bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examination of Factors Affecting Youthsâ€™ Entrepreneurial Intention: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Nazri Muhammad Azrin , Aroosha Haleemath , Omar Nor Asiah
Published: January 2020

Abstract: This study aims to examine the predictive effect of enterprise education, perceived social norms, entrepreneurial motivations, perceived structural support and innovativeness on entrepreneurial intention. A total of 150 useable responses were collected among young people living in the capital of Maldives, Maleâ€™. A cross-sectional quantitative survey was carried out by using a structured questionnaire. A relevant statistical analytical such as regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses set forth in this study. The descriptive results showed that male respondent is slightly more than female respondent which is consistent with the 2014 census of Maldives showing male population in the country is slightly higher than female. The majority of the respondents participated in this survey are from the age group of 18-22 years old. The main finding of the study showed enterprise education, perceived social norms, entrepreneurial motivations and innovativeness have a positive and significant relationship towards entrepreneurial intention. However, perceived structural support has no significant relationship towards entrepreneurial intention. In this study it was also found that enterprise education was the most significant predictor of entrepreneurial intention followed by entrepreneurial motivation, innovativeness and perceived social norms. This finding makes a considerable contribution to the existing literature on factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions among youth in Maldives. The implication and limitations of the study are also discussed.
Designing a Customer Retention Framework for Telecommunication Sector
Authors: Khan Ahmad Sohail , Majeed Saima , Shabbir Rizwan
Published: January 2020

Abstract: Telecommunication sector has grown over last decade while transforming behavioral intentions. New entrants are exploring these behavioral intentions to attract more customers. The aim of this study is to investigate the mediating effect of customer satisfaction in telecom industry on service quality, brand image and customer retention relationship. Furthermore, it identifies the key determinants of customer retention related to telecom service providers. A fully structured questionnaire survey was conducted to collect data from 310 mobile users. Non-probability sampling technique was adopted for data collection. Regression analysis and Sobel test technique were practiced to analyze the data. The result showed that customer satisfaction mediates the relationship between service quality, brand image and customer retention. Moreover, this study found that service quality, brand image and customer satisfaction are the strongest predictors of customer retention in telecom industry of Pakistan. Therefore, to gain customer loyalty, organizations should focus current-users and target-users by providing sterling service quality
Do Not â€˜Hit and Missâ€™ Or â€˜Spray and Prayâ€™, Diagnose First
Authors: Govender Patsy
Published: January 2020

This quantitative, cross-sectional study uses an integrated system evaluation process to diagnose eight variables (key tasks, structure, people relationships, motivation, support, management leadership, attitude towards change and performance) that contribute to effective organisations, with the aim of identifying gaps and suggesting corrective actions. The population comprised of all staff in a provincial trade and investment promotion agency in South Africa and a consensus approach was used through a cluster sampling technique, which secured an 85.4% response rate. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the questionnaires were statistically determined using Factor Analysis and Cronbachâ€™s Coefficient Alpha. The results indicate that employees perceive the eight elements of organisational diagnosis as having the potential to influence effectiveness in varying degrees. The element perceived to be functioning most effectively, having the least degree of shortfalls is Key Tasks, and the element requiring the greatest degree of improvement is Structure. Significant intercorrelations exist amongst these eight diagnostic variables. Based on the results of the study, strengths and areas for improvement in each of these diagnostic variables has been identified and recommendations are graphically depicted, which when effectively implemented has the potential to enhance each of the elements and overall organisational effectiveness.
Impact of Capital Market Development on the Nigerian Economy: A Post-SAP Analysis
Authors: S.O. Adeusi , . Azeez B.A.
Published: January 2020

This paper addresses the impact of capital market development on economic growth and development since the liberalization policy in 1986 to 2010 in Nigeria. It employs Ordinary Least Square (OLS) and Johansen CO-integration estimation techniques. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was used as measure for economic growth while the capital market development are represented with Market Capitalization (MCAP), Total Value of Transaction (TVT), Total New Issues (TNI), All-Share Index (ALSI) and Total Listing on the NSE (TLT). The result of the study shows that capital market development has not impacted positively on Nigeria economic growth and development due to the relative small size of the market despite its development as a result of the liberalization policy. Thus, it recommends that policies that would encourage domestic as well as foreign investors to participate in the market should be formulated.
Confirmatory Factorial validity of Neighborhood Features amongst South Africa low-income Housing Occupantsâ€™
Authors: Aigbavboa Aigbavboa
Published: January 2020

