bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investment Appraisal At Imperfect Capital Markets
Authors: Schuster Peter
Published: March 2016

Investment decisions are of vital importance to all companies. Thus, effective appraisal methods are most important tools to support the decision-making. Among the most popular methods are the Net Present Value Method, the Internal Rate of Return Method and the Annuity Method, which explicitly consider the time value of money and can be characterized by the assumption of a uniform rate and are connected with the assumption of a perfect capital market.Aiming at a decision-making process closer to real business life we describe an investment appraisal method that assumes different credit and debtor interest rates, i.e., that is usable in imperfect capital markets. We exemplify investment appraisal in this market form with a method which visualizes any financial implications in an environment with a high number of different credit and debt interest rates, borrowing lines and other restrictions. The usage of this method is shown at examples and the appraisal of single investment projects and the comparison of mutually exclusive projects are described.
Sustainability Reporting Practices In Portugal: Greenwashing Or Triple Bottom Line?
Authors: Roberts Diane H. , Koeplin John P.
Published: March 2016

This paper examines the status of sustainability reporting in Portugal. The Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) guidelines for sustainability reporting is an initiative that attempts to create a paradigm of triple bottom line reporting that encompasses the economic, environmental, and social performance of business. Measurement and reporting of environmental and social aspects are in their infancy compared to financial/economic reporting. The objective of the GRIs framework is to elevate environmental and social reporting to the level of financial reporting by developing reporting principles and information qualities similar to those used in corporate financial reporting. In the post-Enron corporate reporting environment, such credibility may be tarnished and lead stakeholders to suspect corporations of greenwashing their reputations by issuing reports that are environmental window dressing.Currently 860 companies in a variety of industries worldwide are voluntarily listed as using the guidelines on the GRIs web site; however, only five are from Portugal. Two of the five companies are GRI organizational stakeholders and one is listed as reporting 'in accordance' with the guidelines. Content analysis will be used to examine both the quantity and quality of information in the GRI reports of Portuguese companies. An additional issue regarding the transparency and credibility of the information provided is whether the reports have been verified (a more generic term than audit used for a similar assurance-type service relative to GRI Reports). The results of the content analysis will be used to shed some light on whether the companies generating these reports are bridging or widening the sustainability reporting expectations gap between companies and stakeholders.
Economic Education: A Requirement For Building A Free Market Economy And A Liberal Democracy In Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu Tsehai
Published: March 2016

This essay presents the case for a national campaign of economic literacy in Ethiopia. It argues that given the lack of opportunities for exposure to a properly functioning market economy or for formal training in economic principles, Ethiopians tend to be predisposed to accepting and/or seeking guidance from government regulators as though that is the natural or only way to proceed in their business and personal choices. This state of affaires is a key reason for the state of abject poverty Ethiopians have had to live in for generations. The paper proposes a two track program of economic education to free the creative talents of the people of Ethiopia from the shackles of regulation. Such a program, it is argued, is a necessary although not a sufficient condition for the Ethiopian economy to bust loose from its prolonged state of paralysis. Economic education which helps let citizens be free from bureaucratic regimens to dream and to take calculated risk in the pursuit of their economic and financial ambitions will also make significant contributions towards expanding the scope for personal freedoms in other dimensions of life in Ethiopian.
Do The Federal Deficits Matter?
Authors: Payesteh Sayeed
Published: March 2016

The sharp and sustained increases in the budget and current-account deficits have once again raised a great deal of concern among many economists on the reemergence of the twin deficits of the1980s and their impacts upon macroeconomic variables. In view of majority of economists, these developments will be creating economic problems such as high real rates of interest, low savings, stagnant economic growth, large and persistent current account deficits, and probably a higher inflation. All economists, however, do not share this view. Those associated with the writings of Robert Barro, argue the Ricardian Equivalence Theorem that budget deficits do not matter and they have no real effects on the economy. The empirical evidence on this issue has been rather inconclusive. In contrast to the previous studies that have used single equation, I use a balance of payment model to investigate simultaneously the impacts of budget deficits on a number of macroeconomic variables using a system of simultaneous equations.
How Technological Determinism Shapes International Marketing
Authors: Gabberty James W. , Vambery Robert G.
Published: March 2016

