Showing papers in "Mediterranean journal of social sciences in 2015"

Entrepreneurial Competencies and SMEs Business Success: The Contingent Role of External Integration

Abstract: This is a conceptual paper to study the effects of entrepreneurial competencies on success of businesses in the context of Malaysian SMEs. This paper argues that the external integration moderates the influence of entrepreneurial competencies on success of SMEs businesses. Hence, the entrepreneurs should be competent enough to manage their relationships with their customers and suppliers to get competitive advantage. Only sustainable competitive advantage will ensure business survival and success. This paper adopts the resource based view of competencies (RBV) which claims that entrepreneurial competencies are valuable and intangible resources that lead towards the success of business. Entrepreneurial competencies alone are not enough to ensure the survival and success of businesses. Since, SMEs have scarce resources of finance, skills, technology and knowledge; therefore SMEs sustainable business success highly depends on many other factors such as supplier’s capabilities as well as customer’s integration. Moreover, the strong relationships of SMEs with their customers and suppliers enable them to access the information regarding latest customer choices and tastes, technologies and new methods of innovations. Therefore, this paper incorporates two theories namely, the resource dependence theory (RDT)and the resource based view (RBV) to explain the conceptual model, where RDT suggests that firms have to depend on external parties (suppliers and customers) to get critical resources for their survival. Particularly, there is a dearth of studies that have examined the influence of external integration on the relationship of entrepreneurial competencies and success of Malaysian SMEs businesses. Therefore, the current study strives to investigate the moderating impact of customer and supplier relationships on the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and success of businesses of Malaysian SMEs in the manufacturing sector. Ultimately, this study will contribute the existing body of knowledge in entrepreneurial competencies, external integration and success of Malaysian SMEs businesses in the manufacturing industry.

Stress and Coping Mechanisms: A Historical Overview

Abstract: Stress is not new experience to all of us, it’s seen as modern society’s illness, as most people, no matter how well adjusted, will suffer at least short-term distress while they negotiate periods of transition, trauma, challenges and loss. Stress has great impact on one performance and efficiency; however, the intense pressure and the demands of coping determine the consequence of stress on performance. Therefore, this paper discusses on the relationship between stress and coping mechanisms. The purpose of this study is twofold: to understand the history of stress related problems, and to provide suitable model that brings all ways of coping mechanism into one. Eventually, the important variables or factors associated with stress, and their direct or indirect effects on various outcome measures such as mental health, physical health, and performance will be taken into account. The result and the explanations of this literature might help everyone to find out the main reason for their stressors, best way to cope and greatest technique to use in managing stress. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2s1p479

Factors Influencing Teachers' Performance and Retention

Abstract: It is critical to retain high quality and qualified teachers to provide high quality education in schools. Turnover intentions of teachers in schools have a negative impact on student satisfaction and on their educational development as well. The retention and performance of school teachers is possible through their job satisfaction to which reduces their turnover intentions and lead to their higher performance. Therefore, it is vital to consider all possible factors that impact on the teacher’s performance and on their turnover intentions. Thus, due to the importance of teacher’s turnover issue, the purpose of this paper is to review the literature relevant to teacher’s performance and factors that reduce teacher’s turnover intentions from schools. This study also aims to review the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors to assess teacher’s performance and their staying intentions. Dimension for intrinsic motivation is the satisfaction derived from teaching, recognition, enjoying teaching, career development, the challenging and competitive nature of teaching, teaching as one goal in life and control over others. On the other hand, extrinsic motivation mainly includes the award applied externally as a salary or wages, free accommodation, educational progress in paying premiums, meals, additional payments in case of financial problems, paid leave and free medical assistance. The existing literature has identified major influential factors such as working conditions, administrative support and student behavior impacting teacher’s performance and their retention. This study also provides some directions for future research in this regard as well. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1p233

Problem of the Human Capital Quality Reducing in Conditions of Educational Unification

