Establishing and maintaining property transactions data banks in Ghana through partnerships and participatory means

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Korsi Simpson ◽  
Peter Korsi Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Data Bank ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Property Market ◽  
Market Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cooperative Action ◽  
Data Problem ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Method Approach ◽  
Data Banks

PurposeThe credibility of valuation is enhanced by the use of quality and reliable property market data. Nonetheless, the availability of quality and reliable market data remains a problem for valuers in Ghana, as current market data sources are tainted with issues of reliability. The purpose of this study is to examine the possibility of establishing property market data banks in Ghana, to help solve the market data problem faced by valuers.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a mixed-method approach consisting of the identification and review of literature, interviews with officials from the Lands Valuation Division of the Lands Commission and a questionnaire survey of property valuers.FindingsThe study finds that it is possible for property market data banks to be established, and in the absence of facilitating legislation, partnerships among various stakeholders are the best way of achieving this. The study identifies the lack of initiative and the lack of partnerships among the various stakeholders inter alia as the major factors limiting the establishment of property market data banks. The findings imply a need for stakeholders to take initiative to establish a property market data bank aimed at improving the quality and reliability of market data to enhance the valuation practice.Originality/valueThe study asserts the possibility of creating a property market data bank in Ghana, notwithstanding the limiting factors. The findings will provide a basis for relevant institutions and agencies to take cooperative action for the establishment of property market data banks, towards enhancing the valuation practice in Ghana as well as in other developing countries. The study will also prompt research into various tools and mechanisms to be adopted towards the establishment of property market data banks through participatory means.

scholarly journals Prospecting sugarcane genes involved in aluminum tolerance

2001 ◽  
Vol 24 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 221-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo D. Drummond ◽  
Claudia T. Guimarães ◽  
Juliana Felix ◽  
Fernando E. Ninamango-Cárdenas ◽  
Newton P. Carneiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Surface ◽  
Expressed Sequence Tag ◽  
Aluminum Toxicity ◽  
Aluminum Tolerance ◽  
Substantial Reduction ◽  
Acid Soils ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Aluminum Stress ◽  
Major Factors

Aluminum is one of the major factors that affect plant development in acid soils, causing a substantial reduction in yield in many crops. In South America, about 66% of the land surface is made up of acid soils where high aluminum saturation is one of the main limiting factors for agriculture. The biochemical and molecular basis of aluminum tolerance in plants is far from being completely understood despite a growing number of studies, and in the specific case of sugarcane there are virtually no reports on the effects of gene regulation on aluminum stress. The objective of the work presented in this paper was to prospect the sugarcane expressed sequence tag (SUCEST) data bank for sugarcane genes related to several biochemical pathways known to be involved in the responses to aluminum toxicity in other plant species and yeast. Sugarcane genes similar to most of these genes were found, including those coding for enzymes that alleviate oxidative stress or combat infection by pathogens and those which code for proteins responsible for the release of organic acids and signal transducers. The role of these genes in aluminum tolerance mechanisms is reviewed. Due to the high level of genomic conservation in related grasses such as maize, barley, sorghum and sugarcane, these genes may be valuable tools which will help us to better understand and to manipulate aluminum tolerance in these species.

Achieving property valuation accuracy in developing countries: the implication of data source

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 573-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rotimi Boluwatife Abidoye ◽  
Albert P.C. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Real Estate ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Selling Price ◽  
Property Market ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transaction Data ◽  
Property Valuation ◽  
Property Markets

