scholarly journals Is corruption distasteful or just another cost of doing business?

Public Choice ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritwik Banerjee ◽  
Amadou Boly ◽  
Robert Gillanders
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Norm ◽  
Lab Experiment ◽  
Objective Information ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Using Data

AbstractUsing data from a lab experiment carried out in Kenya, we show that while “legitimate” costs and costs imposed by corruption both deter investment, the latter is no more of a disincentive than the former. We interpret the evidence as consistent with the conclusion that our participants viewed corruption as just another cost of doing business. We also experimented with giving participants in some treatments information about the corruption expectations of participants in previous sessions and the actual extent of corruption in previous sessions. We find some evidence that the objective information actually increased investment without changing the participants’ own expectations regarding corruption. That result is compatible with the idea that revealing the level of corruption changes the descriptive norm and facilitates investment in a corrupt environment.

Evolution of top management’s understanding of product quality in Eastern Europe since the end of communism

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-100
Author(s):  
Svetoslav Georgiev ◽  
Emil Georgiev
Keyword(s):  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Product Quality ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the evolution of top management’s understanding of product quality in Bulgaria since the end of communism. The study examines three specific areas: top management’s understanding of the term “quality”; top management’s understanding of the relationship between quality and business performance; and top management’s understanding of the impact of job position on quality. Design/methodology/approach The paper relies on a quantitative research approach by using data from a survey of 186 companies in Bulgaria. Findings The paper suggests that senior managers in Bulgaria continue to base their understanding of “quality” on a single approach (*a characteristic of the communist era), with the product-based and the user-based approaches currently being the two most common ones. At the same time, surprisingly enough, this study claims that senior management in Bulgaria is currently well aware of the importance of quality as a dimension of firm’s competitiveness, and is also highly conscious of its roles’ impact on product quality. Research limitations/implications The results of this study are exclusively based on the case of Bulgaria and must be treated with caution in the case of other former communist states from the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region. Practical implications This paper has relevance for both managers and companies doing business in Eastern Europe. Originality/value This is the first paper to provide detailed analysis of the evolution of the understanding of “product quality” in CEE since the end of communism. Moreover, this paper applies, for the first time, Garvin’s five approaches to defining quality within a practical context.

Investment obstacles to sustainable development and competitiveness index

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faris Alshubiri
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Competitiveness ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
Significance Levels ◽  
Government Bureaucracy ◽  
Competitiveness Index ◽  
Using Data

PurposeThis paper was aimed to develop better knowledge to show how obstacles impact Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in investment business on the global competitiveness index (GCI). This study was applied to six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies to analyse and classify investment obstacles in order to improve GCI and mitigate the obstacles to doing business.Design/methodology/approachThis study used the 12 pillars of the GCI to classify six GCC countries and 15 factors of SDGs using data from 2008 to 2017. The data were collected from the International Monetary Fund and GCI reports from 2008 to 2018 on all six GCC countries: the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar. The paper adopted equations to analyse the GCI, along with 15 obstacles to doing investment business. The paper used regression and correlation tests by two proxies: obstacles to SDGs as an independent variable and the GCI as a dependent variable.FindingsThe findings of this study focussed on the best classification of the GCI, which went to Qatar, whereas the lowest rank went to Oman. The major components of obstacles to doing investment business are restrictive labour regulations, access to financing and inefficient government bureaucracy factors. These obstacles stand in the way of achieving SDGs and delay the improvement of the competitive field. Hence, the results of the regression test show that there is a negative and statistically significant impact in Oman, Kuwait and the UAE between obstacles to doing business on the GCI at the significance levels of 1% and 5%. The Pearson correlation matrix is strong between obstacles to SDGs, as the same elements of the GCI also exist in these countries, at 55.2%, 75% and 55.5%, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations related to the study period being from 2008 to 2017. Before 2008, the GCI consisted of nine pillars rather than 12, and there were 14 problems rather than 15 related to doing investment business. Hence, this does not match with the period of this study. Furthermore, the reports after 2017 did not mention the problems of doing business, only analysing the GCI.Practical implicationsThe results of the study highlight the strategic and practical aspects of GCC countries diagnosing the SDGs to know how to reduce obstacles to sustainable development, which can enhance investments by improving the GCI.Originality/valueThe current study measured and evaluated how to mitigate the obstacles to SDGs in the GCC countries. It is the first study to explain these obstacles in the GCC countries, which are characterised by their huge wealth that contributes significantly to global economic development.

scholarly journals Transnational Entrepreneurship & Ghanaians Abroad: What are the Motives? A Case Study in Europe and United States of America.

