An analysis of the distribution and price determinants of Airbnb rentals in Malta

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Fearne
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Pricing Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Ols Regression ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is twofold: to explore the distribution and pricing characteristics of Airbnb listings in Malta as at May 2019; and to develop a pricing model to determine the factors which have a statistically significant impact on price per night of listings. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive analysis of location and pricing of listings was undertaken via heat mapping techniques. A cross-sectional ordinary least squares (OLS) regression was run to determine the statistically significant variables. Findings Listings tend to cluster around not only in traditional tourist towns but also in rural areas which opens up new opportunities for tourist lodging. The Southern Harbour region was found to be the most expensive with the Gozo and Comino region being the least expensive. The coefficients of the pricing regression model were in line with a priori expectations. Research limitations/implications The study is based on a cross-sectional data set and thus fails to account for seasonal changes in prices. Likewise, the use of an OLS regression without incorporating quantile regression methods or spatial autocorrelation econometric techniques is another limitation of this study. Originality/value The paper is one of the few related to sharing economy rental platforms, particularly in Malta. It is also the first study in Malta to develop a comprehensive pricing model to determine what affects a listing’s price per night and the extent to which certain factors do so.

Loan repayment performance of clients of informal lending institutions

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Goodluck Charles ◽  
Neema Mori
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Absorption Capacity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Loan Repayment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Lending Institutions

Purpose The purpose of this article is to examine the effects that dynamic incentives and the borrowing histories of clients of informal lending institutions have on loan repayment performance, in particular, the extent to which multiple borrowing and progressive lending affect the repayment of loans. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a data set of 835 borrowers drawn from an informal lending institution in Tanzania. Descriptive analysis and econometric models are used to test the developed hypotheses. Findings Whereas clients with multiple loans are associated with poor loan repayment, progressive lending contributes to positive repayment outcomes. Multiple borrowers face increased debt levels and thereby an increased inability to meet their repayment obligations; in contrast, progressive lending by building up a lender–client relationship helps clients to obtain higher loans with a minimum amount of screening. Research limitations/implications This was a cross-sectional study based on a sample of individual clients drawn from a single institution. However, since the majority of clients had also taken out loans with other financial institutions, the sample is considered to be representative. Practical implications A client’s past repayment performance and multiple loan history must be assessed so that multiple borrowing can be prevented and credit absorption capacity can be gauged more accurately. The repeated nature of the interactions and the threat to cut off any future lending (if loans are not repaid) can be exploited to overcome any information deficit. Originality/value This study was conducted in a context in which the degree of information sharing was low and institutional access to clients’ credit histories was limited. It contributes knowledge on how lenders minimise the risk flowing from the ex ante information gap and moral hazards arising from the ex post information gap.

Exploring the link between vulnerability of energy systems and social acceptance of renewable energy in two selected districts of Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1089-1122
Author(s):  
Stephen Korutaro Nkundabanyanga ◽  
Moses Muhwezi ◽  
Doreen Musimenta ◽  
Sharon Nuwasiima ◽  
Grace Muganga Najjemba
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Diffusion Of Innovations ◽  
Social Acceptance ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Ols Regression ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to show preliminary evidence of the link between the perceived low vulnerability of vital energy systems (LVRE) and social acceptance of renewable energy (SARE) while treating environmental opportunities and threats (EOPT), renewable energy technological innovations (TECH) and business model innovations as possible antecedents. Design/methodology/approach The objectives are delivered through a survey of 199 households (potential and actual customers/suppliers of electric power and renewable energy gadgets in Kampala and Wakiso districts of Uganda), and the data obtained were analysed using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. Findings Both LVRE and EOPT, on their own, significantly predict SARE. TECH significantly mediate in the relation between EOPT and SARE. The highest form of SARE is market acceptance. Also, the current state of vulnerability of vital energy systems in the two Ugandan districts seems to espouse energy security as the real value of renewable energy. The study further finds that to deliver high SARE, there is a need to encompass potential user performance expectations of renewable energy technologies. Research implications/limitation Because the current results are from only two cities (districts) of Uganda and also based on a non-probability sample, generalizing them can be considered remote. In other words, it appears that more complex models need developing and testing in the future concerning LVRE and SARE. The present preliminary results are offered as a stimulus to such efforts. Well, it is expected, and, consistent with the diffusion of innovations theory (Rogers, 1995), that the population in Kampala and Wakiso districts are potential change agents (i.e. capable of influencing others in rural areas of Uganda). Originality/value The study estimates the direct and indirect effects to show how strongly TECH operate. Basing on OLS regression coefficients, the indirect effects are larger. Using the medgraph, we find probably for the first time, the adoption of technological innovation explains a significant part of the link between EOPT and SARE in the current study setting.

