bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multi‐criteria analysis weighting methodology to incorporate stakeholders' preferences in energy and climate policy interactions
Authors: Grafakos Stelios , Flamos Alexandros , Oikonomou Vlasis , Zevgolis Dimitrios 
Published: September 2010

PurposeEvaluation of energy and climate policy interactions is a complex issue, whereas stakeholders' preferences incorporation has not been addressed systematically. The purpose of this paper is to present an integrated weighting methodology that has been developed in order to incorporate weighting preferences into an ex ante evaluation of climate and energy policy interactions.Design/methodology/approachA multi‐criteria analysis (MCA) weighting methodology which combines pair‐wise comparisons and ratio importance weighting methods has been elaborated. It initially introduces the users to the evaluation process through a warming up holistic approach for an initial rank of the criteria and then facilitates them to express their ratio relative importance in pair‐wise comparisons of criteria by providing them an interactive mean with verbal, numerical and visual representation of their preferences. Moreover, it provides a ranking consistency test where users can see the degree of (in)consistency of their preferences.FindingsStakeholders and experts in the energy policy field who tested the methodology stated their approval and satisfaction for the combination of both ranking and pair‐wise comparison techniques, since it allows the gradual approach to the evaluation problem. In addition, main difficulties in MCA weights elicitation processes were overcome.Research limitations/implicationsThe methodology is tested by a small sample of stakeholders, whereas a larger sample, a broader range of stakeholders and applications on different climate policy evaluation cases merit further research.Originality/valueThe novel aspect of the developed methodology consists of the combination of ranking and pair‐wise comparison techniques for the elicitation of stakeholders' preferences.
A consistent approach for performance measurement of electricity distribution companies
Authors: Omrani H. , Azadeh A. , Ghaderi S.F. , Aabdollahzadeh S. 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present an integrated algorithm composed of data envelopment analysis (DEA), corrected ordinary least squares (COLS) and principal component analysis (PCA) to estimate efficiency scores of electricity distribution units.Design/methodology/approachSeveral DEA and COLS models are prescribed and their results are verified and validated by the algorithm. To calculate efficiency scores, three standard internal consistency conditions between DEA and COLS results are checked by the algorithm. If these conditions are satisfied, DEA is chosen as the superior model because it could be used for optimization as well. Otherwise, the geometric mean of DEA and COLS model is used as the final efficiency scores.FindingsThe algorithm of this paper may be easily applied to decision‐making units because of its robustness (combined DEA‐COLS input and output) and validity gained through PCA.Originality/valueThe integrated approach has several unique features which are: verification and validation mechanism by PCA, consideration of internal consistency conditions between DEA and COLS and consolidation of DEA and COLS for improved ranking given consistency conditions are violated.
Evaluating the efficiency effects of industry consolidation
Authors: Hess Borge 
Published: September 2010

PurposeSince the early 1990s, the US natural gas sector is characterized by substantial industry restructuring as a result of regulatory requirements following a liberalization objective. Accordingly, firms have chosen different strategies as a reaction of regulatory constraints, such as acquisitions, forming holding companies, or joint venture investment. In order to contribute to the success of business strategies driven by the regulatory framework, the purpose of this paper is to provide first evidence for the impacts of business strategies on a firm's efficiency within the gas transmission business.Design/methodology/approachThe approach taken is a stochastic frontier analysis.FindingsThe results highlighted significant effects of acquisitions, holding structures, and joint ventures within the industry on the firms' technical efficiency estimates. The paper finds evidence for efficiency improvements caused by the new shareholder. The results suggested those holdings to be successful which have great experience in the construction and operation of oil pipelines. In the case that firms formed a joint venture to construct and operate a gas transportation pipeline, the empirical analysis showed a negative impact of such a joint venture on technical efficiency of the pipeline company.Originality/valueThe paper provides evidence for the missing link between operating performance and the evaluation of different business strategies in terms of efficiency within the natural gas interstate pipeline industry.
