in South Africa
Authors: Kutu Adebayo Augustine , Ngalawa Harold
Published: January 2020

This paper employs an eight variable Structural Vector Auto regression (SVAR) model to examine how monetary policy shocks affect industrial sector performance in South Africa using monthly data from 1994:1 to 2012:12.The study finds no direct link between exchange rate and interest rate shocks and industrial output growth. A money supply shock, however, is observed to exert a significant positive impact on industrial output growth from about the eighth month. The study also reveals that the interest rate response to an unanticipated increase in the rate of inflation is insignificant, reflecting the infrequent changes of the repo rate in the country. We also find evidence of a symbiotic relationship between industrial output growth and other sectors of the economy that form components of aggregate output. The study further demonstrates that monetary authorities have very limited control over industrial output growth using instruments of monetary policy. In addition, it is found that relatively large proportions of the variations in the rate of inflation are explained by changes in money supply, exchange rates and industrial output. We also observe that variations in exchange rates are largely explained by unexpected changes in the exchange rates themselves, which supports the Martingale Hypothesis of exchange rates.
Gender, Risk-Taking Propensity and Culture of Entrepreneurs at Small and Medium Enterprises in Gauteng
Authors: Garg Ajay K , Letsolo Peter
Published: January 2020

This study analyzed the risk-taking propensity amongst the four cultural groups and its impact on the business performance, from a sample of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) within the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The data was collected using two sets of questionnaire measuring risk taking propensity and perceived business performance. 83 responses were returned from 400 respondents. The results indicate that male on average show higher risk taking, while difference in risk taking propensity between male and female was not statistically significant. A very weak or no correlation between risk taking and business performance scores for both the genders were found, indicating that gender and culture does not play a role in the relationship between risk taking and business performance. However study found that there was significant difference in risk taking behavior by different culture groups, Zimbabweans were the highest risk takers, while Chinese, Pakistanis and South Africans differed in their risk taking behavior.
African Stock Markets and Return Predictability
Authors: NE Gyamfi , KA Kyei , R Gill
Published: January 2020

This article re-examines the return predictability of eight African stock markets. When returns of stocks are predictable, arbitrageurs make abnormal gains from analyzing prices. The study uses a non-parametric Generalised Spectral (GS) test in a rolling window approach. The rolling window approach tracts the periods of efficiency over time. The GS test is robust to conditional heteroscedasticity and it detects the presence of linear and nonlinear dependencies in a stationary time series. Our results support the Adaptive Market Hypothesis (AMH). This is because, indices whose returns were observed to be predictable by analyzing them in absolute form and therefore weak - form inefficient showed trends of unpredictability in a rolling window.
Factors Affecting Consumer Resistance to Innovation Diffusion of E-Cigarettes
Authors: Johnson Nastasje , Venter Marike
Published: January 2020

With increasing concern over the harmful effects of smoking tobacco cigarettes, the use of alternate smoking devices such as the e-cigarette has grown. Although gaining popularity globally, consumer resistance has slowed the diffusion of e-cigarettes in emerging markets, especially in South Africa. The aim of this paper is to explore how consumer resistance affects the diffusion of e-cigarettes among university students in Johannesburg. The study predicts consumer resistance through exploring relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, observability, and perceived risk. By means of a quantitative methodology, self-administered questionnaires were completed by 400 students from the University of the Witwatersrand. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22 and AMOS for structural equation modelling, which yielded results indicative of support for three of the six hypotheses proposed. This indicates that although marketers should apply relative advantage (Î²=0.03) and complexity (Î²=0.16) to marketing strategies, the focus should be on perceived risk (Î²=0.88) in order to increase the diffusion of e-cigarettes in the youth market. The results further provide marketing practitioners with a better understanding on how to limit consumer resistance and how to improve product diffusion of e-cigarettes. This study contributes to existing literature on innovation diffusion, and contextually to buying behaviour among the youth in South Africa. By gaining insight into this, marketers will positively influence behavioural change among smokers and so contribute to the reduction in smoking-related deaths.
Examining the Moderating Effect of Environmental Hostility on the Entrepreneurial Orientation -Performance Relationship
Authors: Brownhilder Neneh
Published: January 2020