There is a fundamental link between theory and measurement advising that factorial confirmation of measures should be the first stage of theory testing. The aim of this paper was to confirm the factorial validity of the neighborhood features in a residential satisfaction study amongst South Africa low-income housing occupantsâ€™. The study was conducted amongst subsidized low-income housing occupantsâ€™ in South Africa. Data used in the study were obtained from a Delphi and field questionnaire study. Primary data was collected through the use of a structured questionnaire survey conducted among 751 low-income housing residentsâ€™ in three metropolitan and one district municipality in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. Data gathered via the questionnaire survey were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) which was used to confirm the factorial structure of the constructs. SEM analysis revealed that the Rho coefficient and the Cronbachâ€™s alpha coefficient of internal consistency were over 0.70 criterions for acceptability. Further finding was that neighborhood features influence on the residentsâ€™ satisfaction was not statistically significant and hence was weak in the prediction of the residentsâ€™ satisfaction with their houses. However, due to the idiosyncratic dataset used in the study, it remains to be seen if the evaluated indicator factors of neighborhood features can replicate to other cross-cultural datasets. If this is the case, the paper makes a significant contribution towards understanding neighborhood features on subsidized low-income housing projects. This study provided significant insight into how residentsâ€™ satisfaction with their houses could be improved.
Internet adoption and usage patterns among Students in selected South African Universities
Authors: Kassangoye Wilfred , . Robert Rugimbana
Published: January 2020

This study examines the case of student adoption and usage patterns of the Internet as an innovation in delivering important services that include financial services. The quantitative approach employed in this study utilizes an extended version of Rogersâ€™ model of perceived innovation attributes. Consistent with previous studies, the perceived innovation attributes were found to be important determinants of studentsâ€™ adoption decisions. However, two dimensions, namely relative advantage and perceived usefulness were found to influence this consumer groupsâ€™ adoption decisions more prominently, thus highlighting the complex nature of the innovation and adoption decisions for Internet services users.
The Perceptions of Small Businesses in the Implementation of Cash Management Techniques
Authors: Mungal Avika
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the perceptions of small business owners on the implementation of cash management techniques in their businesses. This paper also highlights the importance of managing cash inflow and outflow in the business and examines the impact on business profitability and sustainability. The study focused on small businesses in the Tongaat area, South Africa. This research was quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional in nature. The instrument used to extract the relevant data from respondents was a Likert type questionnaire. The findings of this research identified the perceptions of small business cash management techniques. A short course on cash management could be offered by the Durban University of Technology to small business owners and managers to enhance their basic cash management knowledge in the implementation of cash management techniques.
Farmer Perceptions and Demand for Pesticide Use: A Case Study of Rice Production in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Authors: Khai Huynh Viet
Published: January 2020

Rice farmersâ€™ perceptions and demand for pesticide use were analyzed using survey data in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The study showed although the majority of farmers could recognize the harmful effects of pesticides, they did not wear protective clothing suggested by WHO for pesticide safety use because they did not feel comfortable to use under local climatic conditions. Most of farmers declared that they asked for information or instructions related to pesticide use and pest prevention from retailers (72.5 percent) and over half of them (52.5 percent) sold their pesticide empty packages. The study also investigated that an increase in output price or farmers who thought an increasing tendency of insects and diseases had positive impacts on pesticides, while farmers who had knowledge on natural enemies or took part in short trainings or workshops applied less pesticides than others.
A comparative analysis of the South African and Global Tourism Competitiveness models with the aim of enhancing a sustainable model for South Africa
Authors: Maharaj S.
Published: January 2020

The quality of life of society as a whole is to a considerable extent determined by the role of government. South African society is characterised by the presence of a wide gap between the rich and the poor. This is exacerbated by the presence of poverty, HIV/AIDS, crime, corruption and exploitation. Governments attempt to address these contradictions are encapsulated in various policies that detail in accurate form, the needs of the majority of South Africans. Whilst policies depict the needs of the majority of South Africans, these needs remain undelivered. The void between the formulation of policy and service delivery has been most severely felt by the poor. Policy implementation is the responsibility of central, provincial and local government. The policy on tourism has been identified as one of the major players in resolving the impasse that is experienced by government. According to South Africaâ€™s National Tourism Sector strategy (2011 & 2016) the countryâ€™s tourismâ€™s economic contribution is set to increase from R318, 16 billion by 2015 to R499 billion by 2020. The challenge however, remains in harnessing Tourism policy in a way that addresses the past and current contradictions. Legislative provisions, policies and plans have set the tone in terms of the direction that tourism should be heading. Public sector institutions at national, provincial and local levels have equipped themselves to develop and enhance the tourism industry in such a way that it resonates with the South African tourism imperatives. This places within context the role of public organisations and its capacity to deliver in terms of governmentâ€™s national imperative. The tourism industry is complex with a range of different stakeholders. There is an inextricable link between the tourism and hospitality industries. This paper attempts to improve on the South African tourism competitiveness with the expressed intention of enhancing growth and sustainability.
Scale Development, Validation and Use of Structural Equation Modelling to Test the Impact of Consumer Confidence and Persuasibility on Dissonance
Authors: Parumasur Sanjana Brijball , Parumasur Nabendra
Published: January 2020