In the late 1990s, many firms - flush with cash from irrationally exuberant investors - made huge investments in information and communications technologies (ICT) to extend market reach and increase revenues. Shortly after the dot com bust, only a few of these ardent technology adopters thrived, the technology investments of only a fractional few yielding substantive payoff. For many, it seemed all but certain that the concept of technological determinism was doomed. Through exploration of the (r)evolutionary role of ICT in global marketing strategies and positioning technology as an enhancer to the original four Ps of marketing, this paper develops a conceptual model integrating aspects of technological advancement within the context of international marketing strategy.
Stock Prices, Consumer Sentiment, And Economic Activity: Some Robust Bilateral Causality Tests For The US And The UK
Authors: Shirvani Hassan , Wilbratte Barry
Published: March 2016

This paper performs robust bilateral Granger causality tests for stock prices, consumer sentiment, and economic activity for the US and the UK. The robust test procedures involve the use of recently developed time series analysis of nonstationary data with possible structural breaks. Applying a battery of such tests, the paper finds the underlying data to be generally nonstationary and noncointegrated, even after allowing for possible breaks in the data, thus implying that the standard bilateral Granger causality tests are robust. The empirical results indicate the presence of unidirectional causality from stock prices to consumer sentiment for both countries. Given that stock prices drive consumer sentiment, we perform additional causality tests to determine the effect of consumer sentiment on the economy. Our finding of a unidirectional causality from consumer sentiment to the economy in both countries is consistent with a chain of causality from stock prices to consumer sentiment to the economy.
A Concurrent Evaluation Of Trends In Commodity Exports, Economic Growth And Environmental Quality In The US
Authors: Guha Gauri Shankar
Published: March 2016

Economic growth is a logical motivation and empirically determinable outcome of increasing exports. There are, however, corresponding losses in environmental resources. This paper examines both consequences of recent US exports
The Price-Volume Relationship In The Chilean Stock Market
Authors: Kamath Ravindra R.
Published: March 2016

This study focuses on the econometric relations between daily returns and daily trading volume changes on the Santiago Stock Exchange of Chile. To meet this task, the study utilizes the data of the Selective Stock Price Index, IPSA, from January, 2003 through October, 2006. A significant contemporaneous relation is found between volume and returns. The evidence also indicates that the said relation is asymmetric. Moreover, the results support the notion that the trading volume makes the market move. The causality test results provide a clear evidence of daily returns Granger causing daily trading volume changes in the Chilean equity market.
Empirical Analysis Of Factors Influencing The Level Of Job Satisfaction Of Caucasian And Hispanic Accounting Professionals
Authors: Moyes Glen D. , Redd Tammi C.
Published: March 2016

This study examines the effect of 78 work-related variables on the level of job satisfaction of Caucasian and Hispanic accounting professionals. Factor analysis with Varimax Rotation reduced the number of variables to 12 factor groups for the Caucasian accountants and 11 factor groups for the Hispanic accountants. Data were analyzed using multiple regression models using the level of job satisfaction perceived by the Caucasian or Hispanic accountants as the dependent variable. From the Caucasian regression model, it was found that factors such as supervision, compensation, reporting discrimination, promotion opportunities and organizational culture tend to increase the level of job satisfaction for Caucasian accountants. Discriminatory treatment seems to decrease the job satisfaction for Caucasian accountants. From the Hispanic regression model factors such as compensation, benefits, promotion opportunities, professional development and organizational culture tend to increase the level of job satisfaction for Hispanic accountants.
The New Global Corporate Culture: A Comparative Survey Of The Corporate Cultures Of Japan And The United States In The 21st Century
Authors: Wahl Michael , Hartley Nell Tabor
Published: March 2016

Japan 2007, is not the same country it was during theeighties, when foreigners flocked to Tokyo, armed with copies of books such as How to Succeed in Japan: A Business Etiquette Primer. Globalization, fueled by the Internet and other advances in communications technology, is playing an ever greater role in business operations around the globe. Outside of business, these advances allow people on opposite sides of the globe to interact, and this interaction exposes others to new ideas, views, languages, and cultures. This study evaluates the shifts in the corporate cultures of Japan and the United States, through the framework of Hofstedes value dimensions over the past 25 years, through the use of surveys and interviews in both countries. This rich material is backed by examples of these shifts in both countries; in addition to a brief overview of the communicative differences of Japan and the United States. This study will allow not only business professionals and managers, but also students and teachers, to approach another culture with clear, current insight that gets past stereotypes to help foster success in engaging and working with counterparts in other parts of the world.
Factors Influencing The Internationalization Of Small And Medium Size Enterprises
Authors: Rutihinda Cranmer
Published: March 2016

This study explores the factors influencing the internationalization of small and medium enterprises located in the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada. Four major factors emerged from the data to explain the internationalization. The four factors include owner managers international orientation, globalisation of the firms industry structure, established international networks, and foreign market potential. Successful firms were found to have owner managers with an international orientation and established international networks.
Public-Private Partnerships In Spain: Lessons And Opportunities
Authors: Allard Gayle , Trabant Amanda
Published: March 2016