Abstract: While the EO-performance nexus has received extensive attention in entrepreneurship literature, other studies suggest that the magnitude of this relationship is dependent upon the external environment and internal organizational processes. The objective of this study was to measure the effects of EO (innovativeness, risk-taking, proactiveness, autonomy and competitive aggressiveness) on SME performance, as well as to examine the moderating effect of environmental hostility on the EO-performance relationship in South Africa. The study showed thatwhile innovativeness and proactiveness does not have a significant effect on SME performance; risk taking propensity, competitive aggressiveness, and autonomy have a significant positive effect on SME performance. It was also seen that while the risk taking-performance relationship is negatively moderated by environmental hostility, the competitive aggressiveness-performance relationship is positively moderated by environmental hostility. This suggest the need for SMEs to always align their business strategies with appropriate EO dimensions to mitigate some of the negative consequences of operating in hostile business environments and improve the performance of their businesses. Keywords: Entrepreneurial orientation, SME performance, Environmental Hostility, South Africa
Challenges of Mentoring in South African Construction Industry
Authors: Aigbavboa Clinton , Oke Ayodeji , Mutshaeni Madidimalo
Published: January 2020

Abstract: One of the major requirements in the development and growth of an industry or organisation is the incubation of new workforce through appropriate recruitment processes, proper training and effective mentoring by experienced members. However, the process is not expected to be smooth owing to individual dispositions and attitudes, organisation interest, and avenues and opportunities for mentoring, amongst others. In this study, various challenges of mentoring encountered by mentees and mentors were examined with a view to promoting effective mentoring among professionals in the construction industry in the quest to improve their productivity and thereby enhance better performance in construction projects. Data on professionals in the built environment were collected through the administration of questionnaires using a convenient sampling technique. Personality issues that are concerned with differences in behaviours and dispositions to matters are the major challenges of mentoring in the construction industry. More so, attitudes of the mentees dictate and affect behaviours of mentors, and vice-versa. In view of this, professionals involved in mentoring should be concerned about their attitudes to each other and personal beliefs should not be a basis for judgment. Mutual respect and concern for growth and development should form the basis of mentoring relationships.Keywords: Knowledge, Mentee, Mentor, Skill, Training
Frugality, Family-Cohesiveness and Firm Growth; A Case of Small Firms around Oil & Gas Fields in Uganda
Authors: Matama Rogers
Published: January 2020

Abstract: A common impression is that most small firms largely face resource scarcity challenges that inhibit firm growth. This study concentrates on the elements of frugality, operationalized as spending discipline and delaying gratification as well as family cohesiveness, operationalized as family member supportiveness and usefulness in firms. This study is focused around Ugandaâ€™s oil and gas fields and these natural resources are expected to influence to small firms growth. In the current study, firm growth is measured in terms of asset value accumulation over time. Empirical findings on frugality, family cohesiveness and growth aim essentially to answer the overarching dilemma of small firm recurrent failures in Uganda. Results in study show that there is a mild relationship between frugality and family cohesiveness thus augmenting the existing perspectives of the resource based view theory. However, the random effect logistic regression results show contrasting results on the predictor effects of; family financing support, oil and gas operations, frugality, and family cohesiveness on the outcome variable - small firm asset growth.Keywords: Frugality, family-cohesiveness and small firm growth
Political Stability and FDI in OIC Countries
Authors: Samimi Ahmad Jafari , . Reza Moghaddasi , . Khosro Azizi
Published: January 2020

The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the impact of Political stability on foreign direct investment (FDI) revenues in Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) countries. To do so, we have concentrated on a sample of 16 countries for which the necessary data were available for the period 2002-2009. We have used a panel data regression analysis. Our empirical results indicate that Population, openness and gross domestic product (GDP) have positive impact on FDI, whereas Political Stability has a detrimental effect on FDI in OIC countries.
Impact Assessment of Nutritional Supplement Program in Urban Settings: A study of under nutrition in Slum Community of Mumbai
Authors: Shah Utkarsh
Published: January 2020

