Showing papers by "KIMEP University published in 2010"

Integrated models of capital adequacy – Why banks are undercapitalised

Abstract: With the majority of large UK and many US banks collapsing or being forced to raise capital over the 2007-9 period, blaming bankers may be satisfying but is patently insucient; Basel II and Federal oversight frameworks also deserve criticism. We propose that the current methodological void at the heart of Basel II, Pillar 2 is filled with the recommendation that banks develop fully integrated models for economic capital that relate asset values to fundamental drivers of risk in the economy to capture systematic eects and inter-asset dependencies in a way that crude correlation assumptions do not. We implement a fully integrated risk analysis based on the balance sheet of a representative Eurobank using an economic scenario generation model calibrated to conditions at the end of 2007. Our results suggest that the more modular, correlation-based approaches to economic capital that currently dominate practice will have led to an undercapitalisation of banks, a

E-Government in Kazakhstan: Challenges and Its Role to Development

Abstract: This paper critically examines the progress made in introducing and implementing e-government programs and policies in Kazakhstan. It argues that in order to achieve the articulated development goals, the Kazakh government has moved toward e-government paradigm to ascertain a people-centered, accountable and transparent government. Available data substantiates that the initiative faces several challenges such as political support and relationship between political institutions, bureaucracy and citizens, digital divide, widespread corruption, lack of human resources, and inadequate infrastructural development, which needs to be amputated to improve public service delivery. This study illustrates some international development experiences to understand the benefit of e-government. Such experiences may serve as policy guidelines to the successful implementation of e-government to ensure overall development in Kazakhstan.

Patriotism, Cosmopolitanism, Consumer Ethnocentrism and Purchase Behavior in Kazakhstan

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to analyze the influence of consumer ethnocentrism and its antecedents - patriotism and cosmopolitanism on consumer domestic and foreign buying behavior in the emerging economy of Kazakhstan. This country poses an interesting question as to how the effects of attitudes and purchase behavior differ in the once controlled regime after receiving independence from a dominant regime. These different attitudes likely affect international integration of Kazakhstan into the global economy. As expected, consumer ethnocentrism leads to high consumption of domestically produced goods and to the lower level of consumption of imported products. Patriotism has a significant positive effect and cosmopolitanism has a significant negative effect on ethnocentric attitudes of consumers in the country studied. The findings of the present study suggest that Kazakhstan seems to have a strong negative link of cosmopolitanism on ethnocentric attitudes and overall, this country seems to have the promise of becoming integrated into the global economy. Managerial implications of the findings are considered and directions for the future research are identified.

Decentralization and Local Governance in Kazakhstan

Abstract: Decentralization stands at a crossroad of scholarly debate and discussion on governance issues, no less so in transition countries. This article examines the role of decentralization for the promotion of good local governance in Kazakhstan. Available evidence substantiates that decentralization has a limited capacity to contribute to good local governance in Kazakhstan. This raises a fundamental question as to whether the Kazakh government is politically ready to build an efficient and responsive local government in order to achieve its “Kazakhstan 2030” policy aspirations.