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), a marriage between public- and private-sector activity, have been employed for almost two decades as a third way to optimize the use of public funds and boost the quality of services traditionally provided by the public sector. Their use has spread from the United Kingdom to Europe and beyond, and has expanded from the transport sector to innovative projects in health, education and others. In Spain, successive governments have seized on PPPs as a solution to budget constraints at a time of dwindling EU aid and stricter fiscal targets. As a result, the use of PPPs at all levels of government has exploded since 2003 and most recently culminated in a major infrastructure plan which relies on the private sector for 40% of its total investment. Undoubtedly, this trend will bring benefits to the Spanish population in terms of more abundant, lower-cost and higher-quality services. However, there are risks implicit in the way PPP is unfolding in Spain that could limit and even undo these benefits unless steps are taken to coordinate, monitor and follow up public-private projects and to communicate their virtues to the public. Spain presents an interesting paradox in the history of PPP. While it is one of Europes oldest, most active and most enthusiastic users of PPP, it is at the same time one of the countries that has demonstrated least interest at an official level in informing, monitoring, regulating and following up projects to ensure that their deepest benefits are being achieved. Relying on PPP only for private financing entails a risk that the benefits of PPP will not be realized and public services will actually become more expensive and less satisfactory over the medium and long term. The Spanish government is advised to take steps similar to those taken in the United Kingdom, to ensure that PPP is managed correctly and hence becomes an asset and not a liability to Spanish citizens.
Employee Stock Options And Diluted Earnings Per Share: An Extension
Authors: Doran David T.
Published: March 2016

Firms must currently apply the fair value method in determining the amount of employee compensation incurred in the case of employee stock options. The amount of such compensation is required to be measured as fair value of the equity instrument at the grant date, with compensation expense recognized over the service period under the straight-line method. This compensation expense affects the numerator for purposes of calculating earnings per share (EPS) under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Current GAAP also requires that for purposes of calculating diluted EPS, the treasury stock method be applied where the assumed proceeds from exercise of the optioned shares is used to purchase shares of the firms stock at its average market price of the earnings period. These incremental shares increase the denominator for purposes of calculating diluted EPS. These requirements are consistent across the pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). This study extends the work of Doran (2005) where a single period model was assumed and found: 1. Application of the fair value method does not double count the impact of compensation recognized, and 2. Applying the treasury stock method where shares are assumed purchased at the average for the period price (instead of end of year price) understates the number of incremental shares (the denominator), which overstates diluted EPS. This paper employs a simple multi period model that assumes a risk free environment with complete certainty in testing the accuracy of GAAP compliant diluted EPS in the case of employee stock options. Consistent with Doran (2005) the results here again indicate that assuming purchase of treasury shares at their average market price of the earnings period understates the EPS denominator. The results of this study also indicate that the reported employee compensation expense is understated. The observed cause of this numerator error is treating the payment for the option (employee service) as if it was received in full at the grant date - as a lump sum (like inventory or some other asset), rather than being received ratably over the employee service period as an annuity. Each of these findings contributes to the observed overstatement of diluted EPS. Correct diluted EPS is observed when the employee service is treated as being received ratably over the service period, and the shares assumed purchased as treasury stock are acquired at the higher period ending market price. The amount of diluted EPS overstatement under both FASB and IASB standards is directly related to the length of the term of the option.
The Role Of China And The United States In The Global Economy Of The 21st Century
Authors: Padmanabhan Prasad , Sedki San
Published: March 2016

The world is characterized by brutal global competition. When talking about competition during much of the 80s and 90s, we generally refer to the triage of Western European, Japanese, and U.S. firms. Today, we have to add firms from Brazil, Chile, China, and India to this elite bunch. This competition is good for the consumer -- prices of manufactured goods have been kept in check, and there is a general feeling of economic prosperity around the world. According to a recent article in The Economist global output has grown by over 4.3 % annually. The growing middle class in India and China has recorded the sharpest increase in the number of billionaires in the last decade; therefore the world has every reason to feel optimistically euphoric, even if China and India will reap a bigger share of the economic pie. In the words of Drucker, India and China are rapidly transforming their economiesthey can now produce technologically sophisticated and financially rewarding offerings that are diminishing American standards. (Drucker, 2004) The concern with the advent of China has prompted more protectionist oriented legislation against China: textiles. The U.S. Congress also blocked a recent attempt by Chinas China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) to acquire Chevron. A recent Harris Poll indicated that 40% of the people surveyed believe that China will be stronger than the U.S. within a decade, and over 50% believe that China will have a negative effect on the U.S. economy.
Assessment Of The Estonian Labor Market Development
Authors: Kerem Kaie , Randveer Mare
Published: March 2016

