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1 – 10 of 32Azwan Abdul Rashid, Muhd Kamil Ibrahim, Radiah Othman and Kok Fong See
This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the disclosure of intellectual capital (IC) information in the Malaysian initial public offering (IPO) prospectus…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the disclosure of intellectual capital (IC) information in the Malaysian initial public offering (IPO) prospectus using multiple regression analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample consists of 130 companies in the technology and industrial products sectors of Bursa Malaysia that went through an IPO between 2004 and 2008. Initially, the extent of the IC disclosure index is quantified using content analysis methodology. The multiple regression analysis is then used to examine the associations of nine potential explanatory variables with IC disclosure level.
Findings
In general, the results provide evidence that board size, board independence, age, leverage, underwriter and listing board significantly influence the extent of IC disclosure in an IPO prospectus. Nonetheless, the effect of each explanatory variable may vary in each estimated parameter of the multiple regression models. Three variables, board diversity, size and auditor, were not significant.
Originality/value
Although many studies have examined the content of and reasons for IC disclosures, this study provides empirical evidence in this specific area, i.e. to explore the determinants of IC disclosure, particularly from the perspective of IPO prospectuses, in emerging countries such as Malaysia.
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Michael Pitt, Fong Kok Wai and Phua Chai Teck
Design errors in an airport passenger building can be extremely costly. Failure to plan may result in configurations and systems that are inappropriate for the future. The…
Abstract
Design errors in an airport passenger building can be extremely costly. Failure to plan may result in configurations and systems that are inappropriate for the future. The performance of an optimal building configuration depends to a large extent on the kind of technology provided for the transportation of passengers and baggage. Poorly selected technology can undermine the operational efficiency of a good configuration and vice versa. With massive growth in air travel and the scale of modern passenger buildings, more reliance will be placed on transport technology to achieve acceptable walk distances and travel times. Therefore it is critical to consider in the overall design strategy how a particular building configuration and its associated technology will perform under conditions of change. Good design practice dictates that performance be assessed using multiple criteria over a broad range of possible conditions. The difficulty in predicting future conditions makes the selection of a robust system critical to the long‐term success of an airport. This paper examines the various systems available and concludes that different system combinations are appropriate for airports with different levels of passenger throughput.
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Michael Pitt, Fong Kok Wai and Phua Chai Teck
Airport design has improved significantly in the last 20 years. Design has moved from simple protection from the elements to almost full automation. Many older airport…
Abstract
Airport design has improved significantly in the last 20 years. Design has moved from simple protection from the elements to almost full automation. Many older airport facilities are now outdated and require replacement. The decision to replace must be made based upon benchmarking with similar airport facilities. Summarises the current position with airport design and suggests that efficient use of facilities cannot depend upon shareholder return alone but must be based on national interest and efficiency demonstrated through external benchmarking. Suggests that facilities managers must be aware of the expectations of the airlines and passengers and the indicators used in the assessment of performance. Outlines the reasons that influence an airport’s decision to upgrade or replace its terminal facilities.
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Investigates the evolution of mass rapid transit (MRT) in relationto the Hong Kong market and analyses the effect of surrounding landvalues. Outlines the unique features…
Abstract
Investigates the evolution of mass rapid transit (MRT) in relation to the Hong Kong market and analyses the effect of surrounding land values. Outlines the unique features of Hong Kong which make an urban railway system ideal and discusses the changes brought about by MRT. Summarizes the growth of commercial development on Hong Kong island and gives case studies on the Admiralty, Sheung Wan and Taikooshing/Kornhill areas in respect of their development with the advent of MRT. Notes that the shortening of travelling time for workers has increased demand for, and hence the price of, sites immediately adjacent to MRT stations.
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The purpose of this paper is to trace the changing pattern of identity politics in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It shows that in response to the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to trace the changing pattern of identity politics in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It shows that in response to the massive urban renewal projects in the 2000s, “civic localism” in the form of cultural preservation movement emerged to protect local community culture against the government-business hegemony. However, due to the deepening of social integration between Hong Kong and the mainland, a new “anti-mainland localism” emerged in the 2010s against the influx of mainlanders. In 2015–2016, as a result of Beijing’s active interference in Hong Kong affairs, localism is further transformed to Hong Kong “independence.”
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a historical methodology to trace the changing pattern of identity politics in Hong Kong after it becomes a special administrative region of China in 1997.
Findings
It shows how the interaction among the following three factors has shaped the pattern of localism in Hong Kong: macro historical-structural context, social movement dynamics and the response of Hong Kong and mainland government.
Practical implications
This paper argues that Beijing’s hardline policy toward Hong Kong localism may work in the short run to all push the pro-independence activities underground. However, unless the structural contradiction of the HKSAR is resolved, it seems likely that anti-mainland localism and Hong Kong independence sentiment and movement will come back with a vengeance at a later stage.
Originality/value
The literature tends to discuss Hong Kong localism in very general terms and fails to reveal its changing nature. This paper contributes by distinguishing three different forms of localism: civic localism in the mid-2000s, anti-mainland in the late 2000s and early 2010s, and independence after 2016. It shows how the macro historical-structural transformation, social movement dynamics and the responses of the Hong Kong SAR government and Beijing government have led to the changes of civic localism to anti-mainland localism, and finally to independence.
