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1. |
The economic and energy efficiencies of GCC states: A DEA approach
, Pages: 1-12 Mohammad Imdadul Haque PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: The six GCC states share similar economic, geographic and socio-cultural characteristics and also face with similar challenges in terms of energy perspective. This study plans to focus on the eco-nomic and energy efficiency of the six GCC states. In the process, the study ranks the GCC states in terms of their efficiency scores. These efficiencies are computed through Data Envelopment Analysis. The economic efficiency is calculated for all six GCC states. Capital and labor are the inputs and GDP is the output. In this survey, Saudi Arabia maintains the highest efficiency score of 0.94, closely followed by Qatar (0.92), Kuwait (0.89), Bahrain (0.83), Oman (0.81) and UAE (0.67). There is a huge gap between the economic efficiency scores of Saudi Arabia and UAE. The environmental efficiency scores are calculated using CO2 emissions as output and electric power consumption and energy as input. Again, the highest efficiency score is for Saudi Arabia (0.91) followed by Oman (0.87), Kuwait and Bahrain have a tie for the 3rd position with a score of 0.74. Finally, the laggards are UAE (0.65) and Qatar (0.62). Again, there is a huge gap between the best and the worst performers. The case of two countries is worth mentioning. Qatar is ranked second in terms of economic efficiency while it was ranked sixth in terms of economic efficiency. Oman was ranked fifth in terms of economic efficiency while it was ranked second in terms of environmental efficiency. Finally, an average of economic and environmental efficiency are taken to compute the composite index. Saudi Arabia has the first place followed by Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and UAE. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.11.005 Keywords: Economic efficiency, Energy efficiency, CO2 emissions, GCC, DEA
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2. |
Assessing the effects of service quality on customer satisfaction
, Pages: 13-24 Asyraf Afthanorhan, Zainudin Awang, Norfadzilah Rashid, Hazimi Foziah and Puspa Liza Ghazali PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: A constant concern of academic institutions has been to improve the customer satisfaction in university libraries. The service quality within academic library context is pivotal for satisfying customers by meeting the customers’ needs to create loyalty amongst customers. This research uses LibQual to analyze the gap between customer’s perception and expectation, concerned with the services at the University Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Library. There are six dimensions in service quality; namely general services, search for materials, library collection, staff, environment and environment, considered for this empirical research. The purpose of this paper is to 1) know service quality dimensions that satisfy the customers and 2) to observe the impact of service quality on customer satisfaction. The research methodology is carried out using a questionnaire survey distributed among 170 samples through simple random sampling. The data obtained was analyzed by using covariance-based structural equation modeling and importance-performance analysis. The results suggest that quality of service had a significant impact on customer satisfaction. Among the service quality dimensions, library environment and general service were viewed as high importance and strong performance index. Implication for research and practice resulting from these findings were also discussed. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.11.004 Keywords: Service Quality, Customer Satisfaction, LibQual, Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modeling, Importance-Performance Analysis
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3. |
Effects of operational performance on financial performance
, Pages: 25-32 Jinpyo Lee PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: Over the past 40 years, global air travel has increased eight-fold: In 1974 air planes carried 421 million people globally. This means that global air travel has been growing up about 5% every year for 4 decades and this trend is expected to continue in the future. While demand growth is an important factor for the profitability of the airline industry, its impact quite depends on the operational performances such as load factor, passenger yield, labor efficiency and fuel efficiency. So, the objective of this study is to analyze companies competing in the airline industry to address how to use the return on invested capital (ROIC) tree model to analyze the effect of operational performances on airline companies’ financial performance and then how to increase the financially inferior company’s per-formance by intimidating the operationally and financially superior and productive company. In the case of the Korean airline industry, two leading legacy airline companies called as a company A and B were selected to do the computational study for the effect of operational performance on the financial performance and productivity. We analyzed the financially high-performing company using the ROIC tree model and then looked at financially how much the inferior company would be improved if it could imitate some factor consisting of the productivity ratios from the financially high-performing company. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.11.003 Keywords: Operations Performance, Supply Chain, Return on invested capital (ROIC) tree, Productivity Ratio, Airline Industry
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4. |
Experiencing the AI emergence in Indian retail – Early adopters approach
