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We use a quantitative spatial equilibrium model to evaluate the distributional and welfare impacts of a recent temporary rent control policy in Berlin, Germany. We calibrate the model to key features of Berlin���s housing market, in particular the recent gentrification of inner city locations. As expected, gentrification benefits rich homeowners, while poor renter households lose. Our counterfactual analysis mimicks the rent control policy. We find that this policy reduces welfare for rich and poor households and in fact, the percentage change in welfare is largest for the poorest households. We also study alternative affordable housing policies such as subsidies and re-zoning policies, which are better suited to address the adverse consequences of gentrification., CEPA Discussion Papers; 39

The prevailing geographic model for high-technology industrial organization has been the “nerdistan,” a sprawling, car-oriented suburb organized around office parks, of which Silicon Valley is the prototypical example. This seems to contradict a basic insight of urban theory, which associates dense urban centers with higher levels of innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity. Our research examines the geography of recent venture capital finance startups in the United States across metros and within a subset of them by neighborhood and finds compelling evidence that the model is changing. Venture capital investments are clustering in larger, denser urban centers with high levels of human capital, like San Francisco and Lower Manhattan, as well as in walkable suburbs. We suggest that the suburban model might have been an historical aberration, and that innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship are realigning in the same urban centers that traditionally fostered them.

We study the parametric description of the city size distribution of four European countries: France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The parametric models used are the lognormal, the double Pareto lognormal, the normal-Box-Cox (defined in this paper) and the threshold double Pareto Singh--Maddala (introduced in a cited recent paper when studying US city size). The results are quite regular. The preferred model is always the threshold double Pareto Singh--Maddala in the four countries. However, the dPln is not rejected always for the case of France, and in the case of Italy the dPln is the runner-up distribution. These results complement those obtained in a cited recent paper which study the US places' city size distribution.

Aim of this study: is a) to detect informal structures (power and position in structures of targeting of verbal aggression) among higher education students, b) to analyze determinants of these structural properties, and c) to propose a typology of verbal aggression targets. Complete network analysis was applied on a sample of a 53 students in Physical Education Faculty, Thessaly University, Greece. Four network analysis algorithms were used: in-degree, Katz status, pagerank, authority. Non-network and network determinants of being target of verbal aggressiveness were analyzed. Gender (particularly femaleness), high grade of school graduation and parents education level protect from verbal aggressiveness while interest in post-graduate study seems to provoke criticism. Ignoring public opinion and intimacy with many ¡°close friends¡± are positively correlated with verbal aggressiveness. Young (and not old-fashioned) appearance, imposing and eccentric appearance characteristics seem to protect against verbal aggressiveness. Big corporal size, dark skin colors seem to provoke insults in case of female students. Eminent economic state is also provocative as it implies pretentiousness. Phone verbal aggressiveness appears mainly among male students. Eminent qualities such as ¡°good friend¡±, ¡°desirable partner¡± etc make someone an eminent target for verbal aggressiveness. Verbal aggressiveness presents a catholic character and thus seems to be destructive and not constructive. Intellectual abilities (weaknesses) constitute a verbal aggressiveness target core. The following types of verbal aggressiveness targets are proposed: a) the ¡°general ¡®black sheep¡¯¡±, b) the ¡°contemptible type¡±, c) the ¡°bagger¡± type, d) the ¡°victim of mockers¡± and e) the ¡°victim of serial criticizers¡±.

Based on the theoretical analysis, with first-hand data collection and using multiple regression models, this study explored the relationship between agreeableness, extraversion, stressor and stress response and figured out interactive effect of agreeableness, extraversion, and stressor on stress response. We draw on the following conclusions: (1) the interaction term of stressor (work) and agreeableness can negatively predict physiological stress response; (2) the interaction term of stressor (health) and agreeableness can negatively predict physiological stress response; (3) the interaction term of stressor (family) and agreeableness can negatively predict physiological stress response; (4) the interaction term of stressor (social) and agreeableness can negatively predict physiological stress response; (5) the interaction term of stressor (work) and extraversion can negatively predict physiological stress response; (6) the interaction term of stressor (health) and extraversion can negatively predict physiological stress response; (7) the interaction term of stressor (family) and extraversion can negatively predict physiological stress response; (8) the interaction term of stressor (social) and extraversion can negatively predict physiological stress response.

This paper examines the influence of capital assets acquired outrightly by cash on enterprise profitability from the perspective of construction companies. Data were obtained by means of questionnaire. Analyses were performed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s product moment coefficient of correlation. Results of descriptive statistics indicate 61.11% preference for acquisition of capital assets by outright cash purchase. Correlation analysis reveals a statistically significant moderate positive relationship between capital assets acquired out rightly through cash payment and net profit. Own capital assets acquired by outright cash purchase improves net profit performance of construction companies. Companies in the construction sector should aim at investing in capital assets through outright cash purchase instead of hiring or leasing.

Small and medium-sized cities have played important roles in China¡¯s new urbanization strategies. Small and medium-sized cities can not only help large cities avert over-concentration of population, but also avoid excessively decentralizing rural industrialization in small towns. To develop small and medium-sized cities, characteristic industries and vocational education are required so that people can get employed in the cities and become residents easily. City infrastructure and public services are necessary for urban residents. Public-Private Partnership may solve the problems of fund shortage that the local government is facing during the construction.

