Determining the Pension Benefit Obligation of a Defined Benefit Plan: Applying a Multivariate ARIMA Stochastic Model

<p>In this study we examine the robustness of fit for a multivariate and an autoregressive integrated moving average model to a data sample time series type. The sample is a recurrent actuarial data set for a 10-year horizon. We utilize this methodology to contrast with stochastic models to make projections beyond the data horizon. Our key results suggest that both types of models are useful for making predictions of actuarial liability levels given by PBO Projected Benefit Obligations on and off the horizon of the sample time series. As we have seen in prior research, the use of multivariate models for control and auditing purposes is widely recommended. Fast and reliable statistical estimates are desirable in all cases, whether for audit purposes or to verify and validate miscellaneous actuarial results.</p>

Capital Structure and Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

Investigations into the relationship between capital structure and firm performance over the years have consistently produced mixed results in the light of prevailing theories relevant to the concept of capital structure. The study examined the nature of the relationship between the capital structure of Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria and the trend of performance recorded in the industry. Leverage was adopted as a surrogate for capital structure, while firm performance was proxied by profit efficiency and return on equity. A regression analysis test was applied to a balanced panel data, pooled from a sample of 11 DMBs to determine the impact of capital structure on performance. The study found evidence that supports a non-monotonic relationship between capital structure and performance of DMBs, as predicted by the agency cost theoretical model. A major recommendation elicited from the findings of the study advocates for legal control on the proportion of debt DMBs can include in their capital structure if they are to operate as efficiently as expected.

Public Capita and Growth: The Role of Institutions in Development

This study analyzes the links between public capital and growth using an econometric model of simultaneous equations, estimated on a panel of forty-three developing countries over the period 2003-2020. This growth model explains the determinants of GDP and public and private capital stocks. The accumulation of public, private and human capital generates externalities that are sources of endogenous growth. However, the formation of public capital generated a crowding out effect, to the detriment of that of private capital, because of differentiated budgetary constraints. Our results show that several developing countries have moved away from an optimal structure for the growth of sharing of available capital between the public and private sectors. In doing so, are institutions a prerequisite for the economic development of African countries.

Information Science: Fields and Technological Issues & Challenges in Developing & Developed Nations

<p>Information is the power and Technology is the driving force for the development of all the facets. Information Science and Technology as a field of study and professional practice is therefore responsible for providing information and technology solutions to different organizations, institutions, sectors, fields, and even to individuals. Information Science and Technology is an emerging field and interdisciplinary in nature that has already been gathered from previous sources and chapters. Information Science and Technology is very diverse and treated in different perspectives viz. information, technological solutions, domain-specific solutions, and so on. Regarding the technologies, it also holds wider coverage in tools, techniques, systems, and technologies. Though Information Science and Technology is available with different names there are certain reasons for the development of each nomenclature/ subject. This paper has discussed the issues and suggestions regarding Information Science in its educational and technological context. <strong></strong></p>

An Empirical Assessment of COVID-19 Pandemic on Asset Market Responses in India

The study investigates the financial market’s response during the period of last nine months starting from the day when first COVID-19 case was confirmed in India. This paper attempts to gauge the impact of rise in COVID-19 confirmed number of cases on stock market as well as commodities market returns. A multi-model approach is used in the current research to assess the relationship between daily number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and movement of asset returns from January 2020 to September 2020. The findings reveal that though financial markets exhibited asymmetric volatility clustering, it could not be traced to COVID-19 pandemic for the period under study in India.

Peace and Security Sustainability through Hostel Provision in Nigerian Universities: Lessons from Malaysia

This research paper focused on the provision of students’ accommodation in the Nigerian universities through public-private partnership, drawing lessons from the Universiti Utara Malaysia. Hostel accommodation is a form of providing the students with an enabling environment where they can stay as a place of residence, will feel secured and comfortable to learn in a peaceful environment. The objective of this paper is to learn from the Malaysian environment, with a focus on the Universiti Utara Malaysia. The research work made use of the qualitative method through the conduct of interviews and other sources such as journals and online publications. Findings from the research reveal that the Universiti Utara Malaysia provides hostel accommodation which is more than enough to serve the university's capacity of 30,000 students’ population on campus through the public-private partnership scheme. The research also found that multinational companies like PETRONAS Oil Company, Proton automobile company, Malaysia Airline, and Maybank among other companies built hostel accommodation for the students. The Malaysian Government on the other hand through a public-private partnership provided infrastructural facilities such as constant electricity and water supply for the purpose of a conducive environment for learning. The work, therefore, recommends that the Nigerian Government can partner with the Malaysian Government through resolving the big problem of electricity supply in the country and on the Universities as well. The paper also recommends that the Nigerian Government should regulate the private companies in order to engage them in partnership development through the provision of adequate hostel accommodations for the students. This would enable peace and security sustainability on the campuses of the Nigerian universities with lessons from the Universiti Utara Malaysia.