PurposeThe demand for accurate property value estimation by valuation report end users has led to a shift towards advanced property valuation modelling techniques in some property markets and these require a sizeable number of data set to function. In a situation where there is a lack of a centralised transaction data bank, scholars and practitioners usually collect data from different sources for analysis, which could affect the accuracy of property valuation estimates. This study aims to establish the suitability of different data sources that are reliable for estimating accurate property values.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopts the Lagos metropolis property market, Nigeria, as the study area. Transaction data of residential properties are collected from two sources, i.e. from real estate firms (selling price) and listing prices from an online real estate company. A portion of the collected data is fitted into the artificial neural network (ANN) model, which is used to predict the remaining property prices. The holdout sample data are predicted with the developed ANN models. Thereafter, the predicted prices and the actual prices are compared so as to establish which data set generates the most accurate property valuation estimates.FindingsIt is found that the listing data (listing prices) produced an encouraging mean absolute error (MAE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) values compared with the firms’ data (selling prices). An MAPE value of 26.93 and 29.96 per cent was generated from the listing and firms’ data, respectively. A larger proportion of the predicted listing prices had property valuation error of margin that is within the industry acceptable standard of between ±0 and 10 per cent, compared with the predicted selling prices. Also, a higher valuation accuracy was recorded in properties with lower values, compared with expensive properties.Practical implicationsThe opaqueness in real estate transactions consummated in developing nations could be attributed to why selling prices (data) could not produce more accurate valuation estimates in this study than listing prices. Despite the encouraging results produced using listing prices, there is still an urgent need to maintain a robust and quality property data bank in developing nations, as obtainable in most developed nations, so as to achieve a sustainable global property valuation practice.Originality/valueThis study does not investigate the relationship between listing prices and selling prices, which has been conducted in previous studies, but examines their suitability to improve property valuation accuracy in an emerging property market. The findings of this study would be useful in property markets where property transaction data bank is not available.

scholarly journals Sources and reliability of property market information for property valuation practice in Ghana

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 448-466
Author(s):  
Kwasi Gyau Baffour Awuah ◽  
Frank Gyamfi-Yeboah ◽  
David Proverbs ◽  
Jessica Elizabeth Lamond
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Real Estate ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Market Information ◽  
Property Market ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Market Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reliable Source ◽  
The Media

Purpose Adequate reliable property market data are critical to the production of professional and ethical valuations as well as better real estate transaction decision-making. However, the availability of reliable property market information represents a major barrier to improving valuation practices in Ghana and it is regarded as a key challenge. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the sources and reliability of property market information for valuation practice in Ghana. The aim is to provide input into initiatives to address the availability of reliable property market data challenges. Design/methodology/approach A mixed methods research approach is used. The study, thus, relies on a combination of a systematic identification and review of literature, a stakeholder workshop and a questionnaire survey of real estate valuers in Accra, Ghana’s capital city to obtain requisite data to address the aim. Findings The study identifies seven property market data sources used by valuers to obtain market data for valuation practice. These are: valuers own database; public institutions; professional colleagues; property owners; estate developers; estate agents; and the media. However, access to property market information for valuations is a challenge although valuers would like to use reliable market data for their valuations. This is due to incomplete and scattered nature of data often borne out of administrative lapses; non-disclosure of details of property transactions due to confidentiality arrangements and the quest to evade taxes; data integrity concerns; and lack of requisite training and experience especially for estate agents to collect and manage market data. Although professional colleagues is the most used market data source, valuers own databases, was regarded as the most reliable source compared to the media, which was considered as the least reliable source. Research limitations/implications Findings from the study imply a need for the development of a systematic approach to property market data collection and management. This will require practitioners to demonstrate care, consciousness and a set of data collection skills suggesting a need for valuers and estate agents to undergo regular relevant training to develop and enhance their knowledge, skills and capabilities. The establishment of a property market databank to help in the provision of reliable market data along with a suitable market data collection template to ensure effective and efficient data collection are considered essential steps. Originality/value The study makes a significant contribution to the extant knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the frequency of use and the reliability of the various sources of market data. It also provides useful insights for regulators such as the Ghana Institution of Surveyors (GhIS), the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and other stakeholders such as the Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE) and the Government to improve the provision of reliable property market information towards developing valuation practice not only in Ghana, but across the Sub-Saharan Africa Region. Also, based on these findings, the study proposes a new property market data collection template and guidelines towards improving the collection of effective property market data. Upon refinement, these could aid valuation practitioners to collect reliable property market data to improve valuation practice.