Malnutrition among 0-6 years is an impending problem, especially among economically backward communities in urban India. In an attempt to alleviate malnutrition, within the target community, the Foundation for Mother and Child, India, prepared a special food supplement, using cheap and locally available resources. A brief evaluation study was conducted to evaluate the impact of this food supplement on improvement in parameters like weight, height, and mental abilities among the participants. The study was conducted between August 2010 to October 2010 (n=51), with the participants divided in four different age groups. The height and weight parameters were compared to ICMR standards for the age to understand the impact of the program. The mean improvement in height was 0.84 cms (SD-0.6) while the mean improvement in weight was 0.57 kgs (SD-0.8). A significant variance was observed due to different consumption levels of the supplement and differing levels of under-nutrition. A strong correlation was observed between the consumption level and the improvement in height and weight parameters. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between the extent of deviation from ICMR standards and levels of improvement in height and weight parameters. No differential in terms of gender was observed within the community. No significant findings were observed with reference to improvement in mental ability, primarily as the study duration was short. The study has laid the roadmap for a larger and multifaceted study to be conducted to critically evaluate the effectiveness of the nutritional supplement.
Constraints of Manufacture based Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Development in Bangladesh
Authors: Ahmed Feroz , . Monimul Haque
Published: January 2020

Small and medium enterprises (henceforth, SMEs) play a key role in economic growth and industrial development of a country. They make vital contributions in improving economic and social sectors of a country through stimulating large scale employment, investment, development of indigenous skill and technology, promotion of entrepreneurship and innovativeness, enhancing exports, and also building an industrial base at different scales. SMEs worldwide have been benefited from the combined interactions of forces of product mix, location factors, and market advantages. However, evidences also suggest that there are cases of SME failures. Growth of SMEs is constrained by many factors. Many SMEs occasionally go on growing into large firms. This paper looks for identifying such constraints of manufacture based SME Development in Bangladesh. From the study, it has been identified that, lack of utility facilities, for example, electricity, gas and water, frequent changes of the prices of raw materials as well as shortage of raw materials, political unrest, high interest rate on borrowings, high transportation cost, lack of financing for ongoing concern, and inadequate infrastructure are the major constraints of manufacture based SMEs Development in Bangladesh. The researchers assume that few initiatives like developing necessary infrastructure, ensuring utility services, reducing bank rate and ensuring consistent supply of raw materials can change the total scenario and thus can help the manufacturing sector which in turn will result the industrial development of the country and thus will be able to contribute to the economic development.
Female Labor Force Participation in Pakistan: A Case of Punjab
Authors: Shaheen Safana , . Masood Sarwar Awan
Published: January 2020

The present study is an effort to investigate the patterns of female labor force participation in case of Pakistan. In particular, the study analyzed the determinants of female labor force participation decision. The study utilized Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2007-08 data of Punjab. Education is used as a direct human capital variable while; age is a proxy of human capital. The variables used in the analysis are female labour force participation, age, age square, marital status, area, female monthly income, family monthly income, family size, household head education, different classes of female education and employment status. To remove the selectivity bias, the study used Heckmanâ€™s (1979) two step procedure. Results of Logit model depicts that household head education, primary, middle, matric & mudrassa education level negatively related with the decision of female labor force participation while, decision towards participation is strong if female belonged to urban area, if she is married, if she has higher education, and if she has large family size. By using ordinary Least Square Method we estimated the earning function. Coefficient of age shows a substantial increase in the wages with each additional year spent. The sign of age square is negative which is according to our expectation and implying the concavity of earning function. Moreover, as the level of education increase the returns to each year of education also increases. In different occupational status females earns more if they are employee, employer or self employed than labourer (a reference category); while female earns less if they belonged to agricultural sector or other sectors than labourer. Married females earn more than others. The respondentsâ€™ belonged to urban areas earn more than rural respondents. Moreover, household head education and family size are positively significantly related with female earnings.
Human Resource Accounting System in Selected Indian Companies
Authors: Joshi Upasna
Published: January 2020

