scholarly journals Members’ attitudes towards cooperatives and their perception of agency problems

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Hakelius ◽  
Helena Hansson

This study examines whether and how members’ perceptions of agency problems, in terms of the decision problem and the follow-up problem, shape their attitudes to agricultural cooperatives. The study is based on empirical data collected through a postal questionnaire sent to 2,250 Swedish farmers in 2013 (response rate ~40%). Exploratory factor analysis of a set of attitudinal measurement items was used to assess members’ attitudes to agricultural cooperatives. Seemingly unrelated regression analysis was used to identify the impact of members’ perceptions of agency problems on the attitude measures obtained from the exploratory factor analysis. The results suggest that perceived agency problems significantly explain members’ attitudes to their cooperatives. Therefore, working with these problems can be a way for directors of cooperatives to influence members’ attitudes and, in continuation, behaviors to these. This would be one way of developing more sustainable member-director relationships in these cooperatives.

GeroPsych ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 171-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence M. Solberg ◽  
Lauren B. Solberg ◽  
Emily N. Peterson

Stress in caregivers may affect the healthcare recipients receive. We examined the impact of stress experienced by 45 adult caregivers of their elderly demented parents. The participants completed a 32-item questionnaire about the impact of experienced stress. The questionnaire also asked about interventions that might help to reduce the impact of stress. After exploratory factor analysis, we reduced the 32-item questionnaire to 13 items. Results indicated that caregivers experienced stress, anxiety, and sadness. Also, emotional, but not financial or professional, well-being was significantly impacted. There was no significant difference between the impact of caregiver stress on members from the sandwich generation and those from the nonsandwich generation. Meeting with a social worker for resource availability was identified most frequently as a potentially helpful intervention for coping with the impact of stress.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (03) ◽  
pp. 314-321
Author(s):  
José Manuel Hernández-Padilla ◽  
Matías Correa-Casado ◽  
José Granero-Molina ◽  
Alda Elena Cortés-Rodríguez ◽  
Tamara María Matarín-Jiménez ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo translate, culturally adapt, and psychometrically evaluate the Spanish version of the “Scale for End-of Life Caregiving Appraisal” (SEOLCAS).MethodObservational cross-sectional study. Convenience sample of 201 informal end-of-life caregivers recruited in a southern Spanish hospital. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed through its internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and temporal stability (Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] between test-retest). The content validity index of the items and the scale was calculated. Criterion validity was explored through performing a linear regression analysis to evaluate the SEOLCAS’ predictive validity. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine its construct validity.ResultsThe SEOLCAS’ reliability was very high (Cronbach's α = 0.92). Its content validity was excellent (all items’ content validity index = 0.8–1; scale's validity index = 0.88). Evidence of the SEOLCAS’ criterion validity showed that the participants’ scores on the SEOLCAS explained approximately 79.3% of the between-subject variation of their results on the Zarit Burden Interview. Exploratory factor analysis provided evidence of the SEOLCAS’ construct validity. This analysis revealed that two factors (“internal contingencies” and “external contingencies”) explained 53.77% of the total variance found and reflected the stoic Hispanic attitude toward adversity.Significance of resultsThe Spanish version of the SEOLCAS has shown to be an easily applicable, valid, reliable, and culturally appropriate tool to measure the impact of end-of-life care provision on Hispanic informal caregivers. This tool offers healthcare professionals the opportunity to easily explore Hispanic informal end-of-life caregivers’ experiences and discover the type of support they may need (instrumental or emotional) even when there are communicational and organizational constraints.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
Daouda Coulibaly

We analyse financial development’s impact on real gross domestic product per capita in seven West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) countries from 1970 to 2014. We assume that income and financial development process converge to USA, France and Japan’s levels respectively. An analysis of the unit root and cointegration tests revealed non-stationary and cointegrated series. Estimates are based on the Dynamic Seemingly Unrelated Regression method (DSUR). Our study shows that, (i) the effect of financial development on real per capita GDP improves in WAEMU countries as the latter converge financially to their respective levels in USA, France and Japan; (ii) the effect of financial development on real GDP per capita decreases in the WAEMU countries as they grow economically to reach USA, France and Japan’s income levels; (iii) the degree of the effect of financial development on real per capita GDP in the case of financial systems is stronger than that of the convergence of income.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (311) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piotr Tarka

Abstract: The objective article is the comparative analysis of Likert rating scale based on the following range of response categories, i.e. 5, 7, 9 and 11 in context of the appropriate process of factors extraction in exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The problem which is being addressed in article relates primarily to the methodological aspects, both in selection of the optimal number of response categories of the measured items (constituting the Likert scale) and identification of possible changes, differences or similarities associated (as a result of the impact of four types of scales) with extraction and determination the appropriate number of factors in EFA model.Keywords: Exploratory factor analysis, Likert scale, experiment research, marketing


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebenezer Agyemang Badu ◽  
Ebenezer Nyarko Assabil

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to examine the connection between board composition and value relevance of financial information in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses a panel data of 144 firm-year observations of listed firms in Ghana.FindingsThe study finds that a higher fraction of independent directors is associated with lower firm value. The study further finds that board size is positively related to firm value, whereas duality is negatively associated with firm value.Practical implicationsThe practical implication of this paper is that investors and regulators should be mindful that specifying governance composition should not only be based on “so-called” codes of best practices but also the level of the country's or the sector's development and local institutional structures.Originality/valueThis study uses five different measurements of market share and considers the impact of the provision of the Code of Best Practices in Ghana.


