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1 – 10 of over 26000Lotta Moberg and Sebastian Reil
The purpose of this paper is to show how special economic zones (SEZs) can be applied to refugee camps. Zones are powerful tools for investors to act like institutional…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show how special economic zones (SEZs) can be applied to refugee camps. Zones are powerful tools for investors to act like institutional entrepreneurs, who promote institutional reform by pursuing exemptions from government constraints and taxes or by advocating for reform. Refugee SEZs (R-SEZs) would similarly allow for institutional entrepreneurs to promote broader immigration reform.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors apply a political economy framework to R-SEZs that explores the factors that make them feasible. A mathematical model is applied to explicitly define the conditions under which the zones could succeed in benefiting refugees, investors and the host economy alike.
Findings
Under certain conditions, appropriate tax rates can be applied to R-SEZs that make them feasible. Feasibility is determined by being beneficial for the host country while also attracting investors. The zones are feasible if they attract enough foreign investors as opposed to domestic investors. Other factors contributing to zone success are higher wages outside the zone, lower wages inside it, higher cost to the government of non-employed refugees, lower relocation cost for businesses and a higher tax rate outside the zone.
Practical implications
This policy would aim to provide job opportunities to refugees, profit opportunities to investors and lower net costs for the host government. R-SEZs should be considered by policy makers in countries hosting refugee camps. Just like the old model of SEZs, they can benefit workers while also enhancing the government’s budget.
Social implications
R-SEZs have the potential to alleviate the refugee crisis the world is facing, which is arguably one of the largest social challenges of our time.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to outline the political economy conditions for SEZs applied to refugee camps.
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The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze policies where employee share ownership might be relevant to the inequality debate in the USA.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze policies where employee share ownership might be relevant to the inequality debate in the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
Description and analysis of policy alternatives designed to increase the prevalence of employee ownership in the USA economy.
Findings
Since 1974, Congress has passed many provisions to encourage employee ownership, all with widespread bipartisan support. Additional policies would have an even greater impact. Congress could “level the playing field” for corporate divestitures and sales of companies by private equity firms; create Employee Ownership Investment Corporations, modeled after Small Business Investment Corporations, to provide capital for sales to employees; and create an Employee Equity Loan Program to guarantee loans for employee-ownership transactions. Such measures would have no budgetary impact. It could also create tax incentives to encourage corporate and private-equity sales to employees and establish regulations to ensure that employee-owned companies are eligible for the full benefit of recent opportunity zone legislation. Legislation could also encourage publicly traded companies to offer stock to employees at a discount and require companies that receive various forms of special treatment from the government to establish employee stock-ownership programs.
Originality/value
The academic journal literature has virtually no policy analyses on employee share ownership.
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The paper proposes that globalization has opened up opportunities for developing countries that adopt the right type of political economy doctrine and opt to externalize their…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper proposes that globalization has opened up opportunities for developing countries that adopt the right type of political economy doctrine and opt to externalize their economies through contemporarily relevant global integration models and country‐level strategies.
Design/methodology/approach
Portraying the various phases of globalization, the experiences of developed and developing countries are reviewed to recommend a “global participation model” for developing countries to benefit from the globalization process.
Findings
In profiling the global participation model, the paper introduces the concept of global business chain and shows how countries have formed strategic groups to participate in the global chain as “opportunity exploiters” and “opportunity providers.” If equipped with appropriate and efficient economic doctrine, developing countries could act both as opportunity providers and opportunity exploiters and transform themselves into “twin advantage countries” – with substantial enhancements in their total factor productivity and consequent gains in the quality of life of populations.
Originality/value
Global business chain and twin advantage strategy, the two major propositions of this paper, are a new stream of thought in the discussions on globalization.
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Dina Abdelzaher and Nora Ramadan
Despite the increased level of national conflict around the world, outward foreign direct investment (FDI) targeting these areas has increased. This study aims to adopt a dynamic…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the increased level of national conflict around the world, outward foreign direct investment (FDI) targeting these areas has increased. This study aims to adopt a dynamic capability lens to examine the relationship between firm capabilities and the level of conflict in their FDI portfolio. The paper argues that conflict zones may be an attractive destination for a subset of firms, given their capability profile.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors draw from a sample of US Fortune 500 firms (2019) to examine their FDI destinations; specifically, they collected data on the locations of their foreign subsidiaries, which resulted into a final sample of 118 diversified US firms. The model was analyzed using ordinary least squares multiple regression to predict the extent to which their FDI portfolios have ongoing domestic and international conflict and the impact of expansion in such conflict-stricken markets on firm financial performance (ROA).