The Power of Language Experience for Cross-Cultural Reading and Writing

Abstract: This article describes two educational settings in Nigeria where teachers adapted a language experience approach for reading and writing instruction. The first setting is a professional development workshop for public school teachers of students in grades 1–6. The second setting includes two groups of students with special needs: a grade 6 class and a grade 7 class. In each location, an important goal is to provide interesting and appropriate reading materials for students learning to read in a foreign language. Our discussion also explores previous research and recommendations related to language experience. We conclude by discussing three powerful benefits from a Language Experience Approach for reading instruction that bridge cultural and linguistic differences. تصف هذه المقالة سياقين تعليميين في نيجيريا حيث تبنى المعلمون مدخل تجربة لغوية من أجل تعليم القراءة والكتابة. والسياق الأول كناية عن ورشة تنمية حرفية لمعلمي المدارس الحكومية في الصفوف 1–66. أما السياق الثاني فهو يشمل مجموعتين من الطلاب الذين معهم حاجات خاصة: الصف السادس والصف السابع. وفي كل موقع يوجد هدف مهم لتوفير مواد مناسبة ومثيرة للانتباه للطلاب الذين يتعلمون القراءة كلغة أجنبية. ويستكشف نقاشنا الأبحاث العلمية السابقة والاقتراحات المتعلقة بالتجارب اللغوية. وفي الختام نناقش ثلاث فوائد قوية من مدخل التجارب اللغوية لتعليم القراءة التي تبني جسرا عبر الاختلافات الثقافية واللغوية. 本文介绍在尼日利亚两个教育环境中的教师，如何修改一个应用于阅读与写作教学的语言经验教学方法。第一个教育环境是为公立学校第一至第六年级的教师所提供的专业培训工作坊。第二个教育环境是包括两组有特殊需要的学生：一班第六年级及一班第七年级的学生。为学习阅读外语的学生提供有趣及适当的阅读教材是每一个教育环境的重要教育目标。本文亦探究过往的研究及与语言经验相关的教学建议。在结论部份，本文讨论一个「语言经验」教学法应用于跨接文化及语言差异的阅读教学上所带来之三大益处。 Cet article presente deux situations pedagogiques au Nigeria d'enseignants ayant adopte une demarche basee sur l'experience du langage pour enseigner a lire et a ecrire. La premiere situation est un atelier de developpement professionnel pour des enseignants d'ecoles publiques de la 1ere a la 6eme annee. La seconde situation comporte deux groupes d'eleves ayant des difficultes particulieres: une classe de 6eme annee et une classe de 7eme annee. Dans chaque cas, un des buts importants est d'apporter a des eleves apprenant a lire dans une langue etrangere un materiau de lecture interessant et approprie. Nous debattons egalement des recherches anterieures et des recommandations concernant l'experience du langage. Nous concluons par une discussion relative a trois benefices importants d'une demarche reposant sur l'Experience du Langage pour un enseignement de la lecture faisant le pont avec les differences culturelles et linguistiques. Авторы описывают два эпизода в образовательном пространстве Нигерии, когда при обучении чтению и письму на иностранном языке применялся подход, основанный на ранее накопленном языковом опыте. Первый эпизод – обучающий семинар для учителей общеобразовательных школ, работающих с учениками первых-шестых классов. Второй эпизод: обучение двух групп учащихся – шести- и семиклассников со специальными потребностями. В каждом случае было важно обеспечить обучаемых подходящими и интересными материалами для чтения на иностранном языке. В статье также описаны предпринятые ранее исследования в области использования языкового опыта учеников, предлагаются рекомендации для учителей-практиков. В заключение формулируются три основополагающих довода в пользу применения этого подхода, который помогает успешно преодолеть национально-культурные и лингвистические различия. Este articulo describe dos escenarios educacionales en Nigeria en los que los maestros adaptaron la experiencia linguistica como acercamiento para ensenar a leer y escribir. El primer escenario es un taller de desarrollo profesional para maestros de escuelas publicas entre el primer y el sexto grado. El segundo escenario incluye dos grupos de estudiantes con necesidades especiales: un sexto grado y un septimo grado. En cada lugar, una meta importante es la de darles lecturas apropiadas e interesantes a los estudiantes que estan aprendiendo a leer en un idioma extranjero. Nuestra discusion tambien incluye investigaciones previas y recomendaciones relacionadas a la experiencia linguistica. Por ultimo discutimos tres beneficios importantes del Acercamiento de la Experiencia Linguistica para la instruccion de lectura que superan las diferencias linguisticas y culturales.

Weakly quasi-o-minimal models

Abstract: We introduce the notion of a weakly quasi-o-minimal model and prove that such models lack the independence property. We show that every weakly quasi-o-minimal ordered group is Abelian, every divisible Archimedean weakly quasi-o-minimal ordered group is weakly o-minimal, and every weakly o-minimal quasi-o-minimal ordered group is o-minimal. We also prove that every weakly quasi-o-minimal Archimedean ordered ring with nonzero multiplication is a real closed field that is embeddable into the field of reals.

“A virtual social H‐bomb”: the late 1950s controversy over subliminal advertising

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the beginning of the controversy over subliminal advertising in late 1957, as news of a supposedly successful commercial test of subliminal advertising became widely disseminated. The paper investigates the test and the reactions to it.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews many contemporary accounts of the events described, and pieces together a coherent description and interpretation of what happened. This is of course standard historical methodology.Findings – The primary finding is that many reactions to subliminal advertising were fearful and wildly overblown – and have continued to be so down to the present despite no proof that subliminal advertising is effective. The deep roots of the fear are best explained by the paranoid and fearful intellectual climate in the USA.Originality/value – The originality of the paper lies in its thorough review of original sources, and in its explanation of why the fear of subliminal advertising became so in...

