Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jaime Moll De Alba Author-X-Name-First: Jaime Moll De Author-X-Name-Last: Alba Author-Name: Virpi Stucki Author-X-Name-First: Virpi Author-X-Name-Last: Stucki Title: Enhancing youth employability: a public private development partnership model to acquire industrial skills Abstract: Current global changes in the manufacturing industry and their impact on jobs, call for innovative approaches to skills-development. In order to meet the goals of the 2030 sustainable development agenda, new ways of developing cooperation, such as partnering with the business sector are required. Our paper presents a public private development partnership model for the acquisition of industrial skills in the fields of heavy duty vehicle and forest industry with case studies from Ethiopia, Liberia and South Africa. We examine the impact of such a model in terms of inclusiveness, employability and increase in income. Our analysis suggests that the public private development partnership model impacts positively both on inclusiveness and employability. It is too premature to draw conclusions on the impact on income. Future research should expand the number of case studies and data and introduce control groups. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 1-17 Issue: 1 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: public private development partnership; PPDP; industrial skills; Industry 4.0; employability; industrial development. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96582 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:1-17 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Saad G. Yaseen Author-X-Name-First: Saad G. Author-X-Name-Last: Yaseen Author-Name: Ghaleb A. ElRefae Author-X-Name-First: Ghaleb A. Author-X-Name-Last: ElRefae Title: Islamic work ethics for Arab managers: the missing paradigm between espoused Islam and Islam-in-use Abstract: This research puts forth a new conceptualisation of espoused Islam and Islam-in-use, the discrepancy between the ideal and the real. Espoused Islam is what Arab managers believe in their stated value. Islam-in-use is their operationalised beliefs that they actually use. Although, there is ample evidence that Arab managers can and do switch mindsets between espoused Islam and Islam-in-use depending on which is cued in context, little is known about these contradicting orientations. The antecedents of these variations are deeply rooted in history, Arab culture ethos and Islam. The interpretive analysis of concepts has been used to understand the missing paradigm between espoused Islam and Islam-in-use, as well as to shed light on some contradicting orientations among them. An examination of this divergence involves rigorous research and further empirical operationalisation. Consequently, this conceptualisation is very valuable to western partners regarding how they should cultivate and express their own values and execute business in the Arab world. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 18-33 Issue: 1 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: espoused Islam; Islam-in-use; value orientations; Arab managers mindset. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96583 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:18-33 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Samir Dukmak Author-X-Name-First: Samir Author-X-Name-Last: Dukmak Author-Name: Ibtehal M. Aburezeq Author-X-Name-First: Ibtehal M. Author-X-Name-Last: Aburezeq Author-Name: Ahmed Khaled Author-X-Name-First: Ahmed Author-X-Name-Last: Khaled Title: Public school teachers' perceived sense of self-efficacy in teaching students with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates Abstract: Teaching children with disabilities in the regular classrooms can be influenced by the teachers' attitudes towards these children and their perception of their self-efficacy in teaching them. This study examined the regular classroom teachers' perceived sense of teaching self-efficacy in relation to their gender and attitudes towards these children. Participants were 455 UAE public regular classroom teachers. For the study purposes, two scales were completed by teachers to investigate their attitudes towards children with disabilities, and their perceived sense of self-efficacy in teaching them. Results revealed that male teachers viewed their sense of teaching self-efficacy better than females. In all, teachers' attitudes towards inclusion were supportive. Male teachers showed more supportive attitudes towards inclusion than females. In addition, teachers' attitudes toward inclusion became more positive when their sense of teaching self-efficacy was greater. Teachers' positive attitudes towards inclusion and their positively perceived sense of self-efficacy in teaching can be used as predictors of a successful inclusion. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 34-52 Issue: 1 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: regular classroom teachers; teaching self-efficacy; attitudes; inclusion; United Arab Emirates; UAE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96585 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:34-52 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Soonwook Hong Author-X-Name-First: Soonwook Author-X-Name-Last: Hong Title: Corporate governance and agency problems Abstract: This study investigates the role of corporate governance in the relationship between the average employee length of service and firm value. Hong (2016) argues that firm value decreases as the average employee length of service increases. By expanding Hong's (2016) study, this study analyses the role of corporate governance using the KCGS evaluation scores. The results show that corporate governance mitigates the negative effect of the average employee length of service on firm value. This research contributes to the literature by verifying that corporate governance plays an important role in the agency problem regarding the employees and, therefore, takes a step forward from those of earlier studies which have clarified the role of corporate governance in the agency problem about the managers. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 70-86 Issue: 1 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: Korea corporate governance service; KCGS; average employee length of service; agency problems; corporate governance; firm value. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96586 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:70-86 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Leonie Jooste Author-X-Name-First: Leonie Author-X-Name-Last: Jooste Title: Measuring performance of a pharmaceutical company in the MENA region by means of the cash flow statement Abstract: Similar to a product an entity passes through four life-cycles stages. These stages reflect a set of financial characteristics of the flow of funds that leads to different measurements of income and cash flows. The cash flow statement supplies information about both income and cash flows. Therefore, a combination of the life-cycle theory, financial characteristics of income and cash flows, and an analysis of the cash flow statement may be useful as a performance measure and an indication of how the entity is managing their flow of funds. This paper evaluates an entity in the pharmaceutical sector in the MENA region by means of income and cash flow during the mature cycle. This paper uses steps for analysing the flow of funds and compares the application thereof to a benchmark in the mature phase of an entity's life cycle. In theory an entity will have typical income and cash flow patterns (financial characteristics) during each life-cycle stage. This study applies a model developed for performance evaluations during the different life-cycles. The results of this study show that the model may be used as an effective tool to illustrate the usefulness of the cash flow statement. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 53-69 Issue: 1 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: accounting measures; cash flows; financial analysis; IAS 7; AC 118; income flow; life-cycle; performance evaluation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96587 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:53-69 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Sultan Kuzu Author-X-Name-First: Sultan Author-X-Name-Last: Kuzu Author-Name: Sevgi Elmas-Atay Author-X-Name-First: Sevgi Author-X-Name-Last: Elmas-Atay Author-Name: Merve Gerçek Author-X-Name-First: Merve Author-X-Name-Last: Gerçek Title: The analysis of unemployment, happiness and demographic factors using log-linear models Abstract: Unemployment is an important economical concept indicating the economic development of countries. In addition, unemployment is studied quite frequently in a sociological context since it also affects the level of welfare, quality of life and psychological tendencies of individuals living in a country. In this study, unemployment was examined not as a macroeconomic variable but with micro data acquired from the household surveys carried out by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK). Based on 2015 data, the demographic factors with impact on the employment status of people in Turkey were studied in addition to examining whether or not they are related with the happiness of individuals. Non-parametric tests were preferred since the analysed variables had a categorical structure. Log-linear models from among the advanced contingency tables analysis methods were used for examining the more than two way relationships of variables. It was determined as a result of the analyses carried out that the employment is related with happiness and gender and that there is a statistically significant difference between happiness and gender. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 87-105 Issue: 1 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: happiness; unemployment; non-parametric tests; log-linear models. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96588 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:87-105 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Gee-Jung Kwon Author-X-Name-First: Gee-Jung Author-X-Name-Last: Kwon Title: The role of accounting information in valuing administrative issues of Korea Exchange Abstract: This study investigates the role of accounting information in valuing administrative issues specified by the causes of designation on the Korea Securities Exchange during 2000 to 2015. Administrative issues pertain to companies that should attract investors' interest. Even though their accounting information is not inappropriate for investors, the financial and non-financial conditions of issues are poorer than that of normal companies. Empirical findings show the book value of equity as the most value-relevant factor among research variables, regardless of firm size, membership of financial markets, and technology level, while performance variables such as accounting earnings, cash flows, operating income, and operating cash flows have very little or negative impact on enterprise value. The implication is that the book value of equity could play an alternative role, substituting for conventional value-relevant variables such as accounting earnings, cash flows, operating income, and operating cash flows in the Korea Securities Exchange. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 106-125 Issue: 1 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: administrative issues; value relevance; book value of equity; accounting earnings; operating income; cash flows; operating cash flows; Korea. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=96589 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:106-125 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Akkaya Senkrua Author-X-Name-First: Akkaya Author-X-Name-Last: Senkrua Title: Influence of diverse upper secondary educational tracks on labour market outcomes in Thailand Abstract: This research investigates the influence of diverse upper-secondary educational tracks: academic (AE) and vocational education (VE), on three labour-market outcomes: unemployment risk, monthly earnings, and below-average-income risk. The research used the 2011-2015 labour force survey data by the National Statistical Office of Thailand. The samples were upper-secondary graduates aged 15-60 years with complete parental education data. The probit result showed that individuals with tertiary-educated parents were more likely to pursue VE. After correcting for self-selection, the regression result indicated that VE was significantly positively correlated with the unemployment risk. More specifically, the unemployment risk was higher for VE graduates due to the emphasis of VE on specific work skills. The monthly earnings were significantly positively correlated with VE as the VE graduates earned a higher monthly income than the AE graduates. The below-average-income risk and VE were negatively correlated. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 127-139 Issue: 2 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: academic education; vocational education; below-average-income risk; unemployment risk; monthly earnings; educational tracks; labour market outcomes; Thailand. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97647 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:2:p:127-139 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammad Noor Alam Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Noor Author-X-Name-Last: Alam Author-Name: Naushad Alam Author-X-Name-First: Naushad Author-X-Name-Last: Alam Title: Impact of small and medium enterprises on Oman economy Abstract: There is a great role of SMEs in the development of Oman. The Government of Oman is taking serious action to strengthen the SME sector in Oman. Although the SME sector has shown remarkable growth, but still there is potential for improvement. The role of SMEs is critical for the economy of the Sultanate of Oman. The government's focus on developing SMEs has the potential for improving economic diversification and creating employment. The government has initiated a number of measures to give this segment a boost, including tying up soft loans and extending financial guarantees. So it has become very important for a study to analyse the growth of SMEs and its impact on the economic growth of Oman. The growth of SMEs is calculated by the number of SMEs per 1,000 people per year. Data of 2010 to 2015 are used for analysis. We also used the data of percentage share of SMEs on the Oman GDP for the same years. The GDP of Oman is used as dependent variable. The yearly data of GDP from 2010 to 2015 is also calculated. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 140-152 Issue: 2 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: small and medium enterprises; SMEs; GDP; banks; economic growth; information and communication technology; ICT. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97648 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:2:p:140-152 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Andreas Efstathiades Author-X-Name-First: Andreas Author-X-Name-Last: Efstathiades Author-Name: George Papageorgiou Author-X-Name-First: George Author-X-Name-Last: Papageorgiou Title: A quantitative model for open innovation and customer involvement Abstract: This paper investigates the extent to which business organisations in Cyprus use open innovation and customer involvement. Particularly, the product development process is investigated, and how the customer involvement actually occurs. Specifically, we examine the role of customer involvement in the idea generation process; contribution in building innovation capabilities; how co-creation contributes to competency development and goal achievement as well as the role of customer involvement in the overall business performance. Further, we investigate the necessary pre-conditions in terms of organisational culture for effective open innovation implementation. The results presented in this paper would be particularly important for business organisations but also for researchers who are interested for a closer insight in the relationship between open innovation and business performance. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 168-188 Issue: 2 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: customer involvement; small and medium enterprises; SMEs; management; open innovation. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97649 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:2:p:168-188 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Katharina Grimm Author-X-Name-First: Katharina Author-X-Name-Last: Grimm Author-Name: Marion A. Weissenberger-Eibl Author-X-Name-First: Marion A. Author-X-Name-Last: Weissenberger-Eibl Title: Drivers and effects of UIRCs: closing gaps in current research Abstract: University-industry research cooperation projects (UIRCs) appear to be a well-explored phenomenon in the field of business research that has been illustrated from different perspectives. However, some of the questions raised by this research are still not addressed adequately. Despite the call for closing important gaps of interests since the early phases of UIRC research, it seems that questions addressed by UIRC research have circled around similar, mostly structural aspects ever since, which has led to severe redundancies within the body research. Our literature review sheds light onto methodological and topic-related redundancies and research gaps in UIRC research and gives implications for further research to close them. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 153-167 Issue: 2 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: university-industry; university-industry research cooperation project; UIRC; research cooperation; research collaboration; public-private partnership. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97650 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:2:p:153-167 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Adel H. Salih Al-Mafrachi Author-X-Name-First: Adel H. Salih Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Mafrachi Author-Name: Abdulkarim M. Bakir Author-X-Name-First: Abdulkarim M. Author-X-Name-Last: Bakir Author-Name: Ali M. Alradi Author-X-Name-First: Ali M. Author-X-Name-Last: Alradi Author-Name: Omar O. Almwajeh Author-X-Name-First: Omar O. Author-X-Name-Last: Almwajeh Title: Identification and analysis of 'best-practice' leadership development programs: case of Qatar Abstract: This study sets out to explore the nature and dimensions of the best known practices on leadership development training and their implications for leadership development endeavours in the State of Qatar. The main purpose of this study is to identify the relevance and applicability of a certain best practice model of leadership development program and advise the parties concerned in Qatar to adopt that model in establishing senior leadership development programs for the public sector. A considerable number of models of 'best practice' leadership development programs are in the literature. This study elects to review 12 best-practice models of leadership development. These models have been critically analysed, using a checklist matrix of 14 assessment variables. By applying the variables of criteria to the 12 identified best practice models of leadership development, the study filtered out and ranked the five best practice models. Ashridge (APLC) model came out on top. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 189-217 Issue: 2 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: leadership development; training programs; public sector; best practices; senior management; Qatar. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97656 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:2:p:189-217 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ibrahim Niankara Author-X-Name-First: Ibrahim Author-X-Name-Last: Niankara Title: Gender inequality in literacy status and its effects on households economic well-being in Burkina Faso: a semi-parametric bivariate sample selection modelling approach Abstract: This paper models the gender inequality in literacy status, and its effects on economic well-being in Burkina Faso, using data from the 2014 survey on household living conditions and a semi-parametric bivariate sample selection modelling approach. This approach compared to the classic Heckman two-step estimation procedure is methodologically innovative because it deals simultaneously with non-random sample selection using conventional systems of two equations, non-linear covariates' effects using spline approach, and the non-normal bivariate distribution using copula functions. The results show that although the observed gender inequality in literacy status does not translate into inequality in non-food wellness, it does however for food-wellness as females-headed households have 38.9% less per-capita food consumption spending than their males' counterparts. Combining both food and non-food consumption spending, total economic well-being also seems to exhibit significant gender inequality as female headed households now have relatively 26.7% less combined per-capita consumption spending. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 218-242 Issue: 2 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: Burkina Faso; economic well-being; sample selection; literacy status. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=97657 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:2:p:218-242 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Man Lai Cheung Author-X-Name-First: Man Lai Author-X-Name-Last: Cheung Author-Name: Guilherme D. Pires Author-X-Name-First: Guilherme D. Author-X-Name-Last: Pires Author-Name: Philip J. Rosenberger III Author-X-Name-First: Philip J. Rosenberger Author-X-Name-Last: III Title: Developing a conceptual model for examining social media marketing effects on brand awareness and brand image Abstract: Social-media marketing has attracted increasing attention from marketers, being regarded as one of the most important channels to communicate information about brands to consumers. Despite its growing importance, limited research has examined the influence of social-media marketing communications on consumers' brand knowledge. This paper addresses this gap in the literature, proposing a conceptual model for examining the impact of social-media-marketing dimensions on brand awareness and image across products with different involvement levels. The model seeks to enhance understanding of the influence of social-media-marketing communications on brands, across products with different involvement levels. Suggestions for the empirical investigation of the model are made. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 243-261 Issue: 3 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: social media marketing; SMM; brand management; brand knowledge; brand awareness; brand image; product involvement; Hong Kong. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=98874 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:3:p:243-261 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammad Orsan Al-Zoubi Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Orsan Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Zoubi Title: The historical emergence of small business conducts as an effective instrument for governing economic reform in Jordan; governmentality perspective Abstract: For the last three decades, the term 'reform' has been used widely by various scholars to explain the recent economic and social transformations which were undertaken by the modern democratic states. This paper aims to describe how the small business conducts emerged in Jordanian political discourses as an effective instrument for governing the national economic reform; where the old form of governance based on the large business scale failed to achieve socio-economic developments. This article utilises the framework of govern-mentality to analyse and understand the recent changes in mentality of governing the economic reform policy. This framework is comprised of three interrelated elements of governing: the conditions under which particular form of political rationalities direct economic reform; programmes which are designed to make rationalities amenable to interventions; and the technologies of governing which make the authority operable in normalising the behaviours of governed groups. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 262-276 Issue: 3 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: governmentality; Foucault; economic reform; small business conducts; Jordan; political rationality; programmes; technologies of governing. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=98875 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:3:p:262-276 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nadisah Zakaria Author-X-Name-First: Nadisah Author-X-Name-Last: Zakaria Author-Name: Fariza Hashim Author-X-Name-First: Fariza Author-X-Name-Last: Hashim Title: Effect of Graham's share selection criteria on portfolio return in emerging markets: case of Malaysian share market Abstract: Graham's model has been broadly investigated in diverse advanced share markets primarily in the USA and Europe as the companies are larger and established in sound economies. However, the selection criteria model is not prevalently examined in emerging countries, regardless of their fast economic growth and diversified sectors in stocks trading. For this reason, this study seeks to analyse the effect of Graham's stock selection criteria on the portfolio returns of the Malaysian stock market. Malaysia's has been recognised as one of the most rapidly growing markets in the Far East region; therefore, testing the market is essential and valid. The study found that notwithstanding its inception in the stock market, the Malaysian stock market was capable of proffering abnormal returns to investors, thus indicating that Graham's model of stock selection is certainly beneficial to investors. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 277-292 Issue: 3 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: net current asset value; NCAV; Benjamin Graham; value investing; abnormal return; emerging countries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=98876 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:3:p:277-292 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Josef Kašík Author-X-Name-First: Josef Author-X-Name-Last: Kašík Author-Name: Petr Šnapka Author-X-Name-First: Petr Author-X-Name-Last: Šnapka Title: The possibility of solving a potential crisis in a company by applying the measures of structurally multifunctional character Abstract: This article presents the possibility of solving potential crises in a company, based on the formation and application of business arrangements of multifunctional process character. The solution of the problem in question is systematically connected with a potential transformation analysis within the scope of partial process blocks of a business value-creating chain, and these transformations are intended to enable the fulfilment of the objectives of effective corporate behaviour. In addition to the basic system considerations aimed at solving the problem in question, this article also presents analytical information specifying the emergence of a potential crisis, as well as a system approach to its analysis, followed by information based on a multifunctional process approach to the solution of this situation. The whole issue is specified using an example of particular problem solution in a real business. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 293-316 Issue: 3 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: potential crisis; crisis management; crisis prevention; crisis solution; business potentials; value chain; business transformation process; tolerance limits; potential boundedness; business failures; business efficiency; business system; business problem; business research; multifunctional process approach. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=98877 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:3:p:293-316 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nguyen Minh Ha Author-X-Name-First: Nguyen Minh Author-X-Name-Last: Ha Author-Name: Phan Hiep Author-X-Name-First: Phan Author-X-Name-Last: Hiep Title: The effect of institutional ownership on listed companies' performance in Vietnam Abstract: This research aims to study the impact of the institutional ownership on the listed companies' performance in Vietnam. With the data from the annual financial statements of 121 companies listed on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange, Vietnam from 2008 to 2013, the research results showed that institutional ownership had a significant impact on company's performance through Tobin's Q, ROA and ROE. However, when dividing the institutional ownership into domestic institutional ownership and foreign institutional ownership, there were different effects. And there were differences among changes in levels of domestic and foreign institutional ownership and the companies' performance. In addition, the study also considered the effects of other factors of the institutional ownership including numbers of institutions in the board of management and the representative for the institutional ownership in the board of directors. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 317-332 Issue: 3 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: institutional ownership; ownership; listed companies; performance; Vietnam. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=98878 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:3:p:317-332 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Iraklis Apergis Author-X-Name-First: Iraklis Author-X-Name-Last: Apergis Author-Name: Sofia Eleftheriou Author-X-Name-First: Sofia Author-X-Name-Last: Eleftheriou Title: The impact of the 2008 financial crisis on the Greek banking system Abstract: The goal of this paper is to explore the roles of both the 2008 financial crisis and the Greek sovereign crisis in the Greek banking system and more specifically, the effect on its operating expenses and non-performing loans (NPLs). Through the methodology of panel data across all Greek banks, spanning the period 1984-2015, the results document the actual determinants that drive the banking system that were responsible for driving the Greek economy into the austerity programs. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 333-341 Issue: 3 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: Greek banking system; 2008 financial crisis. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=98879 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:3:p:333-341 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: The Anh Pham Author-X-Name-First: The Anh Author-X-Name-Last: Pham Author-Name: Hoang Huy Nguyen Author-X-Name-First: Hoang Huy Author-X-Name-Last: Nguyen Author-Name: Hung Duc Nguyen Author-X-Name-First: Hung Duc Author-X-Name-Last: Nguyen Title: Price adjustment lags and their asymmetries in Vietnam Abstract: The paper aims to investigate factors that influence the speed of price adjustments in response to shocks by firms in Vietnam, using a multivariate ordered probit model with survey data. The results indicate that the speed of price adjustment is more likely to depend on the size of shocks and economic conditions than on whether firms are state or time-dependent price reviewers. We document that firms use the rule-of-thumb in price setting tend to adjust prices more slowly in response to shocks than their counterparts who set prices based on the market conditions and that firms whose prices are influenced by competitors tend to be more flexible in reaction to shocks. In addition, we find that menu costs and contracts are the two most important theories in explaining price stickiness; however, they seem to induce firms to respond more slowly only to shocks that drive prices downwards, rather than to shocks that move prices upwards. Finally, the degree of competition, the market share, the size of firms, the practice of quantity discounts, the share of state ownership, and the sector where firms operate all matter with regards to how quickly and asymmetrically firms react to shocks. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 342-359 Issue: 3 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: price adjustment; survey data; multivariate ordered probit; Vietnam. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=98881 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:3:p:342-359 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Maria L. Nathan Author-X-Name-First: Maria L. Author-X-Name-Last: Nathan Title: Convergence, context, crossvergence: contending perspectives on strategic management in Asia vs. the West Abstract: In what ways are the strategic management practices within Asia and the West similar and in what ways different? In search of an answer to this question, researchers have given shape to three perspectives: 1) <i>universal convergence</i> suggests that, for varied reasons, there is general practice among Asian and Western firms; 2) <i>contextualism</i> focuses upon cross-national firm difference; 3) <i>crossvergence</i> studies the synergistic effects of convergence and divergence among Asian and Western firms. Research findings to date depict complex, countervailing forces operating both within and outside firms, nations, and across the globe. It is argued that rejection of any one perspective is not appropriate at this time, and could deter progress toward a clearer understanding of difference, similarity, and cross-influence between and among Asian and Western firms. Recommendations for future research are offered, including alternative frameworks for reconciling the three perspectives. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 361-387 Issue: 4 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: strategic management; universal convergence; Asian strategic management; strategic crossvergence; contextualism; cross-national strategic management. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99970 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:4:p:361-387 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Farnaz Farnia Author-X-Name-First: Farnaz Author-X-Name-Last: Farnia Author-Name: Nathalie De Marcellis-Warin Author-X-Name-First: Nathalie De Author-X-Name-Last: Marcellis-Warin Author-Name: Thierry Warin Author-X-Name-First: Thierry Author-X-Name-Last: Warin Title: Easing the burden of non-tariff barriers: a regional and firm-level data analysis Abstract: This article aims at providing a firm-level analysis of non-tariff barriers' (NTBs) categories based on the importance of exports for domestic firms across diverse regions in the world. It exploits cross-sectional data from the World Bank enterprise surveys of 10,266 firms across 81 countries covering the period from 2006 to 2014. The study focuses on four NTBs: <i>customs and trade regulations, tax rate, tax administration, and business licensing and permits</i>. Firms were analysed according to levels of exports and locations. The results show that <i>tax rate</i> and <i>business licensing and permits</i> are more likely to be rated as a severe barrier. The <i>tax administration</i> and <i>customs and trade regulations</i> are more probable to be ranked as minor or no obstacle to trade. The <i>business licensing and permits</i> and <i>tax rate</i> are more likely to be ranked as a severe barrier for the firms within the 51%-75% level of exports. In addition, the majority of the firms with 26%-50% of exports are more likely to rank <i>tax administration</i> and <i>customs and trade regulation</i> as severe barriers. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 402-432 Issue: 4 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: non-tariff barriers to trade; exporting firms; upper-middle income countries; lower-middle income countries; low-income countries; enterprise survey; regional data analysis; firm-level data analysis. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99971 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:4:p:402-432 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mahmoud Yousef Askari Author-X-Name-First: Mahmoud Yousef Author-X-Name-Last: Askari Author-Name: Ghaleb A. El Refae Author-X-Name-First: Ghaleb A. El Author-X-Name-Last: Refae Title: The rationality of irrational decisions: a new perspective of behavioural economics Abstract: This paper is an attempt to contribute to the field of behavioural economics by proposing a new perspective of utility and rational decision making. We use the method of thought experiment, as well as, hypothetical examples of decision making to explain the rationality of decisions that might be seen by economics as irrational. We hypothesise that all decisions are rational at the individual level, and that all decisions are justified by decision makers and maximise the decision maker's perceived utility. To do this, we redefine rationality at the decision maker's level, and we explain how individuals customise rationales for their own actions to make decisions that maximise their perceived utility. We also redefine utility to include both tangible and intangible dimensions, and we discuss how the customisation of rationales and the perception of utility at the individual level make all decisions rational. We also propose a model to hypothetically calculate full utility attainment (maximum utility) by the individual. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 388-401 Issue: 4 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: rationality; irrational decisions; perceived intangible utility; behaviour economics. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99972 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:4:p:388-401 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hisham H. Abdelbaki Author-X-Name-First: Hisham H. Author-X-Name-Last: Abdelbaki Title: Macroeconomic determinants of non-performing loans in GCC economies: does the global financial crisis matter? Abstract: This paper uses the OLS, fixed effects, Arellano and Bond GMM and VAR model to empirically examine the macroeconomic determinants of non-performing loans in GCC through the period from 1998 to 2016. The main findings conclude that non-oil GDP growth, domestic credit to private sector to GDP ratio and inflation rate have negative effects on non-performing loans. Whereas, interest rate and financial crisis have positive effects on non-performing loans. The findings also suggest that the domestic credit to private sector to GDP ratio is the main factor affecting non-performing loans in the short run. While, interest rate is the main factor which influences non-performing loans size in the long run is a faster during the period before the financial crisis. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 433-447 Issue: 4 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: non-performing loans; NPLs; fixed effects; panel OLS; Arellano and Bond GMM; VAR; GCC economies. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99973 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:4:p:433-447 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Robert E. Prasch Author-X-Name-First: Robert E. Author-X-Name-Last: Prasch Author-Name: Thierry Warin Author-X-Name-First: Thierry Author-X-Name-Last: Warin Title: Dupont de Nemours and the origin of the maxim 'laissez faire, laissez passer' Abstract: Dupont de Nemours begins his 'Lettre à la Chambre de Commerce de Normandie' (1788) with an excerpt from the catholic bible. This quote refers to the Lazarus's miraculous re-birth: "Otez-lui fes liens, % laiffez-le aller."<SUP align="right"><SMALL>1</SMALL></SUP> The quote is Jesus' statement upon bringing Lazarus back to life. This reference begins our inquiry into the origin of the laissez-faire maxim. In this paper, we highlight some mistranslations, some historical shortcomings and present our perspective on the origin of the maxim. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 448-458 Issue: 4 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: laissez-faire; capitalism; economic thought; political economy. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99974 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:4:p:448-458 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Haitham Alzoubi Author-X-Name-First: Haitham Author-X-Name-Last: Alzoubi Author-Name: Gouher Ahmed Author-X-Name-First: Gouher Author-X-Name-Last: Ahmed Title: Do TQM practices improve organisational success? A case study of electronics industry in the UAE Abstract: Total quality management (TQM) is an inescapable strategic and business development tool, and there is a widespread consensus that implementation of total quality management plays a vital role in achieving the success of the organisations. This study investigates the relationship between the practices of total quality management and the organisational success with reference to the electronic industry in the United Arab Emirates with a sample of 50 firms in 2016-17. The literature on the TQM widely supports the success of TQM practices in making their organisation successful. The results of this exercises arrived through regression, co-relation, etc., the methods are also in consonance with the studies in the field, proving TQM to be a pure business/organisation success tool more so in the electronics in the UAE, open to global competition, calling for a culture of quality and commitment to TQM by the management. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 459-472 Issue: 4 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: quality; total quality management; TQM; organisational success; electronics industry; economics; business research; UAE; culture. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99975 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:4:p:459-472 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Asankha Pallegedara Author-X-Name-First: Asankha Author-X-Name-Last: Pallegedara Title: An exploration into the household pipe-borne water consumption: empirical evidence from Sri Lankan household surveys Abstract: This paper analyses determinants of households' pipe-borne water consumption in Sri Lanka using data covering the period 1990 to 2013. Employing a two-part estimation model, the study finds that household income, household size, level of education of the household head and age of the household head are positively associated with the likelihood of consuming pipe-borne water and monthly consumption expenditures on pipe-borne water. Moreover, households' demand for pipe-borne water has significantly increased over the years. Therefore, expansion of the pipe-borne water supply network along with demand management strategies would be beneficial to cater the growing demand for pipe-borne water. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 473-490 Issue: 4 Volume: 17 Year: 2019 Keywords: pipe-borne water; household surveys; two-part model; water consumption expenditures; Sri Lanka; econometric estimation; descriptive statistics; developing countries; water supply schemes; urban areas; income level. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=99976 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:17:y:2019:i:4:p:473-490 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Feras Suliman Al-Shalabi Author-X-Name-First: Feras Suliman Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Shalabi Title: The relationship between organisational trust and organisational identification and its effect on organisational loyalty Abstract: Most of management literature in general and organisational behaviour in particular agree on the importance of organisational trust and organisational identification in the success and sustainability of organisations, these variables significantly affect important indicators of success in the organisation such as organisational citizenship, organisational loyalty, employee satisfaction, etc. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between organisational trust, organisational identification and organisational loyalty in the private Jordanian hospitals, providing a framework of four scenarios for the relationship between these variables and working on determining the optimal relationship between the three variables. The study framework included the direct relationships of organisational trust and organisational identification and its impact on organisational loyalty, the indirect effect of organisational trust on organisational loyalty with the existence of organisational identification as a mediator variable, and organisational identification on organisational loyalty with the existence of organisational trust in organisational loyalty as a mediator variable. The study showed that all relationships in the study framework had a significant effect on organisational loyalty. However, the optimal relationship was the effect of organisational identification in organisational loyalty with the existence of organisational trust as a mediator variable. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 1-30 Issue: 1 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: organisational trust; organisational identification; organisational loyalty; organisational identification; social identity; private hospitals; Jordanian private hospitals; economic and business. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=100646 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:1:p:1-30 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ronaldo Andrade Deccax Author-X-Name-First: Ronaldo Andrade Author-X-Name-Last: Deccax Author-Name: Carlos Heitor Campani Author-X-Name-First: Carlos Heitor Author-X-Name-Last: Campani Title: Investor segmentation: how to improve current techniques by incorporating behavioural finance concepts? Abstract: This article proposes an improved model of individual investor segmentation. The approach employed consisted of a broad review of studies published in renowned journals in recent decades on the segmentation of individual customers of financial services and on factors that influence financial decision making. The new segmentation model proposed adopts a hybrid approach which combines demographic and psychographic variables that previous research revealed to be the most important. After being tested and improved through future quantitative research, this new model may contribute to the improvement of financial institutions' customer acquisition methods and the services they provide, of investors' selection of investments and of the regulations that currently govern the financial sector, in particular, those which regulate prior suitability verification of investors. The new segmentation model proposed here innovates by incorporating psychographic variables ('rationality', 'risk aversion', 'overconfidence' and 'optimism') from psychology and the increasingly recognised behavioural finance area. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 31-48 Issue: 1 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: behavioural sciences; investor suitability; financial markets; market segmentation; consumer behaviour. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=100647 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:1:p:31-48 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Eunjung Park Author-X-Name-First: Eunjung Author-X-Name-Last: Park Author-Name: Wang-Jin Yoo Author-X-Name-First: Wang-Jin Author-X-Name-Last: Yoo Author-Name: Inha Oh Author-X-Name-First: Inha Author-X-Name-Last: Oh Title: The influence of star marketing and the design characteristics of 'idol goods' on consumer responses and purchase intentions: focus on fandom culture Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of star marketing and the design characteristics of idol goods on the responses of fandom-culture consumers and their purchase intentions. In order to proceed with this study, a literature review and questionnaire survey was conducted. The survey was conducted on 229 idol fans interested in idol goods. Results of the analysis are as follows. First, the design characteristics exerted a stronger influence on emotional responses to the idol goods than the star marketing. In addition, we found that instead of star marketing, both the content characteristics and the originality of the design characteristics directly affected cognitive responses. Second, an analysis of the effects of consumer reaction on the intention to purchase idol goods demonstrated that consumers with stronger emotional and cognitive responses had a higher intention to reuse idol goods. In addition, higher perceptions of emotional response led to an increased intention to speak about idol goods. Therefore, this study verified that the emotional reaction stimulating the emotion of consumers plays the most important role in creating the intent to purchase idol goods. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 49-72 Issue: 1 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: idol goods; star marketing; design characteristics; consumer response; purchase intention; fandom culture. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=100650 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:1:p:49-72 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chee-Hong Law Author-X-Name-First: Chee-Hong Author-X-Name-Last: Law Title: Asymmetric impacts of foreign exchange reserves on the exchange rate in Korea Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of foreign exchange reserves on the value of the Korean won relative to the US dollar using a comparison of linear and nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag estimation. This paper, to the best of the author's knowledge, is the first paper examining the nonlinear dynamics between the Korean foreign exchange reserves and the exchange rate. In the linear model, the foreign exchange reserves do not have a significant impact. In contrast, the nonlinear models reveal that only the reduction in the reserves will cause the Korean won to appreciate in the long run. In the short run, increases and decreases in the foreign exchange reserves are significant. There is also evidence supporting the hypothesis of sign bias in long-run and short-run relationships. Additionally, the asymmetric patterns are found for long-run and short-run effects, indicating the importance of measuring the nonlinear effects. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 73-93 Issue: 1 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: Korea; exchange rate; foreign exchange reserves; nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=100652 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:1:p:73-93 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Dilek Temiz Dinç Author-X-Name-First: Dilek Temiz Author-X-Name-Last: Dinç Author-Name: Aytaç Gökmen Author-X-Name-First: Aytaç Author-X-Name-Last: Gökmen Author-Name: Kaan Üstündağ Author-X-Name-First: Kaan Author-X-Name-Last: Üstündağ Title: Economic growth - inflation nexus and its impact on the development of the automotive industry: the case of Turkey Abstract: Economic growth is essential for development and welfare of the citizens of a country. Economic development is an intact process involving potentially entire industries in a state. Also, economic growth is associated with macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, exports, imports, budget surplus or deficits, current account balance, interest and inflation rates. Nonetheless, inflation is an important macroeconomic indicator which can influence industrial development positively or negatively. Moreover, the aim of this study is to analyse the impact of inflation on the total automotive industry production in the Republic of Turkey resting on various econometric applications as JJ cointegration test, VECM, Wald test, Gtranger test and LSM. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 94-111 Issue: 1 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: Turkey; growth; inflation; automotive; industry; development; economics; welfare. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=100653 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:1:p:94-111 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Enas Alabood Author-X-Name-First: Enas Author-X-Name-Last: Alabood Author-Name: Murad Abuaddous Author-X-Name-First: Murad Author-X-Name-Last: Abuaddous Author-Name: Hanady Bataineh Author-X-Name-First: Hanady Author-X-Name-Last: Bataineh Title: The impact of IFRS 16 on airline companies: an exploratory study in the Middle East Abstract: The announcement of the IFRS 16 came with a fundamental reformation of lease contracts. The scope of operating lease was narrowed by the IFRS 16 to a degree that could significantly influence a large number of firms worldwide. Accordingly, this study focuses on three airline companies which are operating in the Middle East to investigate the impact of the IFRS 16's adoption. The study explores the expected outcome from capitalising the operating lease in terms of its impact on financial position and key financial ratios. Each of the three studied companies adopted different operating lease strategies which showed high 77%, moderate 21% and low 0% reliance on operating lease. This generates three different scenarios that have been explored in this study. The compatibility between Imhoff et al. (1991)'s model and the IFRS 16's requirements for lease capitalisation allowed for an adoption of siht model for the current study. Finding suggests that the IFRS 16's adoption will bring many challenges for airline companies. The results can provide an insight about the expected market's reaction to some radical changes in numbers caused by the adoption of the IFRS 16, as well as, the management's reaction for such adoption. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 112-128 Issue: 1 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: IFRS 16; airline companies; operating lease; finance lease; unrecognised leased liabilities; Middle East; statement of financial position; key financial ratios; constructive lease capitalisation; Imhoff model. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=100654 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:1:p:112-128 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Aristeidis Samitas Author-X-Name-First: Aristeidis Author-X-Name-Last: Samitas Author-Name: Aggelos Armenatzoglou Author-X-Name-First: Aggelos Author-X-Name-Last: Armenatzoglou Author-Name: Ioannis Kinias Author-X-Name-First: Ioannis Author-X-Name-Last: Kinias Author-Name: Stathis Polyzos Author-X-Name-First: Stathis Author-X-Name-Last: Polyzos Title: Modelling the underlying factors for flexible power plant valuation Abstract: In this article the value of a gas fired power plant is estimated through the decision of the power plant's operator to produce electricity. Spark spread options are used as a tool for cash flow evaluation, based on simulated electricity and natural gas prices. We choose to model electricity spot prices through the Schwartz-Smith two factor model and natural gas prices through a mean reverting model. Special characteristics of the plant are those of a typical combined cycle gas turbine power plant, which incorporates flexible and efficient technology. Decisions concerning at starting and running the power plant are made daily and for this reason, plant evaluation is crucial for power plant owners and potential investors. Moreover, investments in installing capacity are extremely costly, making the proper evaluation of the investment vital. We calculate annual profits under different cost scenarios and finding a more than 50% profit decrease when incorporating capacity factors. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 155-172 Issue: 2 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: energy markets; electricity prices; natural gas prices; power plant valuation; combined cycle gas turbine; CCGT. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101308 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:2:p:155-172 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ibrahim Niankara Author-X-Name-First: Ibrahim Author-X-Name-Last: Niankara Author-Name: Aminata Niankara Author-X-Name-First: Aminata Author-X-Name-Last: Niankara Title: The relative influence of generic essential drugs and nursing staff supply shortages on primary healthcare access in Burkina Faso Abstract: The provision of quality primary health care relies upon the presence of skilled nurse attendants working in an environment where medical supplies are available when needed and in an adequate quantity and of assured quality. This retrospective cross-sectional study aims to describe the experience of health care consumers in 36 primary health care facilities in Burkina Faso. The data is extracted from the pilot project "Community Monitoring for Better Health and Education Services Delivery Project". The standard univariate probit specification of the primary care access equation suggests that reported barriers to primary care are statistically endogenous. When this endogeneity is accounted for, the resulting trivariate probit model shows that patients-reported shortages in nursing staff (NS) reduce by 85.5% the likelihood of primary care access, while reported generic essential drugs (GEDs) shortages paradoxically increase this likelihood by 60.3%. Suggesting that respondents primary care needs were more preventive (health counselling and family planning from nurses), than curative (GEDs consumption). Hence, national policy efforts to increase primary care access and thereby social welfare should consider these findings in setting up resource allocation priorities. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 129-154 Issue: 2 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: access to care; Burkina Faso; generic drugs; nursing staff; trivariate probit. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101309 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:2:p:129-154 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Brett S. Kawada Author-X-Name-First: Brett S. Author-X-Name-Last: Kawada Author-Name: Ryan K. Peterson Author-X-Name-First: Ryan K. Author-X-Name-Last: Peterson Title: Acquisition profitability and firm disclosure Abstract: This study examines the association between acquisition profitability and firm disclosure. Using a large sample of acquisitions over the period 1998-2008, this study provides evidence of a positive association between the profitability of acquisitions and firm disclosure prior to the acquisition. Specifically, firms issuing voluntary management earnings forecast more frequently prior to the acquisition announcement are associated with more profitable acquisitions. These findings suggest that disclosure can serve as a monitoring function towards encouraging managers to make corporate investment decisions that increase shareholder value. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 173-185 Issue: 2 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: acquisitions; voluntary disclosure; management earnings forecasts; corporate investment; corporate governance. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101310 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:2:p:173-185 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Shaokang Wang Author-X-Name-First: Shaokang Author-X-Name-Last: Wang Author-Name: Jing Jiang Author-X-Name-First: Jing Author-X-Name-Last: Jiang Title: Does the legal system affect the cost of external financing? Evidence from IPO underpricing of foreign firms listed in US stock markets Abstract: To study the effect of the legal system on the cost of external financing, we examine the degree of underpricing of the IPOs by foreign companies listed in the USA. We find that firms from highly corrupted countries have larger IPO underpricing. The quality of the home countries' public law enforcement reduces the degree of IPO underpricing. In particular, the criminal sanction for violations of securities laws is the most significant factor in reducing underpricing. The evidence shows that even when a non-US firm meets sophisticated US regulations and goes public in a US exchange, the degree of underpricing is still influenced by the legal and judicial system in the home country. Following La Porta et al. (2000a), we provide evidence against the functional convergence hypothesis (Coffee, 1999 and 2002). Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 186-214 Issue: 2 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: IPO; underpricing; functional convergence hypothesis; law and finance. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101312 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:2:p:186-214 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohammad F.A. Nsour Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad F.A. Author-X-Name-Last: Nsour Author-Name: Mutasim Ahmad Alqudah Author-X-Name-First: Mutasim Ahmad Author-X-Name-Last: Alqudah Title: Law to counter tobacco companies in the Arab region: a look at Jordan and the United Arab Emirates Abstract: Many countries have endeavoured to limit the consumption of tobacco by enacting laws that impose restraints on its use. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control 2003 (FCTC) is the first international treaty that addresses tobacco supply and demand measures and establishes essential measures capable of reducing the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke. Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ratified the FCTC respectively in 2004 and 2005 and they enacted legislations that aim to reduce tobacco consumption in both countries. However, the issue of tobacco control in Jordan and the UAE has been both controversial and challenging as tobacco use in Jordan and the UAE remains very high. This paper examines whether both countries have adopted legislation that is compatible with their international obligations, particularly, the FCTC and whether it is possible to sue tobacco companies in the aforementioned countries to seek injunction and damages. We conclude that tobacco litigation against tobacco companies is possible, by either individual litigants or governments or other legal persons who suffered injury from tobacco producers. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 215-234 Issue: 2 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: tobacco control; FCTC; litigation; liability; Jordan; United Arab Emirates; UAE. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101313 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:2:p:215-234 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Taewon Kang Author-X-Name-First: Taewon Author-X-Name-Last: Kang Author-Name: Chulwoo Baek Author-X-Name-First: Chulwoo Author-X-Name-Last: Baek Author-Name: Jeong-Dong Lee Author-X-Name-First: Jeong-Dong Author-X-Name-Last: Lee Title: Threshold of Gibrat's law and firm's growth strategy Abstract: Early research on the relationship between firm size and growth has generally drawn dichotomous conclusions either supporting or rejecting Gibrat's law. Recently, empirical evidence indicates rejection of Gibrat's law for small firms and its acceptance for large ones. However, this does not provide an accurate threshold for where Gibrat's law works differently, nor does it consider how the growth strategy should change across threshold size. This study aims: 1) to estimate the accurate threshold size if the relationship between firm size and growth is non-linear; 2) analyse the change in a firm's growth strategies across the threshold size. We estimate threshold regression using panel data of Korean manufacturing firms. The results show that the threshold is located around sales of 23 million dollars. Moreover, R%D collaborations become important for growth above the threshold, while diversification and affiliation to a large corporate group contributes to growth below the threshold. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 235-254 Issue: 2 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: Gibrat's law; firm growth; threshold size; growth strategy; threshold regression. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101314 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:2:p:235-254 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nadia F. Kharbat Author-X-Name-First: Nadia F. Author-X-Name-Last: Kharbat Author-Name: Rateb S. AlSoud Author-X-Name-First: Rateb S. Author-X-Name-Last: AlSoud Title: The status quo of employee engagement in Jordanian secondary schools: principals' and teachers' perspective Abstract: This study aimed at identifying the status quo of employee engagement in Jordanian secondary schools from their principals' and teachers' perspective. To achieve the research objectives, the descriptive survey approach was adopted. The randomly selected study sample consisted of (205) male/female principals and (377) male/female teachers, from public and private schools in Amman, Jordan. A 19-item questionnaire was developed on employee engagement divided into four dimensions: communication, growth, recognition and trust. The results of the study indicated that the total degree of the status quo of employee engagement in secondary schools in Jordan from the perspective of their principals and teachers was moderate, as well as all four dimensions of the scale. Furthermore, the findings of the study showed significant differences at (α &le; 0.05) in the total degree of the study sample's perceptions, attributed to teaching sector and job title, in favour of the private sector and principals respectively. Thus, the researchers recommended setting standards for hiring and assessing school leaders who are responsible for engaging their staff at work, in addition to raising awareness about the significance of the employee engagement factor as a prerequisite for educational development. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 255-271 Issue: 2 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: employee engagement; educational leadership; secondary schools; principals; Jordan. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=101315 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:2:p:255-271 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nuryaman Author-X-Name-First: Author-X-Name-Last: Nuryaman Author-Name: Eriana Kartadjumena Author-X-Name-First: Eriana Author-X-Name-Last: Kartadjumena Author-Name: Sendi Gusnandar Arnan Author-X-Name-First: Sendi Gusnandar Author-X-Name-Last: Arnan Title: The influence of intellectual capital on earnings management through real activities manipulation in Indonesian manufacturing companies Abstract: This study examines the influence of intellectual capital (IC) on earnings management through real activities (EMTRA) manipulation in Indonesian manufacturing companies. This study measured IC elements by employing the value added intellectual capital (VAIC&trade;) model developed by Pulic (1998) that consists of human capital, structural capital, and capital employed efficiencies. Meanwhile, earnings management was measured by employing the Roychowdhury' model (2006), which is known as EMTRA manipulation. EMTRA manipulation is conducted on activities of sales operation, reduction of cost discretion, and over-production. This study analysed data from 69 financial statements of Indonesian manufacturing companies that are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2016. The result shows that the integration of intellectual capital elements can reduce earnings management behaviour through sales operation activity manipulation. Moreover, partially, the intellectual capital of capital employed and structural capital efficiencies can lower the practice of EMTRA of cost discretion. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 277-291 Issue: 3 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: intellectual capital; IC; earnings management through real activities; EMTRA; Indonesia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102724 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:277-291 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Angelina Nhat Hanh Le Author-X-Name-First: Angelina Nhat Hanh Author-X-Name-Last: Le Author-Name: Megha Jain Author-X-Name-First: Megha Author-X-Name-Last: Jain Author-Name: Truong Duong Tam Author-X-Name-First: Truong Duong Author-X-Name-Last: Tam Author-Name: Le Thanh Tam Author-X-Name-First: Le Thanh Author-X-Name-Last: Tam Title: Attitudinal ambivalence towards green products: an empirical study in an emerging market Abstract: Attitudinal ambivalence is an emerging concept in marketing and only limited articles have attempted to explore the concept of attitudinal ambivalence in the context of green consumption. This study is one of the pioneer works that examines four negative antecedents (i.e., greenwashing, consumer scepticism, green confusion, and green risk) of attitudinal ambivalence. The largely-ignored concept of resistance to change from non-green to green products is also investigated as the outcome variable of attitudinal ambivalence. Based on a sample of 310 Vietnamese consumers, the results indicate that green confusion is the strongest negative predictor of consumers' attitudinal ambivalence towards green products followed by consumer scepticism, greenwashing, and green risk, respectively. Furthermore, attitudinal ambivalence is found to significantly increase consumers' resistance to change. This study provides implications for marketing practitioners regarding attitudinal ambivalence and resistance to change, from which appropriate strategies can be formulated and applied to target green consumers. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 292-303 Issue: 3 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: attitudinal ambivalence; greenwashing; consumer scepticism; green confusion; green risk; resistance to change. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102726 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:292-303 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Chee Sern Lai Author-X-Name-First: Chee Sern Author-X-Name-Last: Lai Author-Name: Mohammed Adamu Hamisu Author-X-Name-First: Mohammed Adamu Author-X-Name-Last: Hamisu Author-Name: Kahirol Mohd Salleh Author-X-Name-First: Kahirol Mohd Author-X-Name-Last: Salleh Author-Name: Babayo Yakubu Adamu Author-X-Name-First: Babayo Yakubu Author-X-Name-Last: Adamu Title: TVET teachers' perceptions on competencies: an application of Malaysian human resource development practitioners competency model Abstract: Competency of TVET teacher is one of the major factors that influence the quality of TVET graduates and TVET system. This paper attempted to investigate the TVET teachers' perceptions on the competency needs in Nigerian higher learning institutions based on the competency model of Malaysian human resource development practitioners (MHRDP) which focused on thinking competency, organisational competency, and application competency. This study employed a survey design in which a set of questionnaire was used for data collection. A total of 205 TVET teachers from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education were involved in this research. Descriptive statistics which involved mean and standard deviation was utilised to analyse the data. The findings revealed that the Nigerian TVET teachers perceived that all elements related to thinking competency, organisational competency, and application competency are important for TVET teachers for higher learning institutions in Nigeria. Therefore, this research suggests that the Nigerian policy makers and the TVET higher learning institutions should provide training to the TVET teachers in order to equip those teachers with the competency elements that are important and relevant to TVET. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 304-313 Issue: 3 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: technical and vocational education and training; TVET; competency; teacher; higher learning institution; perception. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102729 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:304-313 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rizal Nangoy Author-X-Name-First: Rizal Author-X-Name-Last: Nangoy Author-Name: Mohammad Hamsal Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad Author-X-Name-Last: Hamsal Author-Name: Nugroho Juli Setiadi Author-X-Name-First: Nugroho Juli Author-X-Name-Last: Setiadi Author-Name: Yosef Dedy Pradipto Author-X-Name-First: Yosef Dedy Author-X-Name-Last: Pradipto Title: The roles of employee work well-being on innovative work behaviour mediated by organisational commitment Abstract: In the era of Industry 4.0, innovation has become more important for companies for maintaining their competitive advantages. In the digital business industry, innovative work behaviour has been considered as a key performance indicator. Individual performance becomes the basis of the company performance which will further increase the value of the company. This study employs the paradigm of positive psychology, focusing on how performance improvement can be achieved by increasing employee work well-being. Previous studies show that there is an inconsistency in the relationship between work well-being and performance. So, it needs to be understood further through the role of mediation variables that can explain when an employee work well-being can improve performance. This study aims to examine the role of employee organisational commitment as a mediator of the relationship between employee work well-being and innovative work behaviour. Taking the digital business industry in Indonesia as a research context, this research reveals that employee organisational commitment fully mediated the relationship between employee work well-being and innovative work behaviour. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 314-327 Issue: 3 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: Industry 4.0; innovative work behaviour; organisational commitment; positive organisational behaviour; work well-being. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102731 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:314-327 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Henny Santoso Author-X-Name-First: Henny Author-X-Name-Last: Santoso Author-Name: Connie Heng Author-X-Name-First: Connie Author-X-Name-Last: Heng Title: Creating innovative work behaviour: the roles of self efficacy, leader competency, and friendly workplace Abstract: Continuous innovation is integral for an organisation to get sustainability and growth. Adopting new technological advancements will bring benefits but might have a negative impact on current business modes. Adopting new technology leads to the question mark that is it always true that innovation alone will result in organisational sustainability. The focus of the study is to highlight that sustainability is a linkage between the importance of employees work behaviour, their adaptability coupled with technological advancements. Furthermore, other factors such as employee self-efficacy, perceived leader's proficiency, and perceived employee-friendly workplace play a significant role to innovate work behaviour. This conclusion for other factors impacting innovates work behaviour was made based on the survey conducted at various telecommunication companies across Indonesia comprising of 208 participants. Based on the above results, further theoretical and managerial research topics are recommended that will allow predicting organisations growth and sustainability better. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 328-342 Issue: 3 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: business management; human factors; innovative work behaviour; strategic management; sustainability. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102732 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:328-342 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hendra Hidayat Author-X-Name-First: Hendra Author-X-Name-Last: Hidayat Author-Name: Zadrian Ardi Author-X-Name-First: Zadrian Author-X-Name-Last: Ardi Author-Name: Yuliana Author-X-Name-First: Author-X-Name-Last: Yuliana Author-Name: Susi Herawati Author-X-Name-First: Susi Author-X-Name-Last: Herawati Title: Exploration of the need analysis for technopreneurship scientific learning models in higher vocational education Abstract: The unemployment rate for high education graduates has been increasingly worrying, especially in Indonesia. One of the reasons is the graduates' ability to survive, character and competence of entrepreneurship, which are still low. This paper aims to explore and explain the needs analysis of entrepreneurial learning in higher vocational education which is important at early stage of learning. The respondents of this research were 30 students from universities that have an entrepreneurial vision in West Sumatra. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistic analysis and differential item functioning (DIF) by Rasch analysis. The results obtained were there is generally no entrepreneurial learning model specifically used in learning in higher education, very little entrepreneurial learning taught oriented towards products and commercial potential and not adopted the technological elements. In general, respondents strongly agree if there is a model of entrepreneurial learning, such as the technopreneurship scientific learning model in higher education. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 356-368 Issue: 3 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: technopreneurship; scientific; learning model; entrepreneurship. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102733 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:356-368 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Snehal Bawre Author-X-Name-First: Snehal Author-X-Name-Last: Bawre Author-Name: Sujata Kar Author-X-Name-First: Sujata Author-X-Name-Last: Kar Title: Social media and financial institutions in the Indian context Abstract: This paper aims to identify the extent to which social media is used by Indian financial institutions (FIs) for various purposes including generating financial awareness. We consider a total 32 FIs which are listed with Bombay stock exchange (BSE)/national stock exchange (NSE), India; 22 of them being banks and ten non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). Managers of all the FIs were interviewed using self-administered questionnaire. The result shows that Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are the most widely used social media platforms for exploring new markets, developing new ideas, selling financial products, connecting with the customers and customer relationship management (CRM). Further, banks and NBFCs are found to adopt these media pages to post important financial announcements, which increases customer's interest in investment options. The study provides a view on social media usage in terms of cost reduction and customer satisfaction. However, there are some risks associated with social media such as reputational risks, operational risks, data and information risks etc. Furthermore, managerial discussions highlighted their contribution to the use of social media to increase financial literacy. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 343-355 Issue: 3 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: social media platforms; financial institutions; banks; non-banking financial companies; NBFCs; financial literacy. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102734 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:343-355 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Leonardus W. Wasono Mihardjo Author-X-Name-First: Leonardus W. Wasono Author-X-Name-Last: Mihardjo Author-Name: Sasmoko Author-X-Name-First: Author-X-Name-Last: Sasmoko Author-Name: Firdaus Alamsjah Author-X-Name-First: Firdaus Author-X-Name-Last: Alamsjah Author-Name: Elidjen Author-X-Name-First: Author-X-Name-Last: Elidjen Title: Digital transformation: a transformational performance-based conceptual model through co-creation strategy and business model innovation in the Industry 4.0 in Indonesia Abstract: This paper seeks to portray the conceptual model of ICT companies in transforming their business and organisation capabilities to face Industry 4.0 through co-creation strategies and business model innovations in Indonesia markets. The Indonesian market is unique in terms of its ICT infrastructure, but still left behind compared to other countries. However, the market has tremendous opportunities in terms of digital capability innovations. The strategic management outline used as a framework for this paper. Mediating variables were co-creation strategies and business innovations with distinctive organisational capability as an internal factor and consumer orientation as the external independent factor. The construct of co-creation strategy and transformational performance were discussed. This model of digital transformation was a suitable model for senior leaders to transform digital business capability and academics. Moreover, the model and construct of variable can be used to further develop the theory of digital transformation. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 369-386 Issue: 3 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: Industry 4.0; digital transformation; business model innovation; co-creation strategy; transformational performance; Indonesia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102736 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:369-386 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohd Azian Husin Che Hamat Author-X-Name-First: Mohd Azian Husin Che Author-X-Name-Last: Hamat Author-Name: Muhd Fadhlullah Rashid Author-X-Name-First: Muhd Fadhlullah Author-X-Name-Last: Rashid Author-Name: Norharifas Binti Mohammad Author-X-Name-First: Norharifas Binti Author-X-Name-Last: Mohammad Title: Role of freight and forwarding company in facilitating the export-import process in Kelantan Malaysia Abstract: This case study discusses the role of freight and forwarding companies in facilitating the export import process related to the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Service (Maqis) agency under the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrobased Industry in Kelantan, Malaysia. This case study used qualitative interview method to collect descriptive data on freight and forwarding companies and also from Maqis role, problems faced and suggestions for improvement on the smoothness of the import-export process. The findings of this case study showed that the Maqis needs to issue a specific standard to facilitate the process of aligning the work by informing the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to freight and forwarding companies located in Kelantan, particularly those dealing with import export of products from Thailand. This case study can contribute in terms of ideas and suggestions towards continuous improvement either for the Maqis or the freight and forwarding companies. Suggestions for future researchers need to see the effectiveness of the export import process among customers who use Maqis services from aspects of customer satisfaction and service quality. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 387-398 Issue: 3 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: freight; forwarding; export-import; quarantine. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=102739 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:3:p:387-398 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Stavros Stavroyiannis Author-X-Name-First: Stavros Author-X-Name-Last: Stavroyiannis Title: Can Bitcoin diversify significantly a portfolio? Abstract: The overall performance of a portfolio is the utmost measure of success for the skills of the portfolio manager. The Sharpe ratio and the modified Sharpe ratio have been some of the most referenced standards used in finance, to evaluate the efficiency of funds and hedge fund managers, however; such an ordering should be accompanied by proper statistical inference. In this work we examine whether Bitcoin can diversify significantly a reference portfolio composed from the five best performers of the Dow Jones industrial average in 2017 that is, Apple, Boeing, Caterpillar, Visa, and Walmart. The portfolios are constructed via analytical solutions in the mean-variance framework, constrained optimisation for the cases of long-only and risk-parity portfolios, and an equal weight strategy. The statistical significance of the Sharpe and modified Sharpe ratio differences is examined via a variety of tests. The results indicate that Bitcoin can significantly improve only the Sharpe and modified Sharpe ratios of the minimum variance and risk-parity portfolios. On the efficient frontier, the tangent portfolios are dominated by the traditional stocks. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 399-411 Issue: 4 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: Bitcoin; portfolio optimisation; Sharpe ratio; modified Sharpe ratio; statistical significance. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103093 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:4:p:399-411 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Asmaa Ezzat Author-X-Name-First: Asmaa Author-X-Name-Last: Ezzat Author-Name: Hanan Nazier Author-X-Name-First: Hanan Author-X-Name-Last: Nazier Author-Name: Racha Ramadan Author-X-Name-First: Racha Author-X-Name-Last: Ramadan Title: Do institutions matter for informal employment in Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia? Abstract: The paper sheds light on the role of institutions, in addition to values and individual characteristics on the likelihood of being in informal employment in Jordan, Egypt and Tunisia. Using the labour market panel surveys of the three countries, in addition to the world value survey and the world governance indicators, we examine the determinants of informal employment. Our results show that education and values play an important role in the decision of being in informal employment. Moreover, institutions matter in the informality decision. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 412-428 Issue: 4 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: informal employment; informal institutions; formal institutions; Egypt; Jordan; Tunisia. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103094 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:4:p:412-428 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Samer Abdelhadi Author-X-Name-First: Samer Author-X-Name-Last: Abdelhadi Author-Name: Ala' G. Bashayreh Author-X-Name-First: Ala' G. Author-X-Name-Last: Bashayreh Author-Name: Mohammad W. Alomari Author-X-Name-First: Mohammad W. Author-X-Name-Last: Alomari Title: The impact of export instability on economic growth: sample of MENA countries Abstract: This study aims mainly at investigating the relationship between export instability and economic growth in a sample of MENA countries. For this purpose, the study tested the stationarity of variables using Augmented Dickey-Fuller test, applied the Johansen co-integration method and estimated the error correction model using annual data over the period (1990-2016). Results show that there is a stable long run relationship between export instability and economic growth in Jordan and Egypt. On the other hand, results show a positive effect of export instability on economic growth for both KSA and Algeria on the long run but the effect is not significant. The study suggests further work and investigation to find innovative ways, to overcome the natural barriers of monopoly placed by developed countries as well as to diversify exports as a procedure that could mitigate the bad effect of export instability. It is recommended also to enhance investment which stimulates economic growth and hence overcomes the instability problems. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 429-435 Issue: 4 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: economic growth; export instability; MENA countries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103095 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:4:p:429-435 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: Ahmed Shuhaiber Author-X-Name-First: Ahmed Author-X-Name-Last: Shuhaiber Author-Name: Shaban S. Al-Emara Author-X-Name-First: Shaban S. Author-X-Name-Last: Al-Emara Title: The effect of culture and organisational culture on administrative corruption Abstract: There is extensive literature on corruption, such as political and corporate corruption, some of which examines factors influencing administrative corruption. However, to the best of our knowledge, the multivariate influences of culture and organisational culture on administrative corruption have not been tested using an integrative approach. This paper attempts to fill the gap by building and testing a comprehensive model. We test a sample of 677 responses that reflect the prospective view of the public in Basra, Iraq, using the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach. Our study finds that corrupt culture and weak organisational culture have direct effects on administrative corruption, while corrupt culture leads to weak organisational culture. The latter mediates the impact of corrupt culture on administrative corruption. The higher level of social class, the lower the impact of corrupt culture on administrative corruption. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 436-451 Issue: 4 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: administrative corruption; culture; organisational culture; public sector; social class; structural equation modelling; partial least squares; Iraq. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103096 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:4:p:436-451 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hisham H. Abdelbaki Author-X-Name-First: Hisham H. Author-X-Name-Last: Abdelbaki Title: Assessing the effectiveness of monetary and macro-prudential policies in GCC economies Abstract: This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the monetary and macro-prudential policies in GCC economies during the period 2000-2013. The main results are that the macro-prudential policies are more powerful compared to monetary policy where the macro-prudential policy shocks explain 14.2% and 10.3% of credit and output fluctuations respectively, while monetary policy shocks explain only 5.5% and 6.4% of credit and output fluctuations, respectively. The main recommendations of the paper are that the GCC countries must move forward and faster in diversifying their economies and should improve the data availability which may require establishing a financial stability coordination committee. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 452-465 Issue: 4 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: monetary policy; macro-prudential policy; GMM estimator; VAR model; GCC countries. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103097 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:4:p:452-465 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ilias A. Makris Author-X-Name-First: Ilias A. Author-X-Name-Last: Makris Author-Name: Stavros Stavroyiannis Author-X-Name-First: Stavros Author-X-Name-Last: Stavroyiannis Title: Short and long-run linear and nonlinear causality between FDI and GDP for the US Abstract: Recent severe recessions demonstrated an urgent need for identifying and forecasting on the impact of specific macroeconomic indicators such as investment spending which is crucial for growth. Many researchers focus on the contribution of foreign investment (FDI) in recipient economies; however, findings are not clear, on whether the relation is bi-directional or not. That is, whether FDI affects growth, or it is growth that attracts FDI. The purpose of this work is to examine the direction of short and long-run causality of quarterly data of the US gross domestic product (GDP), and the rest of the world, foreign direct investments (FDI) in the US. A well-specified vector error correction model (VECM) identifies a unidirectional short and long-run causality from FDI to GDP. Furthermore, the use of the non-parametric Diks and Panchenko (2006) nonlinear causality test shows a unidirectional short and long-run nonlinear in nature remaining causality from FDI to GDP. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 466-479 Issue: 4 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: foreign direct investments; gross domestic product; linear and nonlinear Granger causality; vector error correction model; US. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103098 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:4:p:466-479 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ali Sukru Cetinkaya Author-X-Name-First: Ali Sukru Author-X-Name-Last: Cetinkaya Author-Name: Selcuk Karayel Author-X-Name-First: Selcuk Author-X-Name-Last: Karayel Title: The effects of organisational silence on work alienation in service enterprises Abstract: Human resources are one of the most important resources for organisations in the current competitive work environment. However, this resource may, consciously or not, be treated in a way that may drive it into silence at organisations, and in result, alienation. This quantitative study aimed to determine the relationship between organisational silence and employee alienation at organisations. In this context, human-intensive service sectors, mainly health and tourism and hospitality sectors, were surveyed, and 425 valid responses were obtained from randomly selected employees working at such service providing organisations. The data were analysed by explanatory factor analysis and linear regression modelling. The results revealed that there was a significant relationship between organisational silence and alienation. Organisations get the highest potential of available human resources more when the factors that drive employees into silence are eliminated. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 480-498 Issue: 4 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: organisational silence; work alienation; service enterprises; health services; tourism services; hospitality services; business research. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103099 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:4:p:480-498 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Roberta Provasi Author-X-Name-First: Roberta Author-X-Name-Last: Provasi Author-Name: Paola Saracino Author-X-Name-First: Paola Author-X-Name-Last: Saracino Author-Name: Patrizia Riva Author-X-Name-First: Patrizia Author-X-Name-Last: Riva Title: Evidence for using the cash conversion cycle to test the relationship with the corporate profitability: an empirical analysis on a sample of textile Italian SMEs Abstract: The cash conversion cycle (CCC) is a financial index with increasing importance in recent years since analysts and investors consider it effective for financial analyses. The index provides a correct and truthful situation of the company's ability to cope with its liabilities and allows the company to monitor the cash cycle with reference to purchase operations, production, and sales of products. The CCC is an index expressed by days, so it is necessary to know the days inventory outstanding, the days sales outstanding, and the days payable outstanding to calculate it. The purpose of this research is to analyse characteristics of the CCC and differences with respect to the other liquidity ratios and its relationship with the most relevant financial ratios through empirical applications to verify if it is a reliable index for making decisions regarding a company's cash flow strategy. Journal: Int. J. of Economics and Business Research Pages: 499-512 Issue: 4 Volume: 18 Year: 2019 Keywords: cash conversion cycle; CCC; crisis early warning; insolvency KPI; financial index; cash flow; working capital management; WCM; days inventory outstanding; DIO; days payable outstanding; DPO; days sales outstanding; DSO. File-URL: http://www.inderscience.com/link.php?id=103107 File-Format: text/html File-Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers. Handle: RePEc:ids:ijecbr:v:18:y:2019:i:4:p:499-512