State promotion of SME development at the local level in China
Authors: Atherton Andrew , Smallbone David 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine state promotion of private sector development in China, with particular emphasis on local configurations of support and service provision.Design/methodology/approachVia analysis of two cases, constraints on the development of small‐ to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) support and enabling environments and infrastructures are explored.FindingsThe cases highlight several fundamental constraints to state support for private sector development, including: an under‐developed market for business development and other support services; lack of budgetary facility in municipalities to resource publicly supported services to private SMEs; a lack of expertise within local government to develop mechanisms to engage with and support the development of privately owned enterprises.Research limitations/implicationsThe localised nature of implementation of the 2003 SME Promotion Law, at municipal and county level, appears to be a constraint on systematic development of comprehensive SME support systems, as mandated by this law.Practical implicationsFirst, the private sector has grown without emergence of a purposive infrastructure of direct state support to enable this development, which appears to be a positive outcome from reform. Second, future private sector growth may be constrained should local government not develop mechanisms to engage with the private sector to enable its continued growth and development.Originality/valueThe paper offers insight into current, and future, relations state promotion of enterprise in China.
China's Venture Capital Guiding Funds: policies and practice
Authors: Chen Jia 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to present an overview of China's Venture Capital Guiding Funds, a new policy initiative in support of the development of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides an overview of China's Venture Capital Guiding Funds.FindingsThe Chinese Government endeavored to promote the development of SMEs with fiscal policies and has accomplished some achievements. As the Reform and Opening‐up Policy is undergoing further progress, fiscal policies are expected to play a more and more important role in the development of economy and the society as well as SMEs.Originality/valueThe paper illustrates the approaches that the Chinese Government has taken to improve the availability of equity financing to high‐growth SMEs.
Mangi teus‐teus
Authors: Wood Stephen 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explain why the two most pious Muslim groups in West Africa – the Mourides of Senegal and the Pula Futa of Guinea – are also the most economically dominant.Design/methodology/approachThis question has typically been explained using the ideas of Max Weber, who suggests that the capitalist spirit arose because of the personal characteristics created by Calvinism. This paper looks at a Weberian explanation, adopted to Islam, and also an explanation that is rooted in pure political and economic history.FindingsIt is concluded that the Weberian explanation is germane to the case of the Mourides in Senegal, but does a poor job explaining the economic dominance of the Pula Futa. By contrast, while the economic and political history is important for the economic rise of the Mourides, it seems to account for almost the entire success of the Pula Futa.Originality/valueThese findings are important because they are a reminder of the heterogeneity between both ethnic and religious groups, both in their religious practice and in their economic affairs. The effects of religion, politics, and culture are not uniform for different sects, nations, and ethnic groups. If there is a desire to market to Muslims, develop programs for economic development, or engage in any economic work within Islamic cultures, there is a need to take such heterogeneity into account.
Ethical implications of sales promotion in Ghana: Islamic perspective
Authors: Bin Yusuf Jibrail 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe paper aims to examine sales promotional practices in Ghana, weighing their ethical implications from an Islamic perspective and investigates whether they meet Islam's ethical requirements to merit Muslims' patronage.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses Qur'an 5:90/2:219 as a theoretical framework to analyze relevant data to ascertain the extent of ethical legitimacy of strategies used in sales promotion in Ghana and cites other relevant references from Qur'an and sunnah as interpretative proofs and methodology.FindingsIslam emphasizes ethical principles in business. Muslims can promote business but that must be done within the ethical framework of Islam. The current Ghanaian promotional strategies are ethically questionable. They lead to unethical earning of livelihood and unjust acquisition of wealth through gambling and other ill‐perceived means which do not promote the ethical values of Muslims.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper emphasizes the necessity for further research into the ethical dimensions of business practices, in general, in Ghana to promote ethical responsibility in the society.Originality/valueThe study inculcates mutual socio‐economic and ethical responsibilities between Ghanaian sellers and buyers to save the society from the situation where love of wealth supersedes ethical interests.
Conflict in purchase decision making within couples
Authors: Frikha Azza 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThis paper aims to explore conflict and its resolution strategies adopted by Tunisian spouses in the purchase of furniture. This paper also seeks to examine the determinants of the variation in resolution strategies adopted by the couples.Design/methodology/approachFollowing an exploratory study and two focus group discussions, a number of conflict resolution strategies compatible with the Tunisian cultural context are generated and submitted for examination through a survey of 129 couples (N=258 individuals).FindingsThe findings suggest that conflicts are more marked with regard to the non aesthetic aspects of the furniture. The findings also show that the variations in strategies of conflict resolution used by spouses depend on the gender role orientation, the family life cycle and the socio‐demographic characteristics.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper provides insights on the conflict occurring in purchase of furniture and the strategies used by spouses to reach a decision. However, the findings need to be validated on other samples and other products to better apprehend Muslim family interactions.Practical implicationsFor marketers, the findings point to the importance of being aware of the extent of conflict and the used strategies to resolve it. Such knowledge may better refocus marketing efforts towards solving conflicts and help couples reach a purchase decision.Originality/valueThis paper focuses on the decisional dynamics in Tunisian Islamic context.
