bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ДО 100-РІЧЧЯ ВІД ДНЯ СМЕРТІ ІВАНА ПУЛЮЯ
Authors: Didukh V. D. , Rudyak Y. A. , Bagrii-Zayats O. A. , Naumova L. V. , Horkunenko A. B.
Published: June 2018

31 січня 2018 р. виповнилося 100 років від дня смерті відомого вченого і патріота України – Івана Пулюя. Це ж він збудував перші в Австро-Угорській імперії електростанції, які працювали на постійному та змінному струмах, досліджував катодні промені, які пізніше отримали назву рентгенівських, був винахідником приладів, які на міжнародних виставках відзначені високими нагородами. Це ж він разом із Пантелеймоном Кулішем, Іваном Нечуєм-Левицьким переклав вперше українською мовою Біблію. Ім’ям Івана Пулюя названо вулиці у містах України, зокрема у Києві, Дніпропетровську, Львові, Тернополі, Івано-Франківську та Дрогобичі. Тернопільський національний технічний університет носить ім’я Івана Пулюя, де щорічно проводяться наукові читання на честь великого земляка. Фундаментальні праці з фізики та електротехніки, науково-популярні, публіцистичні праці, спогади Івана Пулюя, світового рівня вченого, людини твердих моральних переконань, Великого українця, є актуальні і сьогодні.
Limited Macrophage Positional Dynamics in Progressing or Regressing Murine Atherosclerotic Plaques—Brief Report
Authors: Williams Jesse W. , Martel Catherine , Potteaux Stephane , Esaulova Ekaterina , Ingersoll Molly A. , Elvington Andrew , Saunders Brian T. , Huang Li-Hao , Habenicht Andreas J. , Zinselmeyer Bernd H. , Randolph Gwendalyn J.
Published: June 2018

Objective—

Macrophages play important roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, but their dynamics within plaques remain obscure. We aimed to quantify macrophage positional dynamics within progressing and regressing atherosclerotic plaques.

Approach and Results—

In a stable intravital preparation, large asymmetrical foamy macrophages in the intima of carotid artery plaques were sessile, but smaller rounded cells nearer plaque margins, possibly newly recruited monocytes, mobilized laterally along plaque borders. Thus, to test macrophage dynamics in plaques over a longer period of time in progressing and regressing disease, we quantified displacement of nondegradable phagocytic particles within macrophages for up to 6 weeks. In progressing plaques, macrophage-associated particles appeared to mobilize to deeper layers in plaque, whereas in regressing plaques, the label was persistently located near the lumen. By measuring the distance of the particles from the floor of the plaque, we discovered that particles remained at the same distance from the floor regardless of plaque progression or regression. The apparent deeper penetration of labeled cells in progressing conditions could be attributed to monocyte recruitment that generated new superficial layers of macrophages over the labeled phagocytes.

Conclusions—

Although there may be individual exceptions, as a population, newly differentiated macrophages fail to penetrate significantly deeper than the limited depth they reside on initial entry, regardless of plaque progression, or regression. These limited dynamics may prevent macrophages from escaping areas with unfavorable conditions (such as hypoxia) and pose a challenge for newly recruited macrophages to clear debris through efferocytosis deep within plaque.
Tollip Negatively Regulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell–Mediated Neointima Formation by Suppressing Akt‐Dependent Signaling
Authors: Zhi Hong , Gong Fu‐Han , Cheng Wen‐Lin , Zhu Kongbo , Chen Long , Yao Yuyu , Ye Xingzhou , Zhu Xue‐Yong , Li Hongliang
Published: June 2018

Background

Tollip, a well‐established endogenous modulator of Toll‐like receptor signaling, is involved in cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Tollip in neointima formation and its associated mechanisms.

Methods and Results

In this study, transient increases in Tollip expression were observed in platelet‐derived growth factor‐
BB
–treated vascular smooth muscle cells and following vascular injury in mice. We then applied loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function approaches to elucidate the effects of Tollip on neointima formation. While exaggerated neointima formation was observed in Tollip‐deficient murine neointima formation models, Tollip overexpression alleviated vascular injury–induced neointima formation by preventing vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, dedifferentiation, and migration. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that Tollip overexpression may exert a protective role in the vasculature by suppressing Akt‐dependent signaling, which was further confirmed in rescue experiments using the Akt‐specific inhibitor (
AKTI
).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that Tollip protects against neointima formation by negatively regulating vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, dedifferentiation, and migration in an Akt‐dependent manner. Upregulation of Tollip may be a promising strategy for treating vascular remodeling–related diseases.
Relaxin Family Member Insulin‐Like Peptide 6 Ameliorates Cardiac Fibrosis and Prevents Cardiac Remodeling in Murine Heart Failure Models
Authors: Maruyama Sonomi , Wu Chia‐Ling , Yoshida Sumiko , Zhang Dongying , Li Pei‐Hsuan , Wu Fangzhou , Parker Duffen Jennifer , Yao Rouan , Jardin Blake , Adham Ibrahim M. , Law Ronald , Berger Joel , Di Marchi Richard , Walsh Kenneth
Published: June 2018