This paper examines the impact of organizational structure and business strategy on company efficiency, profitability, and risk-taking behavior in the Taiwanese life insurance industry. The insurance industry in Taiwan provides an interesting environment for studying this issue because different organizational forms coexist in the insurance industry. We examine four different types of companies by organizational structure and two different business strategies. We use two frontier methodologies (stochastic frontier approach and data envelopment analysis approach) to measure the efficiency performance of insurance firms. The results show that organizational structures and business strategies have significant impact on efficiency, profitability, and risk-taking behavior. In addition, we also find size, lines of business, leverage ratio, and market share have significant impact on efficiency, profitability, and risk-taking behavior. Our overall evidence suggests that a more competitive environment should be encouraged in the Taiwanese insurance industry to improve the insurer efficiency.

This research set outs to explore the exact level of the social aspect of assimilation between Baba and Nyonya and their Malay counterparts in Malaysia. It was sure that assimilation in social aspect is a dilemma which Baba and Nyonya face when they interact with Malays as a dominant ethnic group. It suggests that when the process of interaction, their behavior changes in line with the identity of the Malays. This is because the majority influenced the minority in the Malaysian context. Whilst they are welcomed by their Malay counterparts, it is nevertheless hypothesized that they may not assimilate fully into the Malay community

Food safety concerns people's lives and property safety, the repeated food scandals of Chinese food safety brings a great shock at home and abroad. Chinese government has put forward many policies and schemes to solve the repeated food problems in China in recent years. There are several important measures in the process of dealing with the food safety problem. Among them, food recall is the most important and linking one that should be taken when the unsafe food has already flowed into the market. The establishment of Chinese food recall system has a great significance and shows a good start and a positive attitude of China in its long fight of food safety. However, in China, the food recall system is still in the bud and dose not get enough attention, many flaws and imperfection of Chinese food recall system has been revealed in its practical implementation. This paper attempts to find the flaws existing in Chinese food recall system and analyzes the complexity and diversity of Chinese present condition from the perspective of the theory of regulation. It¡¯s concluded that when the food safety supervisory authorities formulate the detailed plans or regulations of food recall system, they should explore a new path of food recall system and consider more the current condition and the specialty of the country rather than just put other countries¡¯ experience rigidly.

This manuscript presents a new methodology to measure the behavior of banking companies. It is based on equilibrium a criterion which is always on a balance sheet, and the main issue is the economic and financial significance of this equilibrium. The accounting analysis based on the Edgeworth¡¯s box analyzes an observation by means of two indicators, which measures the economic and financial significance of each annual observation at same time. This characteristic allows the measure of the decision making on two different criteria, according to evolution of macroeconomic variables. Moreover, undetermined values have financial and economic significances because the behavior of companies has a limit on this methodology. This manuscript presents the accounting methodology of the Edgeworth¡¯s box in the first chapter. Then, the behavior of banking companies is analyzed as qualitative and quantitative criteria to carry out the result of research in the second chapter. Conclusions are referred to the analytic capacity of this methodology and research results.

A growing research body suggests that men are less likely than women to seek help from professional counselors for mental health problems and stressful life events (Komiya, Good, & Sherrod, 2000). Untreated mental health problems can have a significant impact on the health and development of the client as well as the client¡¯s family members. Various factors such as help-seeking attitudes influence men¡¯s help-seeking behaviors in regard to mental health services. Males demonstrate less positive attitudes toward seeking help in order to avoid talking about stressful events and painful feelings because of masculine norms and stigma. Help-seeking attitudes, masculine norms, and stigma are reviewed for their associations with men¡¯s opposition to seeking help when psychological problems occur. The author of this paper presents further literature about males from diverse cultural backgrounds to emphasize the particular factors that impact men¡¯s reduced willingness to seek counseling.

This study examined athletes¡¯ and coaches¡¯ experiences of positive touch within the coach-athlete relationship, including examples of positive touch, reasons for the use of touch, and factors affecting athletes¡¯ acceptance of touch. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 coaches and 10 athletes from various sports. Data were coded using inductive and deductive coding techniques. All participants shared examples of positive touch in sport including: hugs, high fives, physical manipulation of the body, pats on the back, hand shaking, and spotting. Positive touch was reportedly used for affective, behavioural, safety, and cultural reasons. Touch was viewed by these athletes and coaches as being important and even necessary in the sport environment and within the coach-athlete relationship provided that it was individualized and contextualized. The findings are interpreted to suggest that the recent trend to avoid touch in child-populated domains ignores the many benefits of touch for health, instruction, and development.

Since late 1990¡¯s in the first world was proposed a new mission for the public universities beyond the teaching and research and development (R&D); their conversion as agents for economic development through the knowledge transferred to other society organizations. More than twenty years have passed and now we can see that in practice achieving this has been very difficult for public universities of developing countries. In the case of the Mexican Centre presented, it is shown that public University have historically established strong links with other public governmental organizations and that the technology and the knowledge products delivered through the years, have had important social impact but no economical. Therefore, we propose that an important factor is that university R&D entities must develop stronger links with both, private companies and public organizations. Case shows that this phenomenon not only depends on the linking system performance, but also of the lack of the innovation culture among domestic entrepreneurs. The conclusion is that today's role of the public university in Mexico is the generation and knowledge transference for the social welfare and that it is required create new ways to establish relationships with other economic actors in the Mexican innovation system, in order to promote the growth of the country's economy.

