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1 – 10 of over 7000Ana Iolanda Voda and Andrei Stefan Nestian
The present study explores gender inequalities in the entrepreneurial landscape in Romania, based on Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data, highlighting similarities and…
Abstract
The present study explores gender inequalities in the entrepreneurial landscape in Romania, based on Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data, highlighting similarities and differences between women and men entrepreneurs. Even if the GEM reports include data on entrepreneurship since 1999, Romania has been among the participating countries only since 2007 for the Adult Population Survey (GEM, APS). Thus, to include Romania in the analysis, the data from this study were selected for nine years, namely from 2007 to 2015. Our results indicate that among Romanian men and women, similar drivers influence the odds of engagement in entrepreneurial activities relative to not being involved in businesses. For both men and women, having confidence in their knowledge and skills had the highest odds ratio values. Also, identifying opportunities proved to be positive and significant for both genders, while fear of failure had the opposite effect. Knowing other entrepreneurs can lead to great benefits generated through social exchange. Findings reveal that the external knowledge that an entrepreneur’s environment gives rise to can prove to be supportive in the discovery of opportunities and their exploitation.
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Rovier Djeudja and Yang Salamon
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the contribution of the business climate on the sustainability of Cameroonian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in times of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the contribution of the business climate on the sustainability of Cameroonian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in times of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve this purpose, the study proceed with a quantitative analysis using the simple LOGIT model on a sample of 52 individuals.
Findings
Through the administration of questionnaires and estimations, results reveal that certain variables such as the taxation regime of the enterprise, the different types of taxes paid by the enterprise, the frequency of payment of income tax, the nature of the training of managers, the clauses of the debt contracts with banks/EMFs (Microfinance institution), the time taken to apply for a loan from the bank and the nature of the manager’s training have a negative influence on the sustainability of Cameroonian SMEs during COVID-19, while others such as the evolution of financial profitability in the context of the coronavirus pandemic in Cameroon, the company’s sector of activity and the main methods of financing the SME have a positive influence on the sustainability of Cameroonian SMEs during COVID-19 pandemic. The improvement of the business climate by the institutional authorities is, therefore, essential in the perspective of an eventual development of the country; the said development cannot take place without capitalizing on the potential for income and job creation by SMEs.
Research limitations/implications
The first limitation is related to the size of the sample and also to the specificity of our study. In fact, the study is conducted among individuals/actors likely to have access to information on the business climate and sustainability of Cameroonian SMEs at the time of COVID-19 encountered in the city of Yaoundé. In this context, the sample size is considered to be small (52). This element does not immediately allow the results of the present research to be generalized to all regions where SMEs are located in Cameroon, as other criteria or other elements must still be taken into account and the results obtained must, therefore, be interpreted with caution. This research could be deepened in the future by considering more business climate variables on the one hand and a larger sample size extended to all cities in Cameroon on the other.
Practical implications
The results of this research confirm the importance of institutional bodies establishing a rigorous policy of support for businesses. Such a policy would contribute to improving the business climate and extend beyond mere resilience.
Originality/value
The originality of this study lies in the fact that it looks at the sustainability of SMEs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Cameroon using a simple LOGIT econometric model.
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The article aims to investigate the effects of ownership and capital structure on postacquisition operating performance.
Abstract
Purpose
The article aims to investigate the effects of ownership and capital structure on postacquisition operating performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The article extends the ongoing literature from an operating loss perspective and provides empirical evidence on the probability of acquirers’ operating loss in relation to ownership and capital structure. The operating performance of publicly listed manufacturing firms in China was tracked up to five years since the completion of the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) during 2003–2014.
Findings
The empirical results show that, in a five-year postacquisition period, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are more likely to experience operating loss than non-SOEs. The likelihood of the operating loss is negatively associated with ownership concentration, implying that concentrated ownership may serve as an effective corporate governance mechanism in the emerging economy and improve postacquisition performance. The rise in leverage increases the likelihood of postacquisition operating loss, indicating that the costs of debt may outweigh the benefits.
Originality/value
The findings contribute to the literature on ownership, debt governance and post-M&A performance from an emerging economy perspective.
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John M. Violanti and Michael E. Andrew
Policing requires atypical work hours. The present study examined associations between shiftwork and pregnancy loss among female police officers.
Abstract
Purpose
Policing requires atypical work hours. The present study examined associations between shiftwork and pregnancy loss among female police officers.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants were 91 female officers with a prior history of at least one pregnancy. Shiftwork information was assessed using daily electronic payroll work records. Any prior pregnancy loss (due to miscarriage) was self-reported. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for main associations.