This study develops and validates a scale to assess the impact of consumer confidence and persuasibility on dissonance and applies the instrument to high-end consumers. It also assesses the relationship between consumer confidence and persuasibility as these constructs merge to influence dissonance. A sample of 200 new motor vehicle buyers who purchased from a leading and reputable motor vehicle company in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, was drawn using stratified random sampling based on range of motor vehicle (bottom, middle, top). Initially, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to extract the factors. The reliability of the modified questionnaire was then assessed using Cronbachâ€™s Coefficient Alpha. Thereafter, confirmation factor analysis (CFA) was undertaken to develop and test the model structure in SEM, which generated a good model fit. Pearson r was computed to assess the relationship amongst the dimensions. Using structural equation modelling, the results support a significant relationship between consumer persuasibility and dissonance and a significant but inverse relationship between consumer confidence and dissonance, and confidence and persuasibility respectively.
The Influence of the Level of Environmental Complexity and Turbulence on the Choice of Marketing Tactics
Authors: Mason Roger B , Dobbelstein Thomas
Published: January 2020

This paper proposes that the choice of marketing tactics is influenced by the companyâ€™s external environment. It aims to illustrate the marketing tactics suggested for a complex, turbulent environment, when marketing and the environment are viewed through a complexity lens. A quantitative, descriptive, cross sectional study was used, based on an e-mailed survey to a purchased mailing list, which resulted in a sample of 860 senior marketing or sales managers in medium to large profit oriented businesses in South Africa. The study found that the managerâ€™s evaluation of the environment as complex/turbulent was important, and that there is a relationship between the use of destabilizing marketing tactics and complex/turbulent environments. Although there is only a limited relationship with â€˜successâ€™, the study generally stresses the importance of destabilizing tactics, and in fact, all marketing tactics, in a complex/turbulent environment. Most work on complexity in marketing has concentrated on strategy, with little emphasis on tactics and the marketing mix. Therefore, this paper is an important contribution to the understanding of marketing mix choices, of interest to both practicing marketers and marketing academics.
Does Seasonality and Stochastic Cycles Affect Output Growth in Nigeria? Lessons for Development Planning
Authors: Ogujiuba Kanayo , Abraham Terfa W , Stiegler Nancy
Published: January 2020

This paper examines the seasonality and stochastic cycle associated with GDP growth in Nigeria using two measures of filter. Our findings include, that the Christiano & Fitzgerald (2003) filter removed low-periodicity stochastic cycles associated with output growth in Nigeria compared to the Hodrick Prescott filter. The smoothed GDP trend further revealed that growth in Nigeria was higher but unstable in periods of development planning than in periods without development plans. This suggests that development planning in Nigeria was not accompanied by judicious mix of fiscal and monetary policy in the 1980s/1990s. Likewise, effort to achieve sustainable growth and development, since the return to democracy in 1999, has not been accompanied by effective planning. To achieve inclusive development therefore, there is the need to return to development planning in order to address the destruction meted by insurgents in the North east and the lack of inclusiveness in Nigeriaâ€™s growth observed in recent times.
Structural Determinants of Job Satisfaction: The Mutual Influences of Compensation Management and Employees' Motivation
Authors: Adeoye Abayomi Olarewaju , Atiku Sulaiman Olusegun , Fields Ziska
Published: January 2020

The importance of job satisfaction as an antecedent to employeesâ€™ productivity and firm outcomes cannot be overrated in the world of business, especially in the service industry. This paper adds to the understanding of job satisfaction in insurance business by investigating the structural causes of task fulfilment. The mutual influences of compensation administration and employeesâ€™ motivation on job satisfaction was assessed using multivariate analysis. This research embraced a quantitative method and 212 employees were drawn using a convenience sampling technique. Three propositions were tested employing inferential statistical analyses run through SPSS statistics version 23 and SPSS Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 23. AMOS was used to structurally determine job satisfaction through structural equation modelling (SEM). SPSS statistics version 23 was instrumental in assessing the psychometric properties via exploratory factor analysis and Cronbachâ€™s alpha coefficients. The results indicate a substantial affiliation between reward administration and motivation. Statistically, this study found that compensation management exerts more direct influence on employeesâ€™ job satisfaction than the indirect tie through motivation. There may be a need to redesign human resource practices in the industry to improve the degree of employeesâ€™ gratification and duty fulfilment.
Income Diversification and its Determinants among Households in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Toyin Megbowon Ebenezer , Abbyssiania Mushunje
Published: January 2020