Abstract: Educational unification is contradictory process. One hand, it opens up new opportunities and promotes international cooperation and collaboration, promotion of international labor migration. On the other hand, it has a direct impact on the quality of human capital. The results of the quality of human capital are implemented through labor. Only high-quality human capital in conjunction with innovative factors of production can ensure the growth of labor quality, product quality and productivity, and ultimately improve the competitiveness of the economy. Therefore, the quality of human capital determines the opportunities for economic development that determines the relevance of the study. The article raises the problem of the possibility of standardizing such a specific system of education, which is based on the unique cultural heritage of each country. There is no doubt that destroys the relationship of culture and education is easy, but to build a new system of education based on international principles that are alien to the society, it is impossible. It is necessary to preserve the cultural heritage and traditions in the process of unification of education, as Les, the new educational system does not take root, which will certainly lead to a reduction in the quality of human capital. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s6p95

The effectiveness of using e-learning in Malaysian higher education: A case study universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Abstract: E-Learning is a fairly recent word used to define a form of learning that can be performed via websites online learning. The impact of contingent factors on the relationship between six predictors and e-learning effectiveness was investigated. The development and implementation of e-learning today has become an important phases in university. This study is centered on evaluating the e-learning effectiveness in UTM. And in this study, the critical factors affecting e-learning effectiveness were investigated through a survey conducted on students as participants. A total of 268 Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) (undergraduate students) students were used in the survey. Several factors have been found to correlate with e-learning effectiveness which includes self-efficacy, interface, community, usefulness, students’ satisfaction and intention to use e-learning. The results show that e-learning use positively and significantly related to students' satisfaction, usefulness that is impact intention to use in turn affect e-learning effectiveness. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s2p625

Corporate Social Responsibility: A Review on Definitions, Core Characteristics and Theoretical Perspectives

Abstract: This paper reviewed different definitions of CSR and presented some summarised dimensions attributed to the definitions which represent the area of focus for the definitions including; Obligation to the society, stakeholders involvement, improving corporate image and reputation, economic development, ethical business practice, law abiding, voluntariness, human rights, environmental protection, transparency and accountability. The six core characteristics of CSR follows as the features which shows how CSR is represented with different initiatives and processes ranging from voluntary activities, managing external factors, stakeholder management, alignment of social and economic responsibilities, considering practices and values and finally extending CSR activities beyond philanthropy to instrumentality. The last segment of this paper elucidates on theoretical perspectives of CSR in six categories; the classical view, the legitimacy, stakeholder, agency, institutional, instrumental and Islamic CSR theories.

The Impact of Internal Corporate Governance on the Timeliness of Financial Reports of Jordanian Firms: Evidence using Audit and Management Report Lags

Abstract: This study explores the influence of board independence, board size, CEO duality, board diligence, board financial expertise and presence of audit committee as well as the type of sector on the timeliness of financial reports among selected Jordanian companies. The timeliness of the financial reports is measured by audit report lag (ARL) and management report lag (MRL). This study covers 112 firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange for the years 2011 and 2012. The results of the ARL model indicate that companies that have members of board who are independent from management take a significantly shorter time to prepare and issue their financial reports. The results indicate that companies with greater number of board of directors are related with a higher audit report lag. The results also show that companies that separated the CEO and chairman's roles are quicker in publishing financial reports than companies combining the roles of CEO and chairman. In addition, boards of directors with more meetings make the audit report lag shorter. The findings also support that argument that the existence of an audit committee could resolve the information asymmetry between management and external auditors that, in turn, would lead to reduced audit report lag and management report lag. However, the results of the MRL model show that management report lag is related positively to large board size and board diligence and negatively to the existence of audit committee. This study concludes that the good structures of corporate governance play a key role in improving the quality of timeliness of financial reports. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1p430

Exploring the Factors that Affect Student Satisfaction through Using E-Learning in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions

Abstract: In the e-learning literature, learning satisfaction with e-learning systems has been addressed. In the present study, a model and an instrument were developed to measure students’ satisfaction with e-learning systems. The study provided a description of the procedures employed in survey conceptualization, items generation, data collection and validation of multiple-item scale. It also confirmed reliability and discriminant validity of data for analysis gathered from a sample comprising 268 respondents. The researcher made use of the structural equation modeling (SEM) method with the SmartPLS program to shed a light on the adoption process. The model comprises of factors including content of e-learning, interface of e-learning, personalization of e-learning, community of e-learning, self-efficacy of e-learning, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and intention to use e-learning and their impact on the satisfaction of students. The model was developed on the basis of technology acceptance model (TAM) and the findings evidenced that the model is a robust theoretical tool employed to examine the acceptance of e-learning among students. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s1p299

Influence of Perceived University Support, Perceived Effective Entrepreneurship Education, Perceived Creativity Disposition, Entrepreneurial Passion for Inventing and Founding on Entrepreneurial Intention

Abstract: We modeled the relationship between entrepreneurship intention and five other variables, including two as formative second-order constructs. We therefore, employed the use of SmartPLS (2.0) to analyze the influence of perceived effective entrepreneurship education, perceived University support, perceived creativity disposition, entrepreneurial passion for inventing and entrepreneurial passion for founding on entrepreneurial intention. The PLS was readily employed in this study for its ability to estimate a formative measured variable. The first-order reflective and second-order formative variables model parameters were estimated by employing the two-stage approach. Using a sample of 595 students from three Federal Universities in Northern Nigeria, the study found a significant positive relationship between perception of University support, perceived creativity disposition, entrepreneurial passion for inventing, entrepreneurial passion for founding and entrepreneurial intention. However, an unexpectedly significant negative relationship was found between perceived effective entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intention. Implications for the findings are provided. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3p88

Determinants of SMEs Performance in Nigeria: A Pilot Study

Abstract: The objective of this research work is to examine and explore quantitatively a small sample of data on the determinants of SMEs Performance in Nigeria. The study adopted survey approach to collect 46 usable questionnaires from SMEs in Kano as one of the strata based on stratified random sampling method. The model produces six factors that are used as a determinant of SMEs performance in Nigeria. Therefore, validity and reliability of the instruments were examined through panel of expert and also the small sample of the data was analyzed using SPSS v18. Results confirmed the validity and reliability of the instruments adapted in the pilot study. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1p156

Social Media for Collaborative Learning and Engagement: Adoption Framework in Higher Education Institutions in Malaysia

Abstract: This paper addresses collaborative learning and engagement via intention towards social media use that have been tackled by some researches in terms of its impacts on students’ academic performance. However, only a few of such studies have been carried out in the area of collaborative and engagement use of social media for enhancing researchers’/students’ performance. The present study attempts to determine the way social media can be utilized to enhance researchers’ performance via collaborative and engagement by applying the theory of technology acceptance model (TAM) along with constructivism theory. According to the results, collaborative learning and engagement positively and significantly impact perceived ease of use (PE), perceived usefulness (PU), and intention to use social media (IU) through the social media use in the context of Universiti Teknologi, Malaysia. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s1p246

Energy Strategy of the Russian Federation

Abstract: The main purpose of this research is to analyze the qualitative change in vision on role of fuel and energy complex in the Russian Federation. Additionally, the quantitative aspirations were examined. Analyzed Energy Strategy-2020, Energy Strategy-2030, and Project Energy Strategy-2035 allowed us to draw an important conclusion: Russian professionals suggest not to consider fuel and energy complex, which plays a major role in the Russian economy, as a basis for development, but to view it as a support system for the development. The huge difference between the two is the suggested level of dependency of Russia on its fuel and energy complex. In addition, it was determined that Russian fuel and energy complex severely suffers from wear and tear of infrastructure and technological inferiority. Today, when energy industry has done so much to bring Russia back from her knees it is vital that the country goes out of the comfort zone it has created. Furthermore, it is unacceptable for businesses to continue exploration and production for private profits without more contribution to renewal of the fuel and energy complex and investing in technology. Those are the issues that will need to be addressed if the government wants to see a brand new Russia in future. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5p160