Verbal learning deficits following severe head injury: heterogeneity in recovery over 1 year

1991 ◽  
Vol 75 (Supplement) ◽  
pp. S50-S58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald M. Ruff ◽  
David Young ◽  
Theresa Gautille ◽  
Lawrence F. Marshall ◽  
Jeff Barth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Memory Performance ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Learning Deficits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Recovery Curve ◽  
Recovery Curves ◽  
Head Injured ◽  
Injured Patients ◽  
Case Basis

✓ A total of 40 severely head-injured patients were selected from the Traumatic Coma Data Bank, supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, to analyze the recovery of verbal learning across baseline and 6- and 12-month evaluations postinjury. During the initial 6 months, the group demonstrated marked recovery, followed by an absence of improvement over the latter part of the year. Analysis of this recovery curve on a case by case basis revealed three recovery subtypes: namely, a flat curve, a peak-drop curve, or an improvement curve. These three subtypes proved to have concurrent validity when compared with another memory test. Adding 19 new patients to the sample cross-validated the subtypes. However, the memory performance of the 59 patients was dissociated from other neuropsychological tests which showed recovery at more equivalent rates across the subtypes. Analysis of the demographic and neurological characteristics disclosed that the group with a peak-drop recovery curve was less well educated and the group with a flat curve demonstrated a trend toward higher levels of hypoxia. Moreover, the three subgroups were rated by their relatives to have equivalent levels of depression at baseline and at 6 months, but only the improved subgroup demonstrated reduced depression at 1 year. The clinical relevancy of these differential recovery curves is discussed.

Labour productivity motivation framework for Iskandar Malaysia

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuka Christian Ohueri ◽  
Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma ◽  
Ngie Hing Wong ◽  
Kuok King Kuok ◽  
Russell Kenley
Keyword(s):  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Construction Projects ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Continuous Training ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Importance Index ◽  
Major Factors

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a motivation framework that will enhance labour productivity for Iskandar Malaysia (IM) construction projects. The vision of IM development corridor is to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia’s most developed region by the year 2025. IM cannot realise this foresight without effective labour productivity. Previous studies have reported that the labour productivity of IM construction projects was six times lower than the labour productivity of Singapore construction projects, due to lack of motivation among IM labourers, and a shortage of local skilled labour. Therefore, there is a need to study how to motivate IM construction labourers, so as to increase their productivity. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative research method was used to collect data from IM construction skilled labourers and construction professionals, using two sets of questionnaire. The respondents were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In total, 40 skilled labourers and 50 construction professionals responded to the questionnaire survey, and the data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science software (version 22). Findings The analysis revealed the major factors that motivate labourers participating in IM construction projects. The factors were ranked hierarchically using Relative Importance Index (RII) and the outcome of the ranking indicated that effective management, viable construction practices, financial incentives, continuous training and development, and safe working environment were the most significant motivation strategies that positively influence IM construction labourers. Originality/value The study developed and validated a framework that can be used to boost the morale of IM construction labourers, so that their productivity can be increased. Implementation of the established motivation framework will also lead to career progression of IM construction labourers, based on the training elements in the framework. This career prospect will attract local skilled labourers to participate in IM construction projects.

China’s shadow banking sector: beneficial or harmful to economic growth?