Spatial and socioeconomic analysis of host participation in the sharing economy

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 983-1009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Avijit Sarkar ◽  
Mehrdad Koohikamali ◽  
James B. Pick
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Supply Side ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Ols Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Socioeconomic Analysis ◽  
Proportionate Change ◽  
Rental Markets

Purpose In recent years, short-term sharing accommodation platforms such as Airbnb have made rapid forays in populous cities worldwide, impacting neighborhoods profoundly. Emerging work has focused on demand-side motivations to engage in the sharing economy. The purpose of this paper is to analyze rarely examined supply-side motivations of providers. Design/methodology/approach To address this gap and to illuminate understanding of how Airbnb supply is configured and influenced, this study examines spatial patterns and socioeconomic influences on participation in the sharing accommodation economy by Airbnb hosts in New York City (NYC). An exploratory conceptual model of host participation is induced, which posits associations of demographic, economic, employment, social capital attributes, and attitudes toward trust and sustainability with host participation, measured by Airbnb property density in neighborhoods. Methods employed include ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, k-means cluster analysis and spatial analytics. Findings Spatially, clusters of high host densities are in Manhattan and northern Brooklyn and there is little proportionate change longitudinally. OLS regression findings reveal that gender ratio, black race/ethnicity, median household income, and professional, scientific, and technical occupation, and attitudes toward sustainability for property types are dominant correlates of property density, while host trust in customers is not supported. Research limitations/implications These results along with differences between Queens and Manhattan boroughs have implications for hosts sharing their homes and for city managers to formulate policies and regulate short-term rental markets in impacted neighborhoods. Originality/value The study is novel in conceptualizing and analyzing the supply-side provider motivations of the sharing accommodation economy. Geostatistical analysis of property densities to gauge host participation is novel. Value stems from new insights on NYC’s short-term homesharing market.

Determinants of housing prices in Baku: empirical analyses

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khatai Aliyev ◽  
Mehin Amiraslanova ◽  
Nigar Bakirova ◽  
Narmin Eynizada
Keyword(s):  
Housing Market ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Polynomial Regression ◽  
Housing Prices ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Real Estate Market ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting

Purpose This paper aims to reveal major factors affecting housing prices (flats and houses) in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan Republic. Design/methodology/approach Based on cross-sectional data set of 497 flats and 443 houses, polynomial regression models are estimated for flats and houses separately. Regression models are estimated by using ordinary least squares. Findings Location, largeness, repair level and existence of bill of sale are major price determinants for flats. For houses, number of rooms also matters. Findings reveals that houses are land intensive (more floors, less land area) toward city center, and vice versa. Price difference due to existence of bill of sale diminishes significantly toward the surrounding areas. Research limitations/implications The data set represents view of sellers and does not take into consideration price bargaining in time of sale; probability of information asymmetries exists which not could accounted for, and urgency of sale is not considered. Practical implications Estimation results can be used for housing valuation by real estate market participants and investors. Social implications Research findings reveal importance of bill of sale as a major price determinant and expected to attract policymakers’ attention to solve such a big social problem. Additionally, models can be based for price estimations in Baku housing market. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by empirically analyzing housing market in Baku, Azerbaijan. Research produces new practically valuable findings.

