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The Impact of PLS-SEM Training on Faculty Staff Intention to Use PLS Software in a public university in Ghana
Simon Gyasi Nimako,
Francis Bondinuba Kwesi,
Emmanuel Kofi Owusu
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2014
Pages:
42-49
Received:
10 March 2014
Accepted:
8 April 2014
Published:
10 April 2014
Abstract: The paper empirically assesses the impact of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) training on academic staff’s intentions to adopt PLS-SEM software in their future research work. Our original contribution to knowledge is the application of the Technology Adoption Model (TAM) to study faculty intention to adopt SEM data analysis software in an under-researched context of developing country Higher Institution of Learning (HIL). Building upon the TAM, we developed a research model that conceptualises PLS-SEM training as an external variable that affects the technology adoption process. The research model was tested using data from 34 faculty members who fully participated in a PLS-SEM training workshop at the College of Technology Education, Kumasi (COLTEK) of University of Education, Winneba. The data was analysed using SmartPLS 2.0 for PLS-SEM analysis. The findings indicate that PLS-SEM training has a positive impact on faculty members’ intentions to use the PLS-SEM software in future research. Moreover, the findings confirm the applicability and efficacy of the TAM framework that it can predict about 86% of faculty members’ intention to adopt data analysis software. This paper is one of the initial studies into the adoption of SEM data analysis software by the research community in developing countries HIL context. Despite its limitations, the paper offers important theoretical and managerial contributions. It contributes to the literature in the area of adoption of SEM data analysis software in the information systems literature.
Abstract: The paper empirically assesses the impact of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) training on academic staff’s intentions to adopt PLS-SEM software in their future research work. Our original contribution to knowledge is the application of the Technology Adoption Model (TAM) to study faculty intention to adopt SEM data anal...
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Productive and Cognitive Innovation Strategy: African Framework Design
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2014
Pages:
50-65
Received:
6 March 2014
Accepted:
8 April 2014
Published:
10 April 2014
Abstract: Since the mid 1990’s, economist have come to recognize the role of innovative activity in firms productivity growth, particularly in the competitive market economies. However, the most conducive market environment for innovative activity has also become a subject of interest. Thus, a major constraint on industrial dynamism in African countries is said to be the dearth of indigenous entrepreneurs. This paper therefore argued for the provision of comprehensive innovation policy, in which the government supports the innovators by providing appropriate financial measures, removing regulatory, institutional (competitive) obstacles to innovation and strengthening the knowledge base through investment in education, research and industrial sites in Africa.
Abstract: Since the mid 1990’s, economist have come to recognize the role of innovative activity in firms productivity growth, particularly in the competitive market economies. However, the most conducive market environment for innovative activity has also become a subject of interest. Thus, a major constraint on industrial dynamism in African countries is ...
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A Review of European Sovereign Debt Crisis: Causes and Consequences
G. M. Wali Ullah,
Samiul Parvez Ahmed
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2014
Pages:
66-71
Received:
28 March 2014
Accepted:
10 April 2014
Published:
20 April 2014
Abstract: This paper researched on the causes, current consequences and potential implication of the European debt crisis. The crisis was found to be a result of factors including international trade imbalances, the effects from the global crisis 2007-2012 and the failure in bailout approaches to cure Europe from the global financial distress. This has caused panic across the world due to the fact that negative financial situations in peripheral countries in Europe might further demolish the global financial markets. Even though significant growth was presumed from the introduction of Euro, the financial crisis resulted in sharp rise in bond yields, CDS, cross-correlation and spillover effects across bond markets of the Eurozone. Yield curves of the GIIPS countries acted as a cluster; differentiating from stronger and more stable economic forces. In addition, crisis resulted in significant dip of market confidence on Euro and depreciation of Euro against major currencies. Commodity prices i.e. spot price of gold rose to almost 300% over the time crisis period, utilized by governments as a defense mechanism against the economic downturns. Potential problems that might arise from this severe crisis and financial prospects of European states as well as governments over the world are also assessed and discussed
Abstract: This paper researched on the causes, current consequences and potential implication of the European debt crisis. The crisis was found to be a result of factors including international trade imbalances, the effects from the global crisis 2007-2012 and the failure in bailout approaches to cure Europe from the global financial distress. This has cause...