Findings
On average, the officers were 42 years old, had 14 years of service, and 56% reported a prior pregnancy loss. Officers who worked dominantly on the afternoon or night shift during their career had 96% greater odds of pregnancy loss compared to those on day shift (OR = 1.96, 95% CI:0.71–5.42), but the result was not statistically significant. A 25% increase in percent of hours worked on night shift was associated with 87% increased odds of pregnancy loss (OR = 1.87, 95% CI:1.01–3.47). Associations were adjusted for demographic and lifestyle factors. Objective assessment of shiftwork via electronic records strengthened the study. Limitations include small sample size, cross-sectional design and lack of details on pregnancy loss or the timing of pregnancy loss with regard to shiftwork.
Research limitations/implications
The present study is preliminary and cross-sectional.
Practical implications
With considerable further inquiry and findings into this topic, results may have an impact on police policy affecting shift work and pregnant police officers.
Social implications
Implication on the health and welfare of police officers.
Originality/value
To our knowledge, there are no empirical studies which associate shiftwork and pregnancy loss among police officers. This preliminary study suggested an association between shiftwork and increased odds of pregnancy loss and points out the need for further study.
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The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the true level of discrimination against openly gay and lesbian applicants in hiring decisions in OECD countries as well as on its…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the true level of discrimination against openly gay and lesbian applicants in hiring decisions in OECD countries as well as on its determinants.
Design/methodology/approach
The author presents an overview of all studies conducted in order to test for discrimination against homosexual applicants in the labor market by the correspondence testing method. Moreover, the author performs a meta-analysis of correspondence tests from 18 separate studies conducted in OECD countries to test sexual orientation discrimination, containing more than 70 estimates of effects and representing a total of more than 50,000 resumes sent to employers. In addition to presenting overall results, the author focus on subgroups of specific correspondence tests in order to highlight the differences across gender, type of jobs, procedure, continent and type of information provided in applications.
Findings
The author provides evidence that sexual orientation discrimination occurs in the labor market in OECD countries, such that openly homosexual applicants face similar discrimination as ethnic minority applicants. Discrimination is significantly greater in the selection process for low-skilled than for high-skilled jobs. In the selection process for low-skilled jobs, lesbian candidates face significantly lower discrimination than gays (except in jobs that are considered “women’s” jobs). Discrimination is significantly higher in Europe than in North America. Moreover, the way sexual orientation is signaled may influence the level of discrimination found. Finally, discrimination against homosexual applicants is not only a matter of preferences: providing more positive information in applications significantly reduces the level of discrimination.
Originality/value
This paper offers the first quantitative analysis of sexual orientation discrimination in OECD countries through meta-analyses.
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Irina Farquhar, Alan Sorkin, Kent Summers and Earl Weir
We study changes in age-specific diabetes-related mortality and annual health care utilization. We find that half of the estimated 16% increase of diabetic mortality falls within…
Abstract
We study changes in age-specific diabetes-related mortality and annual health care utilization. We find that half of the estimated 16% increase of diabetic mortality falls within employable age groups. We estimate that disease combination-specific increase in case fatality has resulted in premature diabetic mortality costing $3.2 billion annually. The estimated annual direct cost of treating high-risk diabetics reaches $36 billion, of which Medicare and Other Federal Programs compensate 54%. Respiratory conditions among diabetics comprise the same proportion of high-risk diabetics as do the disease combinations including coronary heart diseases. Treating of general diabetic conditions has become more efficient as indicated by the estimated declines in per unit health care costs.
Luis Raúl Rodríguez-Reyes and Mireya Pasillas
This paper aims to study the effect of the COVID-19 economic slowdown on the restaurant industry in Jalisco, Mexico, identifying business-specific variables that improve/worsen…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study the effect of the COVID-19 economic slowdown on the restaurant industry in Jalisco, Mexico, identifying business-specific variables that improve/worsen restaurants’ odds of permanent closure.
Design/methodology/approach
The data of a randomized survey on 438 restaurants conducted in October 2020 in Jalisco, Mexico, are analyzed using a binary logistic regression model in which the dependent variable depicts the perception of the restaurant owner regarding the possibility of closing the business for good because of COVID-19.
