University of Dubai's Dubai Business School (DBS): E-Journals
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The Factors Influencing the Intensity of Market Participation among the Cattle Farmers in Adamawa state, Nigeria
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The study examined Factors influencing the intensity of market participation among the cattle farmers in Adamawa state, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was employed to sample the respondents. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from 400 respondents in the study area. Descriptive statistic was used to analysed the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents and truncated regression analysis was employed to estimate the determinants of intensity of market participation among the market participants. The result of the findings shows that cattle market participants were averagely aged 43 years, they are predominantly male (95.04%), (83.48%) were married, while (77.96%), (57.02%) had formal education and are full-time cattle farmers respectively. The result of truncated regression analysis revealed that age and gender of the household head, distance to market, herd size and seasonality were the explanatory variable that influenced the intensity of cattle market participation. Recommendations were made such as to encourage more formal education among the farmers, the more the participant is educated, the better the chance of participation in the cattle market and also to encourage female and those that are unmarried to participate in cattle marketing activities, and to provide adequate pasture land and water supply so as to curb the problems of exposure to avarice of weather, creates more additional sales point at farming communities is paramount important in the intensity of cattle market participation.
 
Culture convergence of manufacturing managers in Mexico, Korea, Hong Kong, and USA
Full text linkThis study evaluates cultural values of mid-level managers working in manufacturing firms located in four countries to attempt to detect purposeful movements towards cultural value convergence, if any. Using Hofstede’s VSM94 questionnaire, the cultural values of managers and non-managers located in Mexico, Korea, Hong Kong, and the United States of America (USA) were calculated. These values were evaluated using T-tests, ANOVA, and Wilcoxon tests, and were graphed to illustrate the movement and convergence path of the cultural values. A trend toward convergence of cultural values among mid-level managers in four countries was detected. Survey design used mid-level manufacturing managers in four different countries. The study contributes to cross-cultural studies by triangulating results with non-managers and using large and small firms. This study suffers from common limitations encountered when using a questionnaire to gather data, including the sample sizes and respondents’ demographics. Despite limitations, results add to this literature stream to assist future researchers in hypothesis development. The results indicate a purposeful shift in cultural values of manufacturing mid-level managers. Findings should encourage multinational firms to set up global Management Control Systems (MCS) for an efficient and effective use of resources. Samples from neglected locations were gathered, detecting convergence, suggesting that effective management may be independent from national culture, and thus be about developing best practices throughout the global organization.
JEL codes: M1, M14, M16, M48, M53, M54
Improving public agency performance using balanced scorecard in Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS)
Full text linkImproving public agency performance vis-à-vis productivity is the greatest challenge facing the public sector. The main objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of performance measurement using balanced scorecard (BSC) in Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS). Primary and secondary data were utilized for the study. The primary data collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency tables and simple percentages, were used in data presentation and analysis. while the stated hypotheses were tested using Regression Analysis. The study adopts the theory of change (ToC) postulated by Weiss as a theoretical basis. The findings of the study reveal that using the balanced scorecard to measure performance periodically with stakeholders' reflection in LIRS has increased significantly the annual revenue generation in Lagos State. The study recommends among others that more attention should be paid to the provision of adequate incentives as well as training and development on contemporary issues in tax management for tax officers to promote their efficiency and effectiveness in developing economies including Nigeria. Furthermore, since citizens' expectation on societal general development and demand varies across various divisions and localities in Lagos State, the state government should, therefore, accommodate the aspirations of the various groups to engender sustainable tax compliance by citizens
Determinants of audit fees: The perception of external auditors
Full text linkThis paper examines the perception of external auditors on the dominant factors that influence audit fees determination. By means of a survey, the study explored from the perspective of external auditors the level of importance audit firms attach to some identified factors in the determination of audit fees. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data from professional auditors working with practicing auditing firms certified and approved by the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG). Using a total of 339 valid responses, the study explored the dimensionality of the factors that influence audit fees by employing the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) procedure. Based on the factor structure identified from the EFA, we subsequently evaluated the level of importance auditors perceive these factors to be in the determination of audit fees. The EFA results suggest that audit fees determinants can be grouped into five distinct factors (Audit firm reputation, experience & expertise; Nature and scope of the audit; Market-wide factor; Client size; Client risk). The factor ‘Client risk’ was rated to be the most important determinant of audit fees distantly followed by the ‘Nature and scope of the audit’ factor. The ‘Market-wide factor’ was rated to be the least important factor in the determination of audit fees. The findings of this study provide some useful insights from the perspective of external auditors on the factors that influence audit fees from a developing country context. 
