Evaluation of the factors that affect performances of active football referees in Turkey
September 2013
The research was carried out for the purpose of evaluating the factors affecting performances of active football referees who function in different categories. Thesurvey method was used in the research in order to describe an existing situation. The research group is composed of 108 referees (FIFA = 4, senior referees = 37, senior assistant referees = 50, state referees = 17) who actively officiated in the...
Corporate responsibility for socio-economic transformation: A focus on broad-based black economic empowerment and its implementation in South Africa
September 2013
This article illustrates corporate responsibility for socio-economic transformation with a focus on broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) and its implementation in South Africa. This article clarifies the need for the corporate sector to ensure consistency in the implementation of socially responsible behavior, particularly in the area of black economic empowerment. The article highlights that there is both a...
Determinants of small and medium enterprises performance in the Malaysian auto-parts industry
September 2013
This paper examines factors determining the performance of SMEs in the Malaysian auto-parts industry. Using a multiple regression analysis, it is evident that firm age and foreign equity are significantly related to the performance of the firms. This consolidates earlier expectations and studies that age and foreign equity ownership do matter to SMEs performance. These findings provide an important signal for SMEs for...
Analysis of marketing data to extract key factors of telecom churn management
September 2013
For telecom industries facing customer and market changes due to rapid developments, near saturation, and intense competition, avoiding churn is critical. Most churn management studies attempt to locate a list of potentially lost customers from existing customer data, for use in subsequent customer retention activities. However, the effectiveness of a telecom company’s churn management is determined by whether it...
Is Country branding a panacea or poison?
September 2013
The momentum towards complete globalisation advocated by proponents of the benefits of one big business village as the answer to the suffering of third world countries, has now been slowed down by the uncertainty resultant from the hitherto unprecedented global meltdown. With the coughing of America, the whole world seems to be catapulting into one big mess due to the global economic quagmire. Consequently, there is a...
How does boundary-spanning search matter in China’s new technology venture? The role of external relationship and internal competence
September 2013
Following on the resource-advantage theory, this study advances existing research by examining what configuration of a new venture’s boundary-spanning search can obtain successful venture performance and how a founding team’s external relationship and the internal firm competences shapes the relationship between the distant search and new venture performance. The paper is based on a questionnaire...
An empirical estimation of the relationship between Edmund Phelps’ “investment driving forces†and the unemployment rate
September 2013
On his invited lecture at Beijing University, China, December 2004, Edmund S. Phelps, the winner of the 2006 Nobel Prize in Economics, proposed four indicators of “investment driving forces”, which could be used in measuring the economic growth of a country’s performance, and which might in turn also be eventually reflected in the country’s employment situation. In addition to Edmund...
Rank reversal problem related to wash criterion in analytic hierarchy process (AHP)
September 2013
The rank reversal problem related to wash criterion in Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was studied. The purpose of this paper is threefold. Firstly, the rank reversal problem did not come off when proportional adjustment of Liberatore and Nydick (2004) and Saaty and Vargas (2006) was applied. Secondly, the conditions that insure the occurrence of rank reversal by using the approach of Finan and Hurley (2002) and Lin,...
A comparative study of data mining techniques in predicting consumers’ credit card risk in banks
September 2013
This paper investigates the use of batch and incremental classifiers such as logistic regression, neural networks, C5, Naïve Bayes updateable, IBk (instance-based learner, k nearest neighbour) and raced incremental logit boost to obtain the best classifier to be used for improving the predictive accuracy of consumers’ credit card risk of a bank in Malaysia. Prior to generating all the models for comparison,...
A novel FOREX prediction methodology based on fundamental data
September 2013
Markets play a critical role in economics of the world and the distribution of wealth. Predicting them can help with preventing crashes and avoiding severe losses, or making significant profits. But such prediction is not easy due to the very complex nature of markets and the wide variety of the influence factors involved. Technical analysts or chartists rely on historical chart data to predict patterns based on...
Determinants of extent of financial derivative usage
September 2013
The adaptation of free market policies in the world economy has increased the employment of risk management practices in corporation’s financial decisions in order to reduce the variability in firm’s future cash flows, due to the highly volatile exchange rates and interest rates. It is generally argued that, extensive usage of derivative instruments can minimize the firm’s cash flow unpredictability by...
Leadership style, employee motivation and commitment: Empirical evidence from a consolidated retail bank operating in a depressed economy
September 2013
The study investigated the relationship between different leadership styles and employee motivation and commitment after a merger in a retail bank operating in an economically volatile environment. Data was collected from 121 employees (17 managers and 104 non-managerial) using three closed-ended questionnaires. The Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire Form 5X was used to measure leadership styles and the Organisational...