This paper quantitatively and qualitatively analyzes people¡¯s attitudes towards Occupy Central and what factors influenced their attitudes. The data was collected by using questionnaires sent out by investigators in Hong Kong, mainland China and through the Internet, using Qualtrics, provided by the Teachers College of Columbia University. At the beginning, information about Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and Occupy Central is given, followed by an introduction of purpose and methodology. Then, data analysis, both quantitative and qualitative, is shown, followed by a discussion about the results of the analysis and conclusions. The key research questions were about how people¡¯s attitudes towards Occupy Central were influenced by eleven factors: gender, age, occupation, residency, travel experience, whether they have children under the age of eighteen, their knowledge about Occupy Central, their accessibility to Occupy Central, the influence Occupy Central had on them, their ideas about a region¡¯s development and their ideas about a country¡¯s development. An analysis of statistical data, with tests of mean scores and t-tests, suggested some factors that influence people¡¯s attitude. People¡¯s occupations played a role in influencing their attitudes, especially between government officers and people from other sectors. How people were influenced significantly affected their attitudes with a more negative attitude related to negative influences. People¡¯s residency also influenced people¡¯s attitudes with people from the mainland China holding more negative attitudes towards Occupy Central than Hong Kong residents and with people from other places holding the most positive attitudes. The ideological difference in development of a region and a country also played an important role in influencing people¡¯s attitudes.

Although many central banks actively sterilized intervention, there is still no consensus on sterilized effect on the inflation in the long - term. This study aims at answering the question of whether or not sterilized intervention by the central bank of Egypt causes inflation in the long term. In this paper we use annual data from 1980 to 2011and use Granger Causality test, Error Correction model (VECM) and Variance Decomposition. The causal relationship between sterilization and inflation rustles indicate that, there is a bi-directional causality in two and three lags and inflation cause sterilization in four and five lags, that any intervention by the central bank sterilization in Egypt is causing inflation in the period 1980-2011. The VECM results clearly indicate the existence of a long run positive relationship between sterilization and inflation, where sterilization value increased by 10% the change in inflation will be 22% in long – term, but in the short term, all the independent variables were not significant except for the impact of inflation on the same, it is positive and significant. This means that the results of the intervention of the Central Bank of Egypt through the sterilization policy does not limit the inflation in the short term but lead to increased rates of inflation in the long term through the influence in the fiscal deficit, as the sterilization value increased by 10% the change in budget deficit will be 4.4%. The variance decomposition rustles indicates that the relative importance (contrast ratio prediction error interpreter) for a shock occur in sterilization in the interpretation of the change in inflation is positive, continuing and growing, this importance was 1.56% in the second year of shock and then 5.49% in the third year of the shock and then 10.94% in the fourth year and so that up to 45.42% in the tenth year of the shock. This indicates that there is a positive, growing and continuing relationship between sterilization and inflation in Egypt in the period of study.

The study quantitatively investigated the factors influencing the support for a mandatory transition to the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) by grouping survey data as critical driving factors (benefits) and critical inhibiting factors (obstacles). A strong correlation was found between the level of support, and the benefits, suggesting that the support for IFRS depends on awareness and perceptions about key benefits- ease of financial reporting, transparency, and costs reduction compared to GAAP. Two key obstacles found are the cost and the complexity of transition. Awareness and perceptions about IFRS differ significantly according to scope of business operation. National only companies (NOCs) are not enthusiastic about the advantages of IFRS compared to National and International Companies (NAICs). This study concludes that the advantages of IFRS surpass the disadvantages signifying a greater support. It shows there is a greater possibility for a U.S. mandatory transition to IFRS comes 2015. Further studies are recommended on the effectiveness of the IFRS Adoption Prediction Model (IAPM) that resulted from this study.

This study attempts to provide empirical data to support the claim that negative behaviors of the students can hamper their academic achievement. A particular skill in second language is opted to represent the dependent variable. Forty junior high school students join a speaking test and scored by three raters. They are also asked to rate themselves whether they have one or more negative behaviors adapted from Woodcock Johnson III test. The results show that there is a weak correlation between negative classroom behavior and speaking performance.

The environmental pollution and destruction by non-legal entity corporations normally occurs in the context of business operations, and is a consequence of the authority or business owner¡¯s failure to fulfill or negligence in performing their obligations to preserve the environment. The authority or business owners for their approach to lead the business operation shall bring about an interesting discussion with regard to enforce criminal liability of green issues. This study needs to highlight how the enforcement shall conduct to the non-legal entity corporations despite of by corporation or by individual. In addition, this study also argues how the green leadership shall in balance to build the green practice within value by corporate and leadership (GrCL). In addition, GrCL also integrated to the Environmental and Protection and Management (EPM) that has regulated the criminal liability of non-legal entity corporations for engaging in environmental pollution and destruction. However, EPM in practice is still difficult to prove the causality between problems in the business structure and the concrete behaviors or acts committed. Therefore, a new approach by having GrCL shall bring a comprehensive discussion not only by law but also by real implementation.

This paper provides analysis of the relationship between unemployment, inflation and economic growth in Nigeria: 1987-2012. The study utilizes secondary data to analyze the relationship between unemployment, inflation and economic growth. The methodology used for the study was ordinary least squares. The results confirms that in the long run, interest rate and total public expenditure have significant impact on economic growth in Nigeria, while inflation and unemployment has inverse effects on growth in Nigeria. The possible justification for the inverse effect of inflation on price level is that inflation may not be due to aggregate demand pressure but rather due to hiccups in the supply chain of goods both from the domestic and foreign supply outlets. Empirical deductions also signify the presence of significant feedback from the long run to short run disequilibrium. However, there exists a causal linkage between inflation, unemployment and economic growth in Nigeria. In conclusion, the paper recommended that the government must as a matter of necessity to improve or continue to fine-tune macroeconomic policy instruments to achieve a sustainable and enable environment that will enhance increase in domestic output.