Today s world is characterized by globalization and rapid technological change. Successful development of the European Union s economic system requires reforming labor market and social policies both at EU and national levels. The goal of these reforms has to be improving EU s economic performance and guaranteeing better social protection. It can be agreed that each national government has to devise and implement its own strategy for reforming national labor market and social policies. One of extremely important problems is market flexibility especially labor market flexibility. Only flexible markets allow the necessary transfer of resources across firms, sectors or regions. The Estonian labor market is quite flexible and it is characterized by a weak role of trade unions and modest regulation by the government. The objective of the paper is to review and analyze labor market developments in Estonia; to examine trends in aggregate employment and unemployment and to find appropriate employment policy responses in order to increase labor market flexibility. The paper will rely on the analysis of statistical data and labor force survey data over the period 1990-2006.
China And America: Partners In African Entrepreneurship
Authors: Usrey Kyle
Published: March 2016

In searching for ways to ameliorate the economic tension between the US and China over the RMBs valuation, a unique entrepreneurial partnership involving Africa is offered as a possible resolution.
An Analysis Of Market Reaction To CEO Turnover Announcement: The Case In Indonesia
Authors: Setiawan Doddy
Published: March 2016

This paper investigates market reaction analysis to CEO turnover announcement in Indonesia. We are considering the succession factors: (1) the origin of successor (inside/outside firm) and (2) the process of succession (routine/non-routine). This paper aims to examine the market reaction of CEO turnover announcements. The samples consist of 59 firms from 1992 to 2003 and there was a t-test use to examining information content of CEO turnover announcements. The results show that market reacts positively to all CEO turnover announcements. The examination of the effects of succession process shows that market react positively to routine change, but do not react to non-routine change. Market also reacts positively to succession that leads inside candidate become a CEO, but the market give a mixed reaction when the successor come from outside firm. When the author combines the succession factors, we find the interesting result that market reacts favorably (positive) to routine change that leads the candidate from inside firm become a CEO. But market reacts unfavorably (negative) to routine change that leads candidate from outside become CEO. Thats mean the Indonesian investor prefer the smooth process in the succession, and they can reduce the uncertainty. Therefore we conclude that CEO turnover announcements have information content.
Trust And Investments Across Cultures
Authors: Berry Thomas , Suer Omur
Published: March 2016

This study uses survey data to examine notions of trust relative to investments and perceived risk. Rather than using nation cross-sectional household survey data we target a specific group across four distinct cultures. We survey graduate business students in four countries (Turkey, Bahrain, Czech Republic, and the USA). We attempt to gauge investor perceptions about trust and the potential impact of trust on equity investing. The groups are fairly homogeneous in terms of education and relative social and economic status leaving cultural differences as the main source of observed response differences.
Are Female Accountants More Ethical Than Male Accountants: A Comparative Study Between The U.S. And Taiwan
Authors: Venezia Chiulien Chuang
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this study is to determine and compare the ethical reasoning levels of accounting students in the U.S. and Taiwan based on gender. This research found that female accounting students possess higher levels of ethical reasoning than male students. The means of the DIT P and N2 scores for females are higher than males by 20% and 18.5% respectively. The results show that there is no significant difference of the ethical reasoning abilities of male accounting students between the U.S. and Taiwan. The results also show that there is no significant difference between the ethical reasoning levels of female accounting students in Taiwan and the ethical reasoning levels of female accounting students in the U.S.
Changes And New Constraints In The Competition Rules Enforcement Due To Accession: The Perception Of The Romanian Companies
Authors: Dima Alina Mihaela
Published: March 2016

Many times, in the attempt to win or to maintain an advantageous position on the market, the economic agent will use a whole arsenal of practices (inclusively and mostly from the marketing field), most of them anticompetitive, with a negative impact on the business environment, which also affects the well-being of the consumer. The policy in the field of competition is the one that defines these types of behaviour and penalizes them depending on the importance of their negative impact, by creating a complex and coherent legislative and institutional mechanism. The right enforcement of the competition policy at the national level is the key in this process, but this should be coordinated with the regional and international objectives and regulations in this field. Romania is facing a double challenge: on the one side, it had to set up a competition policy, which was almost ignored before the90s, on the other side, it had to comply, recently, with high standards in the field, as an EU candidate. Now, as a member state, the promotion of a competition culture becomes a must, along with the design of an adequate system of information and knowledge dissemination for all of those involved. The paper is based on a original and qualitative research and aims at emphasising the increased necessity of the promotion of a competition culture for the competitiveness of the Romanian business environment on the European level in the new context of accession. This will help Romanian business to face the competition challenges within a more extended single European market, as an essential issue of the free market economy status recently granted, and accordingly to the most important EU objectives set up at Lisabon to become the most competitive economy in the world up to 2010.
NAFTA: Promises And Deliveries
Authors: Cassell Macgorine , Amaram Donatus I. , Blake Rebecca
Published: March 2016