Background

The insulin/insulin‐like growth factor/relaxin family represents a group of structurally related but functionally diverse proteins. The family member relaxin‐2 has been evaluated in clinical trials for its efficacy in the treatment of acute heart failure. In this study, we assessed the role of insulin‐like peptide 6 (INSL6), another member of this protein family, in murine heart failure models using genetic loss‐of‐function and protein delivery methods.

Methods and Results

Insl6‐deficient and wild‐type (C57
BL
/6N) mice were administered angiotensin
II
or isoproterenol via continuous infusion with an osmotic pump or via intraperitoneal injection once a day, respectively, for 2 weeks. In both models, Insl6‐knockout mice exhibited greater cardiac systolic dysfunction and left ventricular dilatation. Cardiac dysfunction in the Insl6‐knockout mice was associated with more extensive cardiac fibrosis and greater expression of fibrosis‐associated genes. The continuous infusion of chemically synthesized
INSL
6 significantly attenuated left ventricular systolic dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis induced by isoproterenol infusion. Gene expression profiling suggests liver X receptor/retinoid X receptor signaling is activated in the isoproterenol‐challenged hearts treated with
INSL
6 protein.

Conclusions

Endogenous Insl6 protein inhibits cardiac systolic dysfunction and cardiac fibrosis in angiotensin
II
– and isoproterenol‐induced cardiac stress models. The administration of recombinant
INSL
6 protein could have utility for the treatment of heart failure and cardiac fibrosis.
Spiritual Elite Communities in the Contemporary Middle East
Authors: de Jong Albert
Published: June 2018

This article claims that we are in need of alternative ways of modelling religious diversity in the Middle East. This region is characterized by a high level of religious diversity, which can only be partly explained by the persistence of religions that were already in existence when Islam arose. Many communities came into being since the Islamization of the area. The communities addressed in this article therefore include one pre-Islamic tradition, the Mandaeans, and five communities that crystallized (much) later: the Yezidis, the Ahl-e Haqq, the Druze, the Alawis, and the (Turkish) Alevis. These have often been discussed in conjunction with each other, in ways that are historically and conceptually problematic. A focus on two characteristics these communities share—endogamy and a “spiritual elite” structure—makes it possible to discuss the processes in which these communities have come into being, have crystallized, and relate to the wider Islamic setting in a new light. Three communities have continued to distance themselves from Islam, and three have been in a constant process of negotiating their relation with more mainstream versions of Islam. This has consequences for the maintenance, or gradual dissolution, of religious pluralism in the Middle East.
The Recruitment and Selection Process of Pharmaceutical Companies in Bangladesh: A Case on GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited
Authors: Zaman Laila
Published: June 2018

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Bangladesh Limited, a subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline plc is world's one of the leading research-based pharmaceutical companies that commits to improve the quality of human life with an immense status and brand image all through Bangladesh over last 60 years. It is the human resource who has maximized the success of the company. Recruitment and selection practices are the key factors to the entry point of human resources which ensures the success and growth of an organization. In this study the detail chain and sequence of activities pertaining to recruitment and selection of different level of management and non-management employable candidates has identified through interviewing the HR employees of GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Limited. Findings show that the case study organization is doing a very good practice in recruitment and selection process that could help many other employers in Bangladesh and around the world to get suitable candidate and also helpful for researcher to do more research on recruitment and selection process.
Risky Business in Conflict Zones: Opportunities and Threats in Post Conflict Economies
Authors: Hacioglu Umit , Celik Ismail Erkan , Dincer Hasan
Published: June 2018

Attracting international businesses and enterprises to transfer both resources and capabilities into post conflict economies is a must for sustaining long term stability, economic growth and success of recovery process. Recently, international business organizations operating in post-conflict countries became more integrated with recovery and transition process of post conflict economies. In this study, the opportunities and threats for international firms operating in post conflicted economies have been evaluated based on literature review. This study also demonstrates that (1) investment opportunities in transition economies are attractive for short and mid-term, (2) capturing undervalued firms, accessing unique marketplace, benefiting incentives, accessing IMF’s and the World Bank’s low cost credit resources and having a good reputation via contributing into stability and peace are just some of the major advantage (3) the loss of control and capital attached to the risk of unstable political conditions, the possibility of high ethnic tensions and violent riots, the lack effective corporate culture and high burden of inside conflicts, the lack of sustainable economic growth and the risk of new tax packages have negative impacts on long term success for the firms (4) the conflict risk itself is major problem dissolving investment conditions.
Management Information System as a Catalyst to Organisational Performance in the 21st Century: A Study of Selected Banks in Nigeria
Authors: A Obasan Kehinde , A Soyebo Yusuf
Published: June 2018

