The effects of trade unions on economic performance: evidence from Chinese provincial-level data

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Guo ◽  
Patrice Laroche
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
National Level ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Provincial Level ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Economic Regions

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate union effects on wages, employment, and productivity in China. The relationships between unionization and these three economic variables are first tested at the national level and then examined in the eastern, central, and western regions, respectively.Design/methodology/approachProvincial-level panel data from 1994 to 2014 are used in this study, compiled from various Chinese Statistics Year Books, and covering 29 provinces. The Ordinary Least Square is firstly employed to examine union impacts. Then, in view of the endogeneity of unionization, the Two-Stage Least Square estimation with instrument variables is adopted to reexamine union effects. Overidentification tests are conducted, verifying the validity of these instruments.FindingsAt the national level, Chinese unions have significantly positive effects on wages but no significant effect on employment and productivity. In the eastern region, unions are significantly related to increased employment. In the western region, union activity not only significantly promotes wages but also improves productivity. In the central region, unionization has no significant impact. These findings suggest that equipping Chinese unions with a collective and cooperative face can generally help them improve workers' interests. Their effectiveness varies across the three economic regions.Originality/valueCompared with the survey data conducted in certain cities and industries, the provincial-level panel data used in this article have the advantage of capturing the overall effects of unionization. An instrument variable method is used to address the endogeneity issue. After exploring union effects at the national level, this paper focuses on observing the differences in union roles in three economic regions.

scholarly journals The prevalence of ill-treatment and bullying at work in Ireland

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-264
Author(s):  
Victoria Hogan ◽  
Margaret Hodgins ◽  
Duncan Lewis ◽  
Sarah Maccurtain ◽  
Patricia Mannix-McNamara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Workplace Bullying ◽  
National Level ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
National Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Irish Data ◽  
Behaviour Study ◽  
National Probability Sample

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the prevalence of ill-treatment and bullying experienced by Irish workers and to explore individual and organisational predictors. The most recent national figures available are specific to bullying and predate the economic recession; therefore, this study is timely and investigates a broader range of negative behaviours.Design/methodology/approachA questionnaire survey study on a national probability sample of Irish employees was conducted (N = 1,764). The study design replicated the methodology employed in the British workplace behaviour study.FindingsThe results showed that 43% of Irish workers had experienced ill-treatment at work over the past two years, with 9% meeting the criteria for experiencing workplace bullying. A number of individual and organisational factors were found to be significantly associated with the experience of ill-treatment at work.Research limitations/implicationsThis study provides national-level data on workplace ill-treatment and bullying that are directly comparable to British study findings.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate that a significant number of Irish workers experience ill-treatment at work, and that workplace bullying does not appear to have decreased since the last national study was conducted in Ireland.Social implicationsThis study is of use to the Irish regulator and persons responsible for managing workplace bullying cases, as it identifies high-risk work situations and contributing individual factors.Originality/valueThis study provides national Irish data on workplace behaviour and ill-treatment following a severe economic recession.

Assessing the effects of flight delays, distance, number of passengers and seasonality on revenue

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (9) ◽  
pp. 2138-2149
Author(s):  
Murat Guven ◽  
Eyup Calik ◽  
Basak Cetinguc ◽  
Bulent Guloglu ◽  
Fethi Calisir
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Flight Delays ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Common Correlated Effects ◽  
Flight Delay ◽  
Airline Company

Purpose This study aims to investigate the effects of flight delays, distance, number of passengers and seasonality on revenue in the Turkish air transport industry. Design/methodology/approach The domestic return routes of a Turkish airline company were examined to address this issue. Among five cities and six airports, 14 major domestic return routes were selected. The augmented mean group (AMG) estimator and common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG) estimator were conducted with a two-way fixed effects (FE) robustness test in this study. Findings The results show that arrival flight delay and departure flight delay had negative effects on revenue, whereas the distance between airports, the number of air passengers and seasonality had positive effects on revenue. Research limitations/implications The data used in this study were retrieved from a Turkish airline company; for future research, other airline companies operating in Turkey may be included. Practical implications These findings could be evaluated by air transportation leaders to provide a guide to make strategic decisions to achieve greater performance in this competitive environment. Originality/value The originality of the paper comes from the facts that besides distance and number of passengers, the authors control for the seasonality when assessing the effects of flight delay on revenue; they use panel data techniques, which permit them to control for individual heterogeneity, and create more variability, more efficiency and less collinearity among the variables; they use two recent panel data techniques, CCEMG and AMG, allowing for cross-section dependence.

