scholarly journals Church attendance, faith and the allocation of time: evidence from Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (12) ◽  
pp. 2112-2127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Kortt ◽  
Todd Steen ◽  
Elisabeth Sinnewe
Keyword(s):  
Church Attendance ◽  
Equation System ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Hourly Wage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Endogenous Variables ◽  
Hourly Wage Rate ◽  
Allocation Of Time ◽  
Time Variables

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of church attendance and the formation of “religious human capital” using a Becker-inspired allocation-of-time framework. Design/methodology/approach Data derived from three waves of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey were used to estimate a reduced-form two-equation system where the endogenous variables were frequency of attendance at religious services and intensity of faith. Findings The results indicate that while the hourly wage rate accounts for some of the variation in the attendance and faith regressions (i.e. higher wages lead to lower levels of attendance and faith), “allocation of time” variables like working long hours also influence these dimensions. The findings also suggest that the decision to attend or not or to have any faith at all is generally independent from economic factors. However, once the decision to attend or to have faith is made, an individual’s wage influences the degree of attendance or faith to a significant level. Originality/value The study contributes to this embryonic body of empirical literature by providing – to the best of the authors’ knowledge – the first results for Australia.

Why do companies obtain the B corporation certification?

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 621-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maretno Harjoto ◽  
Indrarini Laksmana ◽  
Ya-wen Yang
Keyword(s):  
Social Identity Theory ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
Market Competition ◽  
Product Market ◽  
Hourly Wage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Socialization Theory ◽  
Hourly Wage Rate ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study identifies the factors that influence companies to obtain the B corporation certification. Drawing from institutional isomorphism, gender socialization theory, the ethics of care and social identity theory, the authors examine the impact of geographic locality, product market competitions and owners’ demographic characteristics on a firm’s decision to be a certified B Corporation. Design/methodology/approach Using two sets of data, a hand-collected sample of 743 small businesses receiving a B Corporation certification between 2007 and 2014 and a sample of 902 firms participating in a B Lab survey from 2011 to 2013, the authors examine factors that influence firms’ decision to obtain the B Corporation and their environment, social and governance (ESG) performance. Findings Firms in states that are democratic-leaning, have a lower hourly wage rate or have a greater religious population are more likely to be early adopters and leaders of the B Corporation movement than those in other states. On average, states with a higher unemployment rate and more democratic-leaning voters have more B Corporation certified firms in each year and over the years. Additionally, product market competition is positively associated with firms’ likelihood of obtaining B Corporation certification and their ESG scores. Practical implications This study brings new insights to the understanding of purpose-driven enterprises and factors that influence firms’ decision to go through the B Corporation verification and certification process. Originality/value This study establishes a theoretical foundation that becoming a B Corporation is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) action and shows that existing theories explaining the factors motivating companies to engage in CSR can also be applied to explain firms’ motivation to become B Corporations.

scholarly journals The IPO initial returns-aftermarket risk question revisited: evidence from firms in Taiwan

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-24
Author(s):  
Fong-Yi Shen ◽  
Yeong-Jia Goo
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Equation System ◽  
Simultaneous Equation ◽  
Reduced Form ◽  
Structural Form ◽  
Exogenous Variables ◽  
Endogenous Variables ◽  
Simultaneous Equation Estimation ◽  
Three Stage Least Squares

The purpose of this study is to utilize the Three Stage Least Squares (3SLS) of the simultaneous equation estimation approach to revisit the possible cross relationship between IPO initial returns and aftermarket risk. A structural form equation system of IPO initial returns and aftermarket risk equations is estimated first to obtain the structural form coefficients. The analytically derived reduced form coefficients are then calculated to analyze the net effects of each exogenous variable on two endogenous variables. Major findings of this study are as follows. First, the signs of net effects of all exogenous variables on IPO initial returns and aftermarket risk are the same. In other words, any change in exogenous variables, IPO initial returns and IPO aftermarket risk will change in the same direction, i.e., the higher (lower) the IPO initial returns, the higher (lower) the IPO aftermarket risk. Second, the less the degree of corporate governance, the higher the IPO initial returns and aftermarket risk. Third, the higher the market risk or return before IPO, the higher the IPO initial returns and aftermarket risk.