, Pages: 33-42 R. Seranmadevi and A. Senthil Kumar PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: The usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technique under retail industry will bring glorious outcome and flourishing benefits for both the retailers and the distinguished customers. The multiple platforms of AI usage in retail arena are discussed under two different cluster classified as online and offline, based on the terms of execution of retail activity. The present research was conducted with the objectives of evaluating the contribution of quality, customer relationship management and big data in designing futuristic retail model and analyzing the intention of retailers and shoppers in experiencing the emergence of AI. Disproportionate multistage judgement sampling method was em-ployed. A sample of 610 shoppers from four different capital regions of southern part of states in India was considered for the statistical analysis. Data was collected during the first quarter period of 2018. Descriptive research design was used to describe the intention of shoppers towards the emer-gence of AI in the Indian retail sector. The usages of AI technologies in online and offline retail are grouped separately and its effect on building the quality, customer relationship management and big data was evolved. Finally, its impact on the retailers intention and customers delight was studied through Structural Equation Modeling with testing of appropriate hypothesis. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.11.002 Keywords: Artificial intelligence, Big data, Consumer delight, Offline, Online, Retail, Retailers intention
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5. |
The effect of cultural dimensions on tourism promotion in Jordan
, Pages: 43-52 Faraj Harahsheh PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: The tourism sector is considered as one of the most important economic sectors and has great importance in increasing the gross domestic product of any country in the world. Jordan is one of the countries attracting tourism from all over the world because of its natural tourist attractions and in-dustrial parks, as well as the availability of security and safety elements compared with neighboring countries. As the tourism sector is influenced by several factors affecting the tourism sector, this study aimed to investigate the role of the cultural dimensions and their relationships with the Jorda-nian society characterized by customs and traditions, values, norms and religious beliefs in promoting the tourism sector in Jordan. The study concluded that there was a statistically significant relationship between the cultural dimensions and the tourism promotion, so that the tourism promotion in Jordan was directly influenced by the change in cultural dimensions. The study concluded that the governments should increase the interest of the tourism sector and the need to pay special attention on educating the Jordanian society about the importance of this sector for the benefit of the country, which would positively affect their level of income, alleviate unemployment, and raise the standards of their lives. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.11.001 Keywords: Cultural dimension, Tourism promotion, Tourism directorates
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6. |
Improving passenger transportation service as a part of tourism services complex in Russia
, Pages: 53-60 Yu.I. Sokolov, E.A. Ivanova, L.O. Anikeeva-Naumenko and I.M. Lavrov PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: In the context of active world markets expansion including actively emerging markets such as Rus-sia, the search for possible ways of integrated development of various industries becomes an issue of special state significance for the economy competitiveness improvement. This article focuses on finding ways to optimize travel business environment in Russia by improving passengers’ transportation service. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.016 Keywords: Railway transport, Service quality, Consumer of tourism services, Company positioning on the market
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7. |
Knowledge hoarding: A literature review
, Pages: 61-72 Elif Bilginoğlu PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: The main purpose of this study is to present a framework on the construct, knowledge hoarding by investigating and distinguishing it from related concepts such as knowledge sharing and knowledge hiding. Furthermore, it aims to strengthen our understanding of knowledge hoarding by defining the construct in detail while seeking answers to why employees hoard their knowledge. The present study contains a discussion of related research on knowledge hoarding and its implications for organizations, managers and employees. By integrating research from the fields of knowledge man-agement, human resources management and organizational behavior, this paper attempts to clarify a number of issues about this concept and aims to offer a factual report on what research has to say about it. Knowledge is not an individual, but an organizational asset. In today’s business environ-ment, hoarding knowledge erodes one’s power rather than constituting a source of power. In order to remain competitive in the future, organizations will need to abandon their ideas of information hoarding and embrace knowledge management. Downsizing in organizations and the potential loss of employment due to the global economic crisis alerts the managers to be sensitive to the reasons why the individuals avoid sharing their knowledge. The managerial level should attempt to break the hoarding cycle and create new models for interaction and knowledge sharing. It is important to examine why some employees would sometimes prefer to keep knowledge to themselves. Thus, the present study seeks an answer to that area of under-investigated research. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.015 Keywords: Organizational knowledge, Knowledge management, Knowledge withholding, Knowledge hoarding, Knowledge as a source of power
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8. |
Entrepreneurial career resilience and entrepreneurial career success: Does entrepreneurial career commitment matter?