Do outside directors matter? the impact of prestigious CEOs on firm performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 284-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Zhang ◽  
Zhe Zhang ◽  
Ming Jia ◽  
Yeyao Ren
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Outside Directors ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Ols Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The effect of prestigious CEOs on firm performance is not clear. By integrating resource dependence and agency theories, this paper aims to focus on how prestigious CEOs affect firm performance and how informal relations between the CEO and outside directors affect agency costs and resource benefits associated with prestigious CEOs. Design/methodology/approach The authors use ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to analyze their data set, which is conducted by a sample of 4,226 Chinese listed firms from 2009 to 2013. The authors also use OLS regression to assess the sensitivity and robustness of their findings. Findings The findings indicate that prestigious CEOs are significantly and positively associated with firm performance. Moreover, the authors find the effect of prestigious CEOs on firm performance is more pronounced when prestigious outside directors interact with prestigious CEOs. Guanxi – a Chinese concept similar to camaraderie – attenuates this association, particularly when the CEO and outside directors share the same surname. Research limitations/implications Future research should consider whether there is a mediating link between prestigious affiliates (i.e. CEOs) and firm performance. Practical/implications This paper provides two practical implications. First, China Securities Regulatory Commission policymakers should pay more attention to outside directors’ quality and ability and their informal guanxi with the CEO. Second, prestigious CEOs may also have potential costs. Originality/value This study contributes to corporate governance literature and CEO-board relations literature by shedding light on how resource dependence and agency theories apply to corporate governance.

scholarly journals Fighting African conflicts and crimes: which governance tools matter?

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 466-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simplice Asongu ◽  
Oasis Kodila-Tedika
Keyword(s):  
Political Stability ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Development ◽  
Security Officers ◽  
Governance Tools

Purpose – Crimes and conflicts are seriously undermining African development. The purpose of this paper is to assess the best governance tools in the fight against the scourges. Design/methodology/approach – The authors assess a sample of 38 African countries. Owing to the cross-sectional structure of the data set, the authors adopt a heteroscedasticity consistent ordinary least squares estimation technique. For further robustness purposes, the authors employ Ramsey’s regression equation specification error test. Findings – The following findings are established. First, democracy, autocracy and voice and accountability have no significant negative correlations with crime. Second, the increasing relevance of government quality in the fight is as follows: regulation quality, government effectiveness, political stability, rule of law and corruption-control. Third, corruption-control is the most effective mechanism in fighting crime (conflicts). Practical implications – The findings are significantly strong when controlling for age dependency, number of police (and security) officers, per capita economic prosperity, educational level and population density. Justifications for the edge of corruption-control (as the most effective governance tool) and policy implications are discussed. Originality/value – The study is timely given the political instability, wars and conflicts currently marring African development.

Financial distress determinants among SMEs: empirical evidence from Sweden

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 547-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darush Yazdanfar ◽  
Peter Öhman
Keyword(s):  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Global Financial Crisis ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Global Financial Crisis

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to empirically investigate determinants of financial distress among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) during the global financial crisis and post-crisis periods.Design/methodology/approachSeveral statistical methods, including multiple binary logistic regression, were used to analyse a longitudinal cross-sectional panel data set of 3,865 Swedish SMEs operating in five industries over the 2008–2015 period.FindingsThe results suggest that financial distress is influenced by macroeconomic conditions (i.e. the global financial crisis) and, in particular, by various firm-specific characteristics (i.e. performance, financial leverage and financial distress in previous year). However, firm size and industry affiliation have no significant relationship with financial distress.Research limitationsDue to data availability, this study is limited to a sample of Swedish SMEs in five industries covering eight years. Further research could examine the generalizability of these findings by investigating other firms operating in other industries and other countries.Originality/valueThis study is the first to examine determinants of financial distress among SMEs operating in Sweden using data from a large-scale longitudinal cross-sectional database.

Does membership of local Chambers of Commerce networks enhance rural SME performance?: An empirical analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pattanapong Tiwasing ◽  
Sukanlaya Sawang
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Business Performance ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Business Networks ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chamber Of Commerce ◽  
Chambers Of Commerce