This paper specifically addresses NAFTAs effectiveness in fulfilling one promise from its preamble: create new employment opportunities and improve working conditions and living standards in their respective territories. Research concludes that any improvements/deterioration concerning job creation, working conditions or living standards could be attributed to myriad factors, NAFTA being only one.
International Evidence On Purchasing Power Parity Theory: A Partial Equilibrium Empirical Investigation
Authors: Adrangi Bahram , Allender Mary , Raffiee Kambiz
Published: March 2016

This paper tests the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) theory in a partial equilibrium framework. Statistical tests are employed to test the PPP theory for floating exchange rates of the Australian and Canadian dollars, Swiss frank and the British pound. The study period spans the fourth quarter of 1974 through the fourth quarter of 2006. The Johansen and Juselieus test of cointegration supports a long-run relationship between inflation and exchange rate predicted by the PPP theory only for the bilateral exchange rates of the pound and the Australian dollar. This evidence suggests that the PPP in its strict theoretical sense in the case of the bilateral exchange rate of the US dollar and Australian dollar is rejected but not for the case of the exchange rate of the pound and US dollar. However, the Granger causality test further supports the findings of the cointegration test. It shows that in the short-run, the money supply and GDP ratios Granger cause the movements of this exchange rate.
Economics Of Freedom: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Hamzaee Reza G. , Erfani G. Rod
Published: March 2016

Human freedom, and therefore, quality of life in many countries of the world have been restricted and diminished. Economic freedom and a controversial issue of interrelationship between economic and political freedom are empirically examined here. In several empirical estimations, embodying 155 countries of the world, some tight as well as statistically significant relationships are detected between economic freedom, on the one hand, and civil liberties, political rights, and political freedom, on the other.
Intelligence And Diversity: A Western And Eastern View From A Global Paradigm
Authors: Wilson Stefanie Denise , Mujtaba Bahaudin G.
Published: March 2016

Intelligence, whether hereditary or acquired, has been the subject of discussion since the beginning of time. Multiple intelligences have been in existence for thousands of years and the use of these various capabilities can greatly impact a persons thinking, feelings, and habits. Based upon previous studies and experiences on multiple intelligences, this paper attempts to shed light on the topic from a global perspective to clarify the stereotypes regarding intelligence which are attached to people of different countries, cultures, and genders. Research has identified a relationship between the domains of multiple intelligences such as interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic intelligences, leadership, and demographic characteristics such as, age, gender and ethnicity among various populations and professions. Using literature and secondary sources, the authors provide a view of multiple intelligences from a global perspective along with a theoretical framework. Studies seem to indicate that despite the existing stereotypes people of all backgrounds and cultures have similar levels of intelligences. The paper concludes by offering a discussion on the skills of social intelligence as well as suggestions on respecting and understanding each others differences. The literature and content can be useful for clarifying stereotypes, management selection, as well as training and development in todays global corporations that are competing in a highly complex world.
On The Responsibility Of MNCs: Some Reflections
Authors: Andreopoulos George , Andreopoulos Giuliana Campanelli , Panayides Alexandros
Published: March 2016

The general debate on MNC and their responsibility is fraught with misperceptions. The purpose of this paper is to place the issue of accountability into a proper perspective. This would entail a clarification of the following three issues: type of sector of MNCs whose activities have generated accountability-related issues; the nature of the interests that they represent; and the types of violations which are involved. In addition, the paper will provide a set of policy recommendations on ways of enhancing accountability.
Causal Variables Affecting Rural Industry Outsourcing In Northeast Thailand
Authors: Sakolnakorn Thongphon Promsaka Na , Khamanarong Suranart , Khamanarong Kimaporn , Imtawil Virasit
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this research was to study causal variables affecting outsourcing of rural industry management in northeast Thailand. This study focused on entrepreneurs in small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing sector. A path analysis technique with multiple regression method was used as a tool to analyze the influence of factors in rural industry outsourcing. According to the analysis, we found three factors directly affecting rural industry outsourcing management: (1) cost of production, (2) facilities of management and production efficiency and (3) potential for subcontracting. We also found that rural industry outsourcing management was indirectly influenced by two additional factors: (1) government policies and law, and (2) the environment of the outsourcing area. A coefficient of determination of R2 = 0.244 and Durbin-W Aston = 1.936 were obtained in the study.
Do Periodically Collapsing Bubbles In Latin American And Asian Emerging Markets Really Exist?
Authors: Girard Eric , Sinha Amit , Sun Megan Y.
Published: March 2016

