Showing papers in "International Journal of Economics and Business Research in 2014"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated factors that affect Jordanian consumers' loyalty to cellular phone brand and found that price plays a significant role in consumers loyalty for cellular phone brands and there was also a significant effect of perceived value, satisfaction and perceived quality.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate factors that affect Jordanian consumers’ loyalty to cellular phone brand. Population of the study included all students of northern region universities. A random sample was selected from this population. The constructs in this study were developed by using measurement scales adopted from prior studies. The instrument was evaluated for reliability and validity. Statistical package (SPSS) was used to test hypothesis. The results of statistical analysis indicated that price plays a significant role in consumers ‘loyalty for cellular phone brand’. There was also a significant effect of perceived value, satisfaction and perceived quality on consumers ‘loyalty to cellular phone brand’ among Jordanian consumers represented by students of northern region universities.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate that both economic and social responsibility objectives can be achieved through Buddhist economics or Buddhist economic informed management practice (BEIM), which is illustrated by a rich case study of a Thai firm.
Abstract: The standard neo-classical economic paradigm is the setting for most modern businesses. The underlying premises of this paradigm are not always in tune with the imperatives of the kind of corporate social responsibility agenda which businesses now face. This dissonance is rooted in an underlying denial of the need for an ethical approach to the management of the firm, which tends to leave corporate social responsibility as an ‘add-on’ activity. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate that both economic and social responsibility objectives can be achieved through Buddhist economics or Buddhist economic informed management practice (BEIM). The theoretical argument is illustrated by a rich case study of a Thai firm. To follow that other way could and arguably should be to design operations in a way such that moral behaviour – in all matters – comes first; this will reveal corporate social responsibility as a core driver of the business in whatever cultural setting it may be found.
10 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the influence of institutional environment on entrepreneurship in emerging economies and find that entrepreneurs may be deterred by strong intellectual property rights regimes and other barriers to technology adoption.
Abstract: Our study asks a pertinent question – to what extent does institutional environment moderate the influence of entrepreneurs’ ability to recognise opportunities and their likelihood of entering into technology entrepreneurship? This study suggests that technology entrepreneurs in emerging economies may be deterred by strong intellectual property rights regimes and other barriers to technology adoption. We tested our hypotheses using global entrepreneurship monitor (GEM) survey data on individual-level entrepreneurial behaviours that was complemented with national-level datasets on institutional factors such as the intellectual property rights and barriers to technological adoption. Our results indicate that entrepreneurs’ opportunity recognition at the individual-level may be even more important in contexts where barriers to technological adoption are high. We contribute to a growing literature that treats entrepreneurship as a multi-level phenomenon and that examines the combined influences of individual-centric characteristics and his or her context on individual-level entrepreneurial intentions and behaviours – specifically on engaging in technology entrepreneurship. Overall, our research indicates that the factors that predict technology entrepreneurship in emerging economies may not be the same as those in developed nations.
9 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the role of central bank independence in macroeconomic outcomes is examined. But, the authors find no consistent evidence of a positive relationship between central bank independences and employment growth or evidence that it reduces economic instability.
Abstract: Despite the growing literature, central bank independence (CBI) is still one of the most controversial and frequently discussed issues in macroeconomics. This paper re-examines the role of central bank independence in macroeconomic outcomes, seeking to add to the existing empirical literature in two ways: first, we control for factors, which might account for the cross-country differences in macroeconomic outcomes, but which, either individually or as a group, are often given no adequate attention in existing studies; second, in addition to standard regressions, we use Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo estimation methods from a Bayesian perspective, which are believed to improve result robustness by increasing parameter accuracy and reducing the effect of outlying observations. Based on (average) data from 39 countries covering the time-periods 1981–1989, 1991–1998 and 1999–2006, our estimates suggest that lower inflation should be seen as resulting from a broad range of institutional and structural factors, with CB independence failing to play the key role. We also find no consistent evidence of a positive relationship between central bank independence and employment growth or evidence that it reduces economic instability.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the impacts of sales growth, cash flow, the cost of capital and Tobin's q on investment were analyzed using a large panel of US manufacturing firms from 1971 to 2007.