, Pages:73-90 Isyaku Salisu, Norashida Hashim and Aliyu Hamza Galadanchi PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: Although the relationship between resilience and career success has been well documented, very few studies relate these variables in developing economies, and especially in entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Additionally, how commitment actually shapes this relationship is conspicuously neglected. This empirical investigation was aimed at examining the influence of entrepreneurial career resilience on the three facets of entrepreneurial career success, i.e. career satisfaction, perceived career achievement and perceived financial attainment through the mediating role of entrepreneurial career commitment. The study used cross sectional data approach to collect data from 390 active entrepre-neurs. The participants were selected using purposive sampling technique. PLS-SEM statistical software (Smart-PLS 3) was used to test the formulated hypotheses. The findings suggested that; entrepreneurial career resilience was a positive predictor of the career satisfaction and perceived ca-reer achievement but it did not predict perceived financial attainment; that, entrepreneurial career resilience predicted entrepreneurial career commitment; that, entrepreneurial career commitment predicted career satisfaction, perceived career achievement and perceived financial attainment. Moreover, entrepreneurial career commitment significantly influenced the relationships of entrepreneurial career resilience and the two facets of entrepreneurial career success. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.014 Keywords: Entrepreneurial, Career, Success, Commitment, Resilience, Nigeria
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9. |
The effective role of work environment and its influence on managerial innovation
, Pages: 91-104 Salah A. Alabduljader PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: Trying to create an innovative organization means to have employees who are innovative, within the internal structure of the organization. This paper aimed at examining the influence of work environ-ment on managerial innovation within the insurance sector in Kuwait. A quantitative tool, self-administered questionnaire, was adopted and distributed among165 managers who worked for 21 insurance companies in Kuwait. The results indicate that among the chosen variables representing the dimensions of the work environment, the most influential dimension was facilities. This reveals that it was the influence of facilities that provided a healthy work environment for the employees who enhanced their abilities to present their best performance and be innovative. The study suggests that organizations should pay extra attention to certain factors of employee appraisal such as incentives, appreciation and recognition, that may, in turn, help increase the degree of managerial innovation. In addition, it is suggested to examine the influence of work environment on the leaders’ ethical orientations within the insurance sector in Kuwait. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.013 Keywords: Managerial innovation, Work environment, Employee appraisal
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10. |
Practice environmental cost management accounting: The case of Vietnamese brick production companies
, Pages: 105-120 Thi Tam Le and Thi Mai Anh Nguyen PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: During the past few years, there has been a growing interest in applications of environmental cost management accounting (ECMA) in different manufacturing industries. ECMA is a useful tool for environmental performance improvement and achieving better financial benefits. Nevertheless, ECMA implementation is in early stages in many countries such as Vietnam. Brick industry is one of the most polluted sectors, which has significant impact on the environment. The purpose of this paper is to provide a clear image of ECMA application in Vietnamese brick manufacturing enterprises. Both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies are used to analyze the participants' attitudes, perceptions and concerns about the potential for applying ECMA. The results indicate that the brick industry adopted low level of ECMA and provide some necessary suggestions to promote the enterprises applying ECMA. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.012 Keywords: Environmental Management Accounting, Environmental Cost Manage-ment Accounting (ECMA), Brick Production, Vietnam
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11. |
Investigating the impact of organizational spirituality on human resources productivity in manufacturing organizations
, Pages: 121-132 Mohammad Hashem Pourmola, Moslem Bagheri, Pezhman Alinezhad and Zeynab Peyravi Nejad PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: Human resource productivity is one of the vital notions in the management of modern organizations. Many studies concerned with this notion have tried to identify the factors affecting productivity and its improvement. One of these important factors is organizational spirituality. The present study investigated the impact of organizational spirituality, from an Islamic perspective, on human resources productivity in BELFA Co., Iran, as a manufacturing organization. The study relied on a descriptive survey method and used structural equation modeling to analyze data in Smart-PLS software to fit the measurement model and the structural model. Results revealed that spirituality could predict 26% of the variance of Human resources productivity in the company, proving to be an effective factor. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.011 Keywords: Organizational Spirituality, Human Resources Productivity, Religious Beliefs, Religious Emotions, Religious Duties
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12. |
The impact of financial flexibility on capital structure decisions: Some empirical evidence
, Pages: 133-138 Mehdi Pendar, Hussain Tayar and Soltanali Karimeh PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: This paper presents an empirical investigation to study the effect of financial flexibility on capital structure decisions on selected firms listed in Tehran Stock Exchange over the period 2006-2018. The results indicate that the cash value of the previous years had no meaningful relationship with the current year's financial leverage, which suggests that flexibility in previous years could not explain the financial leverage of the coming years and financial leverage of companies changes did not occur based on the past years performance. When the ultimate value of financial flexibility is high, the im-pact of different variables, for example, profits, depreciation, and depreciation costs, fixed assets, etc., on leverage is of little importance, with a slight change in leverage. Companies with a high final value of financial flexibility are willing to maintain their current debt capacities, but it is significantly possible that they target deliberate or temporary deviations from their leverage ratios. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.010 Keywords: Financial flexibility, Final cash value, Data panel, Capital structure