Background, Given that many social workers in fact work with the economically disadvantaged, it may be assumed that their attitudes stem from their academic studies combined with attitudes acquired through intergenerational transmission. The study poses two main questions: 1) what are the attitudes of Israeli social work students, as well as those of their parents and their grandparents towards the causes of poverty? 2) How does each of the three generation’ members approach the question “what is the best way for the state to deal with the problem of poverty? Methods , The convenient sample consisted of 218 Arab and Jewish families, with three self-report questionnaires per family for the three generations. Results, findings indicated that the majority of participants, in all three generations, considered the socio-structural factor to be the most significant cause of poverty. Similarly, most participants in this study also reported that they preferred that the state expand its welfare program and increase the budgets in order to assist the population in need and thus address the poverty problem.

The problem discussed in this paper is the need to understand ways to implement web-based technology to reduce the cost and time in doing business. The specific focus of this paper is to understand what the risks, challenges, and methodology are for implementing web-based technology for reducing the operating costs for the small business and still protect the security of the business. The key research questions included are: (a) What are the challenges of small business implementing web-based technology within their companies. (b) Which project methodology should be used to implement web-based technology projects in small business? (c) What are the risks and issues when implementing web-based technology in small business? According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA, 2011),seven out of 10 new employer firms survive at least 2 years, half at least 5 years, a third at least 10 years, and a quarter stay in business 15 years or more. Besser (2012) wrote that small businesses are the vast majority of businesses and make a significant contribution to national economic vitality.

Deregulation of downstream sector has attracted a lot of studies in Nigeria. Nigeria is naturally endowed with natural oil yet there is still scarcity of petroleum product in the country. Studies have shown that every economy that wishes to grow and develop should encourage the force of market driven economy to operate. This will help eradicate market imperfection that is perceived in the regulated economy. The study investigates the performance of the downstream petroleum sector over the years and its impact on economic growth in Nigeria. The time horizon covered 1980-2012 this is because, data for previous years were not sufficiently available. The study used a simple regression model with ordinary least square (OLS) techniques of data analysis. The result shows that OR, NOR, FDI and CONSUMPT are positive and statistically significant on RGDP. Also the adjusted R 2 shows that the overall model is statistically significant and that deregulation of the downstream sector cannot be avoided. Therefore Government should deregulate the downstream sector in order to attract foreign investors to the sector, this has the tendency of combating unemployment problem in the country, encourage the consumption of petroleum product since competition will make petroleum products readily available and also the overall standard of living will improve.

Gender disparities are of major concern, in water resources management because men and women play different roles and have different rights on water usage and it is important to take in account the interest of both genders into account. Njoro Sub-county is currently facing a serious problem of water scarcity as a result of several factors such as poor management, loss of forest cover, climatic variability, population increase, and limited endowment of the resource. Water being an economic good and a cost attached to its development, distribution, operation and maintenance there has been gender disparity in its management. Women are responsible for multiple uses of water resources and principal decision-makers regarding domestic uses and sharing responsibility with men for productive uses. However men often control this resource and make major decisions related to location and type of facilities available hence the need to investigate why women despite their vital stake in water affairs, they are frequently overlooked and under-represented in water policy decisions and in water projects committees. The argument in this paper is that gender disparities may have resulted in overexploitation and mismanagement of water resources.

The accountancy profession subscribes to the values of accountability, integrity, honesty, accuracy among others and that is the reason accountants are required in any field of work to provide an independent report of how the resources are deployed to bring the outcome and assess if indeed the outcome from the use of such resources is as it had been expected by all the stakeholders. This requirement is common to all sectors of the economy, whether in the public or private sector. The paper discusses the changing role of the accountant in the public sector in response to the growing concerns of public resource abuse. Africa, Malawi in particular, has been a victim of gross resource abuse by public officers through among others fraud, corruption, theft and gross mismanagement. Malawi has recently been rated highly in terms of corrupt practices with the public sector taking a leading position leading to gross mismanagement of public resources since the dawn of democracy in 1994. The study takes a look at the changing roles of an accountant in the public sector where the control environment in the financial management system, and the political will of those in charge of the public sector, are not the same as those in the private sector. The accounting weaknesses or challenges as revealed by the reviewed audit reports are scrutinised and the role of the accountant with respect to each challenge is reviewed and recommendations suggested which if implemented, may block the future recurrence of such weaknesses in the financial management systems in the public sector.

This paper investigates the behavior of capital buffers of Australian banks to changes in the business cycle. More particularly, whether there is a behavioral difference between big and small banks, and whether the 2008-09 global financial crisis influenced bank behavior with respect to capital buffers. Applying the Generalized Method of Moments technique, we find the evidence to support pro-cyclical behavior of large banks, but counter-cyclical of small banks. Our results also show that banks with large size, large risky portfolio, and high lending growth rate tend to hold less capital than their peers. Finally, our results suggest that the latest financial crisis did induce banks to hold more capital.