Administration and Management of Waqf Land in Malaysia: Issues and Solutions

Abstract: The prolonged conflicts in the administration and management of waqf land have inhibited its development and expansion in Malaysia. This paper aims to identify the issues arising in the administration, management and development of the waqf land in Malaysia and offer several solutions to enhance waqf land development and ultimately strengthen the role of the SIRC (State Islamic Religious Council) as the sole trustee of waqf properties. The review of the past literature and in-depth interviews with three officers from Majlis Agama Islam Negeri (MAIN) or Sate Islamic Religious Council (SIRC) and the Department of Awqaf, Zakat and Hajj (JAWHAR) revealed several prominent issues in developing the waqf land which include ownership and registration of waqf land, financial problems, shortage of competent waqf managers and illegal occupation and encroachment of waqf land. This paper concludes that SIRCs in all states must be professionally restructured in order to improve the administration, management and development of waqf land in Malaysia. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s2p613

New Approaches to the Development of Methodology of Strategic Community Planning

Abstract: One of the major problems faced by modern social development – is social systems controllability decrease. This is largely due to the unsuitability of the old management model, functioning by trial and error method, to the new social realities which requires a much more accurate and evidence-based approach. Socially important decisions based on subjectivism lead to the destabilization of society, deterioration of living conditions and quality of life. With the increasing complexity of the social world, the support of sustainable social development and societal systems security can only be based on scientific knowledge with the usage of the methods of strategic community planning. The authors suggest using the new parameters for the development of methodology of strategic community planning that are relevant to the modern stage of social development. The given article contains the proposals of methodology of strategic community planning development. As a strategic goal one put forward the formation of a genuine social state in Russia. An approximate range of tasks for each of the subsystems of society is suggested. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s6p357

E-Commerce Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction, Belief and Loyalty: A Proposal

Abstract: E-commerce system websites have helped to grow the business into the international field. In the long term in view, it is very important for a business to manage satisfaction, belief, and customer loyalty in the adoption of E-commerce services for business development. In the hotel industry in Malaysia, there is lack of studies on the quality of E-commerce services and has prompted this study to be done. Examine the perception of foreign tourists to the service factors of E-commerce website that influence satisfaction, belief and loyalty are the main objective of this study. Adopting from the previous studies, a conceptual framework of the relationship between E-commerce service quality with satisfaction, belief, and customer loyalty in the hotel industry in Malaysia is established to adapt with this study. The tourism sector is the seventh major provider to the Malaysian economy, with a Gross National Income (GNI) of RM47.2 billion in the year 2013, and is the second leading foreign exchange recipient after manufacture goods. One of the tourism sectors is the hotel industries that have international dimensions and the use of the highest sites. Tourism and hotel industry in particular is a key-driver for economic growth because the industry has proven that it is a catalyst for development. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2p260

The effect of social media on researchers’ academic performance through collaborative learning in Malaysian higher education

Abstract: This study aims to explain the way social media contributes to the enhancement of collaborative learning among researchers Malaysian higher education. The sample comprised of 723 researchers. The findings showed that introvert researchers perceive social media to help in increasing collaborative learning and improving their performance. These researchers are more inclined to communicate through social media as opposed to face-to-face. In addition, the sample researchers are inclined to utilize social media. Therefore, Malaysian higher education institutions are recommended to employ social media in enhancing the researchers’ collaborative learning. The researcher employs the use of theory of technology acceptance model (TAM) for this purpose. The results show that collaborative learning positively and significantly relates to impact intention to use social media for collaborative learning to improve performance of researchers in Malaysian higher education. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s1p193