As asset pricing, especially in emerging markets has been of continued interest in finance, this paper contributes by investigating the presence of periodically collapsing bubbles in seven Asian and seven Latin American emerging markets. Although a number of studies, using different approaches have studied presence of bubbles in emerging markets, none have applied the Hall, et als (1999) Markov regime switching unit root test procedure to such markets. The major finding of the investigation is that asset prices may not result in periodically collapsing bubbles in most emerging markets. Thus, our findings provide support against the current arguments that emerging capital markets have benefited from increased liquidity rather than improved fundamentals.
Gender Differences In Susceptibility To Normative Social Influence On The Purchase Decisions Of Designer Label Apparel
Authors: Khan Ghazala , Khan Naila
Published: March 2016

This study examines susceptibility to normative social influence on purchase decisions of designer label apparel in Malaysia. The study focuses on the youth market with special consideration given to gender differences. Influences of family and peers were examined along with celebrity influences. A total of 319 youth participated in the study. Results indicate that gender differences do exist with males exhibiting a higher likelihood of being influenced by their reference groups. Celebrity influence was also found to be weaker than that exerted by direct reference groups.
Male And Female Influence On Hypermarket Brand Equity
Authors: Chen Hui-Chu , Green Robert D. , Miller James
Published: March 2016

Based on the customer-based brand equity theory (Keller, 1993) and its retail construct measures of brand loyalty, brand awareness, perceived quality, and brand association (Pappu, Quester, and Cooksey, 2006), gender differences are presented, tested and analyzed. The study finds that females have significantly higher brand association (p < 0.01) and total brand equity (p < 0.05). This article concludes with the implications and research opportunities for branding scholars and to consumer product manufacturers and retailers.
The Influence Of Attitudes And Experience On The Owner-Manager's Intentions Towards Cooperation
Authors: Haug Manuel , Sommer Lutz
Published: March 2016

The goal of this paper is to shed some light on how attitudes of owner-managers and entrepreneurs respectively influence a companys cooperative behaviour. The focus is hereby on how the decision-makers attitudes toward the possible reasons for setting up a cooperation influence the intended intensity of the cooperative arrangement. This research question is investigated on the basis of empirical data gathered from Mexican SME. As a result, both motivations for cooperation and experiences with cooperative arrangements in the past seem to influence the intended intensity of future activities.
New Evidence On Hedge Fund Performance Measures
Authors: Sedzro Komlan
Published: March 2016

Hedge funds are still relatively unfamiliar to most investors despite the intense popularity they have enjoyed in recent years. Measuring the performance of these financial instruments using traditional methods is, however, problematic, since their returns do not follow a normal distribution. In this study, we consider rankings obtained with the Stochastic Dominance (SD) method and compare them with ranks produced using Sharpe Ratios, Modified Sharpe Ratios, and Data Envelopment Analysis. We also explore the advantages highlighted by the literature of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method in relation to traditional measures like Sharpe ratio and Modified Sharpe ratio. Our results show that classic performance measures are better correlated with SD than DEA results.
Estimation Of The Economic Impact Of Brain Drain On The Labor Expelling Country
Authors: Abdelbaki Hisham H.
Published: March 2016

The emigration of human resources leads to many losses for the labor expelling country. Such losses would, without doubt, adversely affect the economic and social development programs in multiple aspects including state loss of migrants efforts in producing the desired growth whether in the planning and preparation stages or in the implementation stage and the cost opportunity represented in the financial resources spent on the migrants prior to their emigration which could have been utilized in other areas taking into account, the limited financial resources in the underdeveloped countries which are mainly labor expelling countries. Hence, the loss of such countries is doubled. They neither benefited from their labor after years of spending in education and health, nor they saved their funds and exploited in other alternatives like improving education and health services, providing job opportunities for residents, improving the innovation climate or even increasing civil production to improve the living standards of individuals. The study is devoted to analyze and measure of economic effects of labor emigration in the labor expelling economy, through taking Egypt the largest Arab country suffering from this phenomenon- as an example and using data derived from Egyptian sources. Estimates have emphasized growing losses generated by the Egyptian labor emigration, especially by brain drain. The paper concludes that measures and policies must be adopted to stop this drain by addressing the causes of labor emigration or rather, the existing properties of the labor expelling country. Also, efforts must be made to ensure that data related to immigration is always available, updated and estimated by official bodies having human, financial and technical capabilities for this task.
Knowledge Transfer In Virtual Communities
Authors: Abuhamdieh Ayman
Published: March 2016

