bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tinapa business resort: beyond the drawing board
Authors: Isekeije Jumoke G. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the viability of Tinapa business resort as a tourism development project for the people of Cross River State in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes secondary research.FindingsTinapa business resort is an enormous business venture that may be challenging to manage, considering the history of successive governments in Nigeria abandoning projects set up by their predecessors. The resort may be too big for its geographic location and this may pose a challenge to attracting business to the area.Practical implicationsThe promoters of Tinapa business resort need to apply detailed tourism development practices in maintaining the resort.Originality/valueThe paper presents the opinion of the author based on secondary data about Tinapa business resort and a report on implications of tourism development on the island of Ios in Greece.
Ethnic Chinese enterprises and the embeddedness of failure
Authors: Dahles Heidi 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to aim at assessing the impacts of the embedded nature of ethnic Chinese businesses on the management of business failure in China ventures.Design/methodology/approachUpon reviewing the key literature on ethnic Chinese transnational business ventures and, in particular, the concept of embeddedness, the paper proceeds with a description of the data based on ethnographic research among ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs in both Singapore and Malaysia and a brief portrayal of the development of their investments in China since the 1980s. In subsequent sections the empirical findings are first presented and then analyzed. The conclusions reflect on the changing nature of the embeddedness of the ethnic Chinese in diverse but shared legacies.FindingsThe experience of business failure in China contributes to a reorientation among the ethnic Chinese towards both their national communities and each other – and finally affects their transnational business strategies. This process of re‐embedding identity is intertwined with the diverging ethnic politics of the Singaporean and Malaysian nation states and results in the redefinition of a shared identity.Originality/valueWhile the literature on the ethnic Chinese business community is focusing on those factors that are conducive to business operations, little attention has been paid to the manners in which business failure is dealt with. In this paper, business failure will be investigated in terms of the impact emanating from the embeddedness of ethnic Chinese businesses in complex economic, social‐cultural, and political configurations.
Use of Cobb‐Douglas production model on some selected manufacturing industries in Oman
Authors: Zakir Hossain Mohammad , Said Al‐Amri Khalid 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to select the most suitable production model for measuring the production process of some major manufacturing industries in Oman.Design/methodology/approachThis empirical paper looks into an analytical justification to use Cobb‐Douglas (C‐D) production model in order to estimate and test the coefficients of the production inputs for each of the selected manufacturing industries using annual industrial statistical data over the period 1994 through 2007 published by Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Sultanate of Oman.FindingsThe results of the paper indicate that for most of the selected industries the C‐D function fits the data very well in terms of labor and capital elasticity, return to scale measurements, standard errors, economy of the industries, high value of R2 and reasonably good Durbin‐Watson statistics. The estimated results suggest that the manufacturing industries of Oman generally seem to indicate the case of increasing return to scale. Of the nine industries, seven exhibit increasing return to scale and only the rest two show decreasing return to scale. The paper finds no industry with constant return to scale.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper could not consider a good number of manufacturing industries and a long period of time series data in the study because of lack of data availability.Practical implicationsRecently, businessmen as well as industrialists are very much concerned about the theory of firm in order to make correct decisions regarding what items, how much and how to produce them. All these decisions are directly related with the cost considerations and market situations where the firm is to be operated. In this regard, this paper should be helpful in suggesting the most suitable functional form of production process for the major manufacturing industries of developing countries like Oman.Originality/valueThe paper shows originality in substance and makes a unique contribution to the literature on industrial economics in Oman.
Syria's next generation: youth un/employment, education, and exclusion
Authors: Buckner Elizabeth S. , Saba Khuloud 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the educational and employment opportunities of Syrian youth. It examines findings from a number of nation‐wide surveys of Syrian youth to investigate the educational and labor market conditions Syrian youth face amidst economic and social changes.Design/methodology/approachThe study summarizes numerous nation‐wide surveys conducted by Syrian and foreign organizations concerning the employment and educational opportunities of Syrian youth and their attitudes to their future opportunities and other social and economic issues.FindingsThe study finds that class gender and regional background significantly impact the educational and employment opportunities available to Syrian youth. It also finds that Syrian youth express real concerns about their living conditions and future opportunities.Practical implicationsThe study argues that future research on Syrian youth must disaggregate findings by background and demographic characteristics. It also argues that more research is needed to understand how youth perceive recent economic and employment changes, including an emphasis on identifying risk factors for marginalization and social and economic exclusion.Originality/valueThis study summarizes findings from the newest and most comprehensive nation‐wide surveys on youth in Syria. Such is often available in Arabic, in hard copy, and to researchers in Syria only. Scholars of the contemporary Middle East and policymakers directly invested in the fates of Syrian youth have a very real need for detailed and current research on youth in Syria.