Business managers view the implementation of Information Technology (IT) as a tactic to combat competition by improving productivity, profitability and the level of information, irrespective of forms of ownership. Information enables the conceptualization and creation of new products and services by guiding decision makers in reaching a valid conclusion and making an informed decision regarding every area of their responsibility. Using a structured questionnaire administered to sixty selected staffs of the three selected Banks in Nigeria and analyzing the obtained data with the descriptive and regression method of statistical analysis, this study examines the role of management information system (MIS) as a catalyst to organisational performance in the 21st century. The result obtained indicated that MIS  is very important in an organisation because no organisation can survive, expand and attain meaningful development without information. Hence, the importance of MIS cannot be over emphasized especially in the Banking sector in the 21st Century.  Thus it is recommended that such information system needs to be strategically managed so as to bring about sound and profitable organisation and thereby increase organisational chance of surviving amidst daunting challenges.
The Concept of Islamic Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium Method in the Financial Theme
Authors: Rasoulinezhad Ehsan
Published: June 2018

Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) method is one of the newest subsections of general equilibrium theory in economy which can be used in many economical fields.  This article fundamentally presents the concept of this method in combination with Islamic principles in the financial theme. Moreover a conceptual model is designed through the Interpretive Structural Model (ISM). The results of this paper show the structure of DSGE method in the financial theme with Islamic concepts which can be so useful for researchers and decision makers. The crucial implication of this research would be using Islamic DSGE for Islamic nations with specific related variables.
The Relationships between Balanced Scorecard, Intellectual Capital, Organizational Commitment and Organizational Performance: Verifying a ‘Mediated Moderation’ Model
Authors: Lee Yu-Je , Huang Ching-Lin
Published: June 2018

This study aims to verify the relationships between the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) implementation, accumulation of intellectual capital, organizational commitment, and organizational performance implemented in Taiwan-listed LED manufacturers by the research model of Mediated Moderation, which verifies the moderating effect before the mediating effect. This study surveyed entry-level employees and those working in section-chief or higher-level positions at Taiwan-listed LED manufacturers’ production, marketing, human recourse, research and development (R&D) and finance departments. Samples were selected from the population by simple random sampling. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was adopted to verify the goodness-of-fit effects of the overall model, structural model, and measurement model, with the models’ path effects (of the mediator-moderator variable) tested by way of the General Path Analytic Approach (GPAA) and Control Non-Linear Regression (CNLR). The results indicated that the BSC implementation, intellectual-capital accumulation and organizational commitment exert a significant interaction effect on Taiwan-listed LED manufacturers’ organizational performance. Hence, organizational commitment has the moderating effect (only among first-order constructs); intellectual-capital accumulation has no more than a mediating effect and remains un-moderated (among second-order constructs). However, the indirect effect of intellectual capital proved moderated, with the direct effect un-moderated and the total effect moderated.
OHAZURUME: The Philosophy and Practice of Decision Making and Consensus Building among the Ndigbo of Nigeria
Authors: Muo Ik , Oghojafor B. E.A
Published: June 2018

This paper studies the OHAZURUME philosophy and practice of decision making and consensus building among the Ndigbos (the Igbos) of Nigeria. OHAZURUME, which literarily means ‘it is the communal will; is a, philosophy and practice that ensures that decisions are easily accepted because of its collective properties.  Because the issue is decided collectively by the ‘oha’ [the people], no individual can upturn it.   OHAZURUME draws from the overall ‘ohaka’[the community is supreme] philosophy and  is predicated on the conditions that the matter is tabled openly for discussion, that EVERYBODY  is allowed to contribute and that the preponderance of public opinion is upheld as the communal judgment. This paper adopts the participant observation and interview methods and identifies a simple, Nine-stage process of OHAZURUME and establishes that  as in other decentralized systems, individual rights and views are respected; individuals accept and respect the  communal interest;  dissent is accommodated; there is direct participation in decision making  and every eligible male has equal right. The paper also undertakes a comparative analysis and discovers that OHAZURUME shares the basic features of other consensus building models like Japanese, Quaker, and CODM, which include group ownership of decisions, participation, and respect for dissention.  The paper avers that the key attraction of OHAZURUME is its simplicity. The implication of this study, especially for an international audience is that it develops and articulates a new management concept and practice, enlarges the  consensus literature, identifies management philosophies and practices from other climes and expands the dimensions to comparative management.
Effect of Accounting Information System on Organisational Effectiveness: A Case Study of Selected Construction Companies in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Onaolapo A A , Odetayo T A
Published: June 2018