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The purpose of this paper is to explain why many activists in Hong Kong have shifted from demanding democracy to independence while, at least for a short time, there have…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explain why many activists in Hong Kong have shifted from demanding democracy to independence while, at least for a short time, there have been more aggressive tactics which culminated in the Fishball Revolution of 2016.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on event analysis, participant observation in recent protests, as well as interviews with participants and non-participants in various pro-democracy protests, this paper traces the changes of the democracy movement from 1997 until 2018.
Findings
The paper demonstrates that the inability of the democracy movement to make progress has contributed to a change in the goals and tactics of some pro-democracy activists. The goals have shifted from moderate democratic reforms to much more revolutionary demands including calls for full autonomy or independence while the approach has shifted from an institutionalized approach toward more aggressive tactics such as illegal forms of resistance. During the Lunar New Year in 2016, the growing frustrations over perceived threats to the local culture have, for the first time since the handover, even led to the use of violence.
Originality/value
This paper views contentious politics in Hong Kong through McAdam’s distinction of reform-oriented and revolutionary goals as well as institutionalized and non-institutionalized tactics. This provides a new perspective for explaining the rise of localism and Hong Kong nationalism.
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Despite the preservation of “One Country, Two Systems” for 50 years under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Basic Law, changes are palpable due to the emergence of a…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the preservation of “One Country, Two Systems” for 50 years under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Basic Law, changes are palpable due to the emergence of a real contest between liberal and pro-China actors in the legal profession and the legal environment in Hong Kong. After celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Hong Kong’s sovereignty transfer from Britain to China, it is valuable to study how the sovereign power influence the rule of law in its semiautonomous city by non-legal measures. This paper aims to offer a preliminary research on China’s political economic strategy, which is regarded as the “China factor”, in the legal system of Hong Kong, and its political, economic and legal-cultural impacts on the rule of law.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper argues that China exerts its influence over the legal system of Hong Kong in four domains, including ideology, political elections, legal organization and cross-border political economy. Based on media research and content analysis over published materials of various legal associations and institutions, it is found that China attempts to consolidate its control in Hong Kong by producing alternative legal ideology and discourse of the rule of law and by co-opting the legal profession under China’s united front strategy.
Findings
While there are liberal lawyers and legal scholars vocally engaging in defense of human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong, a network of legal profession promoting socialist and authoritarian legal values has become prominent. Hong Kong’s legal culture will continue to be shaped in accordance with authoritarian characteristics and will adversely affect developing the rule of law in this international city.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the study of China’s influence over the legal profession of Hong Kong and in general Hong Kong’s jurisdiction by offering an example to the international community that contributes towards understanding how China adopts different strategies to expand political significance beyond its border.
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Pepijn van Empelen, Gerjo Kok, Christian J.P.H. Hoebe and Maria W.J. Jansen
The present article focuses on the gap between motivation and action in relation to condom use among drug users in non‐commercial relationships. The study showed that most…
Abstract
The present article focuses on the gap between motivation and action in relation to condom use among drug users in non‐commercial relationships. The study showed that most drug users were not motivated to use condoms within steady relationships. In casual sexual relationships the intention to use condoms was higher, but several enactment factors were identified that may inhibit actual condom use. These findings about the difference in perceived type of sexual relationship and of the enactment factors should be taken into account when promoting safe sex among drug users.
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M. Khurrum S. Bhutta, Arif I. Rana and Usman Asad
A major frustration for most policy researchers in the small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) area is the virtual non‐existence of scientific data on this sector in the…
Abstract
Purpose
A major frustration for most policy researchers in the small to medium‐sized enterprise (SME) area is the virtual non‐existence of scientific data on this sector in the country. This paper aims to provide some data.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 651 SMEs from the manufacturing sector of Pakistan was conducted in 2003 and statistical analysis was carried out to analyze the data. This paper focuses on the relationship between the health indicators namely, sales/employee, increase/decrease in sales, and investment plans and the different personal characteristics of the owner/entrepreneur.
Findings
This analysis suggests that education, generation setting up the business, and number of partners have a significant relationship with the health of SMEs. Health of the firm is also dependent on owner habits like watching television, reading newspapers and using computers for office work. Other factors like caste of the owner and occupation of the owner's relatives were also analyzed, but no significant relationship with the health of an SME was observed.
Practical implications
The implications of this study are far reaching in understanding the profiles of owners of SMEs in Pakistan and how these profiles impact the profitability of the firms.
Originality/value
To date no other such study has been carried out in Pakistan. Similar studies on owner profiles have previously been carried out in other countries such as the UK and USA.
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China is the one of the biggest producers and consumers of alcohol in the world. With as many secrets as there are languages, we take a unique look at the drinking habits…
Abstract
China is the one of the biggest producers and consumers of alcohol in the world. With as many secrets as there are languages, we take a unique look at the drinking habits of a country yet to come to terms with increasing alcohol problems. David Arthur presents for the first time findings from his pioneering research into Chinese drinking habits and their cautious moves in dealing with its consequences.