Emotional Trust and Cognitive Distrust: From A Cognitive-Affective Personality System Theory Perspective

Abstract: The objective of this research is to identify the role of trust and distrust in online shopping mall business. To differentiate the status of distrust from low trust, cognitive-affective personality system theory was applied, through which five types of psychological units were proposed. The research model proposed seven hypotheses showing the processes through which the features of an online shopping mall – truthfulness and effectiveness of the website affect trust, distrust levels, and behavior of individual customers. Assuming that trust and distrust are in psychologically different stages, the study further proposed that distrust, which emerges and diminishes rather cognitively, is the antecedent of trust. Then trust, which emerges and diminishes as an emotion-based variable, is posited as the antecedent of customer loyalty. To validate, a survey was conducted with 310 Korean online shopping mall users. Results show that six out of seven hypotheses are supported. From the result, we draw following discussions. First, trust and distrust are different in terms of their psychological status, and trust seems to be the more critical factor in the online business context. Second, both effectiveness and truthfulness are found to be important sources of customer loyalty. However, unlike our expectation, only effectiveness showed a direct association with customer loyalty while truthfulness had an indirect impact through trust.

The Critical Thinking Movement in Kazakhstan: A Progress Report:

Abstract: Having gained independence in 1991, Kazakhstan is making major adjustments in its educational system to meet the demands of its changing workplace. To that end, the Ministry of Education has mandated that critical thinking be incorporated into all levels. Given the importance of this goal, the authors surveyed teachers' understanding and use of critical thinking in their classrooms. This article reports the survey results, which provide a brief overview of the status of the teaching and learning of critical thinking in Kazakhstan today. The results point to a growing understanding of critical thinking among Kazakhstani teachers in this region. That said, 10 per cent of respondents plagiarized their surveys, suggesting that many feared looking incompetent, despite assurances of anonymity. The authors recommend the survey be conducted in other regions in Kazakhstan and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to assess the status of critical thinking.

Public Sector Reform in the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract: Efforts to make governments more responsive to the needs and demands of citizens have been a global phenomenon for almost three decades. These reform initiatives include restructuring of public institutions, capacity building, and other measures that demonstrate quality improvements and value in the delivery of government services. This paper examines public sector reform in Kazakhstan, which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Within the framework of its “Kazakhstan 2030”, the country has engaged in the reform of its public sector in order to enhance the quality delivery of public service provision. A civil services reform is currently under way, which is client-focused and deeply anchored in new public management principles. The paper investigates aspects of decentralization, civil service reform, and e-governance as elements of public sector reform in the country. It is suggested that more robust efforts should be directed toward these and similar initiatives in order to enhance the country’s ability to be more responsive to the needs of its citizens, increase the quality of its service delivery at lower costs, and be well positioned to meet its “Kazakhstan 2030” goal.

Symposium The Dismal (Delusional and Dangerous) “Science” of Economics and the “Capture” of Public Administration: Naive Neoclassical Economics and the Promised Land of Privatization: A Critical Deconstruction of Homo Economicus

Abstract: The pressures for the privatization of public services over the last 30 years are the reaction to the perceived excesses, inefficiencies, and inadequacies of public provision. They drew strength fr...

Poverty: An Existential‐Humanist Perspective

Abstract: Being in a state of material poverty can be a persistent or an episodic experience that can be life-threatening, life-restricting, or life-disempowering. When combined with being socially excluded, marginalized, or disadvantaged, it qualifies those in this dual state for membership of the underclass. They are seen, variously, as de-motivated free-riders, social deviants, disempowered victims, or human beings enduring the challenge of human existence in a life devoid of meaning. The contribution of existential humanism to the poverty discourse is, essentially, the proposition that everyone needs the existential freedom to search for self-identity, thus making it possible to achieve psychological potential. From this perspective, it is incumbent upon those who design and deliver public social welfare provision to concentrate on enhancing the existential human condition of long-term able-bodied welfare recipients. This can be achieved by building their capacity and motivation to begin, or further, the search for their authentic selves, and by encouraging and championing those who are willing and able to take responsibility for the direction their lives are taking.

A Decomposition of Pearson–Fisher and Dzhaparidze–Nikulin Statistics and Some Ideas for a More Powerful Test Construction

Abstract: An explicit decomposition on asymptotically independent distributed as chi-squared with one degree of freedom components of the Pearson–Fisher and Dzhaparidze–Nikulin tests is presented. The decomp...