Automated Accounting Information System (AAIS) provides a tool for finance department to enhance organizational effectiveness especially in this era of global technology advancement. The study examined the effect of accounting information system on organizational effectiveness with special reference to selected construction firms in the Ibadan metropolis. Specifically, the study examined the effects of accounting information on quality of financial reports and decision –making.  Purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting a total of ten personnel from each of the selected companies as sample for the study.  A hypothesis was formulated and both descriptive and inferential statistical tools were employed to analyze the data. The results show that accounting information system has effect on organizational effectiveness. Recommendations were subsequently made to both the managers of such organization and government on how the use of AAIS known as ‘Contract Plus– Financial and Project Accounting’ package software can enhance performance in Finance Departments.
The Influence of Product Attributes on Consumer Purchase Decision in the Nigerian Food and Beverages Industry: A Study of Lagos Metropolis
Authors: Akpoyomare Oghojafor Ben , Adeosun Ladipo Patrick Kunle , Ganiyu Rahim Ajao
Published: June 2018

This study investigates the influence of product attributes on consumer purchase decision in Nigerian food and beverages industry: A study of Lagos Metropolis. Descriptive research method was used to survey 400 customers of the selected two companies in food and beverages industry. Data were collected through questionnaire administered. Descriptive statistic and Pearson correlation coefficient was used as a method of data analysis. The result of the analysis reveals a positive correlation between product attribute and consumer purchase decision. Indeed, consumer purchase decision can be viewed as a process in which consumers evaluate alternative products on the strength of various attributes and on the basis of which marketers differentiate and set their brand apart from competition.
Impact of Leadership Style on Organizational Performance: A Case Study of Nigerian Banks
Authors: Ojokuku R M , Odetayo T A , Sajuyigbe A S
Published: June 2018

The study examined the impact of leadership style on organizational performance in selected Banks, in Ibadan Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting a total of sixty (60) respondents as sample for the study, while relevant data was gathered with the aid of a structured questionnaire. One hypothesis was formulated and inferential statistical tool was used to analyze the data specifically Pearson product moment correlation was used to examine the relationship between leadership style dimensions and organizational performance, while Regression analysis was used to examine the significant effect of leadership style dimensions on followers and performance. Findings showed positive and negative correlation between leadership style dimensions and organizational performance. It was also found that leadership style dimensions jointly predict organizational performance, which counted for 23% variance of performance. The study concluded that transformational and democratic leadership style should be employed by the Banks’ management in order to wax stronger in a global competitive environment.
Concession as a Strategic Tool for Ports Efficiency: An Assessment of the Nigerian Ports
Authors: Oghojafor B E. A , Kuye O L , Alaneme G C
Published: June 2018

This paper examined the problems bedeviling the operations of the Nigerian ports before the concession programme of 2006 and how well the concession has improved the performance of the Ports system. Data were collected through secondary methods such as annual reports, as well as interview and media reports.  The content analysis method was adopted in analyzing the data. The findings of the study showed that the concession may for all its worth have been able to earn more income for the government but the Authority has failed to keep its part of the contract agreement especially as it concerns the provision of the enabling environment for port operations; infrastructures were still lacking, dwell time has not substantially reduced and corruption still soared high. The paper submits that the regulators of the maritime system need to do more to ensure that it is not paying lip service to its vision of being the leading port in Africa.
The Impact of Strategic Planning on Online Banking: An Empirical Study in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abdalkrim Gaafar Mohamed , Khrais Laith Talal
Published: June 2018