Do forecasts improve over time?
Authors: Rieg Robert 
Published: September 2010

PurposeAccounting and decision making rely heavily on forecasts. For several reasons, we should expect ongoing increases in forecasting accuracy. The purpose of this paper is to test the hypothesis of improved forecasts over time.Design/methodology/approachThe paper analyzes original monthly sales plans and current data for three different car models in six different countries over 15 years and over several product life cycles (PLCs). Forecasting accuracy is calculated as one minus forecasting error. Forecasting error is measured with MAD/MEAN for periods of years or relative deviations per month. The hypothesis of decreasing forecasting errors is tested with the non‐parametric Mann/Kendall trend test. Additional interviews with managers were conducted to elicit details of internal forecasting organization and instruments.FindingsThe paper finds no evidence of increased forecasting accuracy in general over 15 years or over subsequent PLCs. This seems surprising, given improved statistical methods and software in general, and experience and learning effects of the organization itself. However, there is evidence from the case, that the reason lies in environmental uncertainty and volatility and not in internal factors within the control of the company.Research limitations/implicationsEvidence from one case study is limited in its external validity. Future studies should analyze the forecasts of more companies, more industries and different forecasting objects, the latter including consumer, industrial goods and services. In the absence of further research, the results seem to negate the common assumption, that companies are generally able to make accurate forecasts, including those for accounting purposes. This hypothesis is clearly confuted.Practical implicationsThe paper describes a methodology for companies to analyze their own forecasting accuracy and to identify possible reasons for a lack of accuracy, or basic approaches to increasing it.Originality/valueMost studies on forecasting accuracy rely on interviews and questionnaires, entailing bias that is difficult to control. Few studies analyze archival data in order to measure forecasting accuracy; so that our study avoids much of the bias mentioned above. Despite the inevitable limitations of case studies, a study such as the present one at least allows us to dispute a common hypothesis about forecasting accuracy in practice.
Business strategies for achieving sustainable development in Africa
Authors: Rugimbana Robert 
Published: September 2010

PurposeIn this editorial the Guest Editor attempts to link the idea of sustainable development in Africa to the different contributions that have been made by papers written on varied business disciplines.Design/methodology/approachThe papers in this special issue represent “best papers” that were selected during the 3rd International Business Conference (IBC) held in Zanzibar, Tanzania in 2009, addressing the theme of business challenges and sustainable solution, under the overarching conference theme of sustainable futures. The papers cover a wide range of business challenges and remedies in an interdisciplinary manner via a range of sub‐disciplines ranging from human resources management and entrepreneurship training to HIV/AIDS in the workplace and gender buying patterns of German tourists.FindingsPresenting the notion of sustainable development as a means of confronting business challenges is an interdisciplinary undertaking, in which business disciplines and business methods logically play a role. Although these papers address important business challenges that are pertinent to the development of Africa, they only implicitly and indirectly talk to sustainability philosophies or approaches. In essence, they address issues that have interesting implications for sustainable development and futures thinking and strategies albeit industry‐sector or firm levels.Originality/valueThe discussion in this special issue focuses on the implications of the contributions to the generic field of sustainable development. The main aim is to encourage academics to begin engaging with a kind of futures thinking, with particular focus on the main issues of sustainable development, whilst bearing in mind the principal aims of the millennium development goals for Africa.