Many organizations are providing customer support and service through building virtual communities of users and practitioners. Within these communities, knowledge is exchanged and transferred on a continual basis. But what type of organizations are actually relaying on such communities? And what are the mechanics of knowledge transfer in these communities? This study sets out to identify the organizations most likely to use virtual communities in their customer support operations through a survey of the Fortune 500 organizations. It also analyzes the process of knowledge transfer mechanics within these virtual communities by focusing on four technology-intensive organizations: Microsoft, Dell, Amazon.com, and eBay.com. Study conclusions and recommendations for future research are presented.
Data Mining
Authors: Alkadi Ihssan
Published: March 2016

Recently data mining has become more popular in the information industry. It is due to the availability of huge amounts of data. Industry needs turning such data into useful information and knowledge. This information and knowledge can be used in many applications ranging from business management, production control, and market analysis, to engineering design and science exploration. Database and information technology have been evolving systematically from primitive file processing systems to sophisticated and powerful databases systems. The research and development in database systems has led to the development of relational database systems, data modeling tools, and indexing and data organization techniques. In relational database systems data are stored in relational tables. In addition, users can get convenient and flexible access to data through query languages, optimized query processing, user interfaces and transaction management and optimized methods for On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP). The abundant data, which needs powerful data analysis tools, has been described as a data rich but information poor situation. The fast-growing, tremendous amount of data, collected and stored in large and numerous databases. Humans can not analyze these large amounts of data. So we need powerful tools to analyze this large amount of data. As a result, data collected in large databases become data tombs. These are data archives that are seldom visited. So, important decisions are often not made based on the information-rich data stored in databases rather based on a decision maker's intuition. This is because the decision maker does not have the tools to extract the valuable knowledge embedded in the vast amounts of data. Data mining tools which perform data analysis may uncover important data patterns, contributing greatly to business strategies, knowledge bases, and scientific and medical research. So data mining tools will turn data tombs into golden nuggets of knowledge.
Methods Of Teaching To The Course Of Accounting Information Systems: Factors Of Preference
Authors: Shahwan Yousef
Published: March 2016

Accounting information systems (AIS) is a new course of accounting in the sense that the methods of teaching may differ from one school to another. There has been no such of a standard outline that best describes the important topics to be covered in the course of AIS (McCarthy 1999). Although much effort has been made towards the development of standard lists of topical materials, the space is widely open for research in this debate. It has been noted recently that AIS course textbooks include the relational database design and development as an important part adopted by instructors in teaching the course of AIS (Hollander et al. 2006; Romney and Steinbart 2006). This paper evaluates the current situation for teaching methods sued in the course of AIS and indicates several factors that may preference one method over another method of teaching to the AIS course. It reviews a variety of methods adopted in teaching AIS with emphasize on the data modeling approach using cardinalities and the documentation techniques of flowcharting. The study indicates that preference among variety of teaching methods is based on the method that may increase students' motivation and desire to study AIS, and the relevancy and reliability of the business system. It also indicates that improving students' ability to cope with the higher volatility of systems' requirements now days is another factor that may preference one over another methods of teaching to the course of the AIS.
A System Framework For Managing Learner Autonomy
Authors: Vengerov Alexander , Kettlitz Gary , Klein Stephen
Published: March 2016

The need to connect information systems studies with other concentrations in business school curricula requires the development of integral courses comprised of several knowledge domains. Students with different prior knowledge, skills and learning focus (e.g., business development, technology management, or programming) should be able to enroll in the same course. The resulting difficulties of such personalized classroom management techniques could be largely overcome through special learning designs and proper technological architecture. Presented results could be generalized for other complex non-linear course organizations.
Increasing Online Purchasing: A Study Of Web Assurance And Web Insurance
Authors: Warrick C. Shane , Stinson Terrye A.
Published: March 2016