The human resource may be seen as the most fundamental of all available resources to an economy or an organization. Human resources are energies, skills, talents and knowledge of people that are or can be potentially applied to the production of goods and services. Corporations cannot run by machines or systems alone, however smart those may be. The human element in it is inevitable, even for knowledge based lean organizations of the 21st century. It is an irony that valuation of this important asset is not reflected in the books of accounts. However to enhance goodwill and attract investors, need is being felt for human resource accounting. In our present paper, an attempt has been made to do the comparative study of the human resource accounting practices of CCI, HPCL, Infosys and Rolta India Limited. The variables that are important for the purpose of human resource accounting are identified and by analyzing, the annual reports of these selected companies scores are assigned to the organizations and mean scores for these organizations were calculated. Ranks to the organizations are also given based upon the extent of the HRA information reported in their annual reports.
The Impact of Indirect Taxation on the Plantation Sector in Indonesia
Authors: Setyawan Dhani
Published: January 2020

This study attempts to analyze the impact of the indirect taxes levy on the plantation sector in Indonesia. The aim of this study is to investigate the assumptions that the disincentive fiscal policy could generate some trade offs against some other economic variables i.e. National GDP level, Domestic Prices, total Exports and Imports, Poverty Rates, Government Revenues and Government Consumption Expenditures. This study employs the inter-regional CGE model with bottom-up approach and applying the Indonesian Social Accounting Matrix. The empirical results showed that, overall the disincentive fiscal policy in the plantation sector could give positive impacts not only to the area of the production forest sector, but also to the increasing number of the natural forest area in Indonesia. However, the implementation of this policy has some trade offs against some other economic variables.
Bangladesh: An Umpired Democracy
Authors: Azad Abul Kalam
Published: January 2020

This paper reveals that there has been a continuous political confrontation between two archrival political forces in Bangladesh since independence in 1971. In the course of the confrontation, the country has seemingly been divided into two forces: BAL forces and anti-BAL forces. The democratic development in this country since 1991 is a by-product of this confrontation. In 1991, because of the continued mistrust between the two confronting forces, a unique system of interim government (non-party caretaker government) was produced that kept working as a catalyst of power transfer in a democratic way from one government to another till 2008 election from 1991.
Structuring Urban Sustainability with Water: A Case of Kamrangir Chor, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Asad Rumana
Published: January 2020

Too much or too little water is always a challenge for any water related issue, especially for developing countries where water is abundant or crisis like Bangladesh with the change of circumstances. Dhaka the capital of Bangladesh is facing a serious water scarcity problem due to the big gap between demand and supply of water system. On the other hand it can be say that this water crisis originated due to too much water like floods, rainfall, drought etc. that force rural people from other part of country towards city and city is losing its hydrological balance to accommodate these unwanted migrated people. Dhaka has experiencing a tremendous pressure and transformation in terms of its water system due to such unmanageable urban growth and uncontrolled urbanization. Design strategies and solution are needed to respond for pressing climate and environmental changes and necessary to take action against the ubiquitous human mismanagement of the essential resource of water. To overcome these water related problem water can be a designing element for structuring future development with the combination of sustainable approaches for social and physical transformation, open up opportunities for land water management system. This paper will try to find the changing relation between the city and its water system. Using Kamrangir chor a water linked suburb in Dhaka as an experimental site this paper will also frame some urban design strategies for reducing water damages, revitalize water sources, productive water parks, which will structure new water based urban development.
Estimating the Effect of Climatic Variables and Crop Area on Maize Yield in Ghana
Authors: Acquah Henry De-Graft
Published: January 2020