Abstract: Income diversification has been globally identified as a channel for household in reducing vulnerability to shocks, improve standard of living and reduce government fiscal burden. In poverty stricken Eastern Cape Province, the pattern and potential of income diversification for welfare improvement have not been explored. This study aims to examine the pattern of income diversification and investigate the factors that influence income diversification among households in the province. Utilizing the General Household Survey 2014, having 3033 households sampled from the province, the study employed descriptive statistics and Poisson regression model to examine determinants of income diversification. The result revealed that households in the Province are not diversified. It revealed that apart from transfersâ€™, majority (51.5 percent) of households in the province obtain income from only one source. Male headed households tend to have more income sources than the female headed households. Regression result indicates age of household head, population group of the head, education attainment of the head, engagement in agriculture, recipient of remittance and number of economic active member of the household were found to be statistically significant in influencing livelihood diversification. Strategies that can help household in the province diversify their income base need to be promoted, continual engagement in agriculture need to be further encouraged, and individuals and households need to be more informed on government entrepreneurship initiatives like the Broad Black Base Economic Empowerment.Keyword: Income Diversification, Eastern Cape Province, Poisson Regression
Effect of Tutorial Instructional Strategy and Drill in Using MYOB Accounting in Vocational High School Bekasi West Java Province
Authors: Sriyono Heru
Published: January 2020

This study aimed to analyze the application of learning strategies and Drill tutorials on the capabilities of MYOB Accounting. This study uses a quasi-experimental method by using analysis of variance by F test population of this study in Class XI student Vocational School District Bekasi City, West Java province in the academic year 2015/2016. Samples were obtained through a simple random sampling technique, namely the Vocational high School 1 (one) as an experimental class Tutorial instructional strategy and Vocational High School 11 (eleven) class control with Drill instructional strategy. Collecting data using a test on the ability MYOB Accounting. The results showed that the ability of MYOB Accounting Students who use tutorial learning strategy is better than learning strategies Drill
Good governance and human development: Evidence form Indian States
Authors: Pradhan Rudra P.
Published: January 2020

The paper explores the impact of good governance on human development in India during the last two decades. Using panel data analysis, it finds the evidence that good governance and past human development determines present human development in India. That means good governance can be considered as the policy variables through which we can obtain high economic growth and human development in the country. The paper accordingly suggests that with better institutional mechanism and good governance the country can put its development process in the higher ladder of growth and human development. The lack of same may affect the development process, particularly to achieve sustainable economic growth and human development. Hence governments should have aim to increase the status of good governance and can maintain the same with greater caution. This is not a daunting task, if there is adequate political will in the economy.
Sectoral Output Responses to Trade Openness, Oil Price and Policy Shocks in Nigeria: A CVAR Approach
Authors: O. Saibu M.
Published: January 2020

This study investigated the relative effectiveness of trade and policy shocks on sectoral output growth in a small open Nigerian economy. It is a country-specific, time series study verifies whether there is difference in the effect of sectoral output response to policy shocks in Nigeria. A CVAR model was specified to assess the effects of policy shocks on real aggregate and sectoral output measures. The model included oil price shock and an interactive term of trade openness as measures of supply and external shocks to the economy. The empirical results showed that there was remarkably difference in sectoral output responses to policy distortion. The effects of monetary policy shocks were positive and significant on manufacturing, service and industrial sector while fiscal policy shock was only significant and positive on agricultural output growth. The result further showed that international oil price shock and trade openness had pronounced negative effects on both sectoral and aggregate outputs. In addition, oil and trade opennessâ€™ negative effects overwhelmed the positive effects of fiscal and monetary policy shocks. The policy implication of the finding is that the effectiveness of domestic macroeconomic policy is constrained by the external shocks from both oil price and trade openness. Thus, confirming the open economic version of policy ineffectiveness proposition of the New classical macroeconomic in Nigeria
Comparative Study of Performance of Indian Commercial Banks in the Era of Global Melt-Down
Authors: Uppal R. K.
Published: January 2020

