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There is a growing interest in fuzzy time series (FTS) forecasting, and several improvements are presented in the last few decades. Among these improvements, the development of causal models (i.e., multiple factor FTS) has sparked a particular literature dealing with the causal inference and its integration in the FTS framework. However, causality among variables is usually introduced as a subjective assumption rather than empirical evidence. As a result of arbitrary causal modeling, the existing multiple factor FTS models are developed with implicit forecasting failure. Since post-sample control (unknown future, as in the business practice) is usually ignored, the spurious accuracy gain through increasing factors is not identified by scholars. This paper discloses the use of causality in the FTS method, and investigates the spurious causal inference problem in the literature with a justification approach. It invalidates the contribution of dozens of previously published papers while justifying its claim with illustrative examples and a comprehensive set of experiments with random data, as well as real business data from maritime transportation (Baltic Dry Index).

Over the last few decades, information technology (IT) has significantly altered the nature of work and organizational structures in many industries, including health care. The purpose of this analysis is to compare how system-level differences affect IT implementation in health care (HIT) and the implications of these differences for health care equity.

We critically analyzed selected claims concerning the capacity of HIT to provide better care to more individuals at lower costs, thus contributing to health care equity, in the context of current health care reform efforts in the United States. We used the case of HIT implementation in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance system as a contrasting case.

We argue that however much HIT may yield in quality improvements or savings in the context of a universal and publicly financed single payer system, such savings simply cannot be accrued by a system of multiple health plans competing for better customers (i.e., less costly patients) and driven by profit.

It is important to define the level of analysis in debates about the potential of HIT to produce better health care at lower costs and the equity implications of this potential. In these debates, US policy makers should consider the commitment to health care equity that informed the design of Taiwan’s health care system and of HIT implementation in that country. HIT merely provides enabling tools that are of little value without major systemic changes

To our knowledge, the health IT expert literature has overlooked when not ignored the ethical principles informing health care systems, an omission which makes it difficult if not impossible to evaluate the potential of HIT to increase equity in health care.

The study endeavours to bring out a critical synthesis of the effect of quality of financial reporting in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) countries pertaining to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption. BRICS is the group composed by the five major emerging countries, which together represent about 42% of the population, 23% of gross domestic product (GDP), 30% of the territory, and 18% of the global trade. The study synthesised 57 quantitative, qualitative, and theoretical studies between the period 2005 and 2020. The findings reflect that the BRICS countries are far way behind with the qualitative and quantitative outcomes on IFRS adoption, which may be on a voluntary basis or mandatory basis. However, there are mixed revelation based on the implications of the domestic convergence of standards with IFRS, which demonstrate that 15 papers’ results revealed a negative impact.

This study investigates the impact of insider-ownership of publicly traded firms on their performance, cost of debt (COD) and cost of equity. We use a sample of 104 non-finance listed companies of Pakistan for the period from 2006 to 2016. Our study is conducted in Pakistan as a developing country in which insider-ownership is dominant, and a weak external corporate governance mechanism increases the payoffs from insider-ownership. We use feasible generalized least square (FGLS) regression methods to examine these hypotheses. Based on agency theory, we find that insider-ownership enhances firm performance. Furthermore, our results show that insider-ownership reduced the COD and equity. Higher ownership decreases the opportunistic behavior of insiders. It also reduces the creditor’s perception of the likelihood of default on loan payments and reduces agency issues among shareholders. The insider will invest in positive NPV projects which will help maximize shareholders’ wealth and minimize the COD. Similarly, the relationship between insider-ownership and cost of equity is significant but negative. Supporting the convergence of interest increase in ownership helps in aligning the goals of managers and stakeholders whereby the insider will focus on value creation by minimizing equity cost.

This chapter examines corporate governance–related financial reporting issues in the context of globalization. Over the past few decades, the process of globalization has substantially altered the fields of corporate governance and accounting. More specifically, Anglo-American models of corporate governance and financial reporting have received increasing momentum in emerging economies, including China. However, a review of relevant studies suggests that there is limited research examining the implementation of Anglo-American concepts in various countries regardless of their growing acceptance. This monograph extends the existing literature by comprehensively investigating the adoption of internationally acceptable principles and standards in China, the largest transitional economy that has different institutional context from Anglo-American countries. In addition, the review has a number of implications for developing the theoretical framework, and determining the research methodology for the monograph.

Engagement, motivation, and persistence are usually associated with positive outcomes. However, too much of it can overtax our psychophysiological system and put it at risk. On the basis of a neuro-dynamic personality and self-regulation model, we explain the neurobehavioral mechanisms presumably underlying engagement and how engagement, when overtaxing the individual, becomes automatically inhibited for reasons of protection. We explain how different intensities and patterns of engagement may relate to personality traits such as Self-directedness, Conscientiousness, Drive for Reward, and Absorption, which we conceive of as functions or strategies of adaptive neurobehavioral systems. We describe how protective inhibitions and personality traits contribute to phenomena such as disengagement and increased effort-sense in chronic fatigue conditions, which often affect professions involving high socio-emotional interactions. By doing so we adduce evidence on hemispheric asymmetry of motivation, neuromodulation by dopamine, self-determination, task engagement, and physiological disengagement. Not least, we discuss educational implications of our model.

This paper examines the relationship between environmental uncertainty and tax avoidance at the firm level. We posit that managers faced with more uncertain environments are likely to engage in more tax avoidance activities. We find a significant and negative relationship between environmental uncertainty and effective tax rates, and our results persist through a battery of robust checks. We further find that managerial ability mitigates the above relationship. Moreover, we find that small, highly leveraged, and innovative firms operating in uncertain environments engage in more tax avoidance.

Tourism is a service-intensive industry where tourists’ experiences are framed by the quality of service provided. The main aim of this chapter is to offer conceptual guidelines on the service quality expectations and experiences of tourists and how this can be maintained through customer care.

A literature review was conducted where theories relevant to service quality and customer care were explored to design conceptual frameworks and guidelines for small business entrepreneurs/managers.

Psychological aspects related to the delivery of quality service are influenced by an array of characteristics, variables and managerial perspectives. Furthermore, tourists value the same service quality variables in the service quality assessment of their expectations and experiences.

Due to the exploratory nature of this chapter, interpretation of the findings must be done in the context of the discussed literature review with practical examples.

Service quality and customer care are essential elements in meeting tourists’ expectations. The five-step approach to address the service quality gaps in a tourism business provides valuable guidelines in the inter-relationships between the various aspects related to service delivery. The delivery of quality service is maintained by the creation of good relationships through customer care.

The illustration of the inter-relationships between analytical frameworks and models provides a unique opportunity for small business entrepreneurs to create an awareness of the delivery of quality service and customer care.