Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tin-Chun Lin Author-X-Name-First: Tin-Chun Author-X-Name-Last: Lin Title: Impact of restaurant owners'/managers' handling of customers' unexpected incidents on customers' revisit intention Abstract: The main purpose of this research is to explore whether or not restaurant owners/managers handle customers' unexpected incidents can affect customers' intention to revisit the same restaurant. We used the case of coupon incident as an example. We then designed an experiment and conducted a survey, and also developed single-equation regression models (both two-stage least squares and ordinary least squares procedures) to test the hypothesis. Results demonstrate that customers who were unhappy when restaurant owners/managers denied them the use of effective coupons were less likely to revisit the same restaurant, as well as no matter the reasons for disallowing coupon use, customers' intention to revisit the same restaurant was frustrated by the experience. Consequently, the main contribution of this study is in offering a different analytical perspective on customer post-purchase behavioural intention by verifying whether the way restaurant owners/managers handle customers' unexpected incidents may influence customers' revisit intention. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 108-124 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: revisit intention; customer satisfaction; coupon; customer unexpected incident. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=88507 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:108-124 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mosab I. Tabash Author-X-Name-First: Mosab I. Author-X-Name-Last: Tabash Title: Islamic financial investments and economic growth evidence from emerging economy, United Arab Emirates Abstract: The paper examines the role of Islamic banking investments in enhancing the emerging economic growth of United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study uses annual time series data to examine the relationship between the variables. Autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) framework is utilised for co-integration along with error correction models. The findings indicate that in the long-term Islamic banks' investments have contributed to the economic growth of UAE. It shows that when Islamic investments increase, the economic growth also increases in a positive way. Granger causality test results depict a positive and statistically significant relationship between economic growth and Islamic banks' investments in both the short-run and in the long-run as well. It reveals that the causal relationship between Islamic banks' investments and the economic growth of UAE is a supply-leading direction. The paper concludes that the United Arab Emirates Government should support the growth of Islamic banks since they approve their impacts on the UAE economy. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 125-139 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: Islamic finance; financial investments; economic growth; United Arab Emirates; UAE; autoregressive distributed lag; ARDL; emerging economy; granger causality; economy; error correction model; ECM; long-term. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=88510 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:125-139 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Walid Bakry Author-X-Name-First: Walid Author-X-Name-Last: Bakry Author-Name: Somar Almohamad Author-X-Name-First: Somar Author-X-Name-Last: Almohamad Title: Further evidence on Middle East and North Africa financial markets integration Abstract: This paper provides further evidence on financial integration among MENA and developed the US stock markets between 2000 and 2015. This paper employs Zivot and Andrews (1992) and Bai and Perron (2003) methods to test for single and multiple structural breaks in MENA markets, respectively, along with the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and Granger causality techniques to examine the dynamic interaction among the aforementioned stock markets in both long and short-run. Results find that, in general, the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) to be the most significant event leading to structural change in almost all the MENA markets. Furthermore, MENA countries are cointegrated among each other, and with US stock market. Financial markets in the MENA region are not isolated from global events and global shocks such as the GFC and the European debt crisis are found to have at least the same impact as local and regional events on the financial systems in MENA countries. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 1-22 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: structure breaks; financial integration; MENA stock markets; Global Financial Crisis; GFC; causal relationships; Middle East and North Africa. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=88513 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:1-22 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mona Kamal Ibrahim Author-X-Name-First: Mona Kamal Author-X-Name-Last: Ibrahim Author-Name: Yehia A. Ibrahim Author-X-Name-First: Yehia A. Author-X-Name-Last: Ibrahim Title: A diamond-quality teaching modelling in higher education: an AAU perspective Abstract: In this manuscript, the authors designed a novel model of quality teaching called the 'diamond-quality teaching model' (D-QTM). The novelty of this model is that it explicitly adds the teacher's dispositional quality modelling dimension to complement the three known pedagogic dimensions: intellectual quality; environmental quality; and significance of learning outcomes. This explicit addition of dispositional quality modelling assures that quality teaching will not only affect what students can 'academically' achieve, but also what they can 'practically' do and be; making teaching both informative and transformative. The five well-known components of emotional and social learning (SEL) were adopted as the cluster elements of the dispositional quality modelling dimension. These elements are expected to bring the affective domain to the teaching-learning process and enhance the cognitive and psychomotor domains. By this addition, each of the four D-QTM dimensions in the model comprises five key elements that further define and clarify the nature and function of the model in terms of teaching/learning dynamics. All the models presented in this manuscript are designed based on research in the concerned fields and within the spirit of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) 2021 vision and the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) mission of higher education. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 23-39 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: Abu Dhabi Education Council; ADEC; affective domain; quality teaching model; QTM; social and emotional learning; SEL; AAU; United Arab Emirates; UAE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=88519 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:23-39 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Eythar Abdulhadi AL Feehan Author-X-Name-First: Eythar Abdulhadi AL Author-X-Name-Last: Feehan Title: Entrepreneurial opportunity issues Abstract: Entrepreneurial opportunity resides on the level of the individual, the company and the economy. There are overlapping concepts of entrepreneurship, economic, social and administrative. Therefore, current research has introduced the concept of entrepreneurship from the standpoint of economic and social psychology as well as administration, which is based on the opportunity, in addition to the concept of the entrepreneur, centred on the role of entrepreneurship and innovation as the most important requirements to sustain the economy based on the knowledge. Also, the concept of economic intelligence challenges posed by the activities of a knowledge-based economy, methods and tools within the stages of the process of intelligence economic are discussed. The conclusion that the roots of entrepreneurship are economic, focused on what happens when entrepreneurs create a company; however, the current focus is managerial and centred on how entrepreneurs create and manage the company. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 40-51 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: entrepreneurial opportunity; entrepreneurship approaches; economic intelligence; EI; knowledge management; KM. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=88520 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:40-51 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ahmad Ghandour Author-X-Name-First: Ahmad Author-X-Name-Last: Ghandour Title: FAHP-based to-do-list for eCommerce websites the case of SMEs in Abu Dhabi Abstract: The continued disappointment among SMEs for their online activities and the subsequent struggle in recognising benefits is a call for action to develop a checklist to guide owners/managers. Based on the web marketing mix, this paper responds to such requirement and develop a prioritised and most important to-do-list that can be used as a guideline for eCommerce website development. Further, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) approach was used to rank and prioritise the list. The results show 22 items where 'setting a strategic goal' and 'making the website search friendly' made it to the top of the list. Surprisingly, mobile marketing came last on the list indicating that SMEs in UAE are not yet utilising the power of smartphones for eCommerce purposes. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 52-71 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: website; eCommerce; website; online business; eCommerce website; offerings; web marketing mix; fuzzy analytic hierarchy process; FAHP; multi-criteria decision making; MCDM; Abu Dhabi. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=88521 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:52-71 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Abdallah Alshawabkeh Author-X-Name-First: Abdallah Author-X-Name-Last: Alshawabkeh Author-Name: Jamil Razmak Author-X-Name-First: Jamil Author-X-Name-Last: Razmak Author-Name: Amer Qasim Author-X-Name-First: Amer Author-X-Name-Last: Qasim Author-Name: Faten F. Kharbat Author-X-Name-First: Faten F. Author-X-Name-Last: Kharbat Title: Enhancing internal communication in organisations using enterprise social networking Abstract: Effective internal communication is crucial for organisations' success as it affects the ability of strategic managers to engage employees and achieve objectives. At the end of year 2013, over 90% of Fortune 500 companies had partially or fully implemented an enterprise social network within their organisation (Fee, 2013). As the knowledge shared over enterprise social networking has been proven to have a significant positive impact on work performance. It should be in every organisation's best interest to utilise this tool to its maximum potential. The research aims to examine the impact of internal communication and enterprise social networking. This was tested through the formation of eight sub-hypothesis and analysis of data from the survey. The study showed that there were positive correlations between each of the key success factors of using enterprise social networking and internal communication. This implies that enterprise social networking is a tool which can be utilised to improve internal communication between employees. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 72-86 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: organisation performance; internal communication; enterprise social networks; organisational leadership. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=88522 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:72-86 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Amer Qasim Author-X-Name-First: Amer Author-X-Name-Last: Qasim Title: Audit committee effectiveness: reflections from the UAE Abstract: This study focuses on an essential mechanism of corporate governance, the audit committee. The main objective of this research is to understand the perceptions and attitudes toward audit committees in the UAE context and to extend our understanding of what really determines the effectiveness of audit committees. To reach the objective of this research, a questionnaire is designed to target four groups of respondents: members of audit committees, external auditors, university academics, and governmental regulators. The questionnaires are used to examine the respondents' perceptions as for the importance given by them to a number of factors that are believed to increase the effectiveness of audit committees. In this regard, four factors are examined in the questionnaires: independence of audit committees' members, number of meetings, financial expertise, and size of the committee. Results showed that the most important character of audit committee effectiveness is the independence of audit committee members. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 87-107 Issue: 1 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: audit committee; corporate governance; UAE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=88523 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:1:p:87-107 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: To Thi Kim Hong Author-X-Name-First: To Thi Kim Author-X-Name-Last: Hong Title: Price effect and competition coefficients of agricultural exports - the case for Vietnamese export rice Abstract: In order to support a previous analysis of the increase in export value in Vietnamese rice market, the paper aims to identify whether or not the increase was caused by quantity or price effects. Along with the monthly data between 02/2009 and 08/2015, this paper uses the double logarit and error correction model (ECM) to estimate the price competition coefficients from Thai and Pakistani rice. Regression results confirmed the price effects of Thai and Pakistani rice price on Vietnamese price in the long run but not vice versa. The Vietnamese price was also altered which was followed by a change of exchange rate and yearly seasons. To reduce the risk of fluctuation in price, the Vietnamese Government and producers need to concern about momentous solutions such as increasing the quality of rice in proportion to consumer safety, establishing crop monitoring systems effectively to warn weather risks. Rice producers should apply information technology to correctly get an accurate reflection of the current market, manage the production process as well as take care of macroeconomic variables such as the exchange rate. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 155-165 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: rice; export; competition; price effect; quantity effect; Vietnam. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=89682 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:155-165 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Upendra Nath Shukla Author-X-Name-First: Upendra Nath Author-X-Name-Last: Shukla Title: Enhancing life insurance penetration and density in India: purchase intention modelling Abstract: In the emerging economy like India the level of insurance penetration and density is continuously dropping since the year 2010 (IRDA annual report 2014-15) due to sluggish demand of life insurance because of disinterested individuals to buy life insurance. Consequently to understand the interest level and purchase intention of life insurance in India a survey of 580 individuals is conducted in the city of Lucknow and rural surroundings to understand buying intention of life insurance. Applying logit regression it's estimated that age, education, occupation and willingness to buy life insurance for tax saving are significant parameters to estimate the probability of purchase of life insurance. It's estimated that with increasing age intention to buy life insurance decreases. The above findings seems conducive for growth of industry but life insurance is still not purchased as a basic need which is the major area of concern as well to enhance life insurance penetration and density in India. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 141-154 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: life insurance; demand; insurance penetration; insurance density; purchase intention; modelling; strategies; policy; Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority; IRDA. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=89683 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:141-154 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Arshian Sharif Author-X-Name-First: Arshian Author-X-Name-Last: Sharif Author-Name: Sahar Afshan Author-X-Name-First: Sahar Author-X-Name-Last: Afshan Author-Name: Bushra Shahzad Khan Author-X-Name-First: Bushra Shahzad Author-X-Name-Last: Khan Title: Does democracy embolden economic growth in Pakistan? Evidence from ARDL bound testing and rolling window analysis Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between democracy and economic growth in Pakistan by using the annual time series data from the period 1972 to 2013. The ARDL bound testing cointegration approach, Johansen and Juselius cointegration approach and Gregory and Hansen structural break cointegration approach confirm the valid long-run relationship between democracy and economic growth. Results suggested that democracy, labour force and gross fixed capital formation have positive and significant impact on economic growth in both long run and short run. Results of generalised forecast error variance decomposition method under vector autoregressive (VAR) system suggested unidirectional causal relationship between democracy and economic growth in Pakistan. The present study may guide policymakers in formulating conclusive monetary and fiscal policies to increase economic growth in Pakistan and also get sustainable economic growth for long span of time. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 180-203 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: democracy; economic growth; labour force; structural breaks. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=89684 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:180-203 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Eman Abd Allah Abd Allah Mohamed Author-X-Name-First: Eman Abd Allah Abd Allah Author-X-Name-Last: Mohamed Author-Name: Nayera Yehia Solieman Eid Author-X-Name-First: Nayera Yehia Solieman Author-X-Name-Last: Eid Title: Impact of the minimum wage policy on consumption expenditure and poverty in Egypt Abstract: Development has not yet achieved its goals in developing countries due to the increase in poverty rates. In October 2013, the Government of Egypt decided to implement the monthly minimum wage policy to allow citizens attain their needs of different expenditure groups thus reduce poverty. The research estimated the monthly wage that allows poor household individuals attain their daily needs of different expenditure groups after the latest increases in prices, and compared it with the monthly minimum wage to find if it helped them move out of poverty. Findings revealed that such policy shall help move 53% of the study households out of poverty, but the rest are threatened to fall in poverty as prices go higher. The research recommended revisiting the monthly minimum wage periodically to match the rising prices to help improve the economic conditions of vulnerable categories for better health and economic performance to achieve development goals. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 166-179 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: raising the standard of living for Egyptian citizens; monthly minimum wage policy; poor categories; consumption expenditure; consumption expenditure categories; national poverty line; wages required to cover consumption expenditure needs; Egypt. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=89685 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:166-179 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Asim Iqbal Author-X-Name-First: Asim Author-X-Name-Last: Iqbal Author-Name: Mohammad Hassaan Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Author-X-Name-Last: Hassaan Author-Name: Haider Mahmood Author-X-Name-First: Haider Author-X-Name-Last: Mahmood Title: Income inequality and agglomeration economies: a case of a developing economy Abstract: The concentration of population generates spillover effects and one would expect the upsurge of business and economic activities in that particular area which also affects income distribution in the society. This paper is intended to elucidate income inequality in the context of agglomeration economies in a developing economy like Pakistan during 1980-2014. The study period is hallmarked by the major shocks across the world economies including Pakistan. Therefore, the study incorporates structural break both during the pretesting of time series properties and in cointegration tests. The bounds testing for the long-run cointegration reveals that the under investigating variables are cointegrated. We further find that the Kuznets inverted-U hypothesis does not hold in Pakistan. Moreover, the agglomeration economies negatively and linearly affect income inequality. This study suggests that the concentration of business activities in the less agglomerated areas is helpful in reducing income inequality. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 257-271 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: income distribution; agglomeration; unemployment; per capita income; time series; structural breaks; ARDL cointegration; developing economy; Pakistan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=89686 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:257-271 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Thi Lan Anh Nguyen Author-X-Name-First: Thi Lan Anh Author-X-Name-Last: Nguyen Author-Name: Ali Salman Saleh Author-X-Name-First: Ali Salman Author-X-Name-Last: Saleh Author-Name: Arsalan Safari Author-X-Name-First: Arsalan Author-X-Name-Last: Safari Title: The impact of government policies on FDI decision of multinational corporations: an application to the Vietnamese service industry Abstract: There has been an upsurge in competition amongst Asian countries to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) resulting in higher government incentives given by the host countries. Whereas most of the empirical studies emphasise the positive effects of government policies on FDI inflows, a few studies argue that there is no strong association between these policies and FDI. Studies focusing on the effects of government policies on FDI decisions in Vietnam have been scarce as well, especially studies on the extent to which government policies affects this decision. This article addresses a critical research question about the key determinants of government policies that impact FDI decisions in Vietnam. Hence, this study uses a comprehensive primary dataset of 288 multinational corporations operating in all service sectors in Vietnam. The structural equation modelling results reveal that the key determinants of government policies affecting an FDI surge in the Vietnamese service industry are FDI policies, trade agreements, tax incentives and infrastructure. The findings are plausible and are in line with the recent economic reforms occurring in Vietnam along with the increased FDI inflows into the country in the last 25 years. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 204-222 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: foreign direct investment; FDI; investment; service industry; government; policy; Vietnam. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=89687 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:204-222 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Yu Sang Chang Author-X-Name-First: Yu Sang Author-X-Name-Last: Chang Author-Name: Dohyun Pak Author-X-Name-First: Dohyun Author-X-Name-Last: Pak Title: Warren Buffett value indicator vs. GDP size - is the relationship superlinear? Abstract: Warren Buffett value indicator or Buffett indicator is the ratio of financial capitalisation to GDP for a given time for a country. Buffett indicator is used as a buy or sell signal to many investors around the world. This paper attempts to determine whether the scaling relationship may exist for Buffett indicator among different groups of countries. If such scaling relationship exists, the traditional use of Buffett indicator can be refined to seek better candidate countries for investment. Our analysis indicates that superlinear scaling relationship exists for total of 34 countries during the period of 1997 to 2014. Superlinear relationship exists also for the subgroups of 12 and 13 countries, but not for the subgroup of nine countries. Implication from our findings for international investment will be discussed. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 223-235 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: Warren Buffett value indicator; WBVI; Buffett indicator; superlinear relation; international investment. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=89688 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:223-235 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ibrahim Niankara Author-X-Name-First: Ibrahim Author-X-Name-Last: Niankara Title: Evaluating health consumers' preferences stability through joint estimation of revealed and stated health insurance preferences data Abstract: This paper presents a variant of the mixed logit model, in the form of a panel-like error components mixed logit that relies on a multinomial logit formulation of the weighted logit formula, as opposed to the usual conditional logit representation; then uses the model to evaluate the consistency of consumers' preferences for health insurance by jointly modelling stated health insurance preferences with revealed health insurance choices of respondents from the 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Estimation is implemented within the Bayesian paradigm using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, and the results suggest that 2007 MEPS respondents do present stable preferences for health insurance. In fact, respondents who initially express health insurance as not worth its cost are found to be 23.28% less likely to be privately insured and 81.53% less likely to be publicly insured. On the other hand, those initially expressing health insurance as worth its cost are found to be 21.72% more likely to be privately insured and 81.68% more likely to be publicly insured. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 236-256 Issue: 2 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: Bayesian MCMC; discrete choice; health insurance; mixed logit; preferences stability. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=89689 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:236-256 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kenneth David Strang Author-X-Name-First: Kenneth David Author-X-Name-Last: Strang Author-Name: Elie Virgile Chrysostome Author-X-Name-First: Elie Virgile Author-X-Name-Last: Chrysostome Title: Prioritising African capacity building research needs using nearest neighbour analysis Abstract: We developed a visual research map to stimulate African capacity building studies by interviewing subject matter experts, reviewing the contemporary literature and then conducting non-parametric statistical analysis. First we collected data during a brain storming session held at a three-day conference designed for this study. The participants were subject matter expert practitioners who emigrated from Benin, Uganda, Malawi, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Cameroon, Congo, Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Algeria, and Nigeria. The nominal group technique was applied to develop research questions which the practitioners felt were not answered in the contemporary literature. We statistically analysed the relationships between the research questions and the empirical literature using a nearest neighbour network analysis to develop a visual research map. We then revisited the literature in more detail using the visual research agenda map to develop specific recommendations for scholars to close the gap in African capacity building practices. This paper should generalise to anyone performing capacity building research in Africa by giving them a prioritised visual research agenda with a preliminary literature review. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 273-289 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: Africa capacity building research; international development; nominal group brain storming technique; nearest neighbour network analysis; Africa. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=91045 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:273-289 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hamisu Sadi Ali Author-X-Name-First: Hamisu Sadi Author-X-Name-Last: Ali Author-Name: Siong Hook Law Author-X-Name-First: Siong Hook Author-X-Name-Last: Law Author-Name: Zulkornain Yusop Author-X-Name-First: Zulkornain Author-X-Name-Last: Yusop Author-Name: Veton Zeqiraj Author-X-Name-First: Veton Author-X-Name-Last: Zeqiraj Author-Name: Yusuf Ibrahim Kofarmata Author-X-Name-First: Yusuf Ibrahim Author-X-Name-Last: Kofarmata Author-Name: Fatima Muhammad Abdulkarim Author-X-Name-First: Fatima Muhammad Author-X-Name-Last: Abdulkarim Title: Remittance and growth nexus: bootstrap panel granger-causality evidence from high remittance receiving countries Abstract: Abstract: The present paper examine the causal relationship between economic growth and remittances among the top ten highest remittance recipient countries in the world based on remittance to GDP ratio (Haiti, Honduras, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Moldova, Nepal, Samoa, Tajikistan, and Tonga). We applied Konya (2006) Bootstrap panel Granger-causality test technique for the period of 1998-2014. The result shows that, for countries like Honduras, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, and Moldova, inflow of remittances causes economic growth, while economic growth causes remittance inflows in the case of Lesotho, Nepal, Samoa, and Tajikistan. However, bidirectional causality exists in the case of Haiti whereby remittances cause economic growth and vice-versa. Hence, the results reveal that, the causality between the two variables is both one way causality that run from remittances to growth and the other segment that run from economic growth to remittances, therefore the result is mainly country specific. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 312-324 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: remittances; economic growth; granger-causality; Konya; cross-sectional dependence. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=91046 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:312-324 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Leandro Maciel Author-X-Name-First: Leandro Author-X-Name-Last: Maciel Author-Name: Rosangela Ballini Author-X-Name-First: Rosangela Author-X-Name-Last: Ballini Author-Name: Fernando Gomide Author-X-Name-First: Fernando Author-X-Name-Last: Gomide Title: Evolving fuzzy modelling for yield curve forecasting Abstract: Forecasting the term structure of interest rates plays a crucial role in portfolio management, household finance decisions, business investment planning, and policy formulation. This paper aims to address yield curve forecasting and evolving fuzzy systems modelling using data from US and Brazilian fixed income markets. Evolving fuzzy models provide a high level of system adaptation and learn the system dynamic continuously, which is essential for uncertain environments as interest rate markets. Computational experiments show that the evolving fuzzy modelling approaches describe the interest rate behaviour accurately, outperforming traditional econometric techniques in terms of error measures and statistical tests. Moreover, evolving models provide promising results for short and long-term maturities and for both fixed income markets evaluated, highlighting its potential to forecast complex nonlinear dynamics in uncertain environments. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 290-311 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: evolving fuzzy systems; yield curve; rule-based models; interest rate; adaptive systems. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=91047 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:290-311 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rao Muhammad Atif Author-X-Name-First: Rao Muhammad Author-X-Name-Last: Atif Author-Name: Haiyun Liu Author-X-Name-First: Haiyun Author-X-Name-Last: Liu Title: The evolution and determinants of services sector in Pakistan: a bound test analysis Abstract: Using the annual data over the period of 1975-2015, this paper examines the determinants of services sector growth of Pakistan. We applied auto regressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to analyse the major determinants of services sector growth of Pakistan. In addition, Granger causality technique has been used to investigate the causality between the variables. Our findings reveal that per capita income, capital accumulation and urbanisation positively contribute towards the services sector growth. However, negative impact of trade liberalisation has been observed on services growth of Pakistan. Therefore, greater focus on the quality parameters of services sector is needed so that it may become more competitive in the world. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 398-414 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: Pakistan; services sector; determinants; auto regressive distributed lag; ARDL; Granger causality. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=91048 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:398-414 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Arsalan Safari Author-X-Name-First: Arsalan Author-X-Name-Last: Safari Title: Venture capital and intellectual property rights effects on innovation in different socio-economic environments: a systematic review and exploration of various contradictive studies Abstract: Academic literature has well discussed the effects of venture capital investment, intellectual property rights and other socio-economic parameters on business innovation. While many scholars emphasise these positive effects, others argue that there is no strong association between VC, IPR and business innovation. Therefore, these scholars do not appraise the efforts of regulators and policymakers who are trying to establish stronger intellectual property protection regime for promoting innovation and patenting. This study systematically reviews and maps the literature and explores the effects of VC investment and IPR on innovation on a detailed level worldwide, considering other socio-economic parameters. We discuss the level of effects and the contrary perspectives as well. This review provides a configurative framework from the current research streams which is useful for researchers, regulators, policymakers and entrepreneurs. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 373-397 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: innovation; patent; venture capital; intellectual property rights; IPR. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=91049 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:373-397 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Wael Hemrit Author-X-Name-First: Wael Author-X-Name-Last: Hemrit Author-Name: Noureddine Benlagha Author-X-Name-First: Noureddine Author-X-Name-Last: Benlagha Title: The impact of government spending on non-oil-GDP in Saudi Arabia (multiplier analysis) Abstract: This paper examines the multiplier effect of Government spending on the non-oil Saudi Arabia economic growth. We focus on non-oil GDP rather than total GDP because activity in the oil sector is mainly determined by circumstances in the international oil market. To reach this aim, we use several econometric tools as causality tests, co-integration test and structural VAR, to estimate the short- and long-run effects of government expenditures on non-oil GDP in Saudi Arabia. In this empirical investigation, we employ annual data covering the period from 1970 to 2015. Our empirical findings indicate an overall pro-growth effect of government expenditures, with significant positive fiscal multiplier in the health and agriculture sectors. By empirically assessing fiscal multipliers across diverse non-oil sectors, we perceived that variations in government expenditures are linked to same directional deviations in the growth of non-oil GDP during peak economic horizons. Especially, we find that if the economy is at a peak, we obtain suitable fiscal multipliers. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 350-372 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: multiplier effect; vector autoregressive; government spending; non-oil GDP; Saudi Arabia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=91050 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:350-372 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chee-Ling Chin Author-X-Name-First: Chee-Ling Author-X-Name-Last: Chin Author-Name: Mohamad Jais Author-X-Name-First: Mohamad Author-X-Name-Last: Jais Author-Name: Sophee Sulong Balia Author-X-Name-First: Sophee Sulong Author-X-Name-Last: Balia Title: Predictive power of candlestick in Malaysia: reversal versus continuation patterns Abstract: The practice of technical analysis which utilises past market information to predict future market movement is typically rejected by weak form market efficiency. Despite that, investors often apply technical indicators to enhance trading profits, especially through the Japanese candlestick charting technique. The current study intends to investigate the effectiveness of candlestick charting in Malaysian stock market by comparing between the reversal and continuation patterns within the sample period of 2000 to 2014. After taking into account the transaction costs, the findings show that reversal patterns are more effective than continuation patterns in portraying accurate trading signals particularly for the bearish reversal patterns. Besides, a 15-day holding period is identified to be appropriate for trading in the Malaysian stock market apart from the ten-day maximum holding period. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 325-349 Issue: 3 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: technical analysis; candlestick charting; reversal patterns; continuation patterns; Malaysia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=91051 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:3:p:325-349 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Salem A. Al-Jundi Author-X-Name-First: Salem A. Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Jundi Author-Name: Mohammed Seghir Guellil Author-X-Name-First: Mohammed Seghir Author-X-Name-Last: Guellil Title: Causality between economic growth and investment in the United Arab Emirates Abstract: The study aims to work out the exact pattern of causality between economic growth rate and each of investment categories in the United Arab Emirates. Causality is examined by numerous researchers. However, few have studied the relationship between growth and investment at macroeconomic level. To the best of my knowledge no one investigates this topic in the UAE. We demonstrate long-term effects of the investment shares in non-oil gross domestic product on economic growth using cointegration and granger causality tests on time series data. The findings indicate unidirectional causality from private investment to non-oil GDP growth rate, from business investment to non-oil GDP growth rate, and from public investment to government investment. The results could be a good tool for policy priorities in which the private sector, within a dynamic open market, is the strongest engine to expand the non-oil economy, especially in the wake of the sharp decline in oil prices. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 524-540 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: causality; economic growth; investment; private sector; non-oil GDP; unit root; co-integration; granger causality test; United Arab Emirates; UAE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=92141 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:524-540 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mihir Dash Author-X-Name-First: Mihir Author-X-Name-Last: Dash Author-Name: Ajit Kumar Sahu Author-X-Name-First: Ajit Kumar Author-X-Name-Last: Sahu Title: A study of the interaction between exchange rates and stock market prices Abstract: This study examines the interaction between exchange rates and stock market prices in some developed economies (viz. Australia, Japan, Canada, UK, USA, Hong Kong, and Switzerland) and some emerging economies (China and Brazil). The study period considered is from 01/01/2007 to 23/07/2012, and the study is based on weekly data. The results of the study provide evidence of uni-directional Granger causality of exchange rates on stock market returns, except in cases of China and Canada. The results support the flow-oriented model, which suggests that changes in exchange rates cause changes in stock prices, and provide evidence against the portfolio balance model, which suggests that stock market movements cause changes in the exchange rate. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 541-549 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: exchange rates; stock market prices; Granger causality; flow-oriented model; portfolio balance model. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=92142 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:541-549 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Maha Alkhaffaf Author-X-Name-First: Maha Author-X-Name-Last: Alkhaffaf Author-Name: Mufleh Amin AL Jarrah Author-X-Name-First: Mufleh Amin AL Author-X-Name-Last: Jarrah Author-Name: Louay Karadsheh Author-X-Name-First: Louay Author-X-Name-Last: Karadsheh Author-Name: Samer Alhawari Author-X-Name-First: Samer Author-X-Name-Last: Alhawari Title: Factors affecting ERP implementation success in Jordanian commercial banks sector Abstract: Today, great potential is envisaged for enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems in bank's sector; software vendors have been repackaging their ERP implementation success for commercial bank's sector with a recent focus upon the role of knowledge transfer. This paper describes some of the common factors affecting ERP implementation success by using knowledge transfer as mediate factor. We identify key success factors of ERP implementation in a Jordanian commercial bank's sector as a sample. Therefore, the examination of the proposed model was made using a newly developed questionnaire. The questionnaires were distributed to a group of 240 persons employed in 13 commercial banks in Jordan. ERP users were selected as key respondents to the questionnaires. Additionally, the empirical data were analysed using the smart partial least square (PLS) technique. The main findings of the empirical study show significant influence of using ERP factors in enhancing the ERP implementation success mediation by the factor of knowledge transfer. The paper proposed an enhanced model that examines vital issues concerning ERP factors effective implementation, thus, providing valuable outcomes for decision-makers and academics. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 417-441 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: enterprise resource planning; ERP; ERP factors; knowledge transfer; ERP implementation success; commercial banks sector. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=92148 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:417-441 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: AbdulRazzaq Al Chahadah Author-X-Name-First: AbdulRazzaq Al Author-X-Name-Last: Chahadah Author-Name: Ghaleb Awad El Refae Author-X-Name-First: Ghaleb Awad El Author-X-Name-Last: Refae Author-Name: Amer Qasim Author-X-Name-First: Amer Author-X-Name-Last: Qasim Title: The use of data mining techniques in accounting and finance as a corporate strategic tool: an empirical investigation on banks operating in emerging economies Abstract: Globalisation and recent financial crises have increased the pressures faced by banks operating in emerging economies to maintain their competitive advantages and to insure sustainability. Recent technological advancement paved the way for the use of big data to assist companies in the decision making process. One of the methods exploited by management to make advantage of the huge amount of available information is data mining. This study aims at examining the employment of data mining techniques in the banking sector in an interesting research setting, namely: Jordan. The main objective of this study is to explore the perceptions regarding the use of data mining techniques as a strategic management tool in the banking sector from accounting and finance perspective. Toward this end, a questionnaire is designed and distributed to a sample of 76 banking employees in Jordan who are directly involved in the banking decision support systems units. Results showed that the use of data mining techniques is positively significant in data exchange with internal environment as well as with the external environment of the bank. In addition, results reported the significance impact of data mining techniques in supporting management decision making process in the areas of accounting and finance. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 442-452 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: big data; data mining; knowledge management; banks; Jordan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=92149 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:442-452 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Firas Habbal Author-X-Name-First: Firas Author-X-Name-Last: Habbal Title: Big data: balancing between risks and opportunities - UAE perspective Abstract: When we talk about large data, we need to address the basic concepts to understand the nature of large data. Technical professionals, technicians and business owners need to understand different types of large data components, basic technology, and concepts that support big data. The vast amount of data being produced, stored and made available from multiple sites is a major source of knowledge. These 'massive data', if properly managed, it will make an important contribution to UAE's continued economic and social development. This paper aims to enhance public and private sector awareness of the challenges and opportunities presented by large data and to influence policy development processes and delivery of services in UAE. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 453-462 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: big data; data mining; analytics; decision making; UAE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=92150 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:453-462 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jeremiah O. Ejemeyovwi Author-X-Name-First: Jeremiah O. Author-X-Name-Last: Ejemeyovwi Author-Name: Evans S. Osabuohien Author-X-Name-First: Evans S. Author-X-Name-Last: Osabuohien Author-Name: Romanus Osabohien Author-X-Name-First: Romanus Author-X-Name-Last: Osabohien Title: ICT investments, human capital development and institutions in ECOWAS Abstract: The study explores the linkage between the investment in information and telecommunication technology (ICT) and human capital development on economic transformation in Economic Communities of West African States (ECOWAS). It further examines how investment in ICT and human capital development can transform the economies of ECOWAS members. This study engaged the generalised method of moments (GMM) in achieving its objective. The findings, among others, showed that investment in ICT did not have a statistically significant relationship with human development. Factors responsible for the non-significant impact of investment in telecommunications on human development could be attributed to the relatively low investment in telecommunications accompanied with high cost of acquisition of the technology in ECOWAS and harsh policy environment. Thus, policies such as the enforcement of good institutions, stabilisation of the political and economic variables in ECOWAS economies will encourage investment in telecommunications, which will enhance ICT adoption and human development. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 463-474 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: development; Economic Communities of West African States; ECOWAS; economic transformation; human capital; investment in ICT; trade. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=92151 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:463-474 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hani Yousef Mahmood Al-Jarrah Author-X-Name-First: Hani Yousef Mahmood Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Jarrah Title: The degree of applying the electronic administration in Departments of Jordanian Educational Ministry Abstract: The aim of this study is to identify the degree of applying the electronic administration in Departments of the Ministry of Education in Jordan. The study sample consisted of 307 employees of administrative staff in the centre of the Jordanian Educational Ministry. Then, a questionnaire consisted of 40 items. The most important finding of the study is that the degree addressed was high. Also, there were no statistical significant differences in the degree to gender, but there were statistical significant differences attributed to the academic qualification, in favour of 'graduate studies'. Additionally, there were statistical significant differences due to the years of experience, in favour of 'less than five years'. The study recommends encouraging administrative staff to get optimal use of electronic administration, and to continue training the staff on the use of electronic administration, hardware, tools and related software in administrative work. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 490-508 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: electronic administration; Departments of the Jordanian Educational Ministry. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=92152 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:490-508 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ashraf Bataineh Author-X-Name-First: Ashraf Author-X-Name-Last: Bataineh Title: Applicability of activity-based costing in the Jordanian hospitality industry Abstract: The study aims to investigate the level of activity-based costing (ABC) system adoption as a management accounting tool in the Jordanian hospitality industry, Aqaba. An empirical survey via questionnaire was conducted for 19 of the three, four and five stars hotels in Aqaba and the descriptive statistics were used to identify the level of ABC system adoption. The study found the adoption level to be very satisfactory. Overall, Aqaba hotels uses a modern management accounting techniques, such as (budgeting practices, profitability measures, product and customer profitability analysis), but they lack the detailed cost information system because ABC is widely adopted to provide such benefits, therefore, Aqaba hotels are placing greater emphasis on those techniques like the ABC system. The study provides a unique detailed examination of the management accounting practices by using the ABC system and also provides a strong indication for the unique future researches in this industry. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 475-489 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: management accounting techniques; budgeting practices; profitability measures; product profitability analysis; customer profitability analysis; cost strategy; competition; services variants; economic viability. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=92153 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:475-489 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Smile Dzisi Author-X-Name-First: Smile Author-X-Name-Last: Dzisi Author-Name: Franklin Dodzi Odoom Author-X-Name-First: Franklin Dodzi Author-X-Name-Last: Odoom Author-Name: Bernice Gligah Author-X-Name-First: Bernice Author-X-Name-Last: Gligah Title: Entrepreneurship training and skills development in Africa: evidence from Koforidua Technical University, Ghana Abstract: The significant role entrepreneurial training plays in the success of entrepreneurs has been touted in the literature. This paper explores the idea of practical entrepreneurship training and skills development among African students. The primary objective is to establish the extent to which acquisition of practical entrepreneurial training in addition to the students' course of study is beneficial to them. The findings revealed that practical entrepreneurial training is new to students in Ghana. The few students who are exposed to practical entrepreneurial training have acquired entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and this enabled them to set up their own businesses. The findings of this study have implications on growth and development of the economies Africa by creating new and innovative jobs to subsequently and significantly decrease unemployment. The study recommends that tertiary institutions should have entrepreneurial centre for practical sessions. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 509-523 Issue: 4 Volume: 15 Year: 2018 Keywords: entrepreneurs; entrepreneurial skills; students; practical sessions; innovation; training; education; Africa; Ghana. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=92154 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:15:y:2018:i:4:p:509-523 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Myeong Hwan Kim Author-X-Name-First: Myeong Hwan Author-X-Name-Last: Kim Author-Name: Yongseung Han Author-X-Name-First: Yongseung Author-X-Name-Last: Han Author-Name: Won-Gil Cho Author-X-Name-First: Won-Gil Author-X-Name-Last: Cho Title: Empirical relation between unemployment and alcohol beverage consumption in Korea Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between the consumption of popular alcoholic beverages and a macroeconomic variable, unemployment, in the Republic of Korea. This study uses data for South Korea from 1994 to 2013. The authors examine how alcohol consumption habits change with fluctuations in the unemployment rate. Granger casual models will be applied to those relationships where there are significant correlations to determine whether economic activity causes drinking. The results from this analysis indicate substantial causal interactions between unemployment rate and drinking behaviour. Based upon our result, we suggest some policy implications: government spending on the prevention and education of alcohol misuse, retraining of unemployed workers and a higher tax on alcohol beverages. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 1-11 Issue: 1 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: unemployment; alcohol consumption; macroeconomic conditions; granger causality. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=93369 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:1-11 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Christian Lukas Author-X-Name-First: Christian Author-X-Name-Last: Lukas Title: Monotone vs. non-monotone incentive structures: an experimental analysis Abstract: This paper reports results from an experiment studying contract choice and effort provision under different contracts in a long-term agency relationship. Principals can choose between a theoretically optimal non-monotone contract N and a monotone contract M. Agents in general provide more effort under M than under N. Information about incentive compatibility further increases effort provision under contract M but not under contract N. However, principals who constantly select contract N realise the highest payoffs. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 12-34 Issue: 1 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: contract choice; agency; effort; experiment; non-monotone; incentives. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=93370 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:12-34 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lalit Arora Author-X-Name-First: Lalit Author-X-Name-Last: Arora Author-Name: Shailendra Kumar Author-X-Name-First: Shailendra Author-X-Name-Last: Kumar Author-Name: Piyush Verma Author-X-Name-First: Piyush Author-X-Name-Last: Verma Title: Revisiting the asset pricing paradigm using sustainable growth rate Abstract: The last few decades have evidenced growing literature on asset pricing in building perceptive thinking of managers and researchers. Given this justification, the present study aims to examine the ability of a future oriented growth measure of firms in the form of sustainable growth rate in explaining their stock returns. A panel dataset of firms spanning across nine industries from the Indian manufacturing sector has been used. Results of vector autoregressive distributed lag model reveal that sustainable growth of the firms is adequately priced. The findings have been integrated with the asset growth effect. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 46-62 Issue: 1 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: sustainable growth rate; asset growth; asset pricing; panel VAR model; manufacturing; India. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=93371 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:46-62 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Michael Filzmoser Author-X-Name-First: Michael Author-X-Name-Last: Filzmoser Title: Synergy and value in economic organisation Abstract: Conceptual literature and empirical studies suggest important interdependencies among activities as well as relations between the costs and the rent potential of activities and the governance mode applied. To account for benefits as well as costs of activities simultaneously this paper introduces a value perspective. Furthermore synergies and conflicts within bundles of activities are considered in the choice of appropriate governance modes for these activities. The concepts of synergy and value in of activity bundles are defined for economic organisation and illustrated by a numerical example. Based on the interpretation of the results we present possible applications and limitations of the proposed approach as well as opportunities for future research. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 35-45 Issue: 1 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: value; synergy; transaction costs; economic rents; theory of the firm; internalisation; outsourcing; network; governance mode; economic organisation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=93372 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:35-45 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Zoran Wittine Author-X-Name-First: Zoran Author-X-Name-Last: Wittine Author-Name: Matea Babic Author-X-Name-First: Matea Author-X-Name-Last: Babic Title: Overview of state and perspectives of the energy sector - the case of Croatia Abstract: The paper provides a comprehensive overview of characteristics and importance of energy sector in general. It provides insights into economic effects of energy sector, its developmental potentials as well as its downside, i.e., negative externalities. In the end, the authors deal with states and perspectives of the Croatian energy sector and briefly review what effects has the accession to the European Union had on the energy sector in general and what developments are likely to be seen in the future. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 80-91 Issue: 1 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: Croatia; European Union; EU; energy; oil; natural gas; economic development. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=93373 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:80-91 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Krishna Singh Author-X-Name-First: Krishna Author-X-Name-Last: Singh Author-Name: Soumyendra Kishore Datta Author-X-Name-First: Soumyendra Kishore Author-X-Name-Last: Datta Title: Determinants of NREGS participation and perceived livelihood benefits: a comparative analysis of two backward districts of West Bengal in India Abstract: The national rural employment guarantee scheme (NREGS) was launched in 2006, in coherence with the pursuit of the objective of removing poverty and unemployment. The paper attempts to analyse the determinants of household's participation in NREGS and perceived livelihood benefits from this program. However household's decision for participation in NREGS jobs is influenced by various socio-economic factors. In this context a logit regression model has been used to analyse the determinants of household's participation in NREGS program. A simultaneous equation model has been used to show the endogenous relationship between employment days per household and perceived livelihood benefits from NREGS. Empirical analysis reveals that factors like income from other sources, amount of land holding, level of education and amount of livestock have significant inverse association with the likelihood of household's participation. It is also observed from the study that, although income earned from the NREGS is able to meet some sort of food expenses of rural people, it has neither served to meet their educational expenses in an adequate manner nor helped generate assets to a substantial extent. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 63-79 Issue: 1 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: national rural employment guarantee scheme; NREGS; participation; employment days; asset; households. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=93374 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:63-79 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ahmed Shuhaiber Author-X-Name-First: Ahmed Author-X-Name-Last: Shuhaiber Title: Towards an understanding of students' behavioural intention to take virtual lectures in UAE universities Abstract: The electronic trend of university teaching has recently transformed the learning style to become more learner-centred, and has popularised virtual lectures as an adjunct or alternative to traditional lectures. Despite its potential and popularity, virtual lectures have low adoption rates in UAE universities, and little is known about students' acceptance and usage of virtual lectures in the country, and in non-western countries in general. Thus, this research aimed to fill this gap by studying the factors that influence students' willingness to accept virtual lectures in one Emirati University. A quantitative approach was followed, by extending the UTAUT model, obtaining 78 survey responses (a pilot study), and statistically testing the associated hypotheses. Results revealed that effort expectancy, performance expectancy, social influences, and self-efficacy could positively influence students' attitudes towards virtual lectures. Moreover, facilitating conditions and attitudes towards virtual lectures have positive impact on students' intention to take virtual lectures. Theoretical and practical implications are indicated, and directions of future research are specified afterwards. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 92-103 Issue: 1 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: e-learning; online live learning; students' acceptance; virtual lectures; web-based learning systems. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=93375 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:92-103 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mahmoud Yousef Askari Author-X-Name-First: Mahmoud Yousef Author-X-Name-Last: Askari Author-Name: Abdelkader Mazouz Author-X-Name-First: Abdelkader Author-X-Name-Last: Mazouz Author-Name: Ghaleb A. El Refae Author-X-Name-First: Ghaleb A. El Author-X-Name-Last: Refae Title: Crafting employability strategy in skills-driven labour markets Abstract: In this paper, we propose that universities could facilitate the employability of their graduates by utilising the three main university functions of teaching and learning, research, and community engagement. Our approach is built on the assumption that the role of universities in the success of their graduates might exceed the transmission of theoretical knowledge in a typical classroom and should go beyond their graduation ceremony. The professional life journey of students starts after graduation and as soon as they start their trained-for careers in the labour market. To reach that happy end of starting the desired future career, universities have a role to play in making the dream of a good job come true. Thus, we argue that the four-year period that students spend in getting their bachelor degrees should include a mixture of theoretical knowledge, applied skills, and a taste of work in real life organisations. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 126-136 Issue: 1 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: employability; strategy; labour markets; applied skills. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=93379 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:126-136 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: V.D.M.V. Lakshmi Author-X-Name-First: V.D.M.V. Author-X-Name-Last: Lakshmi Author-Name: Medha Joshi Author-X-Name-First: Medha Author-X-Name-Last: Joshi Title: Listing stocks on derivatives market of NSE and its impact on liquidity of spot market Abstract: The study attempts to examine the impact of listing selected stocks on futures and options (F%O) segment of NSE on the spot market liquidity using illiquidity ratio (Amihud, 2002) and volume as measures of liquidity. The study investigates the long-term and short-term liquidity effects in the event of both listing announcement day and actual listing day. An effort is also made to test if there is improvement in post futures liquidity of those stocks which are illiquid during pre-futures period and vice versa. Results indicate significant increase in long-term liquidity of majority of the stocks. However, there is no evidence of such significant change in the short-term liquidity. There is a clear evidence of significant improvement in long run liquidity of the stocks in the first two quartiles indicating that the stocks which are illiquid before futures became liquid after futures. However, there is a marginal decrease in the long run liquidity of already liquid stocks. The results of short run liquidity also are almost in support of this. The results for announcement day and listing day are also almost the same. Mixed results are observed in case of single stock options. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 104-125 Issue: 1 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: single stock futures; SSFs; single stock options; SSOs; illiquidity ratio; F%O segment; long-term liquidity; short-term liquidity; liquidity effects; trading volume; dollar trading volume; spot market; derivatives market. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=93380 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:1:p:104-125 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kirti Gupta Author-X-Name-First: Kirti Author-X-Name-Last: Gupta Author-Name: Shahid Ahmed Author-X-Name-First: Shahid Author-X-Name-Last: Ahmed Title: Determinants of FDI in South Asia: does corruption matter? Abstract: The present study is an attempt to investigate the impact of corruption on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the South Asian region. It aims to find out whether the perceived levels of corruption impede or stimulate FDI inflows. This is done through an analysis of panel data on various factors of FDI for five South Asian economies-Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka ranging from 1998 to 2015. The study uses panel data estimation methodologies in order to draw inferences. The results of our analysis show that an increase in levels of corruption neither induce FDI nor does it impede corruption, indicating that corruption does not matter in the determination of FDI flows. The enlarging size of the economy stands out as the major factor determining FDI flows that buttresses the theory of market seeking FDI. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 137-161 Issue: 2 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: corruption; foreign direct investment; FDI; South Asia; panel data. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94009 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:2:p:137-161 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Maha Rahrouh Author-X-Name-First: Maha Author-X-Name-Last: Rahrouh Author-Name: Nasser Taleb Author-X-Name-First: Nasser Author-X-Name-Last: Taleb Author-Name: Elfadil A. Mohamed Author-X-Name-First: Elfadil A. Author-X-Name-Last: Mohamed Title: Evaluating the usefulness of e-learning management system delivery in higher education Abstract: Learning management systems (LMSs), such as Moodle, has been used by many academic institutions to improve teaching and student learning experience. This paper examines the use of LMS as a course delivery system and an electronic assessment (e-assessment) tool for improving the learning process. This study analyses educators' perspective on the use of Moodle based on effectiveness, helpfulness, user-friendly interface design, and flexibility in delivering online courses. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using a survey questionnaire from 81 instructors from five colleges of Al Ain University of Science and Technology (AAU) who have been involved in using LMS for the delivery of courses. The respondents agreed, in general and independent of their college affiliation, that the functionality of the LMS is effective; reliable, usable, maintainable and efficient. In addition, respondents showed a positive attitude toward using the LMS and dedicating specialised trainers according to users' needs. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 162-181 Issue: 2 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: learning management system; LMS; Moodle; e-learning; e-assessment; higher education; e-learning management system usefulness. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94010 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:2:p:162-181 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sungchan Kim Author-X-Name-First: Sungchan Author-X-Name-Last: Kim Title: Evaluating short- and long-term effectiveness of capital expenditure in the subnational governments: evidence from US states Abstract: Over the decades, the importance of capital expenditure has been increasingly discussed because capital expenditure can increase the capacity or efficiency of an organisation in both the short- and the long-term. However, few previous studies have focused on the effectiveness of capital expenditure on economic growth at the subnational level, such as that of state governments in the USA. Thus, in this paper, I investigate whether capital expenditure in US state governments is effective in terms of economic growth. In addition, this paper aims to examine the effectiveness of capital expenditure in both the short and the long-term. The empirical results suggest that capital expenditure has a positive impact on economic growth in the short and the medium term. Therefore, for subnational governments such as state governments in the USA, increase in capital expenditure is an influential fiscal tool for economic growth. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 182-195 Issue: 2 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: capital expenditure; economic growth; fiscal policy for subnational governments; short- and long-term effectiveness of fiscal policy. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94011 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:2:p:182-195 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jamil Razmak Author-X-Name-First: Jamil Author-X-Name-Last: Razmak Author-Name: Abdallah A. Al Shawabkeh Author-X-Name-First: Abdallah A. Al Author-X-Name-Last: Shawabkeh Author-Name: Faten F. Kharbat Author-X-Name-First: Faten F. Author-X-Name-Last: Kharbat Author-Name: Amer Qasim Author-X-Name-First: Amer Author-X-Name-Last: Qasim Title: Examining the factors affecting the adoption of e-health innovative technology Abstract: In today's world, many modern health facilities have started using e-health with the aim of improving health services by managing its costs, patient waiting time, and other services. Nevertheless, there are numerous studies exploring the barriers to e-health adoption. Concentrating on innovation in the healthcare industry, the present study explores the external factors that predict patients' behavioural intention to use a personal health record (PHR) as an important part of the electronic patient-physician relationship. Empirical research is used to identify a conceptual framework illustrating the relation between patients' behavioural intention and the proposed factors: governmental incentives, physician support and hospital management support. The framework is tested by using data collected from Canada as a case study through a well-designed survey. The results of multiple regression analysis indicate that the proposed factors were significantly predicted as the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of PHR innovative technology. The perceived usefulness factor was significantly predicted in the behavioural intention to use PHR. Some procedures and actions should be considered by government and healthcare policy makers to manage the adoption and support the usage of PHR application. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 196-209 Issue: 2 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: innovative technology; personal health record; PHR; governmental support; perceived usefulness; perceived ease of use; PEOU; behavioural intention. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94013 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:2:p:196-209 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Achim Buchwald Author-X-Name-First: Achim Author-X-Name-Last: Buchwald Author-Name: Susanne Thorwarth Author-X-Name-First: Susanne Author-X-Name-Last: Thorwarth Title: Outside directors on the board, competition and innovation Abstract: We investigate the influence of non-executive outside directors on firms' innovative performance for a sample of 1,393 listed firms in the EU-15 member states plus Norway and Switzerland in the period 2005 to 2010. Our results show that the fraction of non-executive outside directors on the board is associated with a significant decrease in the number of patent applications if competition in the market is low. This may indicate that restrictive monitoring and lower advising competences of outside directors mitigate executives' incentives to innovate. In industries with effective competition, the negative influence of outsiders is offset by the pressure to focus on innovation strategies. Finally, the results are significant for continental European firms but not for the subsample of UK firms pointing to differences in the impact of specific governance systems with respect to innovation. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 210-231 Issue: 2 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: competition; corporate governance; innovation; patents; board composition; outside directors. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94014 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:2:p:210-231 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Tarek A. El Badawy Author-X-Name-First: Tarek A. El Author-X-Name-Last: Badawy Author-Name: Shalini Srivastava Author-X-Name-First: Shalini Author-X-Name-Last: Srivastava Author-Name: Mariam M. Magdy Author-X-Name-First: Mariam M. Author-X-Name-Last: Magdy Title: Psychological empowerment as a stimulus of organisational commitment and quality of work-life: a comparative study between Egypt and India Abstract: Psychological empowerment is how employees view themselves relative to their superiors and work environments. Successfully influencing the construction of a positive perception will allow employers to reap organisational rewards from their employees. Statistic results are hardly generalisable as they depend on the work environment studied, the prevailing cultures and individual characteristics. The aim of this study was to conduct comparative analyses between two samples extracted from Egypt and India on the constructs psychological empowerment, organisational commitment and quality of work-life. Data were collected from several MBA classes to achieve the objective of diversity. Insightful results, practical implications and future research directions are provided. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 232-249 Issue: 2 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: psychological empowerment; organisational commitment; quality of work-life; QWL; organisational psychology; comparative study; Egypt; India. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94015 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:2:p:232-249 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Raed Said Author-X-Name-First: Raed Author-X-Name-Last: Said Author-Name: Abdoulaye Kaba Author-X-Name-First: Abdoulaye Author-X-Name-Last: Kaba Title: Users' perceptions towards the quality of learning resources and services: a case study of AAU libraries Abstract: This study investigates and analyses the current performance of libraries at Al Ain University of Science and Technology (AAU). The paper explores the perceptions of students and faculty members towards quality resources and services provided by AAU libraries. It uses a modified SERVPERF model for the measurement. SERVPERF model is based on five dimensions: reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy, and responsiveness (Cronin and Taylor, 1992). Data are collected through a survey questionnaire instrument. A total of 657 students and faculty members participated in the survey. T-test and ANOVA test are used to validate four hypotheses. Participants expressed average satisfaction with the quality of resources and services provided by AAU libraries. However, the libraries achieved the highest level of satisfactions in reliability and responsiveness among faculty members. Findings of the study indicate no significant difference in perception towards quality performance of AAU libraries between male and female, and also among the respondents from different locations or different colleges. However, the results revealed statistically significant differences in perception between faculty and students towards the current performance of AAU libraries. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 250-262 Issue: 2 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: performance measure; service quality; quality measure; SERVPERF; libraries; learning resources; universities; academic institutions; United Arab Emirates. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94016 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:2:p:250-262 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Pedro Torres Author-X-Name-First: Pedro Author-X-Name-Last: Torres Author-Name: Mário Augusto Author-X-Name-First: Mário Author-X-Name-Last: Augusto Author-Name: Pedro Godinho Author-X-Name-First: Pedro Author-X-Name-Last: Godinho Title: Do high brand equity and very high brand equity require different conditions? An empirical study using fsQCA Abstract: This research was performed to investigate the necessary and sufficient conditions to obtain different degrees of brand equity. The results show that different configurations and different levels of the antecedent conditions are necessary and sufficient when analysing high and very high levels of consumer-based brand equity. Although brand loyalty could be sufficient to achieve high consumer-based brand equity, to obtain very high consumer-based brand equity the joint presence of very high brand loyalty and very high perceived quality is necessary. These findings show that the phenomenon of brand equity is complex and that a linear approach could be insufficient to understand it fully. Furthermore, the findings enable marketing managers to be more effective and efficient in the pursuit of their goals, by shedding some light on the necessary and sufficient conditions to obtain different levels of brand equity. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 263-279 Issue: 2 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: brand equity; brand loyalty; perceived quality; brand awareness; fsQCA; qualitative comparative analysis; fuzzy sets; configurational analysis. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94021 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:2:p:263-279 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ahmed Abousamak Author-X-Name-First: Ahmed Author-X-Name-Last: Abousamak Title: The effect of earning persistence and components of earning on the predictability of earning: evidence from an emerging market Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between persistence of earning and the components of earning on the predictability of earning in an emerging market after the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The sample firms consist of 143 nonfinancial firms listed on the Egyptian stock exchange during the period 2008-2015. The current study uses three models to investigate the phenomenon. The study confirms the persistence of earning for the sample firms. However, the accrual component has more persistence than the cash flow component. The results imply that the persistence of accrual is affected by their faithful representation as less faithful representational accrual components have lower persistence than more faithful representational accrual components. Most prior studies have tested the phenomenon in developed markets. The paper extends the literature that addresses the second fundamental quality of qualitative characteristics of accounting information (i.e., faithful representation and its effect on accounting numbers). Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 405-420 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: earning persistence; cash flow; accrual; working capital accrual; non-current operating accrual; financial accrual; emerging market; Egypt. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94375 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:405-420 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Fuad Kreishan Author-X-Name-First: Fuad Author-X-Name-Last: Kreishan Author-Name: Mohammad Selim Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Author-X-Name-Last: Selim Author-Name: Ibrahim Alhawarin Author-X-Name-First: Ibrahim Author-X-Name-Last: Alhawarin Title: Foreign direct investment and economic growth in Bahrain: cointegration and causality tests Abstract: The principal objective of this study is to investigate empirically the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and gross domestic product (GDP) for Bahrain over the period 1982-2014. For this purpose, the study employed Engle-Granger cointegration and Granger causality tests. The results of cointegration tests clearly indicate a long-run positive relationship between FDI and economic growth in Bahrain. Moreover, the causality tests reveal that the direction of causality runs from FDI to GDP. Thus, the results conclude that attracting FDI into the country will play a vital role in stabilising the economy and achieving long run economic growth goals for Bahrain. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 395-404 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: economic growth; cointegration test; foreign direct investment; FDI; granger causality; Bahrain. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94378 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:395-404 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Abdessalem Gouider Author-X-Name-First: Abdessalem Author-X-Name-Last: Gouider Author-Name: Sahbi Gabsi Author-X-Name-First: Sahbi Author-X-Name-Last: Gabsi Title: Mechanical functioning of the Saudi economy in the context of the national transformation plan and its impacts on macroeconomic variables in Saudi Arabia Abstract: The aim of this paper is to investigate the mechanical functioning of the Saudi economy in the context of the national transformation plan (NTP) and its impacts on most of the macroeconomic variables in Saudi Arabia. In line with the NTP, which is based mainly on promoting economic freedom, we apply the fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS) approach to measure the impact of the economic freedom on non-oil GDP (proxy of economic growth) through the transmission channels including foreign direct investment (FDI), openness, government spending and unemployment from 1996 to 2015. The empirical results show that there is a significant positive relationship between economic growth and economic freedom in Saudi Arabia. However, the transmission channels' effects of the economic freedom index on the non-oil GDP in Saudi Arabia are slightly low. We suggest that policy-makers should implement more incentive measures to improve the Saudi economy rank within the economic freedom index. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 297-307 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: National Transformation Program; economic freedom; economic growth; unemployment; foreign direct investment; FDI; FMOLS approach; Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94381 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:297-307 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alaaeddin Al-Tarawneh Author-X-Name-First: Alaaeddin Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Tarawneh Author-Name: Ghazi Al-Assaf Author-X-Name-First: Ghazi Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Assaf Title: Does trade openness affect banking sector development in Jordan? Abstract: The main concern of this paper is to explore the potential effect of trade openness on different financial development indicators, especially in the banking sector. Using Jordanian data, the study has found evidence of significant positive effects of trade openness on the growth of various financial development indicators, especially credit to private, total liabilities ratio, total deposits ratio and financial depth over the period 1964 to 2014. The empirical results indicate that there is a long-run relationship between trade openness indicator and each financial development indicator except total deposits ratio. These results are obtained using a cointegration analysis, the E-G procedure within the ECM framework. The E-G results show trade liberalisation has a significant effect on the growth of credit to private sector indicator, financial assets ratio and financial depth. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 281-296 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: trade openness; banking development; Engel Granger procedure; ECM; Granger causality test; Jordan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94382 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:281-296 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R.P. Tripathi Author-X-Name-First: R.P. Author-X-Name-Last: Tripathi Title: Deterministic inventory models with nonlinear time-dependent and stock-dependent holding cost under non-increasing time-sensitive demand Abstract: Researchers in the past have presented their economic order quantity (EOQ) models by considering that the demand rate is constant. However, it is not always true. This paper deals with an inventory model for nonlinear induced demand rate. Holding cost is considered as: 1) a nonlinear stock-dependent; 2) a nonlinear time induced. The optimal solution is derived in both cases. Numerical examples are discussed indicating the effects of nonlinearity in holding cost and demand. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 326-336 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: stock-dependent demand; inventory; time-induced; optimal; total cost; nonlinear. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94385 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:326-336 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nathee Naktnasukanjn Author-X-Name-First: Nathee Author-X-Name-Last: Naktnasukanjn Author-Name: Pornchai Chunhachinda Author-X-Name-First: Pornchai Author-X-Name-Last: Chunhachinda Author-Name: Chaiyuth Padungsaksawasdi Author-X-Name-First: Chaiyuth Author-X-Name-Last: Padungsaksawasdi Title: Multifactor asset pricing model incorporating coskewness and cokurtosis: the evidence from Asian mutual funds Abstract: This research adds cokurtosis risk factor as a new factor into Moreno and Rodriguez (2009) five-factor model to be six-factor model to evaluate the equity mutual fund performance of three selected countries in Asia - China, Singapore and Thailand as representatives of fast growing Asian countries. To my knowledge, this is the first research to incorporate both coskewness and cokurtosis risk factors into Carhart (1997) four-factor model, to become a six-factor model, to explain the equity mutual fund returns. The result shows that coskewness risk factor show significance in Singapore for mutual fund evaluation. There are some little sign of mild support for the pricing of cokurtosis in Singapore and Thailand too. In China, even coskewness is not statistically but shows economically significantly difference at 2.7% per month. Adding coskewness and cokurtosis risk factors in CAPM or Carhart (1997), four-factor model show little increment in the explanatory power of the models. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 308-325 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: multifactor; asset pricing; coskewness; cokurtosis; higher moment; mutual fund. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94386 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:308-325 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Samir Dukmak Author-X-Name-First: Samir Author-X-Name-Last: Dukmak Author-Name: Bihan Qaimari Author-X-Name-First: Bihan Author-X-Name-Last: Qaimari Author-Name: Hamzeh Dodeen Author-X-Name-First: Hamzeh Author-X-Name-Last: Dodeen Title: Developing and validating scales to measure university students' attitudes, academic and social integration, and social identity in multicultural classrooms Abstract: Multicultural classrooms are widespread at college and university levels in many countries around the world. This is of interest and concern to educational psychologists and educational experts. Multicultural classrooms should be investigated in order to create a more productive classroom environment, healthier relationships among students, better academic integration and better developed social identity. The main objective of this research was to develop three scales to measure students' attitudes, academic integration, social integration and social identity in relation to cultural diversity at the university level. A sample of 417 students from Al Ain University of Science and Technology in the UAE participated in the study by responding to the three scales, which were validated using content and construct validity procedures. The reliability of the scales was also investigated. To the best of the researchers' knowledge, these scales are the first of their kind to assess university students' attitudes, academic integration, social integration and social identity in multicultural classrooms. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 337-354 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: attitudes; academic integration; social integration; social identity; cultural diversity; multicultural classrooms. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94388 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:337-354 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nury Effendi Author-X-Name-First: Nury Author-X-Name-Last: Effendi Author-Name: Maman Setiawan Author-X-Name-First: Maman Author-X-Name-Last: Setiawan Author-Name: Rina Indiastuti Author-X-Name-First: Rina Author-X-Name-Last: Indiastuti Title: Technical efficiencies of Indonesian regional and non-regional banks pre- and post-financial crisis Abstract: This research investigates technical efficiencies of Indonesian banks operating regionally and nationally pre- and post-financial crisis in 2008. The data envelopment analysis (DEA) with bootstrapping approach is applied to estimate the technical efficiency. This study uses 119 banks listed in the Indonesian Central Bank of Indonesia and Financial Service Authority (OJK) with period from 2005 to 2014. Following the role of the banks, the technical efficiency is estimated using an intermediation approach. The results show that the banks are technically inefficient, on average. Overall, the average technical efficiency of the regional banks is lower than the non-regional banks. Also, there are significant differences of the technical efficiencies of the regional, non-regional and all banks between pre and post-financial crisis. Further, the differences of the technical efficiencies between regional and non-regional banks are significant only in all periods and post-financial crisis. In addition, the regional banks operating in the Java islands have higher average technical efficiency compared to the regional banks operating outside the Java island, although the difference is only significant in the period before the financial crisis. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 355-366 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: technical efficiency; bootstraping approach; regional banks; non-regional banks; pre- and post-financial crisis. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94389 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:355-366 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Prasun Bhattacharjee Author-X-Name-First: Prasun Author-X-Name-Last: Bhattacharjee Title: Competition or cooperation: a case study of the 2005 'employee discount pricing' promotions in the US automobile industry Abstract: This paper considers the widely successful employee discount pricing (EDP) promotional program of 2005 to uncover the nature of competition in the US automobile industry, with a specific focus on the big three automakers. In contrast to previous research on automobile competition, this paper uses quarterly average dealer-level transaction price data to capture the short term nature of inter-firm competition that might be embedded in such promotional programs. In doing so, a structural oligopoly model of differentiated products is setup explicitly incorporating the nature of competitive interactions. Results imply that the overall nature of competitiveness in the US automobile industry is consistent with a static model of Bertrand behaviour without any changes in conduct among the big three during the EDP promotion period. These results corroborate the problems of inventory backlog faced by the big three in recent years and indicate that the EDP program has been more of a novel marketing intent on part of the big three to clear up such backlogs. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 367-381 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: structural oligopoly; product differentiation; competition; collusion; employee discount promotion; market structure. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94390 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:367-381 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Bayan Yousef Farhan Author-X-Name-First: Bayan Yousef Author-X-Name-Last: Farhan Title: Managing academic institutions by enhancing student experience Abstract: Student experience or, in a more sensible terminology, 'customer satisfaction' is a current issue in higher education leadership. This paper discusses how academic leaders can deal with and develop positive experiences among students as providers of a key source of revenue. The paper proposes some strategic recommendations to guide the management process of enhancing student experience and satisfaction. Adopting an effective strategic planning philosophy and implementing competitive strategies to enhance student experience could increase the competitiveness of academic institutions and have the potential to sustain an important source of revenue. But different academic institutions may require different strategies, since each academic institution has its own circumstances and conditions. Therefore, this paper attempts to answer the question of how to manage the challenge of improving student experience and satisfaction. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 382-394 Issue: 3 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: student experience; customer satisfaction; competitive strategies. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=94391 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:3:p:382-394 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Bayan Yousef Farhan Author-X-Name-First: Bayan Yousef Author-X-Name-Last: Farhan Title: Entrepreneurial behaviour and the role of transformational leadership in higher education institutions Abstract: Over the last quarter of the 20th century, higher education institutions (HEIs) were affected by social and economic policy changes. These changes encouraged HEIs to adopt entrepreneurial behaviour and act as a business. This paper is a review, critique, and discussion of literature on the new shape of higher education institutions and the need for transformational leadership in entrepreneurial universities. This review shows that academic leaders are needed to build and maintain the competitiveness of their institutions to succeed in the international education market. It also shows that there is a need for transformational leaders who are able to craft and implement the desired plans and have the vision to make HEIs more efficient while maintaining the core values of academia. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 476-486 Issue: 4 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: entrepreneurial behaviour; transformational leadership; higher education. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=95308 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:4:p:476-486 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammed T. Nuseir Author-X-Name-First: Mohammed T. Author-X-Name-Last: Nuseir Title: How big data is used in expanding marketing activities Abstract: The question of big data has attracted attention in the academic world as has its importance in practice. Big data is about the massive volume of zettabytes information, and it is captured in different sources, in various formats and as per the time. The concept of data ownership has been explored with regard to information presented in big data. Social media technologies and larger integration of the systems has made it possible to gather information from different sources. This study examined the role of big data in determining the activities and functions of marketing. Marketing does not end with segmentation, but it entails distribution of the products. The amount of information generated becomes more complex with the use of distribution systems that generate more data in the system. A case study approach was adopted where phenomenon was examined by examining companies that employ big data in managing their marketing activities. These cases denoted that increased reliance on big data in understanding consumer buying process and hence helping in increasing shaping marketing planning activities. It is evident that the area of big data in marketing activities requires more attention to explore and contribute to existing literature on the same. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 466-475 Issue: 4 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: big-data; automation; integrated; information. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=95342 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:4:p:466-475 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammed T. Nuseir Author-X-Name-First: Mohammed T. Author-X-Name-Last: Nuseir Title: Impact of misleading/false advertisement to consumer behaviour Abstract: False or misleading advertisements have, in the recent past been on the rise as a result of businesses seeking to compete for customers. Accuracy should entail full disclosure of all information because this is crucial in the marketing field where consumers expect to make informed decisions. In this study, it has been found that while misleading advertisements tend to provide overtly more positive information than is necessary, such positivity tend to result in negative experience for customers. Studies are expanding in the roles of false and misleading information that form the content of advertisements. This study has explored the importance of enhancing marketing activities through truthful facts to ensure that the functions of the organisation are believable and thus helpful to customers to make the right decisions. The study emphasises the importance of buyer being aware about a product or services through careful search during the buyer decision process. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 453-465 Issue: 4 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: false; fake; misleading; buyer behaviour; buying process. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=95343 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:4:p:453-465 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Heba Y. Hashem Author-X-Name-First: Heba Y. Author-X-Name-Last: Hashem Author-Name: Heidi Aly Author-X-Name-First: Heidi Author-X-Name-Last: Aly Author-Name: Sarah Mansour Author-X-Name-First: Sarah Author-X-Name-Last: Mansour Title: Main drivers of economic growth: a sectoral approach to GDP growth in Egypt Abstract: The increasing attention of the Government of Egypt, since the 2011 revolution, to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth has given a renewed stimulus to research on economic growth from a sectoral perspective. In this paper, we investigate the main sectors that drive economic growth in Egypt in various time periods by adopting an econometric modelling strategy. In particular, we attempt to answer the following questions: what are the sectors that led economic growth in Egypt during the high-growth period? Were these sectors resilient to shocks? What are therefore the sectors of high priority that policy makers should direct efforts to in order to achieve sustainable inclusive high growth rates? The findings of the regression model reveal a significant role for both the manufacturing and the agriculture sector in promoting economic growth, with a 1% increase in the output of the manufacturing sector being capable of increasing GDP by 0.17%, while, the same increase in the output of the agriculture sector resulting in an increase in GDP by 0.15%. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 487-501 Issue: 4 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: Egypt; economic growth; sectoral analysis; growth scenarios; econometric modelling; linear regression. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=95344 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:4:p:487-501 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Stavros Stavroyiannis Author-X-Name-First: Stavros Author-X-Name-Last: Stavroyiannis Title: A note on the Nelson-Cao inequality constraints in the GJR-GARCH model: is there a leverage effect? Abstract: The majority of the stylised facts of financial time series and several value-at-risk measures are modelled via univariate or multivariate GARCH processes. It is not rare that advanced GARCH models fail to converge for computational reasons, and a usual parsimonious approach is the GJR-GARCH model. There is a disagreement in the literature and the specialised econometric software, on which constraints should be used for the parameters, introducing indirectly the distinction between asymmetry and leverage. We show that the approach used by various software packages is not consistent with the Nelson-Cao inequality constraints. Implementing Monte Carlo simulations, despite of the results being empirically correct, the estimated parameters are not theoretically coherent with the Nelson-Cao constraints for ensuring positivity of conditional variances. On the other hand ruling out the leverage hypothesis, the asymmetry term in the GJR model can take negative values when typical constraints are imposed. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 442-452 Issue: 4 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: GJR-GARCH; asymmetry; leverage; Nelson-Cao constraints. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=95345 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:4:p:442-452 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S. Ananda Author-X-Name-First: S. Author-X-Name-Last: Ananda Author-Name: Sonal Devesh Author-X-Name-First: Sonal Author-X-Name-Last: Devesh Title: Factors leading to customer satisfaction: an empirical study of retail banking in Oman Abstract: The banks have been focusing on customer oriented services for their sustainability and growth due to competitive environment. As banks deal with homogeneous products and services, the quality of their service play a vital role in achieving customer satisfaction. The main purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing the service quality of banks leading to customer satisfaction. The primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire from 152 respondents from different banks in Oman. The study used factor analysis to identify the most influencing service quality dimensions in achieving customer satisfaction. The study found that reliability, responsiveness and assurance are the most influencing service quality dimensions that lead to customer satisfaction. The study helps the Omani banks to understand customers' perception of service quality and contributes ideas to develop strategies for customer retention and acquisition. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 502-516 Issue: 4 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: retail banking; service quality; customer satisfaction; customer perception; Oman. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=95346 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:4:p:502-516 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jhih-Sian Sun Author-X-Name-First: Jhih-Sian Author-X-Name-Last: Sun Author-Name: Ho-Don Yan Author-X-Name-First: Ho-Don Author-X-Name-Last: Yan Title: Competitive advantages and the transformation of Taiwan's yacht industry Abstract: Ranked as Asia's number one mega-yacht producer, Taiwan's yacht making industry is mainly located in Kaohsiung, the largest city in Southern Taiwan. Although it lacks a domestic market, how Taiwan has been able to transform itself into a mega-yacht producer poses an interesting question. Through intensive interviews with three of Taiwan's leading yacht makers, Horizon, Kha-Shing, and Ocean Alexander, and one key yacht hardware accessory producer, Aritex, we analyse four factors contributing to the competitive advantages of Kaohsiung's yacht cluster: close-knit social network, flexible capability of order customisation, co-existence of contracted and corporate workers, and superior craftsmanship with improvisational ability. With the growing wealth in Asian markets, we suggest that Taiwan improve its infrastructure so as to facilitate yacht production expansion and to promote yachting recreation. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 421-441 Issue: 4 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: entrepreneurship; industrial cluster; flexible specialisation; social network; project management; improvisation; Taiwan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=95348 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:4:p:421-441 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Parminder Kaur Author-X-Name-First: Parminder Author-X-Name-Last: Kaur Author-Name: Harman Arora Author-X-Name-First: Harman Author-X-Name-Last: Arora Title: Financial markets interdependence in India: an empirical analysis Abstract: Very few studies have been conducted on the subject of mutual interdependence among domestic financial markets in developing countries like India. This paper aims to investigate the level of correlation and co-integration among the different financial markets in India. An empirical study has been done to analyse the extent of interdependence among the stock market, currency market, government bonds and commodity market. The time-series data were obtained for the period ranging from 2000 to 2015 from the stock market indices of NSE, government bonds and currency index (USD/INR), but for commodity index, it was computed by using simple weighted average mean. Later for the purpose of empirical investigation, statistical tools like co-integration test were done using e-views to study the long-term associations between the variables. The Granger causality is used to examine the causality among the different variables. The data was also checked against auto-correlation, stationary and unit roots. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 517-533 Issue: 4 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: co-movement; co-integration analysis; Granger causality test; domestic markets. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=95349 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:4:p:517-533 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jehangir Bharucha Author-X-Name-First: Jehangir Author-X-Name-Last: Bharucha Title: Cutting through the clutter: mascots in Indian marketing Abstract: This paper explores theoretically and empirically the mascot concept in India, its contribution towards brand building and the persuasive power of these characters in enhancing brand preference. The approach is qualitative. The results are derived from in-depth interviews with nine retired and semi-retired leading names in the Indian advertising agencies having past experience with well known campaigns using mascots. Also, 42 senior citizens were interviewed in detail. Interesting insights into the topic examining the influence of these fictional characters on various aspects of consumer brand relations have emerged. Some mascots in India have become classic figures building a strong identity and helped to create and express the brand's personality. Mascots interact with families in real life and create an emotional connection and this leads to a great bonding between the brand and people. In India where celebrity ambassadors are prohibitively expensive, mascots are an artistic and economical model for building brand equity. This study has managed to come up with notable first hand insights from the Indian advertising fraternity and people at large on the impact of these fictional characters on various facets of consumer brand relations that have useful implications in mascot advertising. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 534-545 Issue: 4 Volume: 16 Year: 2018 Keywords: mascots; Indian advertising; impact on children; celebrity endorsement. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=95351 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:16:y:2018:i:4:p:534-545