The gap regarding the costs and profits is widening among the various bank groups. The present paper is an endeavor to study the comparative costs and profits to study the comparative costs and profits among partially and fully IT-oriented bank groups. The paper concludes that even the costs are high in partially IT-oriented bank groups but their profits are also lesser as compare to fully IT-oriented bank groups and there is significant correlation between operating costs and net profits but insignificant correlation between per employee expenditure and net profits. At the end, paper suggests some areas of comprehensive research.
Organics Olympiad 2011: Global Indices of Leadership in Organic Agriculture
Authors: Paull John
Published: January 2020

Organic agriculture is now a worldwide phenomenon which is practiced in 160 countries. The Organics Olympiad presents 12 indices of global organics leadership, each at three levels. It yields 26 countries as global organics leaders, and reveals that organics leadership is diversely distributed across countries, large and small, rich and poor, developed and less so, as well as across linguistic and cultural barriers. Australia leads the world in organic agriculture hectares, Finland leads in organic wild culture hectares, China leads in organic aquaculture hectares, and Portugal leads in organic forest hectares. Germany leads in biodynamic hectares, as well as with the number of members of the International Federation of Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), and in the publishing of organics research papers. India is in the lead position for the number of organic producers, the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) leads in terms of the percentage of agricultural land dedicated as organic, and Denmark leads with the value of organics consumption per capita. Uruguay leads in the relative increase in organic hectares over the past decade, and Japan leads in the number of organics certifiers. The overall global organics leaders, on the basis of aggregated scores, are Germany, India and Denmark, in positions one, two and three, respectively. The successful global diffusion of organics, as demonstrated in this study, means that leadership lessons are available from a diversity of social, geographical, political, and ecological situations for both existing and aspiring organics leaders.
Productivity, Capital Mobilization and Moral Hazard in Fisheries Share Contracts: Lake Nasser, Egypt
Authors: Finegold Cambria , . Mohamed Shehata , . Olfat Anwar Habib
Published: January 2020

As part of an international research project on reservoir fisheries productivity in developing countries, this paper examines contractual relations in the Lake Nasser fishery, seeking to understand why so many seemingly redundant contract types coexist and what effect they have on productivity. Based on the results of a socio-economic survey conducted in the fishery and drawing on the literature on agricultural sharecropping and share remuneration systems in fisheries, the paper analyses the roles of the different contracts observed in the Lake Nasser fishery. In particular, it discusses the incentives, limitations, and opportunities that these contracts offer to the different groups of actors (gear owners, license owners, crew members), and shows how these arrangements influence and shape the fishing strategies, capital mobilisation, and ultimately labour productivity of those different groups. While the debate on share contracts generally seeks to assess their efficiency relative to other types of contracts, this paper argues that the relevant question is not how efficient the contracts are, but what functions are served by the various co-existing contracts, and why different actors may choose each type. While the standard explanations of risk management and the impossibility of close supervision seem to provide some insight into this, it is also clear that the actors in the fishery use these contracts to mobilise capital and combine productive resources with other actors. This interlinking is a key function of the contracts, and the diversity of resource endowments and needs of the different actors helps explain the diversity of contract types.
Challenges of Economic Stress on Chinese Entrepreneurs and TheirFamilies in Laos
Authors: Walsh John
Published: January 2020

Chinese are increasing in number in Laos as new inter-governmental agreements permit labour migration for infrastructure development. Entrepreneurs have been accompanying migrants and establishing their own businesses, alongside the long-standing businesses established over the years by ethnic Chinese in the country. Many industrial sectors are involved. Problems that Chinese entrepreneurs might face include language issues and discrimination, as well as lack of business infrastructure and support services. Additionally, Lao consumers are primarily motivated by price alone and have little interest in exploring new brands or products. While these business management related issues are clear, what is not clear is the impact that conducting business on such a basis has on additional family members, who are also commonly employed within the business. Key informants were Chinese entrepreneurs and their family members in the capital city of Vientiane and they were interviewed personally with a view to understanding what stresses there may be on family members doing business in an environment which is not entirely friendly or welcoming, especially under conditions of global economic crisis. Competition is intensifying as increasing numbers of Thai and Vietnamese entrepreneurs are seeking to establish a foothold in the Lao market. Many Chinese entrepreneurs have, as a result of these changing conditions, been forced to offer better deals for customers, thereby restricting profits. This has had a follow-through effect on family members.
Vendor Industry: Revolution in Economic Growth
Authors: Ahmad Nisar
Published: January 2020