Using Social Media for Research: The Role of Interactivity, Collaborative Learning, and Engagement on the Performance of Students in Malaysian Post-Secondary Institutes

Abstract: A great deal of research has been conducted regarding the effect of social media on research. However, only a few of these studies have examined the collaborative use of social media as a way to improve the performance of students. Both students and supervisors have expanded their use of social media and understanding how social media can be used to instigate improvements through collaborative learning must be investigated. We conducted a survey of two universities in Malaysia. The goal of this study was to identify the characteristics and factors of social media that improve the academic performance of post-secondary students and students through collaborative learning. Four hundred and twenty-six responses were received from the Malaysian universities surveyed. IBM SPSS and Amos were used to analyze the data. We used a constructivism theory to further explore the data. The results demonstrated that collaborative learning and engagement using social media had a significant and positive affect on the interactions and engagement of members and supervisors of research groups in Malaysian universities. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s2p536

The Upsurge of Oil Theft and Illegal Bunkering in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria: Is There a Way Out?

Abstract: This paper examines the rising cases of oil theft in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria which has negatively impacted on the Nigerian economy. This is because Nigerian state solely depend oil generated revenues for her economic survival. The aim of this study is to critically examine the methods, actors, causes, impacts of oil theft and the measures adopted by Nigerian governments to combat oil theft. The location of the study is the Niger Delta region and the study was timed within the period of 2009-2014. Secondary data were generated for the study, while content analysis was used for data interpretation and analysis. The study revealed that different individuals and groups were involved in oil theft and illegal bunkering activities. The study further proved that persistence oil theft in the Niger Delta is due to the enthroned corruption by Nigerian elites, high level of youth unemployment, ineffective and corrupt law enforcement agencies and international crime collaborations. The study also revealed that successive Nigerian governments have made attempts to curb the menace by the establishment of a special security outfit, militarization of the Niger Delta region and granting of amnesty to Niger Delta militants but the upsurge of oil theft in recent times clearly indicates that success has not been achieved, hence some recommendations were proffered to put an end to oil theft in the Niger Delta region. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s2p563

Investigation of the Scope of Intellectual Services in the Aspect of Virtualization and Information Economy of Modern Russia

Abstract: The article deals with the scope of intellectual services, analyzes the factors and aspects of the scope of intellectual services. In the XXI century. Came the realization that the information economy, along with virtual economies are in a bundle, the article defines the place of the basic constructs such as «knowledge», «information», human capital». The article discusses the determinants of the functioning of the virtual economy, the national innovation system, analyzes the role and principles of operation of virtual enterprises, the authors attempt a graphic description of the transition economies in virtual reality, are considered agents of the virtual economy. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s3p217

Usage of Gamification Theory for Increase Motivation of Employees

Abstract: Games have amazing ability to hold people's attention for a long time, build relationship, win recognition and develop creativity. Games can be considered as a sample of motivation and job involvment, so now we are trying to apply these techniques into the labor process. In the following article gamification term is given and history of gamification theory is analyzed. Besides problems of application of gamification method in sector of national economy are examined. Also analysis of the possibilities of implementation this theory to the Russian reality is presented. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1s3p77

Corporate Entrepreneurship and Business Performance: The Role of External Environment and Organizational Culture: A Proposed Framework

Abstract: This paper proposes a framework which illustrates the moderating and mediating role of external environment and organizational culture in the relationship between corporate entrepreneurship and business performance. The proposed framework is developed based on the review of extant literature. Based on the proposed framework, it is presumed that the effect of corporate entrepreneurship on business performance is dependent on whether external environment and organizational culture are supportive or not. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s3p524

Relationship of Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intention of Private Secondary School Teachers