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 421-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R. Barth ◽  
Tong Li ◽  
Wen Shi ◽  
Pei Xu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Commercial Banking ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Shadow Banking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Made In

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine recent developments pertaining to China’s shadow banking sector. Shadow banking has the potential not only to be a beneficial contributor to continued economic growth, but also to contribute to systematic instability if not properly monitored and regulated. An assessment is made in this paper as to whether shadow banking is beneficial or harmful to China’s economic growth. Design/methodology/approach – The authors start with providing an overview of shadow banking from a global perspective, with information on its recent growth and importance in selected countries. The authors then focus directly on China’s shadow banking sector, with information on the various entities and activities that comprise the sector. Specifically, the authors examine the interconnections between shadow banking and regular banking in China and the growth in shadow banking to overall economic growth, the growth in the money supply and the growth in commercial bank assets. Findings – Despite the wide range in the estimates, the trend in the size of shadow banking in China has been upward over the examined period. There are significant interconnections between the shadow banking sector and the commercial banking sector. Low deposit rate and high reserve requirement ratios have been the major factors driving its growth. Shadow banking has been a contributor, along with money growth, to economic growth. Practical implications – The authors argue that shadow banking may prove useful by diversifying China’s financial sector and providing greater investments and savings opportunities to consumers and businesses throughout the country, if the risks of shadow banking are adequately monitored and controlled. Originality/value – To the authors’ knowledge, this paper is among the few to systematically evaluate the influence of shadow banking on China’s economic growth.

Understanding the fraud theories and advancing with integrity model

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shefali Saluja ◽  
Arun Aggarwal ◽  
Amit Mittal
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Traditional Theory ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Fraud Triangle ◽  
Mice Model ◽  
Corporate Fraud ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fraud Theory ◽  
Triangle Theory ◽  
Major Factors

Purpose The fraud landscape talks about the existence of fraudulent activities and can be assessed with the help of fraud literature. Taking this into consideration, this paper qualitatively revisits the famous fraud triangle theory developed by Donald R. Cressey (1950) which is the most traditional theory to detect a fraud. This paper aims to discuss various fraud models that have been extensions to fraud triangle theory and reviews the factors that drive a corporate fraud. This study is divided into two phases. The first phases discuss the various theories which have been developed to detect and prevent corporate frauds in organisations, and in the second phase the authors recognize “integrity” as a new extension to the basic fraud theory. The integrity model has been introduced as “fraud square” contributing to the development of fraud theory. Integrity plays a very important role in detecting corporate frauds, and this paper will act as a theoretical benchmark for future references. The implication of this study would help future researchers, academicians and practitioners to understand the fourth element of the fraud theory and would help improve the professional standards of organisations and regulators. Design/methodology/approach This paper revisits the literature in detail and reviews the most acknowledged models to explain “why people commit frauds” – the fraud triangle, fraud scale, the fraud diamond, the ABC model, the MICE model and the SCORE model. The authors contend that the traditional models need to be modernized to acclimate to the current developments in the rapidly increasing fraud incidents, both in occurrence and seriousness. Additionally, this paper builds on theoretical background to generate new model so as to improve the understanding behind the major factors which lead to commitment of frauds. Findings The authors identify a major element – integrity – in the research. As per ACFE 2020, “There are more than 3.3 billion people in the global workforce, half of them takes illegal use of gains from the organisation and some are discipled with integrity who does not cause any harm to the organisation.” To prevent fraud, integrity plays a very important role in organisations (Bakri et al., 2017). It has been found that individuals with less integrity are basically specified to a greater level of mismanagement. The organisations that have worked with integrity will improve performance at work and will always promote the best employees to work with less supervision. Originality/value This paper develops the integrity model to contribute to the development of fraud theory by identifying the key factors that play a major role in whether fraud will actually occur and acting as a theoretical benchmark for all future reference.