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13. |
Social capital and entrepreneurial career resilience: The role of entrepreneurial career commitment
, Pages: 139-154 Isyaku Salisu, Norashida Hashim and Aliyu Hamza Galadanchi PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: Resilience is one of the constructs which received less attention in the contemporary entrepreneurial literature. This paper explored the relationships among social capital, commitment and career resilience of entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria. 576 active entrepreneurs were selected to participate in this study using cluster sampling approach and were served with questionnaires of which 390, representing 68% response, were retrieved. The data were analyzed using Smart-PLS 3 software of Partial Lease Square Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The findings suggest that bonding social capital influenced both career commitment as well as career resilience, but bridging did not. In addition, career commitment mediated the relationship between bonding social capital and career resilience, but did not mediate the relationship between bridging social capital and career resilience. Theoretical, practical and methodological implications were also provided. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.009 Keywords: Career, Resilience, Commitment, Bonding, Bridging, Nigeria
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14. |
The effect of power system reliability problems on crucial business decisions and strategies
, Pages: 155-168 Harjit Singh Mangat and Harpuneet Singh PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: The purpose of this research was to recognize the influence of electricity reliability problems such as unplanned and planned outages, and load shedding on the future plans of the textile industries of Punjab (India). An opinion on the mitigation measures to diminish the impact of power outages was also obtained. The results presented here were got using the seven-point Likert item scale from the 148 respondents which were the part of a randomly selected sample of 400 textile industries from a total population of 1163 registered textile industries covering specifically the high concentration dis-tricts throughout the Punjab. Both formal and informal interview methods including dropping the questionnaire schedules at the industrial premises were employed to record the responses. A syntax for Krippendorff’s Alpha was used in SPSS to estimate the interreliability of the different sections. A non-parametric Mann-Whitney U and Friedman Q with post hoc tests were applied using SPSS for independent samples and related sample designs, respectively, in order to know the statistical significant differences among the variables and the pairs. Respondents were found highly concerned towards the power system reliability issues than the quality issues. The effect of reliability issues on the micro scale industries were found higher than the small scale industries. Based on the one hour outage duration, unplanned power outage-1 hour scenario and dangerous advance warning, planned power outage, were found highly disruptive. The growth or expansion of existing unit, like to go for costly alternative energy sources, procurement of bank loans and moving industries to other state with good energy facilities, were the four key future plans and strategies that were found highly important to the textile industries. Majority of the industries believed that almost all the future plans and decisions were dominantly impacted by the unplanned outages followed by the load shedding and planned outages. In order to diminish the impact of power outages, improved system protection and improved local protection were found the preferred outage mitigation methods. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.008 Keywords: System reliability issues, Power outages, Textile industries, Future plans, Non-parametric tests, Mitigation
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15. |
The mediating effect of employee commitment on recruitment process towards organizational performance in UAE organizations
, Pages: 169-182 Omar Ibrahim Ali Alansaari, Rosman bin MD Yusoff and Fadillah Binti Ismail PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of the recruitment process on the organizational performance. It has been hypothesized in this study that an effective recruitment process could enhance the organizational process. After critically reviewing the literature, the study finds employee commitment as a key factor which affects the relationship between recruitment process and organizational performance. Therefore the second objective of the current study is to investigate the mediating role of employee commitment in the relationship between recruitment process and organizational performance. The data is collected from 247 employees of Fujairah National Group of UAE and the structural equation modeling using AMOS is used to analyze the data. The findings of the study show a great deal of agreement with the results. The findings of the study will be helpful for HR practitioners, policymakers and researchers in understanding the relationship between employee commitment, recruitment process, and organizational performance. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.007 Keywords: Recruitment Process, Employee Commitment, Organizational Performance, UAE
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16. |
Stock market manipulation: A comparative analysis of East Asian emerging and developed financial markets
, Pages: 183-192 Syed Qasim Shah, Izlin Ismail and Aidil Rizal bin Shahrin PDF (288 K) |
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Abstract: The study investigates the firm’s specific characteristics of manipulated firms in East Asian emerging and developed markets using hand-collected 244 manipulated cases between 2001 and 2017. The empirical analysis is conducted using panel logistic regression to identify which stocks are more likely to be manipulated. Result shows that large and highly liquid firms were more likely to be manipulated in both emerging and developed markets. Additionally, marginal effect shows that firms with high free float and market capitalization had a higher probability of being manipulated in these markets. On the contrary, profitable firms were less likely to be manipulated in both developed and emerging markets. Limited studies have been conducted to empirically identify the characteristics of the manipulated stocks across the developed and emerging markets. The regulator can use these results to identify possible and expected manipulation and to design enforcement rules, accordingly. Further, investors can take into consideration these characteristics of manipulated stocks while designing their portfolio in order to reduce the portfolio risk. DOI: 10.5267/j.msl.2018.10.006 Keywords: Import, Tariff, Trade liberalization, Natural Calamity, Cointegration, Error correction mode, ARDL; Bangladesh
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