Abstract: Firm-level fixed investment expenses are analysed using a large panel of US manufacturing firms from 1971 to 2007. Integrating the user cost of capital, q and accelerator theories of investment to one econometric specification, we estimate the impacts of sales growth, cash flow, the cost of capital and Tobin’s q on investment. Extending the baseline model, we further analyse the effects of financial leverage, the rise of shareholders’ influence in corporate governance and an alternative to Tobin’s q, the bond market’s q, on investment. We find that sales growth, financial leverage and the bond market’s q contribute substantially to predicting firm-level investment. Cash flow and Tobin’s q are statistically significant but with low marginal effects. We find that the average firm’s shareholder-value orientation does not affect its investment behaviour significantly.
7 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the determinants of capital structure of banks in Jordan by using a sample of 15 listed banks through the period 2006 to 2010 and found that size has a positive and significant impact on total liabilities to equity ratio, book leverage and market leverage.
Abstract: This study examines the determinants of capital structure of banks in Jordan by using a sample of 15 listed banks through the period 2006 to 2010. Panel data analysis is employed to determine the determinants of capital structure of banks in Jordan. The results show that size has a positive and significant impact on total liabilities to equity ratio, book leverage and market leverage while it has a positive insignificant impact on deposit leverage and non-deposit leverage. The results also show that market to book ratio has a positive and significant impact on all study leverage measures except non-deposit leverage. Profitability has a mixed impact, since it has a positive significant impact on non-deposit leverage, positive insignificant impact on book leverage and market leverage, and negative significant impact on deposit leverage and total liabilities to equity ratio. The finding also reveal that tangibility is a good determinant of non-deposit leverage and total liabilities to equity ratio and banks in Jordan funded 70% of its assets by customers’ deposits.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the impact of stock market development, money supply and inflation on economic growth in India during the post-globalisation era of the 1990s, especially during the period from 1994 to 2012 using autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach.
Abstract: This paper investigates the impact of stock market development, money supply and inflation on economic growth in India during the post-globalisation era of the 1990s, especially during the period from 1994 to 2012 Using autoregressive distributive lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach, the study finds stock market development, money supply, inflation and economic growth are cointegrated, suggesting the presence of a long-run equilibrium relationship between them The vector autoregressive error correction model (VECM) further confirms the existence of both bidirectional and unidirectional causality between economic growth, money supply, inflation and stock market development in India The policy implication of this study is that inflation and money supply can be considered a policy variable to predict both economic growth and stock market development in the Indian economy during the post globalisation era
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the dynamics of selected euro-area sovereign bonds by employing a factor augmenting vector autoregressive (FAVAR) model for the first time in the literature and found that liquidity, credit risk and flight to quality drive both spreads and CDS of five years maturity over swaps for Greece and Ireland in recent years.
Abstract: This paper examines the dynamics of selected euro-area sovereign bonds by employing a factor augmenting vector autoregressive (FAVAR) model for the first time in the literature. This methodology identifies the underlying transmission mechanisms of several factors, and in particular, market liquidity and credit risk. Departing from the classical vector autoregressive (VAR) models allows us to relax limitations regarding the choice of variables that could drive spreads and CDS of euro-area sovereign debts. The results show that liquidity, credit risk and flight to quality drive both spreads and CDS of five years maturity over swaps for Greece and Ireland in recent years. Greece, in particular, is facing an elastic demand for its sovereign bonds that further stretches liquidity. Moreover, in illiquid debt markets spreads continue to follow a steep upward trend which is expected to have certain adverse implications for financial stability. We also observe a negative feedback effect from counterparty credit risk.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the long-run relationship between FDI inflows, FDI outflows and gross fixed capital formation, in a dynamic panel of 22 Asian, Latin American and other emerging market economies.
Abstract: This paper examines the long-run relationship between FDI inflows, FDI outflows and gross fixed capital formation, in a dynamic panel of 22 Asian, Latin American and other emerging market economies. Employing panel cointegration and causality tests, we find a mixed picture of these relationships across the three sub-samples. It is observed that a positive and significant long-run relationship exists between FDI inflows and fixed capital formation for Asian EMEs, suggesting a crowd-in effect. This finding is consistent with the complementary hypothesis of neoclassical macroeconomic growth model in which it is often thought that FDI inflows complement the domestic investment. The results for the relationship between FDI outflows and fixed capital formation indicate a significant negative long-run relationship for Asian and other EMEs. In addition, the long-run causality is observed to be bidirectional for both the samples. These results confirm the general, accepted view that FDI outflows reduce domestic investment.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the performance persistence of 238 socially responsible (SR) mutual funds using ten-year monthly and annual returns was examined, and the results suggest that superior past performance of SR funds is no indicator of superior performance in future.