Banking sector of 21st century face local and international challenges resulted from the revolution of information, technological development, globalization, market liberalization and knowledge explosion; therefore, strategic planning associate by online banking services in banking sector became an urgent necessity. The purpose of this study is an attempt to study the impact of strategic planning among online banking environment in Saudi Arabia. The study comprises three variables which represent independent variable and were derived from comprehensive review of the literature of strategic planning which are: budgeting, forecasting and management reporting. On line bank which is represent dependent variable measured by usefulness and ease of use. Data for this study were collected through questionnaires which were accompanied by a letter explaining the project and assuring respondents of the confidentiality of their answers. Those participants were online banking users of five banks in Saudi Arabia. Statistical tools were used to test hypotheses and achieve the objectives, thus the research is descriptive and as a result quantitative methods have been used. The findings indicate that the entire hypotheses are supported, whereby customers will use e-banking when they perceive that usages of e-banking are useful and accessible.
The Implementation Process of Nationalization of Workforce in Saudi Arabian Private Sector: A Review of “Nitaqat Scheme”
Authors: Sadi Muhammad Asad
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the implementation process of nationalization policy of workforce in Saudi Arabian private sector. Saudi Arabian government has acted recently to boost nationalization of labour market to ensure that a certain quotas are given to private businesses in accordance with their actual performance in their line of business as well as the size of workforce. The scheme that drives this motive is known as “Nitaqat” (in Arabic language means “ranges”). The methodology approach is used to validate the results through panels of discussion about nationalization of workforce in Saudi labour market in service industry of private sector. The statements of Panels’ responses were grouped together to make an overall probability of the events. The objective of the panels of discussion was to find which group among the four: strategy, marketing, human resource and training and education, has the highest percentage of responses in favour of workforce nationalization. The results revealed that strategy group had the major impact among the four groups on the topic. The managers might take a look at the strategic aspect of workforce nationalization carefully when implementing “Nitaqat” scheme. The implications in the long run are educational system and job market will rely on a highly skilled local labour pool. But this will demand drastic shifts in cultural perceptions of work and entitlement.
An Analysis of Global Training and Experience Sharing in Multinational Companies
Authors: Moumita Nishat , Zaman Laila
Published: June 2018

Global training programs are the training programs which are provided globally to the employees of a multinational company for the purpose of developing the employees’ skills, and find the appropriate leader from a pool of talent. Unilever an Anglo–Dutch multinational consumer goods company with a mission to help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services arrange global training for those employees who have the most potential and leadership quality for the company. Through this study the researcher has tried to identify the perspective of global training program of Unilever i.e. importance, cost benefit and worthiness. The methods used to collect data are personal interview, postal service, and telephone interview. It has found that Unilever wants to share all its best practises, ideas and all other skills with all the members of the company across the world. These training programs help the employees to have specialised knowledge of a subject. By taking these training, the employees meet new people from different countries, know about different culture and they learn to adjust with people. This also helps them to do business successfully anywhere in the world. But the flip side of this training program is that the process is very expensive and time consuming. Most of the time the employees decide to leave the job after they come back from the training program. In spite of having some negative opinions most of the managers, management trainees and the HR managers believe that global training programs are very important and worth doing.
Globalization and the Economy: What Students Think
Authors: Borstorff Patricia C , Hearn Mark W , Turley Falynn
Published: June 2018

Do attitudes toward globalization change with economic conditions? This paper compares student attitudes during an economic expansion with student attitudes during an economic recession. Globalization has resulted in lower prices, more choices, and a blurring of the lines of national identity for many products. Its impact also includes loss of domestic jobs, trade disputes, and challenges to national sovereignty by organizations, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). Two surveys were administered in the College of Commerce and Business Administration at an AACSB-accredited southeastern United States university. The first took place in 2003 while the region was enjoying low unemployment and a vigorous economic expansion. The second was administered in 2009 during a time of significantly higher unemployment and economic recession. The 2003 survey found very positive views towards most aspects of globalization. In contrast, the second survey during markedly more depressed economic times found students were more concerned with their own self-interest, preferring less government interference and less globalization. The results suggest that attempts to promote trade agreements should consider economic conditions as part of their process of developing public support.
Experience and the Hit Rate for Entrepreneurial Initiatives
Authors: Green Kimberly M
Published: June 2018

The hit-rate perspective on innovation contends that firms cannot improve their success rates and, so, can increase their number of successes only by making more attempts. On the other hand, an organizational learning perspective suggests that firms can increase proficiency with processes they perform repeatedly. Basing hypotheses on these two perspectives, this study considers how a firm’s percentage of launches, or hits, from its new product development (NPD) portfolio is related to characteristics of its on-going NPD activity. The setting is drug development in the pharmaceutical industry, and the analysis uses panel data for 77 firms over the years 1997 – 2006. The launch rate measure considers that drugs either are launched or are dropped from the portfolio when development is discontinued. Results reveal a negative relationship between the number of projects in the portfolio and the launch rate. There is an inverted-U curvilinear relationship between the percentage of projects that are newly initiated and the launch rate. The test of an interaction indicates that launch rate decreases with increases in the percent of new projects in knowledge categories that are new to the firm. These results imply that project portfolios characterized by activity that is a stretch from the base of experience tend to exhibit lower launch rates.
Social Capital and Value Creation: A Replication of ‘The Role of Intrafirm Networks’ by Wenpin Tsai and Sumantra Ghoshal
Authors: Lester Monica
Published: June 2018