Investigating recruitment practices and problems of multinational companies (MNCs) operating in Egypt
Authors: Darrag Menatallah , Mohamed Ahmed , Abdel Aziz Hadia 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present and discuss the recruitment conditions of multinational companies (MNCs) in Egypt, along with problems and de‐recruitment activities such MNCs face.Design/methodology/approachSurveys in the form of questionnaires were used and data from 55 MNCs operating in Egypt were acquired to investigate the recruitment function's processes and problems MNCs faced along with de‐recruitment practices MNCs undertake.FindingsResults indicated that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) showed higher adoption rate of the recruitment process than large enterprises (LEs). In addition, results indicated that the recruitment function is perceived to be run jointly by human resource management (HRM) and line management, giving an upper hand to HRM. In general, two sets of problems facing recruitment were revealed; candidate‐ and organization‐related problems, where the former had been more frequently reported by SMEs rather than LEs. Finally, the findings illustrated the actual de‐recruitment practices undertaken by MNCs operating in Egypt. SMEs adopted less aggressive de‐recruitment activities than LEs, where mainly recruitment freezing and early retirement are mostly used.Originality/valueThis paper highlights three under‐researched areas by studying the organizational size dimension of recruitment and identifying the pattern of de‐recruitment activities employed by MNCs of different sizes, and also identifying recruitment problems facing MNCs in Egypt. Such findings could help organizations either planning to start up or in enhancing their operations in the Egyptian market. As well, these findings provide insight to recruits about the recruitment stages and problems they might encounter.
The resource curse and private investment: a theoretical model of the impact of corruption
Authors: Everhart Stephen S. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeA neoclassical model of growth is augmented with the purpose of investigating the relationship between private investment, resource endowments, and corruption. It allows for the possibility that corruption influences the steady‐state growth rate through its impact on private investment, resource endowment management, human capital, and governance.Design/methodology/approachCorrupt environments critically affect long‐run sustainable economic development through the private investment decision. The groundwork may significantly contribute to emerging economies, particularly Middle East and North African countries with abundant natural resources. Understanding corruption is important for policy recommendations that can fuel the reform agenda. The theoretical model incorporates the potential direct impact and potential indirect effects of corruption on economic output by examining its influence on resource endowment management, the level of private investment and governance. The neoclassical approach is advantageous in that it allows for explicit incorporation of the indirect effects of corruption and potential tradeoffs.FindingsOne conclusion is that for highly corrupt countries, the marginal benefit to output of reducing corruption outweighs virtually any other policy action. The importance of strong governance as a mitigating force against corruption's negative effects is also highlighted. In addition, it indicates that the timing of reform efforts is significant.Originality/valueThe literature lacks a theoretical framework incorporating the potential indirect effect of corruption on output through resource endowment management and the direct effect of corruption through its impact on governance. The literature has only examined the hypothesized influences separately. The paper explicitly links corruption, resource endowments, private investment, and economic output.
Saudi Arabian educational history: impacts on English language teaching
Authors: Elyas Tariq , Picard Michelle 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to critically examine the history of education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its impact on modern teaching practices. It explores the relationship between traditional practices, teacher identity and English language teaching within an increasingly complex context.Design/methodology/approachThe authors undertake a critical review of education in Saudi Arabia utilising critical reflexivity and their local social knowledge as a means of interrogating practice, research of the field, and related texts.FindingsThe paper indicates a direct link between historical teaching practices in early Saudi Arabia and the current teaching of English. It suggests the concept of “hybridity” as one way for local English teachers to construct identities that meet the contextual challenges.Practical implicationsThis paper has implications both locally and internationally. It provides insight into teaching practices preferred by teachers and students in an Arabian context. This in turn has the potential to inform policy and curriculum development by local educators and foreign contractors in Saudi Arabia that take teacher and student identity into consideration. It also facilitates a more nuanced understanding of their Saudi Arabian students by Western educators and administrators.Originality/valueAlthough work has been done on teacher identity in Saudi Arabia and limited studies have examined the impact of English as a global language, this is the first study to examine the interplay between historical praxis, teacher identity and the conflicting pressures of teaching English in this context.
Developing curriculum leadership in the UAE
Authors: Stephenson Lauren 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to build a comprehensive picture of teacher experiences as three educational institutions undertook the process of pedagogical strategy reform through professional development thus uncovering important local data to inform policy and the change process in public and private schools in the UAE. This paper compares the outcomes, successes and challenges that impacted each project.Design/methodology/approachThe three studies were ethnographic case studies using autoethnographic techniques. Data were collected using the following methods: survey, semi‐structured and unstructured interviews, evaluations, observation, document analysis, and reflective journals. The data were analysed using an inductive process of identifying themes.FindingsThe findings indicate that individual and collective learning as a result of developing learning communities contributes to a new, evolving and organic model of professional learning which encourages a focus on long‐term solutions for educational leadership in the UAE. Some of the issues that arose include the role of the project manager, the value of distributed leadership, levels of decision making, work relations and processes, and training versus education.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the knowledge base on professional learning in several ways including the development of a better understanding and analysis of teacher professional learning; the development and implementation of a new model of teacher professional learning; the identification of a framework that has a potential application in other contexts; and evaluation of an interdisciplinary application of teacher professional learning.