Findings
The authors find that firms with greater international geographical diversification capabilities, as depicted by their geographic spread, and those with greater local stock management capability, as depicted by their initial public offering maturity, are more likely to launch subsidiaries in high ongoing conflict zones. Furthermore, the authors find that while it may be unprofitable for firms to seek FDI in high-conflict zones, firms that operate in strategic industries (manufacturing, infrastructure, natural resource extraction) experienced positive performance. This can be attributed to the fact that firms operating in these sectors are more likely to directly profit in the reconstruction/rebuilding of such conflict-stricken markets.
Originality/value
While previous literature focused on macro-level factors, this study sought to highlight firm-level factors that determine FDI decision in conflict zones. The authors capture different dimensions/sources of firms’ dynamic capability, one resulting from foreign experience (i.e. geographic diversification) and the other from local experience (i.e. domestic stock management) to assess how each correlate with multinational corporations’ level of conflict in their FDI portfolio. Furthermore, the authors contribute to the understanding of the relationship between expansion in conflict zones and firm performance and highlight that industry does matter. Implications from this study highlight the importance of building risk management capabilities to handle not just expansion in conflict zones but also during challenging times like those brought about by pandemics.
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The purpose of this contribution is to encourage library and information (LIS) professionals to draw on the initiatives by Carol Kuhlthau to align information seeking with…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this contribution is to encourage library and information (LIS) professionals to draw on the initiatives by Carol Kuhlthau to align information seeking with learning theories and new roles for intermediaries. Considering the vast array of developments in information communication technology (ICT), and the challenges and pressures for continuing professional development (CPD) and reflection, it seems timely to encourage experimentation with the ideas of Kuhlthau on Zones of Intervention and Lev Vygotsky on Zones of Proximal Development (ZPD), as means to become au fait with these theories, ideas and related research, and to apply these theories and ideas on a practical level to offer opportunities for the continuing professional development of LIS professionals with specific reference to ICT, and to eventually also impact on the training of users.
Design/methodology/approach
This contribution will be written against the background of research from information literacy, information behaviour (including information seeking), the learning theory of Vygotsky on Zones of Proximal Development, and continuing professional development.
Findings
Although the information seeking process (ISP) model of Kuhlthau is widely cited, the idea of Zones of Intervention which she developed from the work of Vygotsky does unfortunately not feature strongly in the LIS literature. Considering the literature on Zones of Proximal Development, it can, however, hold much potential for LIS professionals to align support with information seeking with professional (optimal) development – especially if using the focus (Zones of Intervention and Zones of Proximal Development) as a means to become au fait, and if initially taking a more practical and relaxed approach as point of departure.
Originality/value
Relatively few publications on Zones of Intervention and Zones of Proximal Development appear in the LIS literature. None of these are to the author's knowledge, aligned to the continuing professional development of LIS professionals on a practical level or with regard to fully exploiting ICT developments.
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Randall B. Bunker and William F. Shughart
This research quantifies the economic impact of regional tax policy incentives included in the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005.
Abstract
Purpose
This research quantifies the economic impact of regional tax policy incentives included in the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005.
Design/methodology/approach
This research utilized linear mixed-effects modeling and multiple regression procedures with a matched sample panel dataset from 2002 through 2008 containing real-world county-level economic data.
Findings
The results indicated that the regional tax incentives provided by the GO Zone Act did not generate significant increases in key economic indicators included in this study. These tax incentives were intended to spur economic recovery, but based on research findings, they do not appear to have had the impact desired by Congress.
Research limitations/implications
Archival empirical data for the affected region make this study possible but also limit the ability to generalize these results to other regions. In addition, empirical research utilizing real-world data can be prone to internal validity issues that exist due to lack of environmental controls and other possible causal factors.
Originality/value
This research adds to the existing literature by using real-world county-level economic indicators to test the impact of tax policy investment incentives at the regional level and minimizes some of the issues addressed by prior empirical research and provides evidence on the effectiveness of tax policy investment incentives at the regional level.
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Miguel Goede and Gunnar Louisa
The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the development of a “Creative Zone” in the area of Scharloo and Pietermaai, two integral parts of Willemstad, UNESCO World…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a case study of the development of a “Creative Zone” in the area of Scharloo and Pietermaai, two integral parts of Willemstad, UNESCO World Heritage Site (Curaçao), to gain insight into the dynamics and possibilities of the zone. This paper also serves to develop the concept of a creative zone with different stakeholders – including government – by creating synergy and momentum, giving the project or process a life of its own.