Information and Communication Technologies: Kazakhstan Travel Market Perspective

Abstract: This pilot study investigates the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on the tourism industry in Kazakhstan. Empirical research is based on in-depth structured interviews conducted in 2009 which were carried out with owners, wholesalers, and travel sector experts in Almaty. We also used an on-line of the prospective consumers to explore the demand side of the travel e-commerce in the country. A notable finding of the study was the considerable heterogeneity of ICT adoption levels between different industry sectors as well as between different businesses within one sector. Generally ICT adoption by Kazakhstan tourism businesses was considerably lower compared to western countries. It was also established that although prospective consumers have generally positive attitudes towards ICTs, they have strong reservations towards shopping on-line naming security and the complexity of the shopping process as main reasons for not buying through the internet. It is concluded that there is still no strong demand from prospective outbound Kazakhstan tourists for online services. However, the internet and the m-internet are popular media for information searches and should be considered by the tourism industry as a means of reaching consumers.

A Note on Vector-Valued Goodness-of-Fit Tests

Abstract: Vector-valued goodness-of-fit tests based on a single sample with possibly dependent components are considered. Sometimes, e.g., when combining both correlated and uncorrelated nonparametric or parametric tests of approximately the same power, vector-valued tests can provide a gain in power. Several examples of such a gain are presented.

Comparative social welfare: the existential humanist perspective and challenge

Abstract: Brij Mohan's legacy to comparative social welfare is his centering of the person rather than social welfare institutions and programs. This follows his commitment to the principle that the public social welfare provision should always seek to improve the existential human condition. The existential humanist proposition is that, in a very real sense, public social welfare provision impacts on the way welfare recipients think about themselves and others, behave, and socially interact, and thus impacts on their capacity and motivation to begin or further their search for their authentic selves (for self-actualization). Indeed, the cognitive and behavioral changes induced by public social welfare provision are the causal link between that provision and the observed levels of poverty, deprivation, income inequality, social exclusion, and quality of life. This neglected social welfare perspective creates daunting challenges for comparative social welfare scholars.

Cardinalities of definable sets in superstructures over models

Abstract: We introduce the notion of a superstructure over a model. This is a generalization of the notion of the hereditarily finite superstructure ℍ\( \mathbb{F}\mathfrak{M} \) over a model \( \mathfrak{M} \). We consider the question on cardinalities of definable (interpretable) sets in superstructures over λ-homogeneous and λ-saturated models.

Business Ethical Decisions In Kazakhstan

Abstract: This paper is part of a larger study designed to explore the effects of ethnicity, nationality, and gender on responses to a variety of business ethical dilemmas in Central Asia. The data were collected in spring 2010 from MBA students at an American-style business school located in Kazakhstan. The findings are discussed in terms of their relevance to the conceptual categories of western philosophies of ethics (utilitarianism, deontology, individual rights, justice, etc.). Possible implications for managers of international and local firms operating in Central Asia are indicated. Suggestions for the next phase of this line of research are included. The study is ongoing and is presented as a work-in-progress, thus the findings are considered preliminary.

The Two-Decade Process of Institutional Adjustment in the Transition Economies of the Former Soviet Union: Overachievers, Mediocre Performers, and Underdogs

Abstract: Since the onset of the transformation process, there has been divergence in place as far as the speed and progress of institutional changes of the economies of the Former Soviet Union are concerned. Based on the thorough analysis of the EBRD data on attainments in institutional adjustment in diverse spheres of the transition economies of Europe and Central Asia (ECA), it is possible to classify them into the following three groups: 1) overachievers, 2) mediocre performers, and 3) underdogs. Such a diverse performance in institutional changes of the countries in question is due to an array of various reasons. It is asserted that the countries’ future development paths will be determined by the thus far attained institutional enhancements.

Kazakhstan: poverty and social exclusion in rural development

Abstract: This paper analyses rural poverty in Kazakhstan. The regional differences of poverty are determined. The reasons for high levels of poverty in oil rich regions are examined. The effects of different state programmes are considered. Based on Household Budget Survey for 2005 the main factors of rural poverty are determined. The dynamic changes in access to utilities and potable water are analysed. Finally, the conclusions and recommendations are given.

An Exploratory Study on Contributions of Information and Communication Technologies to the Development of eco-cultural Tourism in Central Kazakhstan

Abstract: This exploratory study investigates the contributions of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to the development of eco-cultural tourism practices undertaken in Central Kazakhstan through the lens of different stakeholders involved in Community Based Tourism (CBT) projects in the country. Empirical research is based on semi structured in-depth structured interviews conducted in 2010 which were carried out with different stakeholders involved in the tourism development of CBT in Central Kazakhstan. Findings reveal that ICTs are used in the forms of Social media networks as well as websites, microblogs, and E-mails. Despite a very positive attitude towards the usage of ICTs, the research also identified a number of barriers to the implementation of ICTs for Community Based Tourism (e-CBT) including the limited number of bookings, the need to develop the online business model as well as a lack of government initiatives to backup the funding of the project.