The developing countries with ample human resources can be the major benefactors of vendor industry. Such countries have high potential of using people, who otherwise may be fully or partially unemployed most of the time. Poor countries are not benefiting because of financial/material foreign assistance from rich countries. In fact, many of these countries are accumulating huge foreign debts without any trickledown effect to improve the economic welfare of the common person. Poor people because of lack of education and opportunities to earn income are forced to live with minimum of food intake and poor health facilities. Empowering the common person should be the ultimate aim where national resources are to be employed. This will necessarily mean reversing national priorities, which presently seem to have painfully neglected the welfare of the majority of people living in the poor countries. The suggested model in this Paper presents an approach similar to the one adopted by the Grameen Bank. The idea was to extend interest free small loans to the eligible families (having required skill and basic education) to do business on their own. However, all this is to be handled through the private sector, and monitored by the banking authorities for repayment of all those loans within a feasible period. This Paper provides strong justification for expanding vendor industry in developing countries on terms and conditions, which can motivate and provide incentives for the poor families to earn and live an honorable life of comfort and respect in the society. The Paper analysis the effectiveness of the western advocated theories of economic growth and suggests a complete turnaround in the philosophy of national resource use. The economic growth concept advocated in this Paper is built on the ground that the developing countries cannot benefit from the foreign assistance, rather the people (a valuable resource for the poor countries) in these countries need to be focused, educated, trained and provided with the opportunities to work and to do business in their specialized domain so that they can add value to the national product (GDP).
Analysis of Consumer Perception towards Telecommunication Services
Authors: Khan Yasser , . Zahid Mehmood , . Muhammad Khalil Shahid , . Muhammad Ibrahim
Published: January 2020

The use of Telecommunication services has been strikingly increased in recent decade. Hence it has become crucial to investigate the reasons behind telecom usage patterns and understand factors playing an important role for perception of telecom services. These investigations are important for both consumers and telecommunication service provider in order to build a strong relationship towards better delivery of telecom services which may result in satisfied customer. The developed model of this research is consisting of five variables which have a lot of impact on perception of consumer towards adoption of telecom services. The results of this research have numbers of practical applications both for marketer and telecom service consumer.
Gender Diversity and Firm Performance: Evidence from Pakistan
Authors: Mirza Hammad Hassan , . Sumaira Andleeb , . Farzana Ramzan
Published: January 2020

Gender diversity and firm performance, is among the new but challenging topics of research in management sciences. Many researchers have studied the role of gender diversity in enhancing firmsâ€™ performance in developed economies (see for example, Dwyer et. al, 2003; and Kang et al, 2010). Existing literature on this subject is rare in emerging economies and to the best of authorâ€™s knowledge; this is the first study on relationship of gender diversity and firmâ€™s performance in Pakistani context. Present study focuses on the impact of presence of female directors on corporate performance using a sample of 395 listed nonfinancial companies of Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) Pakistan from 2004 to 2009. Estimated results indicate that ratio of female directors is negatively related with firm performance.
Micro and Macroeconomic Approaches Regarding Foreign Direct Investments Throughout Offshore Entities
Authors: Trifu Alexandru
Published: January 2020

Offshore companies represent a key-link of the current operations of the multinationals, banking institutions and, even, of the small and medium enterprises (SME) and are able to perform complicated tasks in a special business environment. These jurisdictional entities offer, mainly, fiscal benefits, comparative with other types of jurisdictional entities. The advantages are targeting the enterprises or companies which establish their social headquater, or to individuals who are resident in these territories. The final scope is represented by attracting the expanding companies, by attracting capital and stimulating the rise of the necessary activities to ensure economic and social balance, so desirable in the economic games of win-win type. Therefore, we are in the presence of fine plaition of micro approach with macroeconomic one. On the first side, the desire of transnationals to obtain profits with less efforts and investments and, on the other hand, globalization (influenced by these entities) pursuit the shrinkage of all markets and businesses all around the world, inclusive using the offshores centers (or ,,fiscal paradisesâ€). These institutions of free market are actioning both on the developed and developing countries. The last ones are affected by the imposibility of tax collect to the national budget and in the infrastructure investments. At the same time, using offshore companies in offshore zones, the multinationals gain neloial competitive advantages over the other companies, unable to spread theirs economic power and influence. We may speak about a sound offshore industry , which has turned into global business and range of activities. We try to underline the importance of the general development process in the actual world and, first of all, the direct connection beteen investments and offshore activities, in the benefit of either parties. It is an organic liaison between investments and offshore entities, including transitional hard developing countries as Romania.
The Role of Clinical Governance in the Health Management Systems of Thailand
Authors: Walsh John
Published: January 2020