Social sciences researchers commend the scientists in the field of natural science for their history of replication and reproduction of scientific research. Such advocates for replication warn that business research is frequently built on a foundation that is ever evolving and necessitates the replicating of theoretical work. Following this logic, this paper is a replication of the celebrated 1998 article by Tsai and Ghoshal, Social capital and value creation: The role of intrafirm networks. Replication was conducted utilizing Structural Equation Modeling. The data was collected by the original researchers through a survey administered by mail. The survey comprised questions rated using a Likert scale. Findings mostly support Tsai and Ghoshal’s results with the exception of the relationships among constructs measuring trustworthiness, resource combination and sharing, and product innovation. Utilizing the before-mentioned constructs and the same analysis as Tsai and Ghoshal--structural equation modeling (SEM); the replicated model presented in this paper shows a non-recursive relationship versus Tsai and Ghoshal’s recursive model. All in all, we contend that the replicated model presented in this paper agrees with current literature and is a more comprehensive model than the one offered by Tsai and Ghoshal.
The Effects of Organizational Culture on Business Management Performance in Palestine
Authors: Hajjawi Omar
Published: June 2018

Organizational Culture is the set of shared values, beliefs and norms that influence the way employees think, feel and behave in the workplace. An organization's culture can have a pivotal impact on organizational management performance. This paper analyses the concept of organization's culture in manufacturing environment during the second Palestinian uprising (September 2000 – November 2004) against Israeli occupation. Israeli Defense Force (IDF) erected 648 check points that restrict Palestinians interlinks and the movement of their goods for security reasons. Palestinian economy was therefore in recession and businesses were feeling the pinch of reduced revenues. This empirical study draws upon a survey of 32 ISO 9000 certified manufacturing companies, which were asked to complete a questionnaire that focused on the means of encompassing aspects of organizational culture to guide employees' actions into emphasis on teamwork and sociality to foster loyalty and sense of tradition for business survival. This study has found that organizational clan (collaborate) culture type distinguishes the unique status of Palestinian organizations and in effect it places a premium on cohesion of teamwork participation and consensus. Clan culture has been effectively compatible with Palestinian organizational strategic objectives; it showed a strong source of motivation and behavioural control towards collective ends in economic crisis.
Diversity Management Strategies and Quality Decisions in the Banking Sector
Authors: Awino Zachary Bolo
Published: June 2018

The Top Management Team diversity discussed in the study is the extent to which the executive team is heterogeneous with respect to gender, age, academic qualifications, tenure, professional qualifications and functional backgrounds and how this aids quality decisions in the banking sector. Furthermore the study suggests that top management characteristics, specifically their demographic configuration could impair decision making which is the main objective and focus. Other researchers have shown that workforce diversity can provide positive organizational outcomes such as increased morale, higher satisfaction, greater commitment and improved performance. The questionnaire was the main tool of data collection. Cross sectional survey was adapted as the methodology of research where the target respondents were Heads of Human Resources in 43 banks. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The TMT diversity attributes under study were age, gender, academic qualifications, tenure in the bank and at the top, professional and functional background diversity. These variables were used to determine the existing gaps in knowledge, whether these attributes were crucial in making quality decisions. The study also used secondary data obtained from the Banking sector to measure performance in terms of increase in customer deposits, increase in average assets and profit before tax. The study established that tenure in the banking sector has a major implication in the quality of decisions made within the Top Management Teams of organizations.
Structuring Board of Directors’ Compensation Contracts: An Optimal Incentives Perspective
Authors: Aaron Joshua Reece
Published: June 2018

Boards of directors have been the subject of much research in various business disciplines. Boards are purported to serve as representatives of shareholders, oversee the implementation of the chosen strategy and provide useful external links and contacts to facilitate firm success. We know what we want boards to do, but how do we ensure they will do it? This leads to the issue of how best to compensate board members. This paper explores the relationship between board members’ compensation structure and subsequent firm performance. Based on a sample of 1721 directors and 158 firm year observations, compelling evidence suggests a moderate level of performance-based compensation for BOD members is associated with maximum firm performance.
On Some Advancements within Certain Multicriteria Decision Making Support Methodology
Authors: Kazibudzki Pawel Tadeusz , Grzybowski Andrzej Z
Published: June 2018