PurposeLocal Chambers of Commerce networks provide small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with an opportunity to access essential information and networking with other businesses, resulting in improved business performance. However, rural SMEs are less likely to participate in these networks and often possess lower performance. This paper aims to examine the relationship between being members of local Chambers of Commerce networks and rural SMEs’ performance by comparing business performance between rural SMEs who are members and non-members of local Chambers of Commerce networks. This paper also further explores difference in business growth plans between rural SMEs members and non-members.Design/methodology/approachThe empirical analysis draws on cross-sectional data of 3,769 rural SMEs in England and Wales from the UK's Government Longitudinal Small Business Survey 2015. Propensity score matching (PSM) is applied to control for selection bias and variations in business characteristics before comparing business performance, measured in terms of annual turnover, sale growth and profitability, between rural SMEs that are members and non-members of local Chambers of Commerce networks.FindingsOur results show that rural SME members of local Chambers of Commerce networks are more likely to grow their sales than non-members. However, they perform as good as non-members in terms of turnover and profitability. The results also emphasise that local Chambers of Commerce networks are crucial for rural SMEs to develop the skills of the workforce and leadership capability of managers, new product/service development and new working practices. Therefore, to enhance rural SMEs' performance, tailoring the services of local Chambers of Commerce to support rural businesses' needs and encouraging rural SMEs to make use of business networks are recommended.Practical implicationsThe paper unpacks the relationships between being local Chamber of Commerce membership and business performance, offering lessons for rural SMEs to boost their business performance and growth through participating in local business association networks.Originality/valueThis paper is the first study that explores the comparative analysis of business performance and growth plans between rural SMEs that are members and non-members of the local Chamber of Commerce networks. We provide an empirical evidence-based analysis to existing literature regarding the advantages of being local Chamber of Commerce memberships to enhance business performance in rural areas.

scholarly journals Integrated management systems diffusion models in South European countries

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 2289-2303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mónica Cabecinhas ◽  
Pedro Domingues ◽  
Paulo Sampaio ◽  
Merce Bernardo ◽  
Fiorenzo Franceschini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Integrated Management ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Iso 14001 ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Saturation Level ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
The South ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to dissect the diffusion of the number of organizations that implemented multiple management systems (MSs), considering the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards (quality, environment and safety) in the South European countries: Italy, Portugal and Spain. In addition, based on the data collected, forecasting models were developed to assess at which extent the multiple certifications are expected to occur in each studied country. Design/methodology/approach Data concerning the evolution of the amount of multiple MSs in Italy, Portugal and Spain were collected for the period between 1999 and 2015. The behavior of the evolution of the number of MSs over the years was studied adopting both the Gompertz and the Logistic models. The results obtained with these two models were compared and analyzed to provide a forecast for the next years. Findings The diffusion throughout the years of the number of MSs presents an S-shaped behavior. The evolution of the amount of MSs in countries with a lower saturation level are properly fitted by the Gompertz model whereas the Logistic model fits more accurately when considering countries with a larger saturation level. Research limitations/implications The data related to the early years are not available in some of the countries. To overcome this shortcoming missing data were extrapolated from the data set provided by the annual ISO survey. Additionally, the integration level attained by each company was not assessed and, on this regard and in the scope of this paper, an integrated management system is understood as implemented when organizations have multiple MSs implemented. Practical implications The results provide a cross-sectional portrayal of the diffusion of MSs certifications in the South European countries and enable a forecast for the trend in the next years. Originality/value This study aims for the first time, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, to analyze the diffusion of multiple MSs throughout the years.

The impact of investment on drinking water quality in rural China

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-269
Author(s):  
Ai Yue ◽  
Yaojiang Shi ◽  
Renfu Luo ◽  
Linxiu Zhang ◽  
Natalie Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Representative Data ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Although access to safe drinking water is one of the most important health-related infrastructure programs in the world, drinking water remains a large problem in China today, especially in rural areas. Despite increased government investment in water resource protection and management, there is still an absence of academic studies that are able to document what path the investment has taken and whether it has had any tangible impact. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of drinking water investment on drinking water in China. Design/methodology/approach The authors make use of nationally representative data from 2005 and 2012 to measure the impact of drinking water investment among 2,028 rural households in 101 villages across five provinces. Both ordinary least squares regression and probit regression are used to analyze the correlates and the impact of drinking water investment. Findings The authors demonstrate that water quality was likely a significant problem in 2004 but that China’s investment into drinking water appears to have resulted in initial improvements during the study period. The authors show that the most significant change came about in terms of hardware: villages that received more drinking water investment now have more piped tap water and more access to water treatment infrastructure (disinfecting and filtering facilities). High rates of rural resident satisfaction with drinking water suggest the effects of drinking water investment are being felt at the village level. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical study on drinking water investment over time in rural China using nationally representative data.

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