In the business sector, the relationship between performance and pay is mostly measured with reference to an organization's business results on the one hand and the pay awarded to its senior management on the other hand. The present research shifts the analytical focus to the third sector and to higher-education institutions, assessed in their case—where the notion of profitability loses its relevance—on their performance as perceived by their clients, namely the student body. Our research results point to a positive, strong and significant relationship between performance and executive pay (with a one-year lag) and to a positive, weak and significant relationship between executive pay and performance (again, with a one-year lag). Furthermore, it is the state-funded (hereinafter: budgeted) colleges, where executive pay was by far the lowest, that achieved the highest satisfaction score (averaging 2011 and 2013), despite a slight drop in satisfaction observed in this category from 2011 to 2013. Taken together, however, higher-education institutions saw their satisfaction scores increase in 2013 compared to 2011. The paper leaves aside research performance rankings of higher-education institutions, due to the fact that most institutions in Israel are teaching oriented. As a matter of fact, only few Israeli universities are ranked by international ranking organizations. Furthermore, unfortunately, Israel does not have a formal system of higher education institutions research rankings. In the paper, a large body of literature on performance-related pay in school teaching is not covered.

The main aim of this article is to investigate the accuracy of the Multivariate Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity Model (M-GARCH) for the selection of the best investment portfolio. There is extended literature on M-GARCH in this field with a great number of studies using different sets of variables among them the returns of assets, the volatility of the assets in the investment portfolio, the maturity date of the asset etc. The origin of M-GARCH is associated with the elements of the Dynamic Conditional Correlations Model (DDCM) as proposed by Engle. An earlier version of DDCM with time variations in the correlation matrix has been developed by Bollerslev. DCCM offers flexibility by incorporating different levels of volatilities able to structure portfolios with a great number of assets. M-GARCH models take into account separate univariate GARCH models, associate with each asset in the portfolio, in order to form a complete M-GARCH model. The present article uses a multiple dimension classic M-GARCH volatility model on a data set consisting from three time series. The daily ASE index on stock returns (Athens), the DAX index (Germany) and the CAC index (France). For each national index, the continuously compounded return was estimated as rt=100[log(pt)-log(pt-1)], where pt is the price on day t.

This study explores the relationship between firm performance and business cycles. These cycles are deviations from the trend of an economy-wide variable, in our case, GDP. Using a sample of Brazilian listed firms and accounting measures of performance, we find a generally positive contemporaneous relationship between the cycle and firm performance. Results also indicate that different industries show distinct relationships. This research presents a novel approach by linking firm performance from several industries to business cycles, indicating that managerial effort may be less determinant of firm performance than what is generally accepted. Our findings have potential implications for the design of more efficient compensation packages and to the study of managerial self-attributed performance.

The article presents partial results of a survey, which considered factors determining the decision-making and purchase of residential property from the perspective of young families. The main research objectives were to identify the young families¡¯ ownership structure and their living situation, analyze the existing housing regulations and housing policies, compared with expectations of young families and to identify factors that are important from their perspective for the buying decision and the value of residential property. The focus of our study was a questionnaire consisting of three parts. The first one divided participants according to demographic data (gender, age, education, place of residence and socio-economic status), the second set consisted of an orderly residential status and prospects for solving the housing problem and the factors that influence their purchase decision, whereas the third set was tied to factors that, in their opinion affect the value of residential property. The survey included 203 young people in Slovenia aged 20 to 39 living in a family community with at least one child. The data collected were analysed through SPSS statistical software package. In this paper, we focus on the study identifying expectations of young families about the state aid in facilitating decisions to buy their own first residential property. As a starting point, we set the hypothesis that young families who do not have their own apartment/house consider that the state through regulatory measures (laws, rules, regulations, etc.) should facilitate the decision to purchase residential property. The hypothesis was confirmed through the analysis and at the same time it was recognized that young families widely believed this would not happen in time when they decide to purchase one. Hypothesis was further subdivided and examined in relation to demographic characteristics of the participants. We found that according to the demographic characteristics of the participants (age and education), there are statistically significant differences in opinion on the stimulus regulatory state measures to facilitate the purchase of residential property.

How can work also represent a perspective of creation? We start from the hypothesis that air traffic controllers make an effort to cope with very hard work and to develop improvement processes when carrying out the activity, which can be considered creation. Our objective is to analyze the working conditions of air traffic controllers starting from the experience of the controller. There is effort, which is above all both cognitive and physical, of an activity developed with mental representations that cannot always be analyzed by simple observation. This is a reflection based on studies carried out with air traffic controllers since 1997 in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Background, Education to Theatricality is a science that includes different of disciplines such as pedagogy, sociology, human sciences, psychology and the performing arts in general. The scientific basis of this discipline allows us to apply it in all possible contexts possible and with any individual, because it keep the man as he is in the center of its pedagogical process. One of the fundamental principles of Education to Theatricality is the construction of the actor - person; the main aim is the development of creativity and imagination through a scientific training leads by the actor on himself. This science does not want to transform a man into an actor-object, molding him to product shows that are prepared just to be sold, but to enhance his individual qualities respecting his personality. The final product plays a role linked to the training process of every man, giving a different value to every different personality. Fundamental to the definition of identity and to the development of imagination and creativity is the conservation of the skill of expression, which represents the starting point, the key element for comparison with each other. Method, This study discusses relationship between theater and education analyzing the main elements of this meeting: the birth of the theater workshop; the relationship between active pedagogy and theater pedagogy; elements of human creativity: pre-expressiveness, expressiveness, emotion, aesthetics, communication languages; the role of theatrical educator. Conclusions, Educating means encouraging the positive growth of subjects personality, helping them to understand positive resources and to dissolve and solve problematic issues. Education to Theatricality as pedagogy uses the expressive arts into the theatre workshop for to lead the subject to path of growth and training activating the original potential skills of this person.