Improving customer confidence is an important consideration, and potentially necessary ingredient, for increasing growth in electronic commerce. More than 1.2 billion people are internet users and, of that number, more than 215 million internet users live in the United States (Miniwatts Marketing Group 2008). Internet use in the United States, in fact, is second only to internet use in China (Barboza 2008). In its most recent study, the National Retail Federation (2008) estimated that U.S. online retail sales are approaching $204 billion. Past studies identified issues associated with customer concerns in online transactions, and various forms of web assurance and web insurance have emerged as commercial mechanisms to ease these concerns and promote growth in ecommerce. Both mechanisms require strategic controls by a company developing its ecommerce information system. This paper continues the stream of research aimed at understanding how consumers view online purchasing with a focus on internet users in the United States. Results indicate that participants increase purchase intentions from vendors with either web assurance or web insurance, but that participants are indifferent regarding the choice of web assurance or web insurance. Recognizing these benefits, vendors should design strong controls within ecommerce information systems that support acquisition of either web assurance or web insurance that validate system security.
History of Wireless Communication
Authors: Seymour Tom , Shaheen Ali
Published: March 2016

The history of communication is an exciting topic. This article reviews various areas that makeup the current history of wireless communication. These topics include: the wireless vision, generations of wireless, technical issues, current wireless systems, wireless LaNs, Wide Area Wireless Data Services, Broadband Wireless Access, Satellite Wireless Access, Satellite Networks, and Bluetooth and this material will stimulate you to do more research in these various areas of the wireless industry.
Smart Grid U.S. Transmission Grid: Issues And Opportunities
Authors: Seymour Tom , Kadrmas Wade
Published: March 2016

No one can tell you today exactly what technologies will make up the smart grid of the future, but smart grid is not just about the technology. It will involve designing an architecture that will utilize the data that is generated by the technology to automate the grid. It will also involve a paradigm shift in the utility industry with the active participation of customers in the energy delivery process. Deploying smart grid technologies will not be measured in months, but in years and decades. Public policy stands to have a huge impact on this time frame.
Maintaining The Security In Internet Marketing: Moving From Biometrics To Behaviometrics
Authors: Erdem S. Altan
Published: March 2016

While it is a rather common business practice, Internet marketing is still an area that continues to evolve and adapt. One of the everlasting challenges associated with this field is being able to insure that the online transactions take place in a secure setting. This construct of security appears to be multidimensional since it can include issues associated with secure ordering, hacker protection, firewalls, identity theft, etc. While the privacy of the online consumers has to be protected, it is important for the marketers to identify the users on the Internet to collect a profile of their interests so that they can adjust their site contents accordingly and deliver advertisements that appeal to their specific preferences. Whether the ultimate purpose is to custom-tailor the online messages or offer appropriate product/service options, it is imperative that the identity of the online consumers needs to be authenticated to make sure that there is no security breach in completing the online marketing transactions. This paper reviews some of the ongoing efforts in preventing the potential intrusions in online practices.
A Multi-Dimensional View Of Socio-Technical Information Systems Research And Technochange
Authors: Mattia Angela
Published: March 2016

Technical change is almost always the catalyst for organization change. Technochange is the use of information technology to drive improvements in organizational performance. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to continue the movement from socio-technical thinking to technochange thinking by analyzing the socio-technical research on information technology projects from different viewpoints. This is accomplished by using a multi-dimensional framework that delivers a fresh research perspective into the information technology, human and organization aspects of technochange. The results are a socio-technochange conceptual frame for the types of statistical analysis employed, the level of analysis conducted, the logical relationships between the causes and the outcomes, and the impact on the organization. This provides a coherent synopsis of the tools and interpretations needed to give us sufficient background to better understand technochange and its relationship to improved organizational performance.
Incorporation Of Community Law To The Spanish Public Sector Procurement Law Of 2007
Authors: Alonso Patricia Dominguez
Published: March 2016

The work carries out an analysis of the aims of the new Spanish law regarding Public Sector Contracts, which go beyond the necessary measures required in order to incorporate Directive 2004/18, as well as the major reforms introduced by the new legislation. The change of perspective which European Community law had imposed for many years in this sector and the modest introduction of electronic media, data processing and data transmission in recruitment procedures.
Sustainable Forest Management In Castilla-La Mancha And Spain
Authors: Molina Jose Antonio Moreno
Published: March 2016

The recent forest legislation of Castilla-La Mancha, in line with international forestry law, the law of the European Union and the State Basic Law on the matter, taking into account the many uses that our society demands of the mountain today, but above all, is based on the prioritization of environmental protection of the forest, in the protection of the biological dimensions of the forest. The object of study in particular the modern concept of forest as forest ecosystem. Forests, welcoming a rich plant and animal life and balances of a typical natural habitat, are a natural resource whose contribution is crucial in maintaining the cycle of life and environmental conservation.