The effect of the 'golden ratio' on consumer behaviour
September 2013
This paper evaluates the relationship between the "golden ratio" and consumer aesthetic preferences, and investigates its possible implementation into market offer. Due to the increasingly diverse offer to which consumers are exposed, each detail of the offer should be in the function to attract consumer’s attention. These requirements increase the importance of design. Package design should...
An integrated inventory models under cooperative and non-cooperative seller-buyer and vendor supply chain
September 2013
The first level of the supply chain basically contains three distinguished levels; these are single buyer (that is retailer), the second level vendor (that is warehouse) and single seller in the third level. The aim of this study was to investigate the cooperative of inventory models among the players in a three-level supply chain. In addition, the challenges involved in determining the optimal value of time...
The role of need for achievement in self-leadership: Differential associations with hope for success and fear of failure
September 2013
Self-leadership and need for achievement show conceptual convergences as both constructs have been found to be phenotypically associated with heightened levels of performance (Neck and Manz, 1992; Spangler, 1992). We thus aimed to clarify how both are interrelated with their respective subfacets in three studies (N = 185, N = 228, N = 374) and found that (a) self-leadership and need for achievement tap different...
Effect of provision of micro-finance on the performance of micro-enterprises: A study of youth micro-enterprises under Kenya Rural Enterprise Program (K-REP), Kisii County, Kenya
September 2013
Micro and small Enterprises (MSEs) sector contributes 20% to the GDP of the Kenyan economy. The vision of micro finance is to promote the growth of micro enterprises. In pursuit of this vision, the rapid growth of Micro finance institutions (MFIs) has made MSEs access to credit more than doubled from 7.5% in 2006 to 17.9% in 2009. Despite this increase, a recent study has shown that over 50% of MSEs continue to have a...
Empirical analysis of regions of Mainland China’s manufacturing efficiency promotion: Experiences and lessons
September 2013
The manufacturing sector has been a decisive force in promoting economic development in China. According to the number of workers, net fixed assets and other economic data in China during 2000 to 2007, using data envelopment analysis (DEA) we can build a single-figure index reflecting the comprehensive manufacturing competitiveness of all regions. Based on those index and extension data of producer services, panel data...
The role of husbands: Support or barrier to women’s entrepreneurial start-ups?
September 2013
Traditional approach in academic research in women entrepreneurship has been merely focused on internal factors in the start-up decision making process, business environmental barriers and difficulties for entrepreneurial women to balance work and family life. Several support programs have been designed worldwide to promote and support female entrepreneurship with pure empirical evidence on their efficiency and possible...
Risk management of VoIP implementation
September 2013
Corporate governance is generally regarded as the means by which an organization should be directed and controlled. According to good corporate governance practices, an organization should maintain a competitive advantage by securing its assets and protecting against new threats introduced through new technologies. An example of a new technology that is being increasingly implemented in organizations is that of...
Sales force and commercial information: a study on the health sector industries in the State of Sao Paulo – Brazil
September 2013
The study aimed to compare employed salespeople with outside agents (or representatives) in the aspect of providing commercial information, checking for perceived differences between the information provided by each sales force. A literature review was performed with the subjects marketing orientation, sales force and commercial information, checking intersections between issues. We developed the work through a case...
Globalization and emergent Africa-Asia dialogue: The good, the bad and the ugly
September 2013
The increasing globalization agenda of the world has deepened dialogue between African and Asian countries. The first of such dialogue was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia between African and Asian experts and Parliamentary leaders on issues of poverty, economic growth and governance. Beneath the emergent Africa-Asia dialogue is the “rotten” animal instinct, which drives one party to use brains or brawn to take...
Billboard advertising optimization by using imperialist competitive algorithm (Case study: Tehran city)
September 2013
It is very important for organizations to be effective and efficient in business advertisements. Targeting the market by means of any media should be according to a regular method. The balance between the quality of the message and the media in achieving the objectives of the ads is necessary for a successful advertisement. The present paper undertakes the optimization of billboard media considering the existing factors...
Management style as a correlate of job performance of employees of selected Nigerian brewing industries
September 2013
This study focused on management style as a correlate of job performance of employees of selected Nigerian brewing industries. The study made use of two brewing industries in Oyo and Osun States of Nigeria. A sample of 200 employees was selected from the two industries. Two instruments were used to generate data for the study namely Supervisory Behaviour Descriptive Questionnaire (SBDQ) and Role-Based Performance Scale...
Factors influencing choice of a university by students in Zimbabwe
September 2013
This paper discussed factors that influence choice of a university by students in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional qualitative design involving the use of focus groups is used. The research revealed that choice of a university brand is influenced by a number of internal factors such as the quality of programmes offered by the institution, the brand name of institution, state of facilities, location of university, level of...