Household Allocation of Time and Church Attendance: Some Additional Evidence

1977 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen H. Long ◽  
Russell F. Settle
Keyword(s):  
Church Attendance ◽  
Allocation Of Time ◽  
Household Allocation

The role of innovation in building competitive advantages: an empirical investigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prodromos Chatzoglou ◽  
Dimitrios Chatzoudes
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Empirical Investigation ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Manufacturing Companies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

Purpose Nowadays, innovation appears as one of the main driving forces of organisational success. Despite the above fact, its impact on the propensity of an organisation to develop and sustain a competitive advantage has not yet received sufficient empirical investigation. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the existing empirical literature by focusing on the antecedents of innovation and its impact on competitive advantage. It proposes a newly developed conceptual framework that adopts a three-step approach, highlighting areas that have rarely been simultaneously examined before. Design/methodology/approach The examination of the proposed conceptual framework was performed with the use of a newly developed structured questionnaire that was distributed to a group of Greek manufacturing companies. The questionnaire has been successfully completed by chief executive officers (CEOs) from 189 different companies. CEOs were used as key respondents due to their knowledge and experience. The reliability and the validity of the questionnaire were thoroughly examined. Empirical data were analysed using the structural equation modelling technique. The study is empirical (based on primary data), explanatory (examines cause and effect relationships), deductive (tests research hypotheses) and quantitative (includes the analysis of quantitative data collected with the use of a structured questionnaire). Findings Results indicate that knowledge management, intellectual capital, organisational capabilities and organisational culture have significant direct and indirect effects on innovation, underlining the importance of their simultaneous enhancement. Finally, the positive effect of innovation on the creation of competitive advantages is empirically validated, bridging the gap in the relevant literature and offering avenues for additional future research. Originality/value The causal relationship between innovation and competitive advantage, despite its significant theoretical support, has not been empirically validated. The present paper aspires to bridge this gap, investigating the impact of innovation on the development of competitive advantages. Moreover, the present study adopts a multidimensional approach that has never been explored in the existing innovation literature, making the examination of the proposed conceptual framework an interesting research topic.

Information risk, stock returns, and asset pricing: Evidence from China

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raheel Safdar ◽  
Chen Yan
Keyword(s):  
Stock Returns ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Market Pricing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Risk ◽  
Accruals Quality ◽  
Three Factor

Purpose This study aims to investigate information risk in relation to stock returns of a firm and whether information risk is priced in China. Design/methodology/approach The authors used accruals quality (AQ) as their measure of information risk and performed Fama-Macbeth regressions to investigate association of AQ with future realized stock returns. Moreover, two-stage cross-sectional regression analysis was performed, both at firm level and at portfolio level, to test if the AQ factor is priced in China in addition to existing factors in the Fama French three-factor model. Findings The authors found poor AQ being associated with higher future realized stock returns. Moreover, they found evidence of market pricing of AQ in addition to existing factors in the Fama French three-factor model. Further, subsample analysis revealed that investors value AQ more in non-state owned enterprises than in state owned enterprises. Research limitations/implications The study sample comprises A-shares only and the generalization of the findings is limited by the peculiar institutional and economic setup in China. Originality/value This study contributes to market-based accounting literature by providing further insight into how and if investors value information risk, and it seeks to fill gap in empirical literature by providing evidence from the Chinese capital market.

A nonlinear magnetic circuit model for periodic eddy current problems using T,ϕ-ϕ formulation

2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene Plasser ◽  
Gergely Koczka ◽  
Oszkár Bíró
Keyword(s):  
Eddy Current ◽  
Magnetic Circuit ◽  
Iteration Process ◽  
Equation System ◽  
Circuit Model ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Combined Method ◽  
3D Fem ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Transformer Model

Purpose A transformer model is used as a benchmark for testing various methods to solve 3D nonlinear periodic eddy current problems. This paper aims to set up a nonlinear magnetic circuit problem to assess the solving procedure of the nonlinear equation system for determining the influence of various special techniques on the convergence of nonlinear iterations and hence the computational time. Design/methodology/approach Using the T,ϕ-ϕ formulation and the harmonic balance fixed-point approach, two techniques are investigated: the so-called “separate method” and the “combined method” for solving the equation system. When using the finite element method (FEM), the elapsed time for solving a problem is dominated by the conjugate gradient (CG) iteration process. The motivation for treating the equations of the voltage excitations separately from the rest of the equation system is to achieve a better-conditioned matrix system to determine the field quantities and hence a faster convergence of the CG process. Findings In fact, both methods are suitable for nonlinear computation, and for comparing the final results, the methods are equally good. Applying the combined method, the number of iterations to be executed to achieve a meaningful result is considerably less than using the separated method. Originality/value To facilitate a quick analysis, a simplified magnetic circuit model of the 3D problem was generated to assess how the different ways of solutions will affect the full 3D solving process. This investigation of a simple magnetic circuit problem to evaluate the benefits of computational methods provides the basis for considering this formulation in a 3D-FEM code for further investigation.

scholarly journals The job demands-resources model and the international work context – a systematic review

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy T.B. Rattrie ◽  
Markus G. Kittler
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Domestic Work ◽  
Job Demands ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Work ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Work Contexts