The determinants of profitability in Sharia-compliant corporations: evidence from Jordan

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 546-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nizar Mohammad Alsharari ◽  
Turki Raji Alhmoud
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
Voluntary Disclosure ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Management Style ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Return On Assets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Return On Equity ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Internal And External Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of profitability of 28 Sharia-compliant corporations in Jordan over the three-year period of 2013-2015. Design/methodology/approach The two-stage least square (2SLS) regression analysis with fixed effects was conducted using two measures of profitability, namely: return on assets and return on equity. The empirical data were collected from 28 Sharia-compliant corporations in Jordan over the study period. A variety of internal and external factors was used to determine profitability. Findings In general, this analysis of the determinants of profitability for Sharia-compliant corporations confirmed previous findings. Regression findings revealed that previous year profitability, debt ratio, organizational structure, the size of the audit firm and voluntary disclosure to be important determinants of profitability of Sharia-compliant corporations in Jordan from 2013 to 2015. The independent variables of firm size, ownership ratio greater than 5%, liquidity ratio, percentage of non-Jordanian ownership or the age of the firm were not found to significantly influence the profitability of the corporations studied. Research limitations/implications The authors determined that the independent variables selected, with few exceptions, behaved according to expectations. Moreover, the current literature on the influence of management on performance, and thus, profitability, does not consider the philosophy under which business is conducted (a limitation with respect to the type of business conducted). For example, Sharia-compliant and non-Sharia-compliant firms operate under different sets of principles and rules. This variance in business philosophies may have an important bearing on management style, an aspect that has been neglected in the organizational management literature. The panel data from a three-year period was insufficient to validate the consistency of the results; future researchers may increase the length of the study periods to confirm results and increase the robustness of the data collection method. Practical implications The findings from the study have implications that may be functional for businesses, investors and policymakers in their focus on the Sharia-compliant business sector in Jordan. The factors influencing profitability may inform the setting of regulatory policy designed to stabilize and sustain the performance of Sharia-compliant corporations more broadly. Originality/value This study contributes to the growing body of literature on Islamic finance, and can be considered one of a very few that have examined the internal and external determinants of the profitability of Sharia-compliant corporations in a developing country such as Jordan, using panel data.

Trade unions strategies to address inclusion of vulnerable employees in “anchored” services in Europe

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 848-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vassil Kirov ◽  
Pernille Hohnen
Keyword(s):  
Trade Unions ◽  
National Level ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Social Partner ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Content Type ◽  
European Trade ◽  
Desk Research

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how trade unions may address the questions of inclusion of vulnerable employees in low-wage “anchored” sectors in the European Union. Design/methodology/approach – The findings presented in the paper are mainly results of the analysis of stakeholder policies and strategies on the national level and on the European level, including both desk research and interviews with social partner representatives and other experts in the sectors as well as company case studies carried out in the examined countries in three selected sectors: cleaning, waste collection and catering. Findings – The main findings of the paper refer to the indirect way in which trade unions try to promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the examined sectors. On this basis are formulated policy recommendations. Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on case study research that does not cover all possible “anchored” services, vulnerable groups and types of countries, according to their employment and social models. Practical implications – This paper formulates practical recommendations to European trade unions in the services. Originality/value – The originality of the paper is related to comparative research focused on services sectors and the consequences of the spatial reorganisation of sectors for the trade union actions.

Barriers to growth of SMEs in Western Balkan countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naqeeb Ur Rehman ◽  
Arjona Çela ◽  
Fatbardha Morina ◽  
Kriselda Sulçaj Gura
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activity ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type

