Search results
1 – 10 of 282Recently, there has been a call for replication research to validate empirical findings, especially findings that are important for development policies. Thus, the purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Recently, there has been a call for replication research to validate empirical findings, especially findings that are important for development policies. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to replicate the estimation results from Mu and van de Walle (2011).
Design/methodology/approach
The author used raw data sets provided by Mu Ren and Dominique van de Walle and the same methods of Mu and van de Walle (2011). In addition to the pure replication, the author conducted the two extensions: sensitivity analysis of covariates and bandwidth selection and analysis of the effect of the road project on additional outcome variables.
Findings
Overall, the author ables to replicate most estimates from Mu and van de Walle (2011). The author find a positive effect of rural roads on local market development. The impact estimates of the road project are not sensitive to the selection of the bandwidth in kernel propensity score (PS) matching. There are no significant effects of road projects on additional outcomes, including access to credit and migration.
Practical implications
The study confirms a positive effect of rural roads on local market development. Thus, the government can provide investment in rural roads to improve the local market and its welfare.
Originality/value
This study tried to replicate and verify an important study on the impact of the rural road in Vietnam.
Details
Keywords
Asabea Shirley Ahwireng-Obeng and Frederick Ahwireng-Obeng
Despite being a viable source of funds, African sovereign bond markets are relatively underexplored. The empirical literature fails to consider the impact of exclusively…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite being a viable source of funds, African sovereign bond markets are relatively underexplored. The empirical literature fails to consider the impact of exclusively macroeconomic factors and the volatile contexts in which African markets operate. The purpose of this paper is to fill the vacuum by proposing a context-sensitive theoretical framework. The study targets, specifically, macroeconomic factors and assesses the extent to which they affect bond market development.
Design/methodology/approach
Using panel data on sovereign bond markets from 26 African economies, the study extends previous methodologies used in similar studies by accounting for downside risk in a generalized method of moments (GMM) framework and employing tighter robustness measures.
Findings
This study finds that inflation, domestic debt, external debt, GDP at PPP, fiscal balance and exports are important macroeconomic drivers of sovereign bond market development in African emerging economies.
Research limitations/implications
While GMM estimation is beneficial in the presence of endogeneity between the dependent variables that are instrumented with lagged independent variables, it guarantees consistency but, not unbiased estimations.
Practical implications
Market-oriented government funding with well-defined debt management strategies must be implemented to support the development of sovereign bond markets. External debt must be set at a sustainable level, and government should be dedicated to the confirmation of this. Furthermore, inflation rates must be kept low and stable.
Social implications
If policymakers are to take this study seriously, bond markets may begin to be viable sources of funds for African emerging economies.
Originality/value
This study introduces a methodology for measuring bond market development that considers the systemic volatility in emerging markets and proposes a theoretical framework for African emerging economies. In addition, the authors identify a new macroeconomic determinant of bond market development in the region.
Details
Keywords
Cheetra Bhajan, Hudaa Neetoo, Shane Hardowar, Navindra Boodia, Marie Françoise Driver, Mahindra Chooneea, Brinda Ramasawmy, Dayawatee Goburdhun and Arvind Ruggoo
This study aims to shed light on the phenomenon of food waste generation by the food and beverage sector of hotels of Mauritius as well as examine the current status of food waste…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to shed light on the phenomenon of food waste generation by the food and beverage sector of hotels of Mauritius as well as examine the current status of food waste management.
Details
Keywords
Ying Liu, Chenggang Wang, Zeng Tang and Zhibiao Nan
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of farmland renting-in on planted grain acreage.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impacts of farmland renting-in on planted grain acreage.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey data of five counties were analyzed with the two-stage ordinary least squares model.
Findings
Households renting-in land trended to plant more maize, and the more land was rented by a household the more maize was planted, while wheat acreage showed non-response to farmland renting-in.
Practical implications
Overall, the analysis suggests that policy makers should be prepared for different changing trends of grain crop acreage across the nation as farmland transfer continues. Future research should pay attention to the effect of farmland transfer on agricultural productivity and rural household income growth.
Originality/value
As the Chinese Government is promoting larger-scale and more mechanized farms as a way of protecting grain security, it is important to understand whether farmland renting-in will reduce planted grain acreage. This study provides empirical evidence showing the answer to that question may differ across different regions and depend on the particular grain crop in question.
Details
Keywords
Anna Trubetskaya, Olivia McDermott and Anthony Ryan
This paper outlines how Design for Lean Six Sigma methods aided a medical device manufacturing company in developing a new strategic space management and approval process for its…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper outlines how Design for Lean Six Sigma methods aided a medical device manufacturing company in developing a new strategic space management and approval process for its manufacturing site.