Climate change tends to have negative effects on crop yield through its influence on crop production. Understanding the relationship between climatic variables, crop area and crop yield will facilitate development of appropriate policies to cope with climate change. This study therefore examines the effects of climatic variables and crop area on maize yield in Ghana based on regression model using historical data (1970-2010). Linear and Non-linear regression model specifications of the production function were employed in the study. The study found that growing season temperature trend is significantly increasing by 0.03oC yearly whereas growing season rainfall trend is insignificantly increasing by 0.25mm on yearly basis. It was also observed that rainfall is becoming increasingly unpredictable with poor distributions throughout the season. Results from the linear and non-linear regression models suggest that rainfall increase and crop area expansion have a positive and significant influence on mean maize yield. However, temperature increase will adversely affect mean maize yield. In conclusion, the study found that there exists not only a linear but also a non-linear relationship between climatic variables and maize yield.
Awareness and Perception of Muslim Consumers on Non-Food Halal Product
Authors: Rahim Norafni Farlina , . Syahidawati Shahwan
Published: January 2020

Halal has become the lifestyle of Muslim consumers in the world. As the Muslim populations increasing throughout the world, the awareness on consuming Halal also goes in the same parallel trend. In Malaysia, Halal food certification and management are given a lot of attention by the consumers, producers and regulators. However, Halal is not only covering only food consumption but also for nonfood products such as cosmetics, toiletries, pharmaceuticals, leather products, perfume and fragrances, brushes and so on. The services such as banking, entertainment, tourism, and logistic also related to Halal requirements. Thus, this research paper aims to investigate the awareness and perception of Muslim consumers on non-food Halal products and to identify the factors that influence the awareness and perception of consumers to the non-food Halal products. Moreover, this research also aims to confirm whether the identified variables have the strong influence to the level of awareness and perception of Muslim consumers on non-food Halal product. The samples of the research consisted of 236 government servants in the state of Selangor. The data are collected through questionnaire and analysed using the descriptive statistics, factor analysis and multiple regression. The results of the study revealed that the factors derived from factor analysis are: Halal information (X 1), Availability (X2), Halal on media (X3) and Halal programmes(X4). Based on correlation and regression analysis, it is predicted that all factors are significant except for Halal programmes (X4). This study implicates that Halal-related programmes by related organisations in Halal industry is still lacking in promoting the Halal awareness and perception on non-food products.
The Impact of Banks Loan to SMEs on Manufacturing Output in Nigeria
Authors: Ifeakachukwu NWOSA Philip
Published: January 2020

This study examines the impact of banks loan to SMEs on manufacturing output in Nigeria for the period spanning 1992 to 2010. The study employed an error correction modeling technique and observed that banks loan to the SME sector had insignificant impact on manufacturing output both in the long and short run. Based on the findings, the study recommended the need for greater deliberation and conscious effort by the government in ensuring that loans are given to ultimate users. There is also the need for moderation of collaterals and interest rate attached to banks loan to SMEs, to make it more attractive to stakeholders in the SMEs sector.
Human Agency and Freedom at the Face of the Changing Global Environment
Authors: Deka Manash Jyoti
Published: January 2020

The meteoric change of global environment in todayâ€™s world can be understood at least in two contexts; symbolic and real, understanding it from the Lacanian point of view. The symbolic constructs a structure wherein human beings as subjects are subjectivized under a disguised hallucination of imagination. In addition, the real is that what the symbolic has lost in its very inauguration and therefore keeps desiring. When the symbolic comes to confront the real, i.e. when, for example, a global capitalistic structure faces a lurking nature which is now anti-posed against the symbolic itself due to its exploitive mentality of nature the subject becomes a paranoiac subject. Can a paranoiac subject exercise a real agency and thus recover her freedom without being a schizophrenic? In this paper, I want to discuss these issues from a psychoanalytic as well as philosophical point of view.
Determining Innovation Aspect in the Performance of Public Service Sector
Authors: Mustafid Qaanita Yuuha
Published: January 2020

Innovation is important for organizational survival, not only for private company but also for Public Service Company. When the private company needs to develop innovation to win the market competition, public service sector develops innovation in order to increase efficiency and public service quality. In order to evaluate and develop the successful innovation, the company needs to measure innovation performance. The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework for measuring innovation performance in the public service sector. This paper also identified the variables associated with innovation performance measurement in the public service sector. Using qualitative methods, we developed a performance measurement framework based on the literature review of innovation and performance measurement. The measured variables consist of inputs for innovation, innovation processes, innovation outputs, and the outcomes of implementing innovation. This research is expected to contribute to the literature used by academics and companies that have similar characteristics to measure innovation performance.
Forest Management in Lower Kinabatangan Sabah, East Malaysia: Cost-Benefit Analysis
Authors: Latip Normah Abdul , . Mohd Umzarulazijo Umar
Published: January 2020