This study examines the participation of stakeholders, including disabled people, in disability and community issues in rural areas in Sri Lanka. As a conceptual framework, four dimensions of participation in community-based rehabilitation (CBR) are summarised from previous research. This research was mainly conducted in the model administrative division of the national CBR programme in Anuradhapura district. An action research approach was applied in March 2013, which consisted of eight steps. The study used data from the hearing survey on disabled children under 18 years old (n=103), semi-structured interviews with disabled people (n=20), focus group discussions with participants of community workshops (n=34) and social services officers (n=5) separately, and the authors¡¯ field notes, amongst others. Data were analysed with a qualitative procedure, except for quantitative data. Showing the four dimensions of participation in each step, we found promoting participation of various stakeholders improved disabled people¡¯s living conditions and enhanced their empowerment. The study also revealed elements that were significant in promoting participation through the action research process: key persons, information and network, utilising existing local resources, dialogue in meetings, and multisectional practice. Finally, we discuss the theoretical implications of this research.

Copyrights for articles are retained by the authors, with first publication rights granted to the journal. This article is available online at http://dx.doi.org/10.11114/afa.v1i2725. Whether for the sake of trying to make a fortune or for the sake of knowledge, both practitioners and academicians have had interests in studying the behavior of financial time series data since the existence of financial markets. Academicians contributed equilibrium models that aim to describe the process of price formation in capital markets. Over time, two schools of thoughts were established: the efficient markets school and the behavioral finance school. Proponents of the former believed in the Efficient Markets Hypothesis (EMH), whereas the latter brought evidence from behavioral finance and neurosciences showing that investors, especially retail traders, exhibit irrational behavior, which can explain the observed violations of the EMH in financial markets. Practitioners were not interested in developing models of price formation; rather they were interested in developing techniques to analyze and predict the price movements of financial assets. Same as academicians, practitioners can also be grouped into two schools of thought: the fundamental analysis school and the technical analysis school. Although both schools of thought share the same objective, which is to give advice on what and when to buy and sell assets for the sake of making profit, they differ in their ways of analysis. The significant role played by academicians and practitioners in the finance industry and the interconnection between both schools and the approaches followed within each of them are best perceived in the way financial assets are allocated and portfolios are constructed. In an attempt to cross that bridge between the theory of price formation in financial markets and its practical implementations, this paper aims to survey the literature on both the theoretical and the practical frontiers of asset allocation and portfolio construction, and the best way of carrying on this task is through a thorough description of the portfolio management process (PMP). To this end, the paper breaks the PMP into three main steps, namely, portfolio planning, portfolio construction, and portfolio evaluation, in that order, and then discusses each step while surveying the literature pertaining to it. In addition to the description of the PMP, the paper also answers questions of particular interest to young practitioners, who are taking their first steps towards a career in the finance industry, such as: How portfolio theory, which is at the core of finance theory, is applied in practice? How a financial portfolio of assets is constructed in practice? How the individual assets forming a portfolio are selected and allocated? And is the process of constructing portfolios unique? Although the answers to these questions might appear to be simple and straightforward, they are, in fact, quite complicated. The complication lies not only in making the theory, which is based on certain restrictive and unrealistic assumptions, work in practice, but also in the simultaneous use of a variety of tools and financial concepts in forming a sound investment strategy. Keywords: Asset Allocation, Security Selection, Portfolio Construction, Portfolio Management Process, Investment Policy Statement, Asset Valuation, Fundamental Analysis, Technical Analysis, Behavioral Finance, Efficient Markets Hypothesis, CAPM, Mean Variance Optimization.

January 25th, 2011 marks a momentous day for Egypt, and perhaps for the world. The revolution was the largest in the history of the country. What makes it unique is the integral role that social media played in mobilizing the masses. In particular, the "We are all Khalid Said" Facebook page served as the national communication corridor which prompted action. This manuscript examines the specific role of the Facebook page in mobilizing a critical mass. Through a detailed quantitative content analysis of the page's activity, the manuscript captures the granular online communications that lead up to the Egyptian revolution. Social mobilization theory is utilized to illustrate how the page was able to incite such mobilization. Results show that the administrators of the ¡°We are all Khalid Said¡± Facebook page implemented a process with five key missions: 1) Creating an injustice frame, 2) Broadcasting activities of defiance, 3) Emotionally inflaming and inspiring people, 4) Engaging participants, and 5) Organizing a concerted action plan.

This study was conducted in Haiphong (Vietnam) during 2013-2014 to analyse the requirements for the success of small-scale agribusinesses. Following two baseline studies on the current state of the local farming systems and market situations, various stakeholders were engaged in a number of workshops with support of a causal loop diagram (CLD) modelling tool to redefine the pre-requisites for agribusiness success and their interplays. As a result, multi-stakeholder collaboration and government support via its policies and development programs were identified as the necessary conditions for success. Nonetheless, strengthening the capacity of local cooperatives and investing in human and social capitals are of equal importance as sufficient conditions, which generate multiple benefits towards achieving agribusiness success. Values of full participation by all stakeholders and the use of the CLD in defining systemic interventions are also discussed.

In this paper, the authors use analytical method of explore factor analysis to determining factors that are components of the corporate customer satisfaction in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). This paper conducted during the period from March 2012 to December 2014. The exploratory factor analysis result showed that there were five factors, which included of factors following the service behavior, the tangible and the competitive price, the reliance, the convenience and the Agribank Image that are components of the corporate customer satisfaction with significance level 5 %. In addition, the research result processed from SPSS 20.0 software. The research result showed that there were nearly 550 corporates of Agribank in HCMC interviewed but 503 corporates (47 samples mistaken) to be processed and answered about 30 questions. The researcher had analyzed KMO test. The corporate responses measured through an adapted questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale. Hard copy and interview the corporate by questionnaire distributed among corporate of Agribank in HCMC. At the same time, the result was also a scientific evidence and important for researchers, and policy makers who apply them for improving the corporate customer satisfaction in HCMC. The researchers had obtained the main objectives of this study were to: 1. The first objective, the authors had to conduct a survey to find factors that are components of the corporate customer satisfaction of Agribank in HCMC. 2. The second objective, the authors had to identify some factors that are components in the corporate customer satisfaction in HCMC.