THEORIZING AGRICULTURE VALUE CHAINS: INTEGRATING SMALL HOLDER PRODUCERS TO OVERCOME HURDLES
Full text linkModern marketing techniques and restructured markets for agriculture products has made the small holder producers to fight against a number of consequences which they are actually not practiced or trained. As an alternative, new innovative practice like value chain approach has been identified in improving their ability to combat the restructured market conditions. This paper reviews the theoretical justifications and different viewpoints of value chains approach which can benefit the small holder producers in agriculture sector. A review on evidences from agricultural value chain experiences exposed the necessity of a tool or a business model like value chain approach to integrate the small holder producers to viable markets and to capitalize the immense opportunities in the markets, particularly for least developed and developing countries. The literature revealed that small holder producer can access international markets by establishing value chain networks and by building relationships in chain networks
Training needs of businesses in the retail industry: A business case in the United Arab Emirates
Full text linkPeople in the organization are said to be an important asset. They need to be equipped with the needed skills to contribute to become abreast with the latest trends and demands in the industry. This research focused on an inquiry about how to make the retail industry employees skillful and relevant in the industry. The quantitative results have indicated the significance of training employees in terms of how well they apply the necessary skills at their workplaces. People who have been trained on various skills use the required skills to complete their jobs, which translates effectively to positive productivity, quality output, and satisfactory customer services. Apart from providing services to clients, employees are the cornerstone of productivity and implement the policies of the organization based on its mission, vision and core values. The results have also indicated that the majority of the employees lack the skills needed in executing daily activities. This study is significant in that it has proved beyond doubt that training needs analysis is the first step towards understanding the skill gap in an organization. That way, the company can create the needed measures and strategies for training to equip its employees with the necessary skills for increased production, quality, and improved customer services. This could result in a seamless operation that would significantly cut the overall cost of operations for the firm
Estimating the Output GAP for Lebanon: A Production Function methodology
Full text linkThis paper estimates the output Gap for Lebanon to analyze the economic policy and to judge the stance of the economy. Therefore, a Cobb-Douglas production function is estimated for the period Q11998 to Q42015 and potential output calculated by substituting for potential levels of the factors in the estimated production function. The calculation of potential labor required the calculation of the NAIRU. This paper calculates therefore three types of NAIRU. The results of output gap calculations show that the Lebanese economy is working over its capacity and that it hits his limits. Furthermore, findings show that the labor market is characterized by high levels of NAIRU which restricted potential output growth. Therefore, any policy aiming to increase economic growth, while neglecting structural reforms will prove to be unsustainable
Examining the effectiveness of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) techniques in improving Emotional Intelligence (EI) scores
Full text linkPurpose: Whether selected NLP techniques can improve EI scores. (Although there are many self-development training courses advertised on the internet claiming to be able to improve EI, yet no credible research has been published in peer-reviewed academic journals to show whether such techniques can improve EI.)Design/methodology/approach: This experimental research involved 35 test subjects and 35 control group subjects. Measurements were taken just before and just after the experiments in the test group and compared the results with the control group.Findings: Statistical t-tests revealed that with the test group, there were significant improvements in EI scores after undergoing the training compared with before. There were no significant changes in the control group.Originality/value: Since, Ahmad (2011) who looked at the effectiveness of the alternative techniques of NLP, Time Line Therapy®, and Hypnosis, there has been no further research regarding the effectiveness of NLP. Research limitations/implications: This study improves the study by Ahmad (2011) by ensuring that most of the respondents were not self-selected and ensured the use of other NLP techniques, in the context of improving EI
A note on value investing in the UAE stock market
Full text linkValue investing is one of the most popular stock-picking strategies employed in financial markets. We investigate its effectiveness in the United Arab Emirates. We examine the performance of 124 firms in the period from January 2004 to March 2019. We analyze portfolios from one-way sorts on several well-known valuation ratios: earnings-to-price, book-to-market, EBITDA-to-EV, and dividend yield. Our results demonstrate a powerful value effect in the UAE stock markets. The long-short strategies based on valuation ratios display high raw and risk-adjusted returns. Our results are robust to many considerations
Let’s make dissertations masterly again! A study on improving the experience and results of the post-graduate final project in the UAE
Full text linkThis paper aims to enhance the supervision-level of post-graduate dissertations in a Middle East Branch Campus of a Transnational Higher Education Institution (HEI). For a number of years, the proposal stage of the dissertation had been more or less ignored and final dissertation results had been adequate. Then in one academic year, a series of initiatives comprising; focused workshops, formative assessment, one to one guidance, best practice panels and proposal grading, were developed and implemented. This resulted in a sustained passing rate and a significant elevation of grade classifications awarded. The author suggests that the practices contained herein could benefit similar dissertation programs offered both in the Middle East region and worldwide