Abstract: Job satisfaction and turnover intention are matters of concern related to any organization. This study aimed to examine the relationship of job satisfaction and turnover intention of private school teachers. This study was descriptive in nature. All the teachers (13764) working in private secondary schools in the district Rawalpindi and Islamabad were the target population of the study. 860 teachers were randomly sampled. Standardized Questionnaires i.e. Job Descriptive Index (JDI) and Turnover Intention Questionnaire (TIQ) were used as instruments of this study. Independent sample t-test and Linear regression analysis was used for the analysis of data. Findings of the study suggested that pay and continuance commitment was dominantly affecting the turnover intention of the school teachers. The study concluded that there was a strong relationship between job satisfaction and its indicator (pay) with turnover intention among private secondary school teachers. However, it was found that promotion, work itself and supervision showed moderate relationship with turnover intention among the teachers. It was recommended that private schools should make comprehensive policy, program of teacher deployment, their continuous professional development through an academy of education with international linkages, incentive-based schemes, involvement of community and building up public private partnership. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s2p313

Anxiety in the Youth Physical and Sport Activity

Abstract: The study tries to address and define whether the sport is stressful for young athletes. Anxiety and stress affecting both young people and adults , either team sports or individual although with different effects. What is the role of the coach in reading and management of emotional states of anxiety- based . Knowing the causes of anxiety allows us to understand how coaches can help their young athletes and make it bearable . The importance that the athlete learns to recognize and manage the anxiety to improve it to their advantage and finally, are some suggested tips to better manage anxiety competitive. Aim is to investigated on the phenomenon and establish some significant aspects and give relationships with the sport in physical education. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s2p227

Burnout Syndrome at School: A Comparison Study with Lay and Consecrated Italian Teachers

Abstract: A questionnaire was administered, composed of the Maslach Burnout Inventory as well as of questions regarding social-demographic information such as gender, age, and seniority According to the literature, we expected to find a higher burnout level among lay than among consecrated teachers. Secondly, we expected to find lower burnout risk in lay teachers of private school than in public school teachers. Participants were 469 Italian teachers (97% female) divided in three groups: lay teachers from public school (N=153), lay (N=153), and consecrated teachers (N=153) from private Catholic school. Consecrated teachers of Catholic school showed a higher mean score in the depersonalization scale than both their lay colleagues from private school (F=24.155, p DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1p501

An Islamic Perspective on Corporate Social Responsibility of Islamic Banks

Abstract: Basically, all of the world’s top multinationals engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) in some form and there is almost no country in which business has not taken up the challenge of CSR in some way. As a result, Islamic banks which are also part of business community face even more expectations in performing CSR as Islamic institutions. However, the status of CSR concept and the accountability of Islamic bank in performing CSR activities have not been ascertained from Shari’ah perspective. Therefore, this study aims at determining the status of CSR notion and investigating the legal status of Islamic bank in performing CSR activities from an Islamic perspective. This study is based on Islamic religious values and beliefs according to Shari’ah, which is the sacred law of Islam derived from the holy Qur’an and the Prophet’s hadith. Evidently, it was found that social responsibility is a wonderful concept and a noble practice which is required in Islam, even has been embedded in Islamic teaching fundamentally based on the khalifah concept. It was also found that Islamic bank is an acknowledged legal entity in Islam which consequently, is accountable for CSR.

The System of the Methodological Principles of Management of Enterprise Development

Abstract: Currently, economic growth economic entities more and more dependent on enterprise adaptation to the changing needs of the market environment to the products manufactured by the company. In these circumstances, it is important to understand and determine what should be the methodology of construction of the control system based on an innovative approach. During the formation of the mechanism of management of the company needs to follow a number of methodological principles of management of development of the enterprise. The proposed conceptual methodological principles of formation of the system of management of development of the enterprise with the purpose of increase of efficiency of functioning and quality of production. System conceptual methodological principles of formation of the system of effective management of enterprise development, according to the authors, should be based on the following research approaches: integration, task, system, complex, situational, economic, synergistic. The synergetic approach to managing effective enterprise development based on the principles of self-organization and self-development systems, openness of the enterprise for innovation and transformation. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s4p25