Author(s):  
Hisham M. Abdelsalam ◽  
Christopher G. Reddick ◽  
Hatem A. ElKadi ◽  
Sara Gama

An important area of e-government research is how different stakeholders perceive the impact and the use of e-government systems on the different channels of governmental services. The objective of this article is to examine the perceived effectiveness of local e-government systems through a survey of directors in different Egyptian cities. The approach to accomplish this objective is to conduct exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis to determine what factors explain e-government effectiveness. This research adopts a model that uses the citizen-initiated contacts with government literature as a way for understanding e-government effectiveness. Results of an exploratory factor analysis reveal that e-government effectiveness is explained by management capacity, security and privacy, and collaboration. These factors were then analyzed through regression models that indicated that management capacity and security and privacy influenced e-government effectiveness. However, there was no evidence that collaboration had a statistically significant impact on e-government effectiveness. This paper fits into the theme of the special issue since it suggests strategies to better design e-government technology for local governments in Egypt through changes in security, privacy, and management capacity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1089-1098
Author(s):  
Erik Mooi ◽  
Vishal Kashyap ◽  
Marc van Aken

Purpose This paper aims to consider the impact of contractual and normative governance mechanisms on recommendation intent in a context of healthcare and professional lighting where repeat business from a customer is absent. The authors suggest both contractual and normative governance can create recommendation intent, but only when sufficient customer value is created. Design/methodology/approach The authors draw on a combination of survey and archival data from the supplier and customer in the medical equipment and advanced (business) lighting systems industries. The authors analyze the data using seemingly unrelated regression and mediation tests. Findings Contracts and relational norms can increase customer recommendation intent, but only when the supplier creates customer value. Practical implications The paper’s findings suggest that customers of business solutions are more likely to recommend their supplier when contracts are relatively detailed and when buyers and suppliers attempt to craft strong relational norms, despite service solutions being delivered during a relatively short time span. Originality/value The extant research on business solutions has focused on extended relationships between exchange partners with a high likelihood of repeated transactions. The authors demonstrate how to govern relationships in a solutions context where the likelihood of repeat business from the same customer is low using contractual and normative governance.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn S. Huffman ◽  
Kristen Swanson ◽  
Mary R. Lynn

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine a factor structure for the Impact of Miscarriage Scale (IMS). The 24 items comprising the IMS were originally derived from a phenomenological study of miscarriage in women. Initial psychometric properties were established based on a sample of 188 women (Swanson, 1999a). Method: Data from 341 couples were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Results: CFA did not confirm the original structure. EFA explained 57% of the variance through an 18-item, 4-factor structure: isolation and guilt, loss of baby, devastating event, and adjustment. Except for the Adjustment subscale, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were ≥.78. Conclusion: Although a 3-factor solution is most defensible, with further refinement and additional items, the 4th factor (adjustment) may warrant retention.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 620-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Máximo Rossi ◽  
Zuleika Ferre ◽  
María Rosa Curutchet ◽  
Ana Giménez ◽  
Gastón Ares

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the factor structure of the Latin American & Caribbean Household Food Security Scale (ELCSA) and to study the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on each of the identified dimensions in Montevideo, Uruguay.DesignCross-sectional survey with a representative sample of urban households. Household food insecurity was measured using the ELCSA. The percentage of respondents who gave affirmative responses for each of the items of the ELCSA was determined. Exploratory factor analysis was carried out to determine the ELCSA’s factor structure. A probit model was used to determine the impact of some individual and household sociodemographic characteristics on the identified dimensions of food insecurity.SettingMetropolitan area centred on Montevideo, the capital city of Uruguay, April–September 2014.SubjectsAdults aged between 18 and 93 years (n 742).ResultsThe percentage of affirmative responses to the items of the ELCSA ranged from 4·4 to 31·7 %. Two factors were identified in the exploratory factor analysis performed on data from households without children under 18 years old, whereas three factors were identified for households with children. The identified factors were associated with different severity levels of food insecurity. Likelihood of experiencing different levels of food insecurity was affected by individual characteristics of the respondent as well as characteristics of the household.ConclusionsThe influence of sociodemographic variables varied among the ELCSA dimensions. Household income had the largest influence on all dimensions, which indicates a strong relationship between income and food insecurity.


2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1289-1293 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Cairns ◽  
N. M. Gray ◽  
M. E. Cruickshank

The psychologic and psychosexual sequelae of cervical screening and disease are well recognized but most research has focused on women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or women with early (stage IB) to advanced cervical cancer. There has been little work looking at women with microinvasive cancer as a unique clinical identity. Many of these women have a similar diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up pathway to those with high-grade CIN. This could result in unrecognized and ongoing health concerns. We report on a questionnaire-based case–control study, comparing the concerns of women with microinvasive cervical cancer with those of women with high-grade CIN. Women with microinvasive cancer and controls with CIN2/3 diagnosed between 2000 and 2006, from a geographically defined population, were recruited and invited to complete a postal questionnaire consisting of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Process Outcome Specific Measure (POSM). Twenty-eight women diagnosed with microinvasive cancer were identified and 18 participated (response rate 64%). Fifty-eight controls were matched by age and year of treatment with 26 responding (45%). About 18% of women with microinvasive cancer had a HADS depression score of 8 or more, compared to 12% of those with CIN (P= not significant). The HADS anxiety score of 8 or more occurred in 35% of each group. There were no significant differences in terms of POSM results for sexual activity, fertility, and developing cervical cancer in the future between cases and controls. We did not find a difference between women with a previous diagnosis of microinvasive cancer and those with high-grade CIN, in terms of ongoing concerns during their follow-up. We did not identify any additional concerns for women with microinvasive cancer in the care provided in the colposcopy service.


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