Sabah is known in the world with its nature and biodiversity. In fact, one of the contributions of tourism sector in Sabah is the uniqueness of the nature and wildlife. Unfortunately, the developments of agriculture, particularly for oil palm cultivation cause so many negative impacts to environmental imbalance, especially in fragile areas such as Lower Kinabatangan. Because of that, Lower Kinabatangan need for a balanced approach to reduce the negative effects due to the clearing of forests. In this study, Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) model with three option namely, Option1: Status Quo, Option 2: Compromise and Conservation and Option 3: Translocation is used to provide alternative solution to local residents in Lower Kinabatangan which faced with problems due to insufficient of forest management. A total of 234 respondents were randomly selected from four villages with high conflict because of the of oil palm cultivation namey Kg, Kg Bilit, Kg Sukau and Kg Batu Putih. Study results found that Option 2, which recorded the highest NPV is the best option selected by the local people in solving their problems. This study thus shows that there is awareness among the local community on the importance of balancing development and environmental conservation to ensure sustainable forest management can be achieved in Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah.
Climate Change and Sugarcane Productivity in India: An Econometric Analysis
Authors: Kumar Ajay
Published: January 2020

This study provides an understanding for the relationship between climatic factors and sugarcane productivity in India. The main objective of this paper is to estimates the impact of climatic and non-climatic factors on sugarcane productivity. To check the consistency of empirical results, simple linear regression model, Ricardian productivity regression (non-linear) model and Cobb-Douglas production function models are employed. The data set incorporates 390 observations corresponding to thirteen states with panel data for 30 years during 1980 to 2009. These all models include sugarcane productivity as dependent variable. Irrigated area, agriculture labour, consumption of fertilizers, literacy rate, tractors and farm harvest price (at constant level) are considered as explanatory variables. Average rainfall, average maximum and average minimum temperature include as climatic factors to capture the effect of climatic conditions on cane productivity. These climatic factors are incorporate for three weather seasons such as rainy, winter and summer. Empirical results based on Prais Winsten models with panels corrected standard errors (PCSEs) estimation shows that climatic factors i.e. actual rainfall, average maximum and average minimum temperature have a statistically significant impact on sugarcane productivity. The climatic effect for various factors on cane productivity are varies within different seasons. Average maximum temperature in summer and average minimum temperature in rainy season have a negative and statistically significant effect on sugarcane productivity. While, sugarcane productivity positively get affect with increasing average maximum temperature in rainy season and winter seasons. The study concluded that there is non-linear relationship between climatic factors and sugarcane productivity in India.
The Structural Market Shift Review of Lesotho: Transitory Situational Analytic Market Policy Introspection for Sustainable Development
Authors: M. Moses M.
Published: January 2020

This paper analyzes Lesothoâ€™s agricultural market in both state-regulated and liberalized policy. It identifies institutional constraints inhibiting efficient marketing in both policy systems. Realization of such constraints constitutes an analytic illumination on the formulation of strategies for poverty alleviation and sustainable development through agricultural marketing as the main sector with 86% of Lesothoâ€™s poor subsistence producers. This desk-study comprehends the state and the market as imperfect institutions in sustainable development and alleviating poverty by unearthing constraints to pre and post agricultural market reforms in Lesotho. It thus examines Lesothoâ€™s agricultural market transitory situational analysis and organization, providing empowering lessons in poverty reduction and sustainable development at grassroots level. Forms of state intervention before market reform, market reform process and progress and the institutional constraints and implications in poverty reduction and sustainable development are covered to attain critical lessons as cognitive knowledge applicable in empowering the poor in crops production, food security and sustainable development. State and the market and their active interaction have globally been believed to be institutional agencies with the main role of distributing resources towards poverty reduction and sustainable development but their imperfections and constraints hampering effectiveness and efficiency of such a role still lack adequate contextual review to effectively increase productivity and enrich lives of the poor agricultural producers, particularly in Lesotho.
Improvement of Dolly Women Quality through the Women's School based Self-Reliance
Authors: Khoirunnisa Ratih , . Septi Ayu Azizah
Published: January 2020