Much work has been undertaken showing that executive air travel can have stress-related consequences. As greater use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has been put forward as a substitute for air travel, then such activity would appear to be a realistic strategy to relieve air travel-related stressors. Although one projection estimated the potential substitution effect at 70%, to date however, empirical studies have come up with much more modest numbers. This paper aims to update the literature on two relatively recent developments in respect of these substitution effects, viz. increased congestion at European airports and advances in mobile technologies. The results suggest that the combined impact of these developments will result in more business communications being undertaken in relatively stress-free environments thus providing potential benefits for both sectors.

The Ejisu-Juaben Health Insurance Scheme (EJHIS), a municipal health insurance scheme in the Asante Region, provides insurance cards to subscribers in the municipality to access affordable health care from accredited health facilities. The study was carried out to find out the extent to which health care is accessible and affordable to the people and to determine the sustainability of the scheme. Ten communities in the municipality were purposively selected. These communities cut across the entire municipality; these include both urban and rural settlements. The study adopted the descriptive survey design using the case study approach focusing on accessibility, affordability and sustainability of the health insurance scheme. In all 120 participants were selected for the study which includes managers, health service providers and subscribers comprising opinion leaders, community leaders and community members. Data was collected using semi-structured interview and interview guide. Responses were coded and analyzed. Findings showed that the government and the administrators at Ejisu-Juaben are committed to the implementation of health insurance policy and provide improved health care in the municipality. The study recommends a strong collaboration based on understanding among the scheme management, the health service providers and subscribers in Order to achieve a successful, affordable, accessible and sustainable health care. Scheme managers are urged to make the insurance more attractive, and create enhanced communication channels to promote transparency in their operations.

This article presents an analysis of the concept of consumer ethnocentrism measured by the researchers with the use of the Consumer Ethnocentric Tendencies Scale (CETSCALE) developed by Shimp and Sharma in 1987. The communication campaigns promoting the consumption of goods produced in Romania were revised together with the European legislation regarding this type of campaigns. While country-of-origin and ethnocentrism have been extensively researched, the link between CE and the attitude toward locally made products, as well as the link between CE and the attitude toward a buy local campaign has not been fully explored. The results will be useful for marketers, policy makers and businessmen to find what is especially important in consuming local products in Romania, why consumer ethnocentrism is relevant and what is influenced by consumer ethnocentrism. Such information could help them in taking strategically decisions.

This paper examines the knowledge creation process that takes place in a group of superstar innovators. How does a superstar innovator influence the generation of knowledge in a team? In particular, does the effect increase nonlinearly as the number of talented team members increases? We explore these questions by considering the success and subsequent breakup of the Beatles, one of the most popular music groups in history. Through a mathematical analysis for exploring the fundamental mechanism of the breakup and its implications for superstar collaborations, we show that the breakup was an inevitable consequence of the superstar collaboration.

Human Resource Management students¡¯ beliefs about how work should be organised will influence their behaviour in future professional positions. This prompted a study in which students in a three-year programme in Human Resource Management at University West in Sweden commented on a number of statements about what work should ideally be like. All 140 respondents were born between 1978 and 1990 and hence belong to Generation Y, also known as Generation Me. The respondents generally agreed strongly with humanistic beliefs about work and female students agreed with humanistic beliefs to a far greater extent than male students.

This study extends the literature on the determinants of NPL. I investigate whether banks anticipate non-performing loans by making balance sheet adjustments. This study draws insight into the actions taken by credit risk management teams and bank managers to minimize the size of non-performing loans. After examining 82 banks from US, Europe, Asia and Africa, the result indicate that banks adjust the level of loan loss reserves and loan growth to minimize the size of NPLs. Our results do not show evidence that loan diversification minimizes NPLs. Further, I find that banks in developing countries reduce loan growth when they expect high NPL while banks in developed countries do not anticipate the level of NPL by adjusting loan growth. Further, I find that post-crisis Basel regulation did not lead to a decrease in the size of NPLs among banks in developed countries but appear to minimize NPLs in some developing countries. Overall, the significance and predictive power of each bank-specific factor (excluding loan diversification), regulatory variable and macroeconomic indicator in explaining NPLs depends on regional factors (less significantly) and country-specific factors (more significantly).

This paper is based on a research which explored sexual scripts in the lives of people with cerebral palsy. To assess the utility of the study protocol, aimed at exploring the relative salience of public, interactional and private sexual scripts as described by people with cerebral palsy, a pilot study was conducted. This paper discusses the development and results of the pilot study used to test the accessibility and trustworthiness (credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability) of the study protocol. This paper also outlines the utilization of the pilot study in the modification of the final study protocol. Consistent with the aims of the pilot study networks were established which facilitated recruitment of individuals within the sampling frame and also provided participants for the main study. The trustworthiness of the study was confirmed through an assessment of the credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability of the interview guide. Transferability was achieved through the provision of evidence of the analytic process which may allow other researchers to repeat, as closely as possible the procedures of this project. Dependability and confirmability of the data collection, analysis, theory production and the level to which the study¡¯s findings are supported by the collected data were ensured through the employment of an independent audit of the research methods by a competent peer. The pilot study confirmed the availability of participant networks as well as the accessibility and trustworthiness of the study protocol. Pilot studies continue to be a medium to test research methodology and apply necessary amendments in order to conduct larger studies.