Employees’ Perceptions of Multiculturalism and Diversity in Multinational Corporations
September 2013
In a constantly changing global business environment, multiculturalism and diversity are becoming important discussion topics for multinational corporations. Moreover, these topics have witnessed increased attention as globalisation is affecting all facets of the economy. This paper presents findings of a study of multiculturalism and diversity in multinational corporations (MNCs) in Singapore. Highlighted...
Evaluation of the potential for innovation of businesses located in the State of Rio Grande Do Sul
September 2013
This article describes the results of research undertaken to identify the potential for innovation possessed by companies located in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil by analyzing internal, external, operational and strategic factors, the organizational structures, the cultural and the organizational values. The methodology used was to develop a structured questionnaire which was then distributed to...
Consumer evaluation of brand extension: Pakistani context
September 2013
Brand extension strategy, based on the idea that the built-in value of the familiar brand name is transferable to new products. The major aim of this research paper was to find out that how consumer evaluate brand Extension. Authors have used four variables to establish the relationship with the dependent variable “consumer evaluation” of brand extension. The variables used in the study were...
Brand endorsement by celebrities impacts towards customer satisfaction
September 2013
In India today, the use of celebrity for advertising in companies has become a trend and a perceived winning formula of corporate image-building and product marketing. This phenomenon is reflected in the recent market research finding that 8 out of 10 TV commercials scoring the highest recall were those with celebrity appearances. Today 'celebrity endorsement' has attracted immense debate on whether...
Reviewing the relationship between perception of trust in organization with employee extra-role behavior
September 2013
This study seeks to examine trust indicators as a foundation for employee extra role behavior. A face-to-face interview of employees was administered at Saderat Banks in Shiraz for a period of two weeks. A total of 296 usable questionnaires were collected. In addition, seven-point Likert scales, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) were adopted. Research findings indicated that trust...
Talent management is not an old wine in a new bottle
September 2013
The purpose of this empirical investigation is to clarify the relationship between different talent management activities and traditional human resource management practices. The study examines the relationship between employee’s emotional stability and talent management practices and the impact of these practices on organizations’ performance. The results show that talent management practices...
Ideological Dominance Structures in the Context of Organizational Culture
September 2013
The legitimation of hierarchical power in the organizational environment, as a result of beliefs and traditions enshrined in the social structure since the establishment of the first organizational conformations, constitutes the foundation of the culture of domination in current organizations. In the name of organizational survival, the ends begin to justify the means, and the common good (whether real,...
An examination of factors affecting career advancement of women into senior positions in selected parastatals in Lesotho
September 2013
Presently, in Lesotho women form a larger percentage of the workforce as compared to the previous years. Even though, there seems to be several factors, which affect their progress up the corporate ladder. The purpose of this research was to examine factors that affect career advancement of women; to determine the cause of under-representation of women in top management positions and their reluctance to...
The Board and IT Governance: A Replicative Study
September 2013
The challenge of the corporate environment has been and remains one of competitive advantage. To address this challenge information technology (IT) is playing an ever-increasing role. Nowadays it is not uncommon to find IT entrenched in all business processes in the corporate environment, as it has become pervasive in nature. With this high dependence on IT, literature is paying a renewed attention to those...
Internal auditing and operational risk management for some selected remittance companies in Mogadishu- Somalia
September 2013
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between internal auditing and operational risk in Somalia since in my best knowledge there is no study examined the relationship between internal auditing and operational risk in Somalia. Five remittance companies were selected as a sample and self-administered questionnaire was distributed 80 employees of these companies, these employees contained...
Mediating effect of relationship quality on customer loyalty in franchising beverage store
September 2013
The purpose of this study was to provide a casual model to explain the effect of relationship quality on customer loyalty via the mediating effect which might be provided by customer satisfaction. The 335 subjects were randomly selected from 49 franchising beverage stores in Taiwan. The proposed casual model of three variables was developed. Structure equation modelling was conducted to explore customer group...
The impact of ‘distribution capability, business knowledge, service differentiation and experience’ firm behaviors on export performance
September 2013
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of distribution capability, service differentiation, business knowledge and experience of businesses on export performance. Accordingly, meetings based on research were arranged, models were developed and which business behaviours of manufacturing companies doing international sales have positive impacts on business performance of those companies was...
Studying some of the factors that have effect on consumer propensity to observe, using Nokia cell phone as a case
September 2013
The purpose of this research is to determine the variables that affect consumer propensity to observe. It was performed in Iran-Shiraz and the effects of these factors on consumers of Nokia cell phone have been studied. 384 consumers participated in the research by integrating questions including measurement of favorite items. Index of observation in decision making for Iranian’s consumers was used for...
Parametric correlation coefficient of fuzzy numbers
September 2013
In the present paper, the researchers discuss the problem of parametric interval approximation of fuzzy numbers. It is the interval which fulfills two conditions. In the first, this interval is a continuous interval approximation operator. In the second, the parametric weighted distance between this interval and the approximated number is minimal and continuous. This interval can be used as a crisp set...