PurposeWestern Balkans countries (WBCs) have a great potential for growth and among the main focuses of entrepreneurial activity is small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector. Moreover, SMEs are believed to contribute in the economy by stimulating employment, increasing production, transferring new technologies and so forth. Due to this crucial importance the purpose of this paper is to analyze the barriers that hinder labor productivity (LP) of SMEs in WBCs.Design/methodology/approachThe research method employed to discover solution to this research problem is quantitative analysis by using survey data of World Bank. Research methodology applied in this paper found it correctly to use cross-sectional data and conducts a factor analysis and ordinary least square (OLS) regression as the best procedure for this type of data.FindingsThe results show variability for different countries access to finance, tax rates, tax administration, corruption, inadequately educated labor force, competition in informal sector and political instability appear to be some of the main obstacles that are negatively affecting LP of SMEs in WBC.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough this study is the first to analyze all the possible obstacles for the six WBCs using factor analysis better results could be obtained with larger samples and panel data.Practical implicationsThe policy implications of this study suggest that in order to boost productivity of these firms there must be a reduction of the barriers and improvement of business environment. Although, this study is the first to analyze all the possible obstacles for the six WBCs using factor analysis and contributes as insight to policy makers, better results could be obtained with larger samples using panel data.Originality/valueDifferently from previous studies this work uses explanatory factor analysis and method OLS to estimate regressions for all barriers in each country of Western Balkan region.

Technology transfer and its impact on innovation and firm performance: empirical evidence from Turkish export companies

Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omer Cinar ◽  
Serkan Altuntas ◽  
Mehmet Asif Alan
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
National Level ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the relationships between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach The relationship between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance is examined by using data obtained from 252 Turkish export firms, which are among the top 1,000 firms in terms of export volume in Turkey. To examine these relationships, a theoretical framework is empirically tested using structural equation modeling and tested via an empirical study of Turkish export companies. Findings The results of this study can benefit policymakers in government at the national level and company decision-makers at the firm level. Furthermore, an understanding of the relationship between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance may help firms to make correct technology transfer decisions and focus on the correct type of innovation to increase firm performance in practice. The findings indicate the positive effects of technology transfer on innovation and firm performance. In addition, innovation mediates the relationship between technology transfer and firm performance in Turkish export companies. This study suggests that decision-makers should transfer the right technology because well-realized technology transfers lead to the improvement of corporate innovation capacities and improvement of firm performances for export companies. Originality/value There is no study that fully examined the relationship between technology transfer, innovation and firm performance. The proposed literature-based theoretical framework in this study is novel for Turkish export companies.

Banking outreach, infrastructure development and regional growth

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harishankar Vidyarthi
Keyword(s):  
Panel Data ◽  
Income Elasticity ◽  
Regional Growth ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Data Framework ◽  
Long Run

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the dynamics between banking penetration, infrastructure development and regional growth within a multivariate framework in 23 Indian states over the period 2000-2012. Design/methodology/approach The study employs the multivariate panel data framework to analyze the dynamics between banking penetration, infrastructure development and regional growth within the vector error correction model (VECM) framework. Findings The findings confirm the long-run equilibrium relationship between banking penetration, infrastructure and income for the panel. Long-run income elasticity of infrastructure, estimated using Panel dynamic ordinary least square, is positive, statistically significant and has a value of 0.1531. Further, results show bidirectional causality between income and aggregate infrastructure and unidirectional causality running from banking penetration to income and aggregate infrastructure in the long run. However, there is unidirectional causality running from income to banking penetration and aggregate infrastructure and from banking penetration to aggregate infrastructure in the short run. Research limitations/implications The study mainly concentrates on the 2000-2012 period and includes transportation (roadways and railways), energy (including electricity) and telecommunication as indicators for infrastructure, as the data for these sectors are easily available at the state level. Second, this study employs the panel data technique as it has a shorter data count. Practical implications In order to minimize the existing regional disparity in a developing India, national infrastructure policies should be aimed toward improving the overall access to as well as the quality of infrastructure (existing as well as newly planned). Further, widening the banking outreach at the bottom level may further help the economy as well as the infrastructure sector in mobilizing long-term finances for productive investments, in order to have a balanced, more inclusive and faster growth in the long run. Originality/value The study employs panel unit root, cointegration and Granger causality tests within the panel VECM framework to explore the dynamics among the system variables. Further, the study creates a composite index of infrastructure with principle component analysis.