Design/methodology/approach
The project demonstrates the application of the Design for Lean Six Sigma and structured Define, Measure, Analyse, Design, and Verify methodology in designing and implementing a process that enables the case study manufacturing site to improve its space utilisation and free up space.
Findings
The project was validated in one manufacturing department, and the Design for Lean Six Sigma methodology resulted in creating 15% new space for that area, with opportunities identified to free up 44.7% of the total manufacturing floor space and realise over €2.2 million cost savings as well as start to manufacture new products launched.
Research limitations/implications
The manuscript highlights for the first time how the Design for Lean Six Sigma methodology can be utilised for space utilisation and can be leveraged by other manufacturers. The current study's limitations are that it is a single-site case study application. Future longitudinal case studies on Design for Lean Six Sigma application in more manufacturing space utilisation projects would be useful. This study has implications for identifying best practices for Design for Lean Six Sigma methodology application in the device industry, thus improving the state of the art for introducing new manufacturing lines.
Originality/value
This is the first published work to utilise Design for Lean Six Sigma methodology for space utilisation in a medical device company. This review will provide medical devices and other manufacturing organisations with recommendations on utilising Design for Lean Six Sigma and design for improved space utilisation to reduce costs.
Details
Keywords
Zihan Nie, Nico Heerink, Qin Tu and Shuqin Jin
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of adopting certified food production on chemical fertilizer and pesticide use in China.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of adopting certified food production on chemical fertilizer and pesticide use in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors estimate fixed effect models to track the changes in agrochemical consumption at household level over time and evaluate the effect of certified food production, using an unbalanced panel data set covering 4,830 households in six provinces over the period 2005–2013.
Findings
On average, the authors do not find significant effects of certified food production on either chemical fertilizer or pesticide consumption among Chinese farmers. The effects are heterogeneous across villages, but the heterogeneous effects show no clear pattern that is consistent with different types of certification. The findings are robust to the use of alternative panel structure and certification indicators. The lack of knowledge about certification among farmers, the price premium and differences in regulation enforcement across regions may explain why the authors do not find negative effects on agrochemical use.
Practical implications
This study suggests that careful inspections and strong enforcement of certified food production is needed to ensure that the environmental goals of certified food production can be achieved and the reputation of certification in China can be improved. The inspection of certification producers and the enforcement of current regulations should be stricter for the further healthy development of certified food production in China.
Originality/value
This study is the first attempt to systematically evaluate the impact of food certification on the use of agrochemicals in Chinese agriculture.
Details
Keywords
Suheyib Eldersevi and Razali Haron
This study aims to examine the resolutions issued by the Sharīʿah Advisory Council of Bank Negara Malaysia (SAC-BNM), which have recognized maṣlaḥah (public interest) as the basis…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the resolutions issued by the Sharīʿah Advisory Council of Bank Negara Malaysia (SAC-BNM), which have recognized maṣlaḥah (public interest) as the basis of ruling to see the extent of its usefulness to the public and the extent of its adherence to the maṣlaḥah parameters. The study will also look into the opposing opinion to identify the basis of rejection and overall implication on Islamic finance based on opposing opinions of SAC-BNM and other bodies of collective ijtihād (juristic interpretation).
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses a qualitative approach by analyzing the SAC-BNM resolutions, which have been resolved based on maṣlaḥah. The study also applies the comparative approach by comparing the fatwa (Sharīʿah pronouncement) issuing bodies of Malaysia and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Furthermore, the secondary data is obtained from sources such as uṣūl al-fiqh (theory of Islamic jurisprudence) books, papers and relevant internet sources.
Findings
The study found that SAC-BNM’s resolutions are in line with some of the major maṣlaḥah parameters mentioned in the uṣūl al-fiqh sources i.e. must not contradict with the Qurʾān and the Sunnah. While looking at the other two criteria of being in line with ijmāʿ (consensus) and having a general impact, such resolutions might not fulfill the criteria of valid maṣlaḥah considering, respectively, the stand of collective ijtihād or the impact on the group of customers and institutions.
Originality/value
Most available shari’ah (Islamic law) research considers the perspective of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) while analyzing the issue of maṣlaḥah. This study aims to conduct analysis based on uṣūl al-fiqh. Moreover, maṣlaḥah itself is a broad concept, which can be abused. Hence, this study discusses the parameters of maṣlaḥah to understand the validity of an important juristic tool in Sharīʿah.
