Search results

1 – 10 of 145
Article
Publication date: 7 December 2020

Ti-Ching Peng

Population ageing is fast becoming a major social concern across the globe. This ageing trend unavoidably fuels elders’ demand for healthcare services. As the main users of health…

Abstract

Purpose

Population ageing is fast becoming a major social concern across the globe. This ageing trend unavoidably fuels elders’ demand for healthcare services. As the main users of health care service, whether the healthcare is geographically approachable in local areas is more imperative to senior residents with restricted mobility. This paper proposes to examine the effect of elders’ healthcare accessibility on property prices of Taipei Metropolis, Taiwan.

Design/methodology/approach

Luo and Qi’s (2009) enhanced two-step floating catchment area method – taking both healthcare demand and supply into account – was used to measure three types of healthcare services: “physician-to-elder ratio”, “hospital bed-to-elder ratio” and “ambulance-to-elder ratio”. Spatial quantile regression (SQR) model was then used to examine the spatial effect of healthcare accessibility on different property price ranges.

Findings

The “physician-to-elder ratio” and “hospital bed-to-elder ratio” demonstrated expected consistent positive effects across all quantiles of property prices (p < 0.01) in SQR, and its effects aggravated as the quantiles of property prices rose. The “ambulance-to-elder ratio” demonstrated a non-linear influence on property prices (i.e. a negative effect on lowest quantile prices but a positive on higher quantile prices) possibly due to the semi-obnoxious characteristic of the ambulance. That is, residents living in lower priced neighbourhoods may dislike ambulances’ annoying sound of sirens (i.e. ambulances’ disamenity), while residents living in higher valued neighbourhoods may on the contrary appreciate ambulances’ healthcare services (i.e. amenity).

Practical implications

These findings are expected to offer some insights for government’s policies in providing elders in their later years with good residential quality and easy access to healthcare resource.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the few studies that consider the capitalization of the spatial healthcare accessibility to elders into property prices. In this ageing trend across the globe, although all the accessibility to medical resources should be equally critical, the application of spatial quantile regression revealed residents’ inconsistent tendency against semi-obnoxious ambulances. It provides a different perspective in defining the importance of healthcare accessibility in neighbourhoods.

Details

International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, vol. 14 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1753-8270

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 19 July 2022

Ayesha Banu

Introduction: The Internet has tremendously transformed the computer and networking world. Information reaches our fingertips and adds data to our repository within a second. Big…

Abstract

Introduction: The Internet has tremendously transformed the computer and networking world. Information reaches our fingertips and adds data to our repository within a second. Big data was initially defined as three Vs, where data come with greater variety, increasing volumes and extra velocity. Big data is a collection of structured, unstructured and semi-structured data gathered from different sources and applications. It has become the most powerful buzzword in almost all the business sectors. The real success of any industry can be counted based on how the big data is analysed, potential knowledge is discovered and productive business decisions are made. New technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning have added more efficiency to storing and analysing data. This big data analytics (BDA) becomes more valuable to those companies, focusing on getting insight into customer behaviour, trends and patterns. This popularity of big data has inspired insurance companies to utilise big data at their core systems and advance the financial operations, improve customer service, construct a personalised environment and take all possible measures to increase revenue and profits.

Purpose: This study aims to recognise what big data stands for in the insurance sector and how the application of BDA has opened the door for new and innovative changes in the insurance industry.

Methodology: This study describes the field of BDA in the insurance sector, discusses the benefits, outlines tools, architectural framework, the method, describes applications in general and specific and briefly discusses the opportunities and challenges.

Findings: The study concludes that BDA in insurance is evolving into a promising field for providing insight from very large data sets and improving outcomes while reducing costs. Its potential is great; however, there remain challenges to overcome.

Details

Big Data: A Game Changer for Insurance Industry
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-606-3

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 1 March 2023

Larisa S. Shakhovskaya and Victoria I. Timonina

The world's energy markets remain uncertain, with no accurate, optimistic forecasts. The authors of the research note that the energy crisis has a cumulative effect; its beginning…

Abstract

The world's energy markets remain uncertain, with no accurate, optimistic forecasts. The authors of the research note that the energy crisis has a cumulative effect; its beginning has changed the rules of energy cooperation in the market. This contributed to increased demand, prices and competition. The European Union (EU) is a major market participant whose policies affect all energy connections. Russia is an energy core that offers its energy sources to balance the market. This is the economy; there is no talk of ‘political pressure.’ As a result, the authors conclude that the project ‘Nord Stream-2’ is not a political project but a purely commercial one, which will help reduce even spot prices in the European gas market because all other countries that extract gas cannot meet the growing energy needs of European countries.

Details

Game Strategies for Business Integration in the Digital Economy
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-845-6

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Mixed-Income Housing Development Planning Strategies and Frameworks in the Global South
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-814-0

Book part
Publication date: 8 November 2019

Tatsiana Zoryna

In this chapter, characteristic of the fuel and energy sector of Republic of Belarus; its organizational structure; the current state of development of power, gas, peat, and oil…

Abstract

In this chapter, characteristic of the fuel and energy sector of Republic of Belarus; its organizational structure; the current state of development of power, gas, peat, and oil industries are given. The energy balance of the country and the main power streams is analyzed. Characteristic of key indicators of energy security is presented. The main threats connected with ensuring energy security of Republic of Belarus are allocated. In particular, the characteristic of the directions of reducing the energy dependence of the Republic of Belarus on the supply of natural gas from the Russian Federation is presented. Dynamics of power consumption of GDP is analyzed. Potential of use of renewable and local energy resources, complexity and prospect of their further integration into the Belarusian power system are considered. The prospects of development of nuclear power of Republic of Belarus are described. The advantages and disadvantages connected with input of the Belarusian nuclear power plant in operation are designated. The perspective directions of sustainable power development of Republic of Belarus till 2035 are revealed.

Book part
Publication date: 16 June 2021

Mohamed M. Sraieb and Ahmet Akin

We investigate the relationship between gender diversity on corporate boards and environmental