Effects of Consumer Purchasing Power on Buying Preferences in Shopping Malls in Kenya: A Case Study of Nakuru County

Many internal and external factors influence consumer decision-making when it comes to the purchase and use of various products and services. The attributes of the product itself, the brand, and the container in which it is encased is the most important and critical external variables. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey involving hotels, beauty parlours, electronics dealers, boutiques as well as entertainment outlets. The researcher targeted 305 business premises operating in 30 shopping malls from which a sample of 62 premises and 310 customers were sampled using stratification, Simple Random Sampling (SRS) and convenient sampling. The data was collected through the use of questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was employed and results were presented in tables and charts with the help of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis purposes. The influence of consumer purchasing power on the preference of shopping malls was tested using regression, correlation and Chi-square methods at 5% levels of effect. From the study findings, the researcher establish that purchasing power, personal preference has been found to play an important role in influencing consumer’s preferences and bias towards shopping malls. An overwhelming number of the consumers recognized the importance of group influence on their choice of the shopping mall. This helped the researcher draw a conclusion and formulate recommendations informing policies and marketing strategies that are essential to marketers in the shopping malls and other related business facilities in line with consumer purchasing power.

Analysis of Competitive Strategies of Tourism Industry in the Midst of Covid-19 Pandemic: A Case from Philippines

This study described the Analysis of Competitive Strategies and Challenges of Tourism Industry in the Midst of Covid-19 Pandemic and provide recommendations. Specifically, it looked into the challenges and recommendations of the owners of operational tourist spots in the selected municipalities in Nueva Ecija which are Bongabon and Laur and analyzed how comparative strategies contribute to the challenges and recommendations of the owners of operational tourist spots. This study used the descriptive-evaluative method and total enumeration for its sampling procedure. As to its findings, to improve the tourism operation of the respondents amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, the result shows that the respondents “always” used competitive strategies in their businesses. Based on the result, the focus-strategy which is one of the elements of comparative strategies was ranked number one, it means that the owners of operational tourism spots wanted to take all the challenges they were encountered amidst pandemic, it is not a barrier for them to stop their businesses that is why they want to know in a market due to their pleasing tourist spots compared to its competitors and they have recommendations on how to innovate and improve their operational tourist spots.

An Evaluation of Adaptive Capability on Organizational Performance of Tier Two Commercial Banks in Kenya

Banking sector rivalry has escalated which can be attributed to many factors including innovation, new legislation, problems caused by a global financial crisis, government regulations, among others that have resulted in increased competition in the banking sector. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of adaptive capability on the organizational performance of tier two commercial banks in Kenya. The study found that the application of adaptive capabilities in commercial banks in Kenya is influenced by mainly customer demands, staff expertise and the prevailing market trends. The study results show that there is a positive and statistically significant relationship between Adaptive Capability and performance in tier two banks. The study concluded that adaptive capability has a positive and significant relationship with performance in tier two banks. The research findings recommended that the employees should be fully involved in the decision-making process so that they can own up to the strategies being formulated by the top management.

Green Marketing: A Descriptive Analysis of its Influence on Consumer Buying Behavior

Green marketing has become a very important marketing concept in recent years, and it has proven to be effective in promoting and reinforcing the concept of environmental conservation and sustainable development. The objective of this descriptive study was to determine the influence of green marketing on buying behaviour of consumers and their views and expectations towards green product and this study aim to assist consumers in Palayan City, Philippines by raising product awareness through ads, with the goal of changing individual purchasing habits, which can have an effect on environmental welfare and also to understand environmental friendly products' availability and the impact of advertisers' marketing campaigns in relation to consumers. As to its findings, most of the respondent agreed that humans must live in harmony with nature in order to survive. Also, the respondents believed that no consumers or buyers should frequently buy which can be refilled, and they are highly in favour that they feel good about buying green brands causing less damage to our environment. It also revealed that using an eco-friendly product has the most impact of green marketing on consumer buying decision that contributes for the environment safety, they encourage patronizing green marketing and using eco-friendly products to lessen the negative impact in our environment. Finally, the researchers recommend strengthening the campaign on green marketing practice through the use of different social media platforms. These platforms will help to connect with the customers and increase awareness of the crisis facing by the environment.