Customers’ willingness of irresponsible industry 4.0 companies to co-create sustainable practices

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Escobar-Sierra ◽  
Alejandra García-Cardona ◽  
Fidel León-Darder
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Behavior ◽  
Technological Developments ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling Model ◽  
Method Approach

Purpose In this regard, this paper aims to wonder how willing to co-create sustainable practices customers of irresponsible Industry 4.0 (I4.0) companies are? With this purpose, the authors began introducing I4.0 and sustainability, showing their theoretical gaps. Design/methodology/approach I4.0 has recently spread with its technological developments and social, economic and political ambitions, facing challenges-related, for example, to the implementation of sustainable practices and the stakeholders’ participation. Findings Then the authors conduct a literature review following a sequential mix-method approach that begins with a bibliometric analysis and ends with a content study to propose a conceptual model for I4.0 and sustainability. Once the authors understood the theoretical gaps in the framework of the conceptual model, the authors conducted an empirical verification between clients of a Colombian company of the I4.0 belonging to the logistic sector, specifically of the deliveries, asking them about the labor issues that the company faces with delivery people and their willingness to co-create. The authors analyzed the collected data through a structural equation modeling model, where the authors found that customers’ willingness to co-create depends on intrinsic behaviors like “responsible behavior,” followed by extrinsic behaviors such as “helping.” Originality/value In fact, stakeholders may support companies, but customers must learn how to assume a critical posture during their purchase decision.

Understanding tenants’ motivations for co-living arrangements: a case study of Klang Valley, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vania Christy ◽  
Teck Hong Tan
Keyword(s):  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Living Space ◽  
Depth Interview ◽  
Klang Valley ◽  
User Ratings ◽  
Method Approach

Purpose The purpose of this study is to fill a knowledge gap by analyzing the motivations of tenants to co-living spaces in Klang Valley, Malaysia as the motives of co-living spaces are related to how well that space supports their needs. Design/methodology/approach Tenants’ behaviors were examined using a convergent parallel mixed-method approach, which included a survey and an in-depth interview. A total of 175 respondents were interviewed using purposive sampling. Findings The results show that the preference for co-living attributes has changed during the pandemic. User ratings of preference for physical and leasing attributes of co-living spaces are significant in terms of co-living motivations. The findings also revealed that tenants prefer twin-sharing and master bedrooms when choosing a co-living space to stay in. Research limitations/implications Identifying the factors that influence such motivations is critical for housing developers and co-living service providers to pay close attention to improving tenants’ living experiences. Originality/value There is interest in the co-living spaces that are available for rent. However, very little research is based on an understanding of how the tenants in Klang Valley, Malaysia perceive this type of living arrangement. A better understanding and prediction of tenants’ needs and preferences may lead to a better understanding of the attributes that influence their motivations for using co-living spaces.

The life cycle of a feature: modelling the transitions between feature states

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1229-1251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raaid Batarfi ◽  
Aziz Guergachi ◽  
M.I.M. Wahab
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Quality Attributes ◽  
The State ◽  
Detailed Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dead State ◽  
Feature Modelling ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
A Current

Purpose Studies have suggested that attributes are dynamic and a life cycle of product and service attributes exists. When an innovative feature is introduced, the feature might attract and delight customers. However, with the passage of time the state of the attractiveness of this feature may change, for better or for worse. The purpose of this paper is to provide a detailed model that shows the factors and related sub-factors that affect the life cycle of a feature and thereby explain the changes that may happen to a feature over time. Design/methodology/approach This model provide detailed explanations of the direct and indirect factors that affect the states of a feature, the ones that affect the rate of adoption, and the ones that trigger the changes between states. The model uses a current-market product’s feature to discuss the effects of these factors on the life cycle of this feature in detail. Findings This paper extends the theory of attractive quality attributes by identified seven states of the feature in its life cycle. These states are as follows: unknown/unimportant state, honey pot state, racing state, required state, standard state, core state, and dead state. This paper also identified eight major factors that affect the transition of the feature from one state to another. These factors include demographic, socioeconomic, behavioural, psychological, geographical, environmental, organisational, and technological factors. Originality/value The findings of this paper provide additional evidence that product and service attributes are dynamic. This paper also increases the validity of the attractive quality attributes theory and the factors that affect the state of the feature in its life cycle. The understanding of the state of the feature in its life cycle, and the factors that influence this change, helps not only in the introduction of completely new features but also in knowing when to remove obsolescent ones.

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