From the lens of an Appraisee Manager: Influence of the effect of different financing methods of firms accepted in Tehran Stock Exchange on their share yield
September 2013
This study review the effect of various methods of financing on share yield of accepted firms in the Stock Exchange of Tehran during 2006 to 2010. For this reason, the firms which were financed through loan or increased capital have been selected and based on noted data on financial statements of them. The effect of two given financing methods (loan and increased capital) on return of their equities following...
Modeling the impact of money on GDP and inflation in Iran: Vector-error-correction-model (VECM) approach
September 2013
Monetary policy is one of the main instruments used by government for obtaining macro-economic goals. Increasing the level of output and employment is the main purpose of Expansionary monetary policy. In this paper, we examine the short-run and long-run effects of money (M2) on inflation and GDP in Iran with four variable vector error correction model. We use quarterly data between 1988Q1 and 2005Q4. Results...
Analysis of the Psychological Contract established between the nursing personnel and a company of health care at home located in Recife - Brazil
September 2013
The increase in dynamism caused by changes in the business environment and in society causes labor relationships in organizations to experience challenges. Contracts established between employers and employees are modified over time and the ability to manage such contracts is required in industrial/labor processes. This survey aimed to analyze the Psychological Contract established between the nursing...
Microfinance and the Global financial crisis (GFC): Towards a Sustainable Solution for the poor in Africa
September 2013
The purpose of this paper is to establish the connection between microfinance and the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). Its ultimate aim is to seek for a sustainable solution for the poor people in Africa. Its qualitative research methodology and an explorative design allowed the researcher flexibility to interact with secondary sources of data. The global financial markets noted volatility from the...
Design and Implementation of a Common Currency Area in the East African Community
September 2013
This paper assesses plans of the East African Community (EAC) to create a single currency for the five countries making up the region, and considers how best to achieve it. While the benefits of lower transactions costs from a common currency may be significant, countries will also lose the ability to use monetary policy to respond to different shocks. Evidence presented shows that the countries differ in a...
Exploring Knowledge Sharing Among Medical and Non-Medical Staff: A Case Study Of An Ophthalmology Hospital In Malaysia
September 2013
The main purpose of this study is to explore the views medical and non-medical staffs of an Ophthalmology hospital towards the importance of knowledge sharing (KS), discover barriers to KS and strategies that may encourage KS. Furthermore, it examined the differences in the views of these constructs between medical and non-medical staff. Questionnaires derived from previous studies were used to collect a...
Determinants of wide interest margins in Ghana: panel EGLS analysis
September 2013
Government, institutional investor, investors and the ordinary Ghanaian believe that the interest rate spread in Ghana is on the higher side. Financial institutions also on the other side claim the opposite. The perceived wide interest spread charged by banks in Ghana continues to ignite many debates as to whether the commercial banks are taking advantage of Ghana’s trade liberalization to make...
New firm’s measures at the initial performance of Indian IPOs: A Binary Probit analysis
September 2013
This paper examines the impact on under pricing and firm market value arising from IPO firms implementing a range of Ex-ante uncertainty attributes such as the new firms, according to their incorporation of the year. Furthermore, we analyzed the several determinants of Ex-ante uncertainty such as subscription rate, issue size, market capitalization and ownership pattern and test the relationship between Ex-ante...
Simple and multiple relations between strategic human resource management and intellectual capital in Iranian higher education
September 2013
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices and intellectual capital (IC) in Isfahan state universities. A multiple correlational survey design with a stratified random sampling (n = 492) was utilized. The SHRM practices questionnaire based on Chen and Hung's study (2009), first tested locally through a pilot study and then IC...
Diversity of the workforce: voices from the field
September 2013
The object of this study was to analyze whether organizational policies that aim at stimulating workforce diversity are effectively implemented. We developed a case-study at a multinational company in the technology sector, referred to as HIGHTEC, in order to compare the organizational discourse and policies to how the employees perceive them. We did a documental research into HIGHTEC’s...
Economic selection of Dodge-Romig AOQL sampling plan under the quality investment and inspection error
September 2013
In this article, the author proposes a modification of Dodge-Romig single rectifying inspection plan with average outgoing quality limit (AOQL) protection. The quality investment and inspection error are considered in the modified model. The optimal parameters of sampling inspection plan and quality investment level are simultaneously determined by minimizing the expected total cost of product under the specified...
The Effect of Demographic Characteristics on Organizational Citizenship Behavior in the Selected Teaching Hospitals in Tehran
September 2013
Organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) is one of the most important issues that recently have gained special attention in studying organizations including hospitals. Recent studies show that employees demonstrate special interest in OCB and it can be influenced by their demographic characteristics. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between OCB and demographic characteristics...
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