Abstract: This paper reports on an examination of the performance persistence of 238 socially responsible (SR) mutual funds using ten-year monthly and annual returns. The method used relative percentile ranks and annual returns and reward-to-variability ratios to examine persistence. No evidence of performance persistence was found. The results suggest that superior past performance of SR funds is no indicator of superior performance in future.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a four-stage framework was proposed to describe early stages of technology-intensive companies in Thai and Finnish contexts, and ten case studies in the two contexts were presented.
Abstract: Numerous stage models have attempted to clarify management priorities during the early stages of companies. However, a need for more focused and context-specific studies exists. This study seeks to clarify the early stages of technology-intensive companies in Thai and Finnish contexts. To summarise the research questions, the authors ask: What early stages do technology-intensive companies face based on recent empirical literature? How do the experiences of managers in early-stage technology-intensive companies relate to assumptions of such stage framework? What viewpoints should be considered when using stage framework in Thai and Finnish contexts? To answer these questions, this study devises a four-stage framework describing early stages of technology-intensive companies and reflects it through ten case studies in the two contexts. The framework was found to be applicable in both contexts; moreover, an analysis of context-specific viewpoints is also provided. It is necessary to recognise these viewpoints when using this framework in the Thai and Finnish contexts.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors revisited the seminal work of Fama and French (1988) on mean-reverting behavior of stock prices and used an updated monthly data for the period ranging 1926-2008.
Abstract: Our study revisits the seminal work of Fama and French (1988) on mean-reverting behaviour of stock prices. Since then, there are limited studies conducted to attest the results and the methodology implemented by the authors. We use an updated monthly data for the period ranging 1926–2008. As in Fama and French (1988), our findings support the U-shaped patterns of first-order autocorrelations of industries portfolio returns, which implies that stock prices have both random-walk and slowly decaying stationary components. However, the magnitude of the slopes and the time varying expected variance of three to five years return, average between 11 and 16%, decline considerably as compared to 1926–1985 sample period which average between 21 and 31%. The sub-period 1985–2008 has a weaker U-shaped pattern indicating that the stationary price components may be less important after 1985.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identify intermediate solutions from purely contractual (informal) arrangements for debt rescheduling between debtor and creditors to formal reorganization or liquidation procedures, which form a continuum based on the degree of judicial intervention and the degree in general.
Abstract: Since 2007 a financial crisis has hit economies. Each nation identified tools to help companies face numerous daily difficulties. This paper identifies some intermediate solutions from purely contractual (informal) arrangements for debt rescheduling between debtor and creditors to formal reorganisation or liquidation procedures. This techniques form a continuum based on the degree of judicial intervention and the degree of formality in general. Italian bankruptcy law has been recently modified to introduce: recovery and resolution planning. Formerly, the main aim of Italian bankruptcy and business recovery used to be the protection of creditors; now the goal is claiming priority to safeguard companies and reduce their difficulties. The government recognise that difficult situations can be solved in much the same way as private issues. The phenomena is relevant as in the first six months of application, the number of pre-insolvency agreements submitted to the Italian courts have been more than doubled.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider the formation of subcontracting networks to be the outcomes of entrepreneurs' optimising decisions and behaviours and explore how the entrepreneurial activities involved in building such networks are influenced by the socio-institutional, and more importantly, the technological environments within which the entrepreneurs are embedded.
Abstract: The advantages of subcontracting production nurtured by industrial clustering have been broadly documented. Using Taiwan’s machine tool industry as the study case, this paper contributes to this realm of literature through examining factors influencing and the process underlying the formation of subcontracting production systems in late-industrialising contexts. By combining perspectives on entrepreneurship and technological regime, this paper considers the formation of subcontracting networks to be the outcomes of entrepreneurs’ optimising decisions and behaviours. It also explores how the entrepreneurial activities involved in building such networks are influenced by the socio-institutional, and more importantly, the technological environments within which the entrepreneurs are embedded.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined whether women entrepreneurs operating in the informal sector in the small island economy of Mauritius have been affected by the global financial crisis, an area which is largely under-researched due to data limitations.