Explaining business excellence in Chinese firms: how does institutional relatedness matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Haifeng Yan ◽  
Qihu Wang ◽  
Yi Ke ◽  
Juan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Initial Public Offerings ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Foreign Firms ◽  
Chinese Firms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Public Offerings ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Business Excellence ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
Ordinary Least Square Regression

Purpose It is widely accepted that business excellence comes from firm-specific factors. However, it is still unclear how institutional relatedness – the degree of embeddedness with the dominant institutions that confer resources and legitimacy, influences the business excellence of the firm. The purpose of this study is to explore the influence of three kinds of institutional relatedness, i.e. home government ties, initial public offerings (IPOs) and alliances with foreign firms, on the business excellence of Chinese firms. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a sample of firms enlisted on the “Most Respected Companies” rank in China during the period 2002–2015 and their paired firms who are absent from the list, by means of ordinary least square regression estimator, to explore the relationship between institutional relatedness and business excellence. Findings The empirical results suggest that IPOs and alliances with foreign firms significantly strengthen firms’ business excellence. Furthermore, home government ties have positive effects on outbound IPOs and alliances with foreign firms but hinder business excellence. Originality/value This study extends the business excellence literature by characterizing institutional rather than firm-specific factors from an institution-based view. It also enriches research on outcomes of institutional relatedness through investigating empirically its impact on business excellence. The findings provide new insights into the dual role of home government ties in achieving business excellence.

Tracking sustainable development goals – a case study of Pakistan

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anam Javeed ◽  
Muhammad Yar Khan ◽  
Mobashar Rehman ◽  
Asif Khurshid
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
General Public ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
National Level ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The People ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Development Goals

PurposeThe aim of this study is to gather and analyse the information regarding the level of awareness and commitment of the public as well as the organizations of Pakistan pertaining to sustainable development goals (SDGs).Design/methodology/approachA sample of 500 respondents in total including employs and general public is selected for their opinion regarding SDGs. The data was collected by personal administration of questionnaires in organizations and general public. The data has been collected from federal and provincial capitals of Pakistan. The data has been analysed using Smart PLS and the hypothesized relationships have been tested using regression analysis.FindingsThe level of awareness as well as level of commitment towards the fulfilment of SDGs varies across the cities of Pakistan according to the business volume and their affiliation with the United Nations.Research limitations/implicationsThis study has been conducted in Pakistan only however a cross-country implementation of the framework and comparison would have yielded more in-depth facts.Practical implicationsThis study provides the policy makers with the ground-level data regarding the awareness and commitment of Pakistani organizations and public towards SDG fulfilment. A glance towards the attitudes of the people towards the subject could also be seen through this study. It could be further utilized and referred by other researchers for comparison with their own studies regarding SDGs.Originality/valueThis a comprehensive study conducted at federal and provincial level of Pakistan which has yielded ground realities towards the implementation of SDGs. The results could be used for policy making and planning at national level.

scholarly journals Board structure and corporate R&D intensity: evidence from Forbes global 2000

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 445-463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aws AlHares ◽  
Ahmed A. Elamer ◽  
Ibrahem Alshbili ◽  
Maha W. Moustafa
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
National Level ◽  
Oecd Countries ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Board Structure ◽  
Accounting Systems ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Anglo American ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of board structure on risk-taking measured by research and development (R&D) intensity in OECD countries. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a panel data of 200 companies on Forbes global 2000 over the 2010-2014 period. It uses the ordinary least square multiple regression analysis techniques to examine the hypotheses. Findings The results show that the frequency of board meetings and board size are significantly and negatively related to risk-taking measured by R&D intensity, with a greater significance among Anglo-American countries than among Continental European countries. The rationale for this is that the legal and accounting systems in the Anglo American countries have greater protection through greater emphasis on compliance and disclosure, and therefore, allowing for less risk-taking. Research limitations/implications Future research could investigate risk-taking using different arrangements, conducting face-to-face meetings with the firm’s directors and shareholders. Practical implications The results suggest that better-governed firms at the firm- or national-level have a high expectancy of less risk-taking. These results offer regulators a resilient incentive to pursue corporate governance (CG) and disclosure reforms officially and mutually with national-level governance. Thus, these results show the monitoring and legitimacy benefits of governance, resulting in less risk-taking. Finally, the findings offer investors the opportunity to build specific expectations about risk-taking behaviour in terms of R&D intensity in OECD countries. Originality/value This study extends and contributes to the extant CG literature, by offering new evidence on the effect of board structure on risk-taking. The findings will help policymakers in different countries in estimating the sufficiency of the available CG reforms to prevent management mishandle and disgrace.

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