Details
Keywords
Jiayuan Zhao, Hong Huo, Sheng Wei, Chunjia Han, Mu Yang, Brij B. Gupta and Varsha Arya
The study employs two independent experimental studies to collect data. It focuses on the matching effect between advertising appeals and product types. The Elaboration Likelihood…
Abstract
Purpose
The study employs two independent experimental studies to collect data. It focuses on the matching effect between advertising appeals and product types. The Elaboration Likelihood Model serves as the theoretical framework for understanding the cognitive processing involved in consumers' responses to these advertising appeals and product combinations.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper aims to investigate the impact of advertising appeals on consumers' intentions to purchase organic food. We explored the interaction between advertising appeals (egoistic vs altruistic) and product types (virtue vs vice) and purchase intention. The goal is to provide insights that can enhance the advertising effectiveness of organic food manufacturers and retailers.
Findings
The analysis reveals significant effects on consumers' purchase intentions based on the matching of advertising appeals with product types. Specifically, when egoistic appeals align with virtuous products, there is an improvement in consumers' purchase intentions. When altruistic appeals match vice products, a positive impact on purchase intention is observed. The results suggest that the matching of advertising appeals with product types enhances processing fluency, contributing to increased purchase intention.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the field by providing nuanced insights into the interplay between advertising appeals and product types within the context of organic food. The findings highlight the importance of considering the synergy between egoistic appeals and virtuous products, as well as altruistic appeals and vice products. This understanding can be strategically employed by organic food manufacturers and retailers to optimize their advertising strategies, thereby improving their overall effectiveness in influencing consumers' purchase intentions.
Details
Keywords
Zohreh Pourzolfaghar, Marco Alfano and Markus Helfert
This paper aims to describe the results of applying ethical AI requirements to a healthcare use case. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of using open…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to describe the results of applying ethical AI requirements to a healthcare use case. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of using open educational resources for Trustworthy AI to provide recommendations to an AI solution within the healthcare domain.
Design/methodology/approach
This study utilizes the Hackathon method as its research methodology. Hackathons are short events where participants share a common goal. The purpose of this to determine the efficacy of the educational resources provided to the students. To achieve this objective, eight teams of students and faculty members participated in the Hackathon. The teams made suggestions for healthcare use case based on the knowledge acquired from educational resources. A research team based at the university hosting the Hackathon devised the use case. The healthcare research team participated in the Hackathon by presenting the use case and subsequently analysing and evaluating the utility of the outcomes.
Findings
The Hackathon produced a framework of proposed recommendations for the introduced healthcare use case, in accordance with the EU's requirements for Trustworthy AI.
Research limitations/implications
The educational resources have been applied to one use-case.
Originality/value
This is the first time that open educational resources for Trustworthy AI have been utilized in higher education, making this a novel study. The university hosting the Hackathon has been the coordinator for the Trustworthy AI Hackathon (as partner to Trustworthy AI project).
Details
Keywords
Xunjia Zheng, Bin Huang, Daiheng Ni and Qing Xu
The purpose of this paper is to accurately capture the risks which are caused by each road user in time.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to accurately capture the risks which are caused by each road user in time.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors proposed a novel risk assessment approach based on the multi-sensor fusion algorithm in the real traffic environment. Firstly, they proposed a novel detection-level fusion approach for multi-object perception in dense traffic environment based on evidence theory. This approach integrated four states of track life into a generic fusion framework to improve the performance of multi-object perception. The information of object type, position and velocity was accurately obtained. Then, they conducted several experiments in real dense traffic environment on highways and urban roads, which enabled them to propose a novel road traffic risk modeling approach based on the dynamic analysis of vehicles in a variety of driving scenarios. By analyzing the generation process of traffic risks between vehicles and the road environment, the equivalent forces of vehicle–vehicle and vehicle–road were presented and theoretically calculated. The prediction steering angle and trajectory were considered in the determination of traffic risk influence area.
Findings
The results of multi-object perception in the experiments showed that the proposed fusion approach achieved low false and missing tracking, and the road traffic risk was described as a field of equivalent force. The results extend the understanding of the traffic risk, which supported that the traffic risk from the front and back of the vehicle can be perceived in advance.
Originality/value
This approach integrated four states of track life into a generic fusion framework to improve the performance of multi-object perception. The information of object type, position and velocity was used to reduce erroneous data association between tracks and detections. Then, the authors conducted several experiments in real dense traffic environment on highways and urban roads, which enabled them to propose a novel road traffic risk modeling approach based on the dynamic analysis of vehicles in a variety of driving scenarios. By analyzing the generation process of traffic risks between vehicles and the road environment, the equivalent forces of vehicle–vehicle and vehicle–road were presented and theoretically calculated.
Details