Deriving true priority vectors from intuitive pairwise comparison matrices (PCMs) and consistency measurement of decision makers judgments about their genuine weights are crucial issues within the multicriteria decision making support methodology called Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The most popular procedure in the ranking process, constitutes the Right Eigenvector Method (REV). The inventor of the AHP convinces that as long as inconsistent PCMs are allowed in the AHP none of the other existing procedures qualify and the REV provides the only right solution in this process. The objective of this scientific paper is to examine if the former opinion can be considered as experimentally confirmed. For this purpose it was decided to apply Monte Carlo methodology. However, rather than simulate and analyze simulations results for a single PCM, as it has been done so far by many other authors, we decided to design and analyze computer simulations results for a singular model of the AHP framework. Our findings lead to inevitable conclusion that the REV cannot longer be perceived as a dominant procedure within the AHP methodology, especially when nonreciprocal PCMs are considered. It was verified empirically in our research that in the situation when nonreciprocal PCMs are considered the REV impoverishes the entire AHP methodology by its lack of PCMs inconsistency measure in such cases. Moreover, it provides less accurate rankings for a particular decision in comparison to other presented methods. It was also unequivocally verified that the enforced reciprocity of PCM leads directly to worse estimates of priorities weights. Altogether, it seems very important from the perspective of methodology supporting multicriteria decision making, the crucial process embedded in most of management activity. In the consequence, because the REV recedes other prioritization procedures available for the AHP methodology, it is advised to consider them instead, especially under some circumstances of an important and very tight managerial decisions.
The Impact of Marketing Mix (4Ps) on Warehousing Operations: Case Study of Unilever Nigeria PLC
Authors: Okeudo Geraldine , Margaret. N Okoli
Published: June 2018

The study investigates the impact of marketing mix (4ps) on warehousing operations with a case study of Unilever Nigeria Plc. with objectives to aim at establishing a link between the resultant effects of marketing mix efforts on warehousing operations to find challenges and opportunities to improve on. Data used where secondary data collected from the warehouse activity profiles. Through-put/hour is used the estimated the activity at the warehouse; Sales in volumes is used the estimated the sales level. Data was analysed the regression model to determine what influence that marketing mix elements has on warehouse activity levels. Findings show that the higher sales go the higher the activities that constitute warehousing operations in the warehouse and price and promotional activities has a low influence on this warehouse operations. Consequently, it was concluded that the price and promotion activities have low influence on the model while sales-in-volume has the highest influence on the model. The relationship shows that the higher the volume-in-sales the activity is the warehouse operations while price and promotion activities do not have consider impact on these activities. We therefore recommend that Companies should develop better internal information system so as to effectively convey the information on real time basis within the firm especially when these warehouses are operated of decentralized policy.
Effects of Motivation on Employees’ Performance at Petrovietnam Nghe An Construction Joinst Stock Corporation
Authors: Cong Nhat Nguyen , Nguyen Van Dung , Hoang Huu Tinh
Published: June 2018

The purpose of any motivation programme is to motivate the organization’s employees to enable them work effectively. However, motivating employees is not an easy thing as what motivates employees differs among people. This paper intended to establish a set of factors that can motivate employees of Construction Joinst Stock Corporation (PVNC) and to establish the policy implications of these factors for managing staff of the PVNC. Questionnaire as research instrument was used and floated to 109. In total, 70 usable responses were received which were analyzed through SPSS 17.0 and used T-test statistic, ANOVA analysis, and linear regression. Results showed that good salary is the most important motivational factor followed by Opportunity for promotion. The paper revealed that these two factors are not the only factors that are needed to motivate employees of the PVNC. Other factors, including Supervisory practices and relations with authorities and Organization’s policies, are equally important depending on the type of motivational theory that is adopted. The study finally stresses the avoidance of disparities in pay/reward among staff of the same rank as a strategy to motivate and retain high quality staff in the PVNC. The study thus raises red flags that warn the management to be extra careful in their attempt to motivate staff of PVNC for effective.
A Macro Analysis of Bank Performance in Debt-Burdened Countries: The Case of Nigeria
Authors: Emmanuel Obademi Olalekan
Published: June 2018

In this study the focus is on the long-run relationship and impact of public debt on banking industry performance i.e. a macro-analysis in Nigeria using different performance indices such as total bank lending, total bank deposit and total bank branches between the period1975-2005. A general macro model underpinned by a simultaneous equation using a vector auto-regression estimation approach was done with the objective of sensitising countries on the need for caution on public debt. The findings are that public debt impacts negatively on bank performance but the extent of impact is different on the variables chosen in this study. The analysis carried out show that domestic debt impacts most negatively on total bank lending while external debt impacts most negatively on total bank deposit. It is believed that though domestic debt can be used as an instrument of economic stabilization, nonetheless, in the choice of whether to use domestic debt or external debt it may be more expedient to use external debt based on the outcome of this study though it should be stated that in doing that still, adequate care must be taken to maintain an acceptable Debt/GDP ratio needed for debt sustainability.
Social Performance of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs): Does Existing Practice Imply a Social Objective?
Authors: Thrikawala Sujani , Locke Stuart , Reddy Krishna
Published: June 2018