Design/methodology/approach
The project of creating a creative zone is based on a theoretical framework used to assess the factors that create a creative zone. Using the framework, an assessment of the Scharloo and Pietermaai zone is made to frame discussion of the further development of the zone.
Findings
The area Scharloo and Pietermaai in Curaçao has all the ingredients to become a creative zone, especially in the context of further enhancing Curaçao's tourist product. This is the case for traditional tourists, but is also true for a large group of foreign students who serve their apprenticeship on the island. However, necessary efforts must be made – especially by the creative industries in the zone – to establish a forum, leadership and a network to develop the creative zone. The participation of the government has to be acknowledged, taking into consideration the role that government plays in creating the right conditions, for example by improving the infrastructure. Finally, there must be a mutual effort to assess and sustain the creative process on the part of all stakeholders. An important finding is that a part of the zone could be denominated by creative industry, because so many tour operators organize visits to the Scharloo area as a showcase for cultural heritage. The visitors can experience, taste and feel this creativity.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to a framework for analyzing the creative economy of Caribbean Small Islands Developing States and how continuous improvement can be achieved to create more added value in the economy.
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Mitali Tiwari and Amit Dwivedi
Entrepreneurship; Strategy.
Abstract
Subject area
Entrepreneurship; Strategy.
Study level/applicability
The case is meant for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students pursuing entrepreneurship and management with specializations in strategy. It can be also used for Entrepreneurship and Management Development programs for generating an insight into strategic planning, organic growth of enterprise and the formulation of a future road map. The case can be used in courses like “strategic management”, “female entrepreneurship” and specialization courses like “Start-up: Ideation, Launching, Managing and Growth”.
Case overview
Simran Sahni and Sachin Sahni, the owner and co-founders of health, beauty and slimming center are currently running centers in Lucknow and Ludhiana. Although as of now there is no operational franchisee provided by Health Zone in any of the other cities across the country, the owners have a vision to open around 100 franchised and company owned centers across the country. At this juncture, both the co-founders, who also happen to be husband and wife, look forward to understanding and revisiting the operations and strategies at Health Zone to formulate the road map for the future.
Expected learning outcomes
The participants will be able to identify key challenges for service organizations and will learn ways to meet these challenges. The participants will be able to identify motivation and retention strategies applied by the co-owners in their organization. The participants will be able to have an insight on the key elements of the Business Model of a service organization based in the wellness industry. The participants will be able to analyze the opportunities available for new startups in the wellness industry drawing their conclusions from experiences and business development and expansion of Health Zone in its overall journey. Participants will be able to devise models for the enterprise so as to help it grow and expand its operations nationally.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes.
Subject code
CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
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Burak Mangut and Fatma Ahsen Ozsoy
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the interaction of enclosure and disclosure, and analyze the dynamics of this bond. It also investigates the interaction between open…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on the interaction of enclosure and disclosure, and analyze the dynamics of this bond. It also investigates the interaction between open spaces and closed spaces in housing areas as fundamental public and private realms of the neighbourhoods to understand the relation between physical and social environments.
Design/methodology/approach
The research aims to grasp the effects of open spaces on the development of the physical and social structures in a community at the intersection of enclosure and disclosure. To display potentials of the relation between these two notions, the behavioural treatments at the intersection of open space and housing units as the basic modules of the pattern, and the effects of spatial organization forms on them are explored. The methodology of the study is formed through the clarification of tangible and intangible facts simultaneously, conducted by spatial and behavioural analysis.
Findings
The intersection of enclosure and disclosure in neighbourhoods receives both practical and academic attention. The zone not only creates appropriate conditions for a vital urban life, but also helps to generate social structure in the neighbourhood. Furthermore, although the modernist settlements are criticized because of urban monotony and lifelessness since the last two and three decades of the twentieth century, it is seen that the situations in which “the spatial organization of housing units” and “the formation of urban pattern of the settlement” were dealt synchronously generate vividness and achievement in an urban context.
Originality/value
The study aims to grasp how the intersection zone is affected by the differences of “urban activities in open spaces as one of the main indicators of vividness” and “spatial organization of dwelling units with a perspective from the other side of the border”. Moreover, to understand the capacity of the intersection zone in physical reality, the research aims to evaluate theoretical data through the actual dynamics of daily life. The combination of various research methods that constituted mostly spatial and behavioural analysis is one of the most robust sides of the research.
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