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-222
Author(s):  
Elvis Asiedu
Keyword(s):  
Average Score ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Transnational Entrepreneurship ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Managerial Capabilities

Using data collected from Ghanaians living in the United Kingdom, and the USA; this research examined the motives that drive the performance of transnational entrepreneurship, the mobility involves and why such businesses normally fail. The study was conducted in 2013-2017; with a population size of 120 Ghanaians living in the UK and the USA. The objective was to find out what really drives the performance of these entrepreneurs who operate in a condition where costs may be known but rewards are uncertain, yet they are motivated. The research employed both deductive and exploratory approach and the methods were both primary and secondary. The study focused on small-scale entrepreneurs who run their businesses through personal social connections.The general results show that though individuals motives for seeking self-employment are diverse and numerous; and differ on certain points. However, there are some basic motives common to all and that is majority of the respondents with the average score of 63.3% supported that Economic Mobility, Financial Independence, Success Perspective, and Social Factors, are the most driven factors for the engagement in transnational entrepreneurship.  We discovered that in a small-scale business, where most often do not have the needed managerial capabilities to engage in corporation, trust can be used to avoid loses that might come as a result of someone’s misconduct.  We also discovered that the successes of these entrepreneurs are based on attitudinal; the degree of embededdness in the home country; personal and the institutional regulations of the destination countries. The results found that Ghana Transnational Entrepreneurs (GTE) are more into Merchandising Business with (59.21%) as compared to Service Business (34.21%) and Manufacturing Business (10.53%); and such businesses are managed and run mostly by their families (59.21%). Ashanti Region of Ghana was spotted to be more involved in doing business with 52.63%. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 4, Issue-3: 210-222

MEASUREMENT SUPPORT IN SOFTWARE ENGINEERING ENVIRONMENTS

1994 ◽  
Vol 04 (03) ◽  
pp. 409-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPHER M. LOTT
Keyword(s):  
Software Engineering ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Software Systems ◽  
Maturity Model ◽  
Software Products ◽  
Capability Maturity ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Automated Support ◽  
Guidelines And Standards

The use of empirical data to understand and improve software products and software engineering processes is gaining ever increasing attention. Empirical data from products and processes is needed to help an organization understand and improve its way of doing business in the software domain. Additional motivation for collecting and using data is provided by the need to conform to guidelines and standards which mandate measurement, specifically the SEI’s Capability Maturity Model and ISO 9000–3. Some software engineering environments (SEEs) offer automated support for collecting and, in a few cases, using empirical data. Measurement will clearly play a significant role in future SEEs. The paper surveys the trend towards supporting measurement in SEEs and gives details about several existing research and commercial software systems.

Justifying Affirmative Action: Highway Construction in Louisiana

ILR Review ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Lunn ◽  
Huey L. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Affirmative Action ◽  
Highway Construction ◽  
Ratio Analysis ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Construction Firms ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
Using Data

Using data from Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development for the years 1985–89 and a 1990 survey of construction firms doing business in Louisiana, the authors examine whether firms owned by minorities and women faced discrimination in the awarding of contracts in the state's public highway construction program. No evidence of discrimination is shown by a regression analysis, and only weak, ambiguous evidence of discrimination is shown by a disparity ratio analysis. The authors conclude that the sampled firms did not face discrimination in the years examined.