Many microfinance institutions (MFIs) are currently drifting away from their original mission of alleviating poverty. The objective of this article is to identify and update significant social performance (SP) for micro-finance institutions (MFIs) by viewing social performance measures as a way to address the development of MFIs. Unlike traditional performance measurements, social performance measurements are more allied with the organisation’s social and development goals. This study has therefore reviewed prior empirical studies and consultancy reports dealing with poverty alleviation to determine important social performance measurements for MFIs to achieve their social goals. Further, this study scrutinises 415 MFIs that have reported their social performance in the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) database in 2008 and 2009. The findings have revealed that from 2008 to 2009 the number of MFIs reporting social performance increased by 72 per cent; 80 per cent of them are Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Non-banking Financial Institutions (NFBIs). This study therefore provides direction for future research in performance assessment, balancing social and financial objectives in the microfinance industry. It is also a step in conducting more research and recommending regulation of the social performance of MFIs that will require them to engage in more empirical research work using micro-econometrics techniques in the future to support the available conceptual literature.
Factors Affecting Performance of Trade Unions in Kenya
Authors: Anyango Christine , Obange Nelson , Abeka Evans , Ondiek Gerald Ochieng , Odera Odhiambo , Ayugi Mary Evelyn
Published: June 2018

Trade unions have been used to settle disputes between members and management, the implementation of changes and securing adequate representation of members in government, public and private sector. The objective of this research was to determine factors affecting performance of Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT). The research was a cross- sectional survey done in Nyando District, Kisumu, Kenya using structured and unstructured questionnaire administered to KNUT officials and the teachers. Sample size used was 352 comprising of 341 teachers and 11 KNUT officials. Face to face interview technique was adopted for this study and descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data. The findings of this research indicate that only 71.6 % of the teachers are members of KNUT, the remaining 28.4 % are not. The factors affecting performance of the union were observed as financial, declining membership, political interference among others and this has worsened the performance of the union in the district.
The Influence of Organizational Change and Culture on Organizational Effectiveness of Senior Nursing Agencies in Taiwan: Using a Moderator of Investment for Cloud Computing Technologies
Authors: Lee I-Chao , Lee Yu-Je , Hui-Lin Chang , Lin Chin-Lang
Published: June 2018

The major purpose of this study is to explore, by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), the influence of interaction on organizational effectiveness between organizational change and organizational culture respectively associated with investment for cloud computing technologies. The study objects are employees from senior nursing agencies in Taiwan, adopting the Convenience Sampling to select samples from the population, applying the method of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to verify the goodness-of-fit effects between Overall Model, Structure Model and Measurement Model in this study. The finding shows that while the nursing agencies under existing organizational culture are implementing the organizational changes, the investment for Cloud Computing Technologies has made significant positive moderating effect on organizational effectiveness. This implies senior nursing agencies in Taiwan should increase investment for cloud computing technologies like enhancement in computer networking.
Impact of Small and Medium Enterprises on Economic Growth and Development
Authors: Taiwo Muritala A , Ayodeji Awolaja M , Yusuf Bako A
Published: June 2018

This paper seeks to investigate Small and Medium Enterprises as a veritable tool in Economic Growth and Development. A survey method was used to gather data from 200 SME/Entrepreneurial officers and Managers from five selected local government in Nigeria namely; Ijebu North, Yewa South, Sagamu, Odeda and Ogun Waterside Local government. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed with several descriptive statistics to identify the perception of the roles of SMEs in Nigeria. The results of the study therefore reveals that the most common constraints hindering small and medium scale business growth in Nigeria are lack of financial support, poor management, corruption, lack of training and experience, poor infrastructure, insufficient profits, and low demand for product and services.  Hence, it therefore recommends that Government should as matter of urgency assist prospective entrepreneurs to have access to finance and necessary information relating to business opportunities, modern technology, raw materials, market, plant and machinery which would enable them to reduce their operating cost and be more efficient to meet the market competitions.
Iran Solutions against the Economic Sanctions: Analytic Hierarchy Process Approach
Authors: Jabalameli Farkhonde , Rasoulinezhad Ehsan
Published: June 2018

Sanctions are penalties or limited program against some societies, countries or nations. Sanction usually consists of a ban on the sale and shipment of products to a country and on the purchase of its exports. Some countries have done it in various types against Iran since 1979. Recently due to nuclear program of Iran, the number of sanctions have raised dramatically.  However, Iran can definitely manage and overcome them with appropriate policies and decisions. In this paper we evaluate some chosen solutions of Iran in front of economic  sanctions (ES) using a multi attributes decision model named analytic hierarchy process method in three clusters as the local ,regional and global scopes. The results showed the efficiency of this decision making model in these sanctions. The results also indicate the best strategies to reduce and acting proactively against economic sanctions.