Abstract: This paper examines whether women entrepreneurs operating in the informal sector in the small island economy of Mauritius have been affected by the global financial crisis, an area which is largely under-researched due to data limitations. Survey data of 158 women entrepreneurs operating in the informal sector in Mauritius is used to assess the impact of the financial crisis on their business activities. The principal component analysis is applied and our findings reveal that women entrepreneurs have been affected by the global financial crisis in two ways. The first is that they have been affected through revenue factors, which comprise the following: a fall in demand, a drop in revenue and a decrease in profits. The second way in which women entrepreneurs in the informal sector have been affected is through cost factors associated with a rise in the price of raw materials and a rise in other costs of production.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed a new competitiveness index that ranks the ASEAN-10 economies on various dimensions measuring competitiveness, which is substantially more nuanced and holistic than that of the more traditional and popular competitiveness indices in the literature.
Abstract: This paper develops a new competitiveness index that ranks the ASEAN-10 economies on various dimensions measuring competitiveness. Our notion of competitiveness is substantially more nuanced and holistic than that of the more traditional and popular competitiveness indices in the literature. The aim of this so-called Asia Competitiveness Institute (ACI) index is to help policy makers in each member country to inform and assess their own status in terms of competitiveness as well as identify the gaps that they need to attend to benefit from regional integration.
TL;DR: In this article, the evolving efficiency status of Southeast Asian (SEA) ‘tiger cub’ stock markets was assessed using daily price index data and variance ratio tests from 2000 to 2012, and two diverse sub-periods of economic activity concerning the global financial crisis (GFC); pre-GFC (2000-2006) and GFC (2007-2012).
Abstract: This paper assesses the evolving efficiency status of Southeast Asian (SEA) ‘tiger cub’ stock markets. The weak-form efficient market hypothesis (EMH) is examined using daily price index data and variance ratio tests from 2000 to 2012. We also explore two diverse sub-periods of economic activity concerning the global financial crisis (GFC); pre-GFC (2000–2006) and GFC (2007–2012). The pre-GFC test findings show that price return predictability exists in the stock markets of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. In the GFC period, the results reveal that the Indonesian stock market became less predictable, while Malaysia and the Philippines demonstrated similar pre-GFC return predictabilities. The Thai stock market followed a random walk across all periods investigated. Despite uncertainty surrounding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic initiative, it appears that key tiger cub stock markets are becoming more weak-form efficient.
TL;DR: The relationship between inflation and interest rate has remained controversial in Ghana and this called for the investigation into the trends and causal links between the two variables as discussed by the authors, which revealed significant trends of variability over time with the trend of inflation being more volatile relative to interest rate.
Abstract: The relationship between inflation and interest rate has remained controversial in Ghana and this called for the investigation into the trends and causal links between the two variables. Monthly observations from 1995 to 2011 were used for analyses of trends, causality, cointegration and error correction model. The study reveals significant trends of variability over time with the trend of inflation being more volatile relative to interest rate. There is a two-way causal relationship between inflation and nominal interest rate and there exists also a long-run equilibrium relationship between the variables. The results suggest inflation in Ghana in the short-run depends on previous month’s inflation rate and past interest rates, but not on current interest rate. The impulse response shows past inflation rates and nominal interest rates account for macroeconomic instability in the economy. It is recommended long-run policy measures be used to promote macroeconomic stability.
TL;DR: In this paper, the impact of audit firm rotation on the audit quality (audit opinion and audit firm reputation), on a sample of all Tunisian listed firms was studied. But no relationship could be identified between mandatory rotation and audit opinion.
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to study the impact of audit firm rotation on the audit quality (audit opinion and audit firm reputation), on a sample of all Tunisian listed firms. To move towards this objective, we used a logistic regression model on panel data over a period of 16 years (1995–2010). The results suggest that mandatory audit firm rotation affects negatively and meaningfully audit firm reputation. However, no relationship could be identified between mandatory rotation and audit opinion. Moreover, we found no evidence that the voluntary audit firm rotation affects the audit quality. Finally, we noted that size of firms is considered as potential determinant of the audit quality in the Tunisian context.
TL;DR: In this article, a large dataset of Greek firms from various sectors is used, including economic and non-economic indices, to examine the role of several indicators and firm characteristics in economic performance.