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a synthesis and evaluation of literature surrounding the job demands-resources (JD-R) model (Demerouti et al., 2001) in the first decade since its inception, with particular emphasis on establishing an evidence-based universal application towards different national and international work contexts. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a systematic review approach following the stages suggested by Tranfield et al. (2003). Based on empirical data from 62 studies, the authors systematically analyse the application of the JD-R model and queries whether it is applicable outside merely domestic work contexts. Findings – The authors find convincing support for the JD-R model in different national contexts. However, the authors also found an absence of studies employing the JD-R model in cross-national settings. None of the empirical studies in the sample had explicitly considered the international context of today’s work environment or had clearly associated JD-R research with the IHRM literature. Research limitations/implications – Based on the wide acceptance of the JD-R model in domestic work contexts and the increased interest in work-related outcomes such as burnout and engagement in the IHRM literature, the study identifies a gap and suggests future research applying the JD-R model to international work and global mobility contexts. Originality/value – This study is the first to systematically assess the application of the JD-R model in domestic and international work contexts based on a systematic review of empirical literature in the first decade since the inception of the model. The study identifies a lack of internationally focussed JD-R studies and invites further empirical research and theoretical extensions.

Impact of trade facilitation reforms on tax revenue

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 765-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sena Kimm Gnangnon
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Tax Revenue ◽  
Trade Facilitation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the empirical literature of the macroeconomic effect of trade facilitation reforms by examining the impact of the latter on tax revenue in both developed and developing countries. The relevance of the topic lies on the fact that at the Bali Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2013, Trade Ministers agreed for the first time since the creation of the WTO (in 1995) on an Agreement to facilitate trade around the world, dubbed Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). The study considers both at-the-border and behind-the border measures of Trade Facilitation. Design/methodology/approach To conduct this study, the authors rely on the literature related to the structural factors that explain tax revenue mobilization. The authors mainly use within fixed effects estimator. The analysis relies on 102 countries (of which 23 industrial countries) over the period 2004-2007 (based on data availability). A focus has also been made on African countries, within the sample of developing countries. Findings The empirical analysis suggests evidence of a positive and significant effect of trade facilitation reforms on non-resources tax revenue, irrespective of the sample of countries considered in the analysis. Research limitations/implications This finding should contribute to dampening the fear of policymakers in developing countries, including Africa that the implementation of the TFA would entail higher costs, without necessarily being associated with higher benefits. An avenue for future research would be to extend the period of the study when data would be available. Originality/value To the best of the authors knowledge, this study had not been performed in the literature of the determinants of tax revenue mobilization, although fact-based analysis was performed.

Debt holdings and investment cash flow sensitivity of listed firms

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 943-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnson Worlanyo Ahiadorme ◽  
Agyapomaa Gyeke-Dako ◽  
Joshua Yindenaba Abor
Keyword(s):  
Cash Flow ◽  
Empirical Modeling ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Flow Sensitivity ◽  
Cash Flow Sensitivity ◽  
Cash Flow Sensitivities ◽  
Internal Funds

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of debt holdings on the sensitivity of firms’ investment to availability of internal funds. Design/methodology/approach For a panel data set of 27 Ghanaian listed firms for the period 2007–2013, the paper applies the Euler equation approach to the empirical modeling of investment. Findings The study finds support for the assertion that listed firms face less severe corporate control problems and lower financing constraints, and thus, have lower investment cash flow sensitivities. The study also finds that a significant positive sensitivity of investment to internal funds is associated with firms that have high debt holdings. Practical implications An implication of this study is that firms with high debt holdings face greater challenges in accessing external finance. These firms are likely to experience under-investment which at a macro level would translate into lower investments and economic growth for the country. Originality/value Empirical literature document that in the presence of market imperfections, investments of financially constrained firms become sensitive to the availability of internal finance. There are also contradictory evidences regarding the pattern of the observed investment cash flow sensitivity. This study examines the effect of debt holdings on the sensitivity of firms’ investment to availability of cash flow. This is yet to be empirically tested despite some theoretical explanations.

scholarly journals Serendipity and its study

2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 1015-1038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Edward Foster ◽  
David Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Information Seeking ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Information Studies ◽  
Information Encountering ◽  
Citation Classics

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of serendipity and approaches to its study particularly in relation to information studies. Design/methodology/approach – The origins of the term serendipity are described and its elaboration as an exploratory and explanatory concept in science and the social sciences are outlined. The distinction between serendipity and serendipity pattern is explained and theoretical and empirical studies of both serendipity and the serendipity patterns are explored. The relationship between information encountering is described. Empirical studies of serendipity using Citation Classics and other research approaches in information studies are described. Findings – The discrepancy between occurrences of serendipity in studies using Citation Classics and reported serendipity in philosophy of science, research anecdotes, information encountering and information seeking by inter-disciplinary researchers is highlighted. A comparison between a process model of serendipity and serendipity as an emergent behavioural characteristic are indicates directions for future research. Originality/value – The paper provides and original synthesis of the theoretical and empirical literature on serendipity with particular reference to work in information studies and an indication of the methodological difficulties involved in its study.

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