Findings
Layoffs and large year-on-year drops in sales increased the odds of permanent closure by 12.7 and 5.5 times, respectively. At the same time, being a small business had a protective effect against closure. For instance, a restaurant with 6 to 10 employees and 11 to 20 seats, respectively, had 87.9% and 45.1% lower odds of permanent closure than a different-sized restaurant. There is also an element of legacy in restaurant resilience. Every year the business has been open, it has 2.5% lower odds of permanent closure.
Practical implications
These results call for government financial support to the restaurant industry in extreme financial distress and help to understand the business-specific characteristics of resilient restaurants when liquidity vanishes, such as in the COVID-19 economic crisis.
Originality/value
This study fills a gap in the literature regarding the effect of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry in Mexico, which is scarcely studied. Moreover, it analyzes data collected in the recovery period after the first wave of COVID-19, providing a unique scenario to study critical variables for the resilience of restaurants.
Objetivo
Este documento estudia el efecto de la desaceleración económica de COVID-19 en la industria de restaurantes en Jalisco, México, identificando variables específicas del negocio que mejoran/empeoran las probabilidades de cierre permanente de los restaurantes.
Diseño
Los datos de una encuesta aleatoria sobre 438 restaurantes realizada en octubre de 2020 en Jalisco, México, se analizan utilizando un modelo de regresión logística binaria en el que la variable dependiente representa la percepción del propietario del restaurante con respecto a la posibilidad de cerrar el negocio para siempre debido a COVID-19.
Hallazgos
Los despidos y las grandes caídas interanuales en las ventas aumentaron las posibilidades de cierre permanente en 12.7 y 5.5 veces, respectivamente. Al mismo tiempo, ser una pequeña empresa tenía un efecto protector contra el cierre. Por ejemplo, un restaurante con 6 a 10 empleados y de 11 a 20 asientos, respectivamente, tenía 87.9% y 45.1% menos posibilidades de cierre permanente que un restaurante de diferente tamaño. También hay un elemento de legado en la resiliencia de los restaurantes. Cada año que el negocio ha estado abierto, tiene un 2.5% menos de posibilidades de cierre permanente.
Implicaciones prácticas
Estos resultados respaldan la necesidad de apoyo financiero del gobierno a la industria restaurantera en periodos de dificultades financieras extremas y ayudan a comprender las características específicas de los restaurantes resilientes cuando la liquidez desaparece, como en la crisis económica de COVID-19.
Originalidad
Este estudio llena un vacío en la literatura sobre el estudio del efecto del COVID-19 en la industria de restaurantes en México, que apenas se ha estudiado. Además, analiza datos recolectados en el período de recuperación después de la primera ola de COVID-19, proporcionando un escenario único para estudiar variables clave para la resiliencia de los restaurantes.
Objetivo
Este artigo estuda o efeito da desaceleração econômica COVID-19 na indústria de restaurantes em Jalisco, México, identificando variáveis específicas do negócio que melhoram/pioram as chances de fechamento permanente dos restaurantes.
Desenho
Os dados de uma pesquisa randomizada com 438 restaurantes realizada em outubro de 2020 em Jalisco, no México, são analisados por meio de um modelo de regressão logística binária em que a variável dependente retrata a percepção do dono do restaurante sobre a possibilidade de fechar definitivamente o negócio por causa da COVID-19.
Conclusões
Demissões e grandes quedas ano a ano nas vendas aumentaram as chances de fechamento definitivo em 12,7 e 5,5 vezes, respectivamente. Ao mesmo tempo, ser uma pequena empresa teve um efeito protetor contra o fechamento. Por exemplo, um restaurante com 6 a 10 funcionários e 11 a 20 lugares, respectivamente, teve 87,9% e 45,1% menos chances de fechamento permanente do que um restaurante de tamanho diferente. Há também um elemento de legado na resiliência dos restaurantes. A cada ano que o negócio é aberto, tem chances 2,5% menores de fechamento definitivo.
Implicações práticas
Esses resultados pedem apoio financeiro do governo para o setor de restaurantes em extrema dificuldade financeira e ajudam a entender as características específicas do negócio de restaurantes resilientes quando a liquidez desaparece, como na crise econômica COVID-19.
Originalidade
Este estudo preenche uma lacuna na literatura sobre o estudo do efeito do COVID-19 na indústria de restaurantes no México, que é pouco estudado. Além disso, analisa dados no período de recuperação após a primeira onda de COVID-19, fornecendo um cenário único para estudar variáveis-chave para a resiliência dos restaurantes.
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