The health industry in Thailand is changing as a result of several important changes in society and projected future changes. These include the need for political and social reasons to extend low cost and easy access health care further to every sector of society in all regions of the country, the continuing aspiration to become an international hub for health tourism, the need to adjust to the potential flow of professionals across Southeast Asia resulting from the projected 2015 ASEAN Economic Community and the restructuring of the labour force as part of the effort to exit from the Middle Income Trap. These changes are nation-wide and require cooperation from a range of ministries, as well as requiring the support of society as a whole; that support will result from fostering of social solidarity through, in part, better explanation of why policies are changing and what the objectives will be in the short, medium and long-terms. It is, of course, essential that proper management of quality and health care within involved organizations â€“ i.e. clinical governance â€“ is also fostered and maintained at the highest possible level in both the public and private sectors.
Patient Perception of Health Care Services: A Comparative Study
Authors: Pai Rashmi Ananth
Published: January 2020

Assessment of patient satisfaction is a measurement that obtains information or ratings from patients about their perception of the services being provided from an organization, hospital, physician, or healthcare provider and plays an increasingly important role toward accountability among health care providers. The present study aimed at comparing the patientâ€™s perception of services being provided in the government and private sectors. 120 patients (60 from each sector) natively from Karnataka, India with knowledge of English participated in this study. Subjects were asked to rate their experiences before, during and after consultation. A checklist to rate the patient satisfaction was developed. The checklist comprised of 11 questions covering the most important domains pertaining to patient satisfaction about the health care services provided. Obtained responses were statistically compared using independent t test. Significant differences in the satisfaction levels of the subjects in the government and the private set ups were seen at p< 0.05 (t=2.921, 118). In government sector patients were better satisfied with certain aspects like the cost factor, information provided about the problem and guidance regarding intervention whereas the patients in the private sector were better satisfied with the orientation to the department, information furnished about the problem, comfort and privacy during the testing procedure.
Technical Efficiency Analysis of Maize Farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana
Authors: M. John K. , . Wayo Seini
Published: January 2020

This study assesses the technical efficiency and its determinants of maize farmers in the Eastern Region of Ghana. A multi stage random sampling procedure was employed to select 226 maize farmers from the four main geographical areas of the region for the study. A well-structured questionnaire and field observations were employed to collect relevant information from the respondents. Data collected was analyzed using relevant econometric techniques. The results indicate that elasticities of mean output for agrochemicals, hired labor, other inputs are positive while those of seed, fertilizer and family labor are negative. The computed return to scale on the other hand reveals that, on average, the maize farms exhibit decreasing returns to scale. The joint effect of operational and farm-specific factors influence technical efficiency but individual effects of some variables are not significant. Mean technical efficiency level of the farmers is estimated to be 51%, indicating that the possibility of increasing maize production in the region given the current state of technology and inputs level can be achieved in the short run by increasing the technical efficiency level of the farmers by 49% through the adoption of practices of the best maize farmer. Further, the empirical results from the inefficiency model show that extension visit, FBO membership, frequency of meeting by members of FBOs, formal training in maize farming, cash and in-kind credits are the major determinants of the farmersâ€™ technical efficiency level. Finally, the resource use efficiency results revealed that agro-chemicals and hired labor are under-utilized whereas seed, fertilizer and family labor are over-utilized by maize farmers in the region. These results have implications for management of small and medium scale food crop farms in developing countries.
The Flexible Alternative Consumer Financing in Malaysia: Credit Cards
Authors: Rasiah Devinaga
Published: January 2020

This study examines the changes occurring in the consumption behavior of the Malaysian consumers towards the use of credit cards as a source of consumer finance. Use of credit cards as payment had considerably multiplied in Malaysia ever since 1990s. Supported by the conceptual framework, five independent variables were employed. This was evaluated with respect to one dependent variable in this study. The dependent variable was the credit card. The questionnaire was tested using 160 questionnaires, using validity test, linear correlation, descriptive statistics and multiple regressions to test the results. The results indicated that there was a relationship between credit card debts, attitude, income, understanding/knowledge, potential impact of credit card utilization among bank customers. The study can be used by banks to be aware of the increased usage of credit cards which can give rise to increase in consumer finance in the future.
Post-Merger Appraisal of Stress Level among Bank Employees: A Case Study
Authors: Joshi Vijay
Published: January 2020

Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As) is one of the most accepted inorganic strategic tool in the hands of decision makers. Though, it is a major decision as it requires huge investments but it propels the wings of growth instantaneously and such investment decisions are largely based on financial aspects of business. It brings growth as well as unavoidable challenges for Transferor and transferee Company. Such challenges may include work culture related factors and psychological factors, which directly affect the work force of the transformer company as it is observed in case of ICICI Bank and the Bank of Rajasthan Ltd. BoR amalgamation when all the bank employees of BoR agitated. Therefore, the aim of this research paper is to identify the most prominent factors (merger stressors) which affect the stress level of bank employees during post merger. The factors are divided into two heads i.e. work culture related factors and psychological factors which covers total 13 and 11 factors respectively. For this purpose, a large sample of 60 BoR bank employees has been drawn from Udaipur city and the factor analysis has been performed. We found that cultural fit and HR policy framework are two prominent factors for high level of stress and dissatisfaction among bank employees. This study is a small contribution for the betterment of the bank employees and provides guidelines for bank policy makers, strategists, scholars and researchers.
The Multi-Site Order Fulfillment-Planning Model: A Global Corporation Case Study
Authors: Chen Yin-Yann , . Hsiao-Yao Fan
Published: January 2020

A multi-site order fulfillment-planning model for the thin film transistorâ€“liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) panel industry is proposed. The order allocation problem is solved using a mathematical programming model considering practical characteristics, including product structures, customer preferences, alternative bill-of-material, and production constraints. A practical global corporation case in Taiwan will be employed to testify the feasibility of the proposed order fulfillment-planning model. Besides, the adaptability and comparison of different planning approaches in an environment of various market demands are discussed. Through the analysis of experiments, the proposed mathematical programming model is found to be better than the current popular method.
Perceptions and Behaviorâ€™s of Muslims and Non-Muslims towards Halal Products
Authors: Ahmad Maisarah , . Nurul Azida Salehuddin
Published: January 2020

This study aims to determine the level of acceptance and perception and behavior of the Muslim and non-Muslim toward halal products. This study is based on a survey of 300 respondents randomly selected. Data collected using questionnaires. Consumer behavior towards the adoption of available products is high and it is found that consumers are very highly concerned about food preparation factors are ordered from legitimate sources. In general, the frequency of residents in Lembah Pantai visiting the restaurant is every day namely working respondents. In addition, the cleanliness of the restaurant is one of the factors influencing the selection of respondents in regular restaurants. However, the results showed that the respondents were not so concerned with the cleanliness factor as long as the restaurant food was available to be served from legitimate sources and clean. The study concluded that restaurant operators should emphasize the preparation of food from halal sources and ingredients to the customers. Either recommendation has been made to the owners of restaurants to prioritize sanitation in the restaurant or involving the workers themselves to ensure hygiene is always guaranteed. Government agencies to tighten the licensing and regulation of halal logo to restaurant operators to ensure that the use of food ingredients is completely clean, pure and halal.
A Proposed Framework for E-Commerce Usage and Competitive Advantage on Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTES) in Lebanon
Authors: Halawani Firas , . Muhammad Sabbir Rahman , . Yahya halawani
Published: January 2020

E-commerce has tremendous potential for creating business opportunities, tourism as information intensive industry can gain important synergies from the use of e-commerce. Small and medium sized tourism enterprises should take advantage of the e-commerce and refocus their business strategies to maintain their competitiveness in order to avoid being replaced. This paper discusses the current literature on the e-commerce usage and competitive advantage in small and medium tourism enterprises (SMTEs), and proposes a conceptual framework to be tested in the context of Lebanon. This paper adopted a content analysis to examine number of articles that were published by major tourism and e-commerce usage journals. This paper provides a conceptual framework, which mainly based on the e-commerce readiness model, which has been used to assess the e-commerce usage at firmsâ€™ level. Also provides a revised ICDT model to explore how tourism enterprises are exploiting the internet spaces and to measure the level of sophisticated use of internet among tourism SMEs. This paper improves knowledge on how small tourism enterprises exploit Internet spaces (ICDT) to improve their competitiveness.
The New Takeover Code by the Securities and Exchange Board of India
Authors: Das Varsha
Published: January 2020

Merger & Acquisition in India have been governed by the age-old takeover rules. It seems that now, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has realized that these rules need to be revamped to keep them in line with the ever-changing global scenario. On September 2011, the SEBI amended the new set of takeover rules i.e.; the SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011. The main purpose is to prevent hostile takeovers and at the same time, provide some more opportunities of exit to innocent shareholders who do not wish to be associated with a particular acquirer. With these rules coming into force, both promoter and public shareholders of a listed company would now get the same price for their shares being purchased by an acquirer. In another shareholder-friendly move, SEBI has scrapped the noncompete fee or control premium, which were being paid to only the promoters earlier and could have been as much as 25% of the public offer price. The SEBI has successfully done one part of the reform process by preparing the new takeover code, the other part requires it successful implementation.