Civil society has been regard as a prerequisite for democracy, and social networks and interpersonal trust are two important elements of civil society. By using data from the Asian Barometer Survey, this study investigates the effects of social networks and interpersonal trust on public support for democracy in three East Asian democracies – Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The results of statistical analysis show that social networks, rather than interpersonal trust, exert significant positive effects on public support for democracy in Japan and Taiwan. By contrast, it is interpersonal trust to affect public support for democracy in South Korea. Nonetheless, it should also be noted that trust in political institutions, democratic values, and education far outweigh social networks and interpersonal trust to impact public support for democracy in these East Asian democracies.

We examined the causes of poor sanitary condition in Gbawe, a low-income suburb of Accra, the capital city of Ghana in the current era of one of the worst epidemics of cholera in Accra which has been linked to improper disposal of wastes. This survey-based study identified improved and unimproved methods for disposal of household solid wastes. The likelihood of a person using an improved method of disposing solid wastes increased with increasing household income but it decreased with increasing number of household members. A conclusion arising from the study is the need for local government authorities to abolish the fees and charges imposed on users of public waste collection centres in order to encourage proper disposal of solid wastes. Indirect methods of financing local authorities such as increased levels of property taxes need to be explored to finance the development and maintenance of adequate numbers of public waste collection centres to encourage proper disposal of solid wastes by householders and the general public.

This paper presents a construction of a new index that measures the role of banks in supporting pro-development activities and poverty alleviation. The index is called “Intermediation for Development Index (IFDI)”. It consists of four sub-indices (dimensional indices). The first sub-index is the Size Index (SI). It measures the size of a bank by its total assets and total deposits. The second sub-index is the Financial Intermediation Index (FII ) . It measures the function of a bank as a financial intermediary. The third sub-index is the Financial Orientation Index (FOI). It measures to what extent a bank is oriented to corporate vs. retail finance. The fourth sub-index is the Regional Orientation Index (ROI). It measures to what extent a bank is oriented to provide finance to the poorest region in the country.

This study uses a case study method to examine the spin-offs of Asus and Yulon. Both companies show negative cumulated abnormal returns after spin-off announcements and then return to the anchoring price as at the announcement day. The results are in contrast to the findings of Veld et al. (2004) and Schipper and Smith (1986). However, our results are consistent with Nanda¡¯s (1991) asymmetric information argument. Nanda (1991) suggests that the negative returns on the announcement day reflect overvaluation of the subsidiary company. The evidence shows that an anchoring effect is prevalent in companies conducting spin-offs in 2003. Also, the case study of ¡°Asus Rule¡± in Asus¡¯ spin-off points out the necessity of dynamic adjustments in industry policies in emerging markets.

Businesses evolveover time and the degree of risk and the needs for financing evolve, too. In the early stages of a business, thebusiness is small and most of the financing comes from the entrepreneur andfrom retained earnings of the business. After a business achieves a certain size, external financing is neededsuch as venture capital, new stockholders’ equity, and bonds. Over the last one hundred years, individualsproviding external funding to businesses have demanded more and betterinformation. Currently, Sarbanes-Oxley requiresboth information and evidence that the information is correct. Thus, companies are required to have internalcontrols that validate the information provided to stakeholders and to have theauditors confirm the quality of the internal control mechanisms.

Despite increases in foreign aid inflow to Haiti, the country remains one of the poorest in the world. Findings regarding the benefits of foreign aid have been inconsistent. The purpose of this quantitative, archival study was to examine the extent to which total foreign aid explained gross domestic savings, gross domestic investment, and GDP growth rates in Haiti from 1975 to 2010 after 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year time lags. Foreign aid was disaggregated into grants and concessional loans. Data were drawn from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development from 1970 to 2010. To analyze the extent to which total foreign aid predicted gross domestic savings and gross domestic investment, weighted least squares regression analyses were conducted, with per capita income, interest rates, and inflation rates as covariates. To examine the degree to which total foreign aid predicted GDP growth rates, multiple linear regression analyses were conducted, with consumption, government spending, gross domestic investment, and net trade balance as covariates. Foreign aid did not predict gross domestic savings for 3-year time lag, F (5, 30) = 1.32, p =.28; 4-year time lag, F (5, 30) = 1.24, p =.32, or 5-year time lag, F(5,30) = 1.30, p =.15. Foreign aid did not predict gross domestic investment for 3-year time lag, F(5, 30) = 1.49, p =.22; 4-year time lag, F(5,30)= 1.73, p =.16, or 5-year time lag, F(5, 30) = 2.29, p =.07. Foreign aid did not predict GDP growth rates for 3-year time lag, F(6, 29), p =.44; 4-year time lag, F(6, 29) = 1.11, p =.38, or 5-year time lag F(6, 29) = 0.83, p =.56. Findings showed that foreign aid inflows to Haiti have not predicted improved economic development. Future research should focus on determining the relationship between foreign aid and government investment in infrastructure, education, health, and social projects. The discussion should shift from whether foreign aid flows to developing countries are effective to how to make the allocation of foreign aid inflows more effective. The result would be improved use of the inflow of foreign aid and improved economic and social progress in developing nations.