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Is IPOs Trading Enhanced with the Advent of Automated Trading System? A Look at the Efficient Market Hypothesis
P. M. C. Thilakarathne,
Alex Augustus Ambore Bruce
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2014
Pages:
72-81
Received:
13 February 2014
Accepted:
23 April 2014
Published:
30 April 2014
Abstract: We examine and model the performance of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) with the advent of the Automated Trading System (ATS) on the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) of Fama (1970) and observe that the system of price determination and encoding such information to existing and potential investors for IPOs has significantly improved with related efficiency as most of the IPOs issued during the period after the introduction of the ATS have significantly attracted more investor demand and commendable pricing mechanism as a result of easy and quick access to information sharing. This could mean that information asymmetry has drastically reduced since they are electronically generated to produce the stock prices within a very limited period of time. But until now, prices of IPOs in most cases do not fully reflect available information as the EMH suggests and does not fulfil the Random Walk Hypothesis (Kendall, 1953, RWH) as a requirement for weak form of market efficiency. However, despite the ATS’s immense contributions, the rate of price swings and inability to fully reflect available information still remains an apparition to the market participants so that prices are either overpriced or underpriced. We use the stability, stationary, and normality diagnostic tests together with the EGARCH and TGARCH to define the trend of the prices. The result is not consistent with the Efficient Market Hypothesis of Fama (1970). Data on each IPO daily prices were obtained from the trading statistics of Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) consisting of 231 IPO stocks traded between the years 2000 to 2012 consisting of 35,979 monthly observations; these prices are those of IPOs trading after the introduction of the ATS in 1997. The outcome clearly shows that the prices are not normally distributed and are significantly auto-correlated. This result does not support the RWH to satisfy for the weak market efficiency.
Abstract: We examine and model the performance of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) with the advent of the Automated Trading System (ATS) on the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) of Fama (1970) and observe that the system of price determination and encoding such information to existing and potential investors for IPOs has significantly improved with related ef...
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Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management: A Critical Evaluation
Shlomo Globerson,
Gal Wolbrum
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2014
Pages:
82-88
Received:
23 March 2014
Accepted:
20 April 2014
Published:
30 April 2014
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to identify the content of Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management, as perceived by course instructors and textbook content, and identify the core subjects of the discipline. The study is based on review and content analysis of two samples; 30 syllabi used for teaching a basic course, and 10 textbooks that are dedicated to the discipline. A list of belonging subjects was identified, importance for each subject was estimated, and the level of agreement between the syllabi and the textbook samples was evaluated. Results identified 27 relevant subjects, of which eight were identified as "core subjects". The core subjects are: Information and technology, Inventory, Overview and concepts, Transportation and conveying, Logistics flow, Facility location, Customer service, and Performance measurement. There is a high level of agreement within each sample and between the two samples, with regard to the relative importance of the identified subjects. The above results support an agreed framework for a Logistics Management course, which becomes a common one in different management programs.
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to identify the content of Logistics Management and Supply Chain Management, as perceived by course instructors and textbook content, and identify the core subjects of the discipline. The study is based on review and content analysis of two samples; 30 syllabi used for teaching a basic course, and 10 textbooks that a...
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Labor Market Segmentation and Gender Inequality in Cameroon
Ningaye Paul,
Talla Fokam Dieu Ne Dort
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2014
Pages:
89-98
Received:
3 April 2014
Accepted:
16 April 2014
Published:
30 April 2014
Abstract: This research seeks to propose ways to reduce gender inequality in the labor market in Cameroon. It uses the dynamic cloud classification to identify different segments of the labor market, the decomposition method of Oaxaca and Blinder to quantify the gender discrimination and to highlight the factors which provoke such discrimination. The results show that the Cameroonian labor market has three segments. The segment with the highest gender inequality is the informal agricultural sector, followed by the non-agricultural informal sector, and finally the formal sector. Our results also show that if we want a greater reduction of gender inequality, we must encourage women's access to secondary and higher education, encourage women's access to vocational training, and increase their number of years of professional experience.