Corporate governance regulatory convergence: a remedy for the wrong problem
Authors: Lazarides Themistokles , Drimpetas Evaggelos 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to highlight the differences between the corporate governance systems in Anglo‐Saxon and Continental European countries, and to argue that legal convergence or isomorphism may become more of a problem than a solution in countries where an issue like minority shareholders' protection is the primary corporate governance problem.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses a number of surveys to support the trend of legal and ownership convergence in Anglo‐Saxon and Continental European countries. The main concern, in Continental European countries, is the expropriation of minority shareholders by the dominant major shareholders, whereas in Anglo‐Saxon firms the main concern is the expropriation of shareholders by the dominant managers (agency problem). Then it analyses the legal initiatives to determine the appropriateness of the legal framework with the fundamentals characteristics of corporations.FindingsRegardless of the trend for ownership dispersion and convergence of securities laws and regulations observed in the last decade, the main characteristics of ownership structure remain unchanged and the two systems of corporate governance remain distinctively separate. The paper argues that legal‐regulative convergence is not adequate to achieve real corporate governance system convergence. As long as the fundamental differences of the corporate governance systems differ, legal and regulating isomorphism may be the cause of problems and not a solution.Originality/valueThe paper presents an alternative approach in legal‐regulatory framework formulation. It advocates the introduction of a different set of practices and legal initiatives for countries with different characteristics and corporate governance problems.
UCP 600: the new rules on documentary compliance
Authors: Yen Low Hang 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the changes brought about by Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP) 600 in relation to issues of document discrepancies.Design/methodology/approachA detailed comparison of both the UCP 500 and the UCP 600 is conducted. The paper adopts a critical analysis approach.FindingsThe UCP 600 does provide a better version of the rules than the UCP 500, but there is still room for improvement.Research limitations/implicationsThe UCP 600 only came into force on 1 July 2007 and it is too early to conduct an empirical research to investigate the actual effects of the new rules.Practical implicationsBanks and sellers should implement policy changes within their institution so as to comply with UCP 600.Originality/valueAll parties involved in international trading will have a better understanding of how documents will be compliant under the new UCP 600, thereby avoiding monetary losses, delay in time and unwarranted litigation.
Protection from retaliation for workplace discrimination claims
Authors: Goldberg Ilene V. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe specific purpose of this paper is to research the relevant case law with regard to the legality of retaliation for workplace discrimination claims.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology employed is traditional legal research and analysis.FindingsThis paper examines standards for proving retaliation, along with the impact of recent US Supreme Court decisions on employers and employees.Research implications/implicationsThe research provides a framework for evaluating retaliation claims.Originality/valueThis research is of value to both employers and employees in deciding the standards for proving a retaliation claim.
India under the siege of reform
Authors: Ramesh G. 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present the contexts for the four papers selected in the area of policy and institutional reforms in India. The two decades of reforms in India have lead to research from multiple perspectives and have thrown up rich repository of knowledge; and the selected papers form part of its continuum. The paper presents a brief overview on the aspects and thrust of these reforms in developed economies, and the learnings. This overview provides the frameworks for understanding reforms in emerging economies. There have been gains but it is still being debated. But, what is concerning policy makers and academicians is the pressure from developed economies and global think tanks to mimic them, when the advantages are still unclear.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides a conceptual overview and tries to present the overall framework in which the four papers have to be appreciated. The context itself is tuned to the focus of these papers. The selected papers cover a wide spectrum of domain and reform interventions. The approach is to weave together these papers around the theme of policy and institutional reforms in terms of instruments of interventions and their effectiveness. It also throws up issues for future research.FindingsThis paper can summarize the findings of these studies it emerges that various attempts are being in the realm of reform with different levels of effectiveness. These are also in different stages of implementation. The papers indicate that while there are gains from reforms, the full potential could not be reached or it is too early to say.Originality/valueThe relevance of this paper and the four papers that it presents are at two levels. First is the direct learning from these studies in their areas of focus. Second is in terms of discerning the common thread of reforms that runs through these papers; in terms of their content, implementation, and effectiveness. These attempts are fairly representative of the reform story that is emerging from India.
Introducing competition in the power sector in India: adoption of the US model
Authors: Ranjan Das Rasmi 
Published: May 2010

PurposeThe twin objectives of power sector reforms in India – improving efficiency and attracting private investment – are far from being achieved. It is commonly acknowledged that competition in the sector can help achieve the objectives of the reforms, but although the Electricity Act of 2003 promised to usher in competition, even after seven years of its enactment there is very little competition in generation and absolutely no competition in retail supply. This paper seeks to find a road map for the introduction of competition in the power sector in India by discussing and drawing upon the US model of deregulating generation and retail supply whilst simultaneously keeping transmission and distribution under regulation.Design/methodology/approachThe study is a historical analysis of deregulation in the US power sector and its relevance for India by drawing upon both primary and secondary resources.FindingsThe introduction of competition in the USA has brought substantial gains for the consumer and India can follow this model by mandating all distribution utilities to procure their future requirement of power through open competitive bidding. For retail competition, the system of provider of last resort (POLR) with POLR price being fixed with reference to market price can be the way forward.Originality/valueThis paper offers some practical and implementable suggestions for introducing competition in the power sector in India.