Entrepreneurship training and poverty alleviation
Authors: Mensah S.N.‐A. , Benedict E. 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine the major long‐term role that hands‐on entrepreneurship training could play in poverty alleviation and job creation in one of the poorest regions of South Africa – the Eastern Free State (EFS). This is done against a background of frequently occurring violent protests against the inadequacy of the government's hand‐out poverty alleviation strategy of social grants, free houses and free social services.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses desk research and quantitative analysis of survey data collected from the Phuthaditjhaba area of Qwaqwa in the EFS.FindingsThe poverty indicators confirm the accepted view of the Free State as one of the poorest provinces in South Africa, which makes Qwaqwa, the poorest part of the Free State, a real human plight. While government hand‐out poverty alleviation measures, with their unintended consequences of violent protests and demonstrations, may only help some of the poor in the short term, training in entrepreneurship and provision of other facilities could give poor owners of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) opportunities to grow their businesses and get themselves and other out of poverty. Furthermore, as a result of a huge communication gap, MSE operators in Phuthaditjhaba, the commercial hub of Qwaqwa, do not even know of government agencies charged with the responsible of assisting small business operators in the area. Though they lack the finance and other endowments required to grow their businesses, the experience has given MSE operators some ideas about the kind of assistance that may help in this regard and even make it possible for them to provide employment for others – finance, government support, infrastructure and premises, training, etc.Practical implicationsAs shown by the findings of a study sponsored by the Maluti‐A‐Phofung local municipality, there is potential for growth of small businesses in many areas of the EFS economy. Training of survivalist entrepreneurs and other poor persons with potential could open their eyes to opportunities around them which they could take advantage of to improve their economic situation and that of other poor persons in the area through job creation.Originality/valueIn addition to highlighting the shortcomings of the current poverty alleviation strategy of the South African Government, this is the first study that brings entrepreneurship training to the fore in the fight against poverty in the EFS.
Modelling the time‐varying volatility of equities returns in Kenya
Authors: Esman Nyamongo Morekwa , Misati Roseline 
Published: September 2010

PurposeThe paper seeks to investigate the relationship between stock volatility and returns in the Nairobi Stock Exchange, Kenya. It uses daily returns data over the period January 2006 to April 2009.Design/methodology/approachEmpirical analysis is based on quantitative analysis with emphasis on descriptive statistics, and advanced econometrics models which are well suited to capture the time‐varying volatility. The models utilised in this study fall into the family of generalised autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity models.FindingsThe main findings of the paper are as follows: the equities returns are symmetric but leptokurtic and thus not normally distributed; volatility of returns is highly persistent; the leverage effects are not significant; and the impact of news on volatility is not significantly asymmetric.Practical implicationsThe findings of this paper will aid policy makers, policy analysts, investors, and academics to gain in‐depth understanding of dynamics of the equities returns in Kenya particularly, with regard to leverage and impact of news.Originality/valueThe paper was conducted at a time when the volatility of the equity market returns in the global stock markets in general and Kenya in particular was high on account of the global financial crisis and the aftermath of the post‐election violence in Kenya. Given that excess volatility in the stock market undermines the reliability of stock market prices as a signal to the true value of the firm, the findings of this paper will provide useful insights in the assessment of portfolio allocation and investment decisions in Kenya.
24‐h pH monitoring patterns and clinical response after achalasia treatment with pneumatic dilation or laparoscopic Heller myotomy
Authors: Novais P. A. , Lemme E. M. O. 
Published: September 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 1257–1265SummaryBackground  The most effective treatment for achalasia is pneumatic dilation or myotomy. The best option is still controversial and incidence of complications could help choosing. Gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GER) is the most frequent complication after treatment for achalasia. The 24‐h pH monitoring (24‐h pH) is the best method to evaluate true GER.Aim  To analyse the 24‐h pH patterns after treatment, correlating with therapeutic success.Methods  Untreated patients with achalasia were randomized to pneumatic dilation or laparoscopic Heller myotomy with fundoplication (LHM+Fp) and evaluated with clinical/manometric results and 24‐h pH.Results  Ninety‐four patients were analysed pre‐treatment and 85 post‐treatment. Clinical success was 73.8% in pneumatic dilation group and 88.3% in LHM+Fp group (P = 0.08). The incidence of GER was 31% in pneumatic dilation, and 4.7% in LHM+Fp (P = 0.001). The occurrence of hypotensive lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) was 53.3% in patients who developed GER and 28.6% in patients with 24‐h pH suggesting fermentation (P = 0.019). The rates of dysphagia resolution in patients with 24‐h pH of GER and fermentation were respectively 86.7% and 85.7% (P = 0.89).Conclusions  True GER 24‐h pH is more frequent after pneumatic dilation for achalasia, and it is associated with a hypotensive LES. A 24‐h pH suggestive of fermentation or true GER is not associated with worse clinical/manometric results.