Abstract: This research seeks to propose ways to reduce gender inequality in the labor market in Cameroon. It uses the dynamic cloud classification to identify different segments of the labor market, the decomposition method of Oaxaca and Blinder to quantify the gender discrimination and to highlight the factors which provoke such discrimination. The results...
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The Effects of Fiscal Policy in Great Recession by using Panel Smooth Transition Regression (PSTR): Evidence from Emerging Market
Amira Majoul,
Olfa Manai Daboussi
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2014
Pages:
99-107
Received:
6 April 2014
Accepted:
22 April 2014
Published:
30 April 2014
Abstract: This article examines the effect of fiscal policy on economic growth in emerging countries during periods of economic instability. This work aimed to determine whether emerging countries are able to adopt countercyclical fiscal policies to mitigate the impact from outside. Our study used a new approach developed by González and al. (2005), the (PSTR) model. This model has been studied in 23 emerging countries grouped into four regions: Latin America, Emerging Europe, Asia and Africa and covers the period 1990-2012. Our research will focus on the effect of fiscal policy in emerging countries on their economic growth during periods of instability. This model confirmed the non-linear relationship between fiscal policy and activity in these countries. Indeed, it can highlight the asymmetric effect of fiscal policy on activity distinguishing between two regimes. Our results show that in an unsustainable fiscal situation, the pro-cyclical fiscal policy is a solution to avoid the higher cost of debt and during the crisis a strong fiscal position is fundamental to ensuring macroeconomic stability.
Abstract: This article examines the effect of fiscal policy on economic growth in emerging countries during periods of economic instability. This work aimed to determine whether emerging countries are able to adopt countercyclical fiscal policies to mitigate the impact from outside. Our study used a new approach developed by González and al. (2005), the (PST...
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Toward an Appropriate Model for Corporate Governance in Banking Industry- Case Study of Iran
Bita Mashayekhi,
Alemeh Yazdanian,
Farzaneh Jalali
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 2, April 2014
Pages:
108-117
Received:
15 April 2014
Accepted:
8 May 2014
Published:
20 May 2014
Abstract: Given the vital role of banks and other financial institutions in financial and economic stability, and also their great vulnerability to the potential imperfections of corporate governance and the need to maintain the depositors' funds and the stakeholders’ interests, the issue of corporate governance and eliminating its weaknesses and failures are extremely important in banking industry. In recent financial scandals and economic crises which banks and other financial institutions have had a leading role because of malfunctioning of their corporate governance mechanisms. Furthermore, in 2011, the occurrence of a massive financial embezzlement and existence of enormous deferred bank accounts in Iran banking system implies that there is a serious failure in banks' corporate governance for the experts in this field.Therefore this study attempts to prepare information about the current state of corporate governance in Iran banks and compares it with that of prosperous big banks in other parts of the world. Additionally, it is going to investigate the weak points of corporate governance in Iran banks in order to present an appropriate model for them. It also should be noted that we review all available related documents in Iran banks and interview the managers and experts to obtain valid feedbacks in this regard. Then, we review successful and unsuccessful experiences of famous international banks such as Bank of America, Toronto-Dominion Bank, J. P. Morgan, and HSBC, and their corporate governance structures to extract and model them. By comparing this model with those belonging to Iran banks we can realize almost any weakness existing in Iran banks. Finally we suggest an appropriate model for Iran banks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the mechanism of their corporate governance.
Abstract: Given the vital role of banks and other financial institutions in financial and economic stability, and also their great vulnerability to the potential imperfections of corporate governance and the need to maintain the depositors' funds and the stakeholders’ interests, the issue of corporate governance and eliminating its weaknesses and failures ar...
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