Polar Magnetic Field Reversals of the Sun in Maunder Minimum

2000 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 193-196
Author(s):  
V. I. Makarov ◽  
A. G. Tlatov
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Maunder Minimum ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Annual Rings ◽  
Field Reversal ◽  
Polar Magnetic Field ◽  
Pine Trees ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Magnetic Field Reversal

AbstractA possible scenario of polar magnetic field reversal of the Sun during the Maunder Minimum (1645–1715) is discussed using data of magnetic field reversals of the Sun for 1880–1991 and the14Ccontent variations in the bi-annual rings of the pine-trees in 1600–1730 yrs.

Accent Policy and Accent Modification Enterprises as Potential Indicators of Intercultural Power Relations: A Call for an Updated Research Agenda

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brynne D. Ovalle ◽  
Rahul Chakraborty
Keyword(s):  
International Relations ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
Social Theory ◽  
Power Relations ◽  
Linguistic Diversity ◽  
Cultural Organization ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

This article has two purposes: (a) to examine the relationship between intercultural power relations and the widespread practice of accent discrimination and (b) to underscore the ramifications of accent discrimination both for the individual and for global society as a whole. First, authors review social theory regarding language and group identity construction, and then go on to integrate more current studies linking accent bias to sociocultural variables. Authors discuss three examples of intercultural accent discrimination in order to illustrate how this link manifests itself in the broader context of international relations (i.e., how accent discrimination is generated in situations of unequal power) and, using a review of current research, assess the consequences of accent discrimination for the individual. Finally, the article highlights the impact that linguistic discrimination is having on linguistic diversity globally, partially using data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and partially by offering a potential context for interpreting the emergence of practices that seek to reduce or modify speaker accents.

Modeling Self-Determination Theory Motivation Data by Using Unfolding IRT

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Philipp A. Freund ◽  
Annette Lohbeck
Keyword(s):  
Ideal Point ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Dominance Model ◽  
Irt Model ◽  
Autonomous Behavior ◽  
Location Parameters ◽  
Unfolding Models ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Item Location

Abstract. Self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that the degree of autonomous behavior regulation is a characteristic of distinct motivation types which thus can be ordered on the so-called Autonomy-Control Continuum (ACC). The present study employs an item response theory (IRT) model under the ideal point response/unfolding paradigm in order to model the response process to SDT motivation items in theoretical accordance with the ACC. Using data from two independent student samples (measuring SDT motivation for the academic subjects of Mathematics and German as a native language), it was found that an unfolding model exhibited a relatively better fit compared to a dominance model. The item location parameters under the unfolding paradigm showed clusters of items representing the different regulation types on the ACC to be (almost perfectly) empirically separable, as suggested by SDT. Besides theoretical implications, perspectives for the application of ideal point response/unfolding models in the development of measures for non-cognitive constructs are addressed.

From Bi-Dimensionality to Uni-Dimensionality in Self-Report Questionnaires

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bjarne Schmalbach ◽  
Markus Zenger ◽  
Michalis P. Michaelides ◽  
Karin Schermelleh-Engel ◽  
Andreas Hinz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Factor Model ◽  
Common Factor ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Self Report ◽  
External Criterion ◽  
Common Factor Model ◽  
Random Intercept ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Core Self

Abstract. The common factor model – by far the most widely used model for factor analysis – assumes equal item intercepts across respondents. Due to idiosyncratic ways of understanding and answering items of a questionnaire, this assumption is often violated, leading to an underestimation of model fit. Maydeu-Olivares and Coffman (2006) suggested the introduction of a random intercept into the model to address this concern. The present study applies this method to six established instruments (measuring depression, procrastination, optimism, self-esteem, core self-evaluations, and self-regulation) with ambiguous factor structures, using data from representative general population samples. In testing and comparing three alternative factor models (one-factor model, two-factor model, and one-factor model with a random intercept) and analyzing differential correlational patterns with an external criterion, we empirically demonstrate the random intercept model’s merit, and clarify the factor structure for the above-mentioned questionnaires. In sum, we recommend the random intercept model for cases in which acquiescence is suspected to affect response behavior.

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