Abstract: This work deals with the strongly debated issue of firm growth. A large dataset of Greek firms from various sectors is used, including economic and non-economic indices, to examine the role of several indicators and firm characteristics in economic performance. The period between 2002 and 2009 is covered, including both, years of economic boost (Olympic Games of 2004) and of severe decrease (current economic crisis), to highlight possible differentiations in firms’ growth rates. Drawing on literature, a growth model relying on sales volume is developed, and statistically tested for its ability to interpret firm performance. Findings indicate financial ‘health’ (leverage and liquidity) as a critical interpreter of sales’ growth. Apart from financial indicators, non-economic data such as firm size also seem to be a significant determinant of firm dynamics. Finally, by examining firm’s orientation, we find that clearly export-oriented firms appear higher rates of growth.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors studied the factors associated with the emergence of banking crises during the process of financial liberalization in a large sample of cross-countries in 1989-1997 using a spatial Durbin model in a panel data econometrics.
Abstract: To find a lesson to US and UE banking crises, this paper studies the factors associated with the emergence of banking crises during the process of financial liberalisation in a large sample of cross-countries in 1989–1997 using a spatial Durbin model in a panel data econometrics. The empirical results suggest that financial liberalisation has the tendency to stimulate the banking instability in emerging economies. Then we find evidence that the measures of bank regulation variables also contributed, either positively or negatively, towards the observed crisis outcomes, with poor institutional environment playing a particularly significant role. The inclusion of regional variables has a major effect on the estimations, even if most of the qualitative results are preserved. Indeed, some estimated coefficients become larger and more significant when the regional variables are included. And the great virtue of economic downturn is then to remind us that we can not sustainably invest resources in doubtful productivity sectors.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed monetary policy reaction function for Kenya using quarterly data for the period 1999 to 2011, and found that monetary policy was accommodative of the output growth objective.
Abstract: The paper analyses monetary policy reaction function for Kenya using quarterly data for the period 1999 to 2011. The empirical results show a strong effect of interest rate smoothing and support the fact that monetary policy was accommodative of the output growth objective. The response to inflation is however, generally found to be low, perhaps signifying the importance of supply-side inflation. Nonetheless, there is evidence in support of forward-looking monetary policy, which is critical in view of the increasing role of expectations in modern monetary policy-making process.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the effects of working capital management on profitability measured in terms of return on investment of Indian FMCG firms and demonstrate a negative relationship between the measures of working-cap management with firms' profitability.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of working capital management on profitability measured in terms of return on investment of Indian FMCG firms. Working capital management is an imperative issue in financial management decision which has its effect on liquidity as well as on profitability of the firm. The sample size is restricted to 18 Indian FMCG firms and the secondary data for analysis is retrieved from CMIE for ten years period from 2001–2002 to 2010–2011. Apart from using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation analysis, panel data regression analysis like fixed effects model (FEM) and random effects model (REM) are employed in the study. Hausman test is also used to make a choice between these two models. Like previous authors, our study results demonstrate a negative relationship between the measures of working capital management with firms’ profitability.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors integrate the concept of entrepreneurial leadership and capabilities theories with Austrian economics to explain the growth of the Haier Group in emerging economies, arguing that entrepreneurial leadership provides a vision to the development of a new product or an organization.
Abstract: This paper integrates the concept of entrepreneurial leadership and capabilities theories with Austrian economics to explain the growth of the firm in emerging economies. It argues that entrepreneurial leadership provides a vision to the development of a new product or an organisation. The entrepreneurial leader organises and coordinates production activities under uncertainty. In doing so, the entrepreneur becomes a systematic capital structure builder. In the production process, capital resources are combined according to entrepreneur’s plans and judgment. As the market indicates that there is a need for the firm to expand, the entrepreneur will combine more capital resources with the capabilities to yield larger profit to the growing firm. Our Austrian theories can interpret the expansion strategies of the firm through imitation, joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions. The growth of the Haier Group, one of the largest and most successful household appliances firms in mainland China, will be used to illustrate our arguments.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined the differential impact of budget deficit on short and long term interest rates in Nigeria for the period 1970 to 2011 and found that budget deficit had an insignificant effect on interest rates and the impulse response analysis showed that shocks to budget deficit causes an immediate positive rise in long-term interest rate.
Abstract: This study examined the differential impact of budget deficit on short and long term interest rates in Nigeria for the period 1970 to 2011. Specifically, this study addressed three issues: the causal nexus between budget deficit and interest rates; the effect of budget deficit on interest rates and the response of interest rates to shocks on budget deficit. Three models were estimated. Firstly, the causality estimate showed no evidence of causation between budget deficit and interest rates. Secondly, the regression estimate revealed that budget deficit had an insignificant effect on interest rates and thirdly, the impulse response analysis showed that shocks to budget deficit causes an immediate positive rise in long term interest rate while the positive response of the short term interest rates was delayed till the sixth year. Thus, this study concluded that, the question of whether budget deficit affects short and long term interest rates differently depends on methodology adopted.
TL;DR: In this article, a study with the available sources of data finds that the decoupling hypothesis regarding Indian economy failed and India's economy too is in the grip of crisis, however, the moderation in India’s economy growth rate during the crisis period is more due to the weakness in the inherent structural factors and to a very less extent due to exogenous factors.
Abstract: The world’s economy is in crisis for over five years; consequently, many of the countries of this world are witnessing unprecedented fall in output, trade and employment since 2008; and India’s economy is no exception. This study with the available sources of data finds that the decoupling hypothesis regarding Indian economy failed and India’s economy too is in the grip of crisis. However, the moderation in India’s economy growth rate during the crisis period is more due to the weakness in the inherent structural factors and to a very less extent due to exogenous factors. The Indian economy in recent years is bedevilled with low rate of capital formation, decline in manufacturing and moderation in services sector growth coupled with stagnancy in the private consumption expenditure. Also, India’s exports are witnessing decline, more with those nations with whom India has free trade agreements, without any concomitant decline in imports, which has severely impacted India’s balance of payments situation. In addition, the continuing political instability and the inward looking policies of the government in recent years has added to the decline of India’s output and consequently affected its scope of employment generation and poverty reduction.
TL;DR: The present note clarifies the distinction between the scale, scope, and synergy effects and their algebraic characterisation in an organisational context originally proposed in a recent paper published in this journal.
Abstract: The present note clarifies the distinction between the scale, scope, and synergy effects and their algebraic characterisation in an organisational context originally proposed in a recent paper published in this journal.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the relationship between inter-firm satisfaction and opportunism in the context of some of its key drivers, such as ongoing term specificity, contingent adaptability, reputation and trust.
Abstract: The aim of inter-firm relations is to achieve each firm’s objectives. The achievement of these objectives is reflected in firms’ satisfaction. Satisfaction as a concept can be studied at different levels and contractual relations is one such level. Most studies on inter-firm satisfaction have looked at the general level of satisfaction, whose drivers are complex to account for. This study aims to investigate contractual satisfaction from the perspective of some of its key drivers. The main finding suggests that, while ongoing term specificity, contingent adaptability, reputation and trust have a positive influence on contractual satisfaction, opportunism has a negative one.
TL;DR: In this paper, the attitudes of undergraduate and graduate business students in Mexico and the USA were examined to determine if they share similar attitudes with regard to business ethics, and significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of their attitudes toward specific ethics value statements and perceived consequences of an ethics code.
Abstract: This empirical study examines the attitudes of undergraduate and graduate business students in Mexico and the USA to determine if they share similar attitudes with regard to business ethics. Tests of significance were used to determine that there were significant differences between the two groups in terms of their attitudes toward specific ethics value statements and perceived consequences of an ethics code. The findings provide useful information in helping the people of these two nations better understand each other and should prove especially useful to those concerned with the increasingly important issue of ethics in business operations.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provided a detailed analysis of various income dimensions of inequality at national and provincial level in Pakistan and found that the gaps between haves and have-nots is widening.
Abstract: Inequality along with poverty has been a serious challenge for most of the developing countries. There have been several historical, political, social and economic dimensions of the inequalities. The present study provides a detailed analysis of various income dimensions of inequality at national and provincial level in Pakistan. This paper also provides a detailed analysis of the causes and consequences of these inequalities. The analysis shows that the gaps between haves and have-nots is widening. The distributional inequality has not been given much significance in Pakistan and the distributional policy measures like direct taxes have been weak. As a result, the direct tax to GDP ratio could not be increased over 10% in the country. The study finds that income inequalities have increased during 2001 to 2008. As in 2001-02, GINI coefficient was calculated as 0.27 and in 2007–08, it reached to 0.29. It has also been observed that inequality is highest in Sindh followed by Punjab, Khyber Paktunkawa (KPK) and Baluchistan provinces.