Indonesia has abundant human resources in terms of quantity, including women. Statistic data in 2013 mention that the numbers of Indonesian females are 49.66 percent and males are 50.34 percent from 237.641.326 peoples. However, the quality of human resources is still low viewed by the educational development index that puts the state at rank 69 from 127 countries. One proof of the quality of human resources declining in Indonesia is prostitution that continues grow. One of the prostitution areas is Dolly which located in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia. This activity could despicable in religion and morality, also affect to the physical and psychological health of women. The important thing that must be obtained to advance insight and ethicsâ€™ women is an education. Nowadays, education system that requires students to get good grades makes them depressed and cannot improve their skills. Besides, the school system that unites men and women can reduce competitive spirit within students. Students who begin adolescence and love the other also caused uncontrolled relationship. It because students spend a lot of time to have fun than study and increase their skill. To improve the moral and achievement levels, it is necessary to set up a new system for education. The new education system feasible in Dolly is womenâ€™s school. In addition to containing general and moral lessons, the school also provides training facilities on a variety of skills that can help women to compete and earn a living.
Corporate Social Responsibility of Mining Companies in Ghana: The case of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited at Ahafo
Authors: Owusu-Ansah Daniel , . Edward Brenya , . David Damtar
Published: January 2020

It is perceived by many that communities in Ghana that host large scale mining activities are affluent and outpace several other communities in terms of socio-economic development. This seems not to be the case. This notwithstanding, mining companies have an obligation to fulfil towards the communities they operate within as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This necessitated an assessment of the Corporate Social Responsibility of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited at Ahafo in Ghana. This paper considered relevant literature pertaining to the subject matter, the views of community members within the mining enclave of Ahafo as well as that of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited. A sample of 180 respondents was chosen through a purposive sampling technique. Key personalities including an Assemblyman, a Youth Leader, and three resettled persons were interviewed. There was also a focused group discussion among community members. The study found out Newmont has not deviated from its CSR in the region.
Analysis on Health Level of Local Government Owned Enterprises (BUMD) toward Papua Regional Income
Authors: Rante Yohanis , Ratang Westim , Bharanti B. Elita
Published: January 2020

In the effort to carry out the principal functions and duties for the population in Papua, Papua provincial government set up several enterprises (BUMD) purposed to provide services to the public. BUMD is also expected to give contribution on regional income. The objectives of this research are: (1) Determining the health level of Local Government Owned Enterprises in Water Supply Company in Jayapura and Nabire from the financial aspect, (2) the health level of Local Government Owned Enterprises in Water Supply Company in Jayapura from the operational aspect, (3) the health level of Local Government Owned Enterprises in Water Supply Company in Jayapura and Nabire from the administration aspect. The method used in this research is survey research method toward BUMD by distributing questionnaires in several enterprises. The analytical tool used is the analysis on the health level of Water Supply Company on the financial, operational and administration aspects. Jayapura Water Supply Company health level in terms of financial aspects, operations and administration in 2011 to 2013 showed a reduction, but it was still sufficient indication. The total value of these three aspects has decreased in the last two years, 60.49 in 2011, decrease to 59.22 in 2012 and 54.59 by the end of 2013. However, this reduction was still at fairly healthcategory. Nabire Water Supply Company health level based on the financial aspect shows that from 2010 to 2013, the financial performance of Nabire Water Supply Company was experiencing unhealthy condition. Service aspect of the rate of complaints solving in 2010 to 2013 was always above 100%, it means that Nabire Water Supply Company have solved the problem of water services and other complaints that come from customers or not customer. The next indicator is water quality was 0% from 2010 to 2013. It means that they have not been able to serve the customers with the drinking water quality as provided in Ministry of Health Regulationnumber 492/MENKES/PER/IV/ 2010.