Law as a Social Regulator of Advertisement and Advertising Activity in the Modern Russian Information Space

Abstract: The given article shows that law as a social regulator in the sphere of information relations becomes a new kind of information space regulation which carries new problems the solution of which depends on political and other purposes of the governmental authorities. The article lays stress on the statement that nowadays in the Russian Federation the democratic values are the priorities of constitutional state building. In the center of these values is a human, his rights and liberties, and the main social relations regulator are law and justice. A characteristic feature of the Russian advertisement is a contradiction between its evident and secret functions. It differs from foreign advertisement qualitatively, but it can also compete with it. At the same time the presence of fraudulent advertising which contains manipulation technologies causes the negative attitude towards it. Generally speaking, the influence of advertisement on the social activity of the population is controversial, because it not only stimulates the development of the economy and tertiary activity, but can also manipulate the public conscience and behavior. From this point of view the analysis of law as a social regulator of advertisement and advertising activity is of some interest for the given research. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s4p9

Helping Adult and Young Learners to Communicate in Speaking Classes with Confidence

Abstract: It has been more than four decades that participating in English conversation classes and motivation theories in learning a foreign language have been considered as an important issue in language learning. It is believed that English oral communication is necessary in the professional world (Pattanapichet & Chinaokul, 2011). As learning a new language is a challenging issue for most learners English as foreign language (EFL), and also for learners of English as second language (ESL), the confidence plays the key role in learning through which students can improve one of important skills in language learning "speaking", while this is what was ignored in traditional methods. The aim of this review is to represent the implementation of various experiences which would be highly useful for teachers in the process of teaching EFL/ESL. As a result of the significant difference between young and adult learners, teachers' awareness can vigorously help them in their career. It is strongly posited that students' motivation along with a good relationship between students-teacher and students themselves in class can actively support the amount of success for students by taking part in speaking tasks. Moreover, the tools and methods which a teacher chooses to foster students' oral activities are considerable to great extent. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n2p520

Innovations and Socio-Economic Development: Problems of the Natural Resources Intensive Use Regions

Abstract: In the context of the economic growth slowdown and the continued deepening of the Russian regions’ social and economic differentiation there is the problem of spatial development. The study of innovation factors’ impact on the social and economic development attains a particular interest in this context. In the article the econometric model of the innovation factors’ impact on the social and economic development of the Russian regions is constructed. The results of the analysis indicate the imbalance of the regions’ innovative development, which is determined by the absence of significant impact of indicators that characterize the process of instilling innovations. The innovative development analysis of the Tyumen region as a natural resources intensive use region indicates the relative lag behind not only the leading regions, but also behind the mean values. The necessity of institutional changes in order to stimulate the business’ innovative development and in the first place the oil and gas sector’s innovative development is based. Arctic projects have significant potential in this direction. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n1p129

Internal and External Audit Attributes, Audit Committee Characteristics, Ownership Concentration and Earnings Quality: Evidence from Malaysia

Abstract: The objective of the study is to examine the association between internal and external audit attributes, audit committee characteristics, ownership concentration and discretionary accruals (as a proxy of earnings quality) based on the agency and resource dependence theories. The final sample of the study is 508 firms listed on the Malaysia Main Market from 2009 to 2012. Two measures of discretionary accruals are used, Modified Jones model by Dechow et al. (1995); and extended Modified Jones Model by Yoon et al. (2006). Results of the study suggest that outsourcing internal audit function, investment in internal audit function and external audit fees are related to higher earnings quality. However, large audit committee size, more frequent audit committee meetings, having a senior or former audit partner as audit committee chairman and ownership concentration are associated with lower earnings quality. This study extends the prior related literature by apply extended modified Jones model by Yoon, et al.’s (2006) of discretionary accruals to measure earnings quality in Malaysia Main Market listed companies and introduce new variables, namely audit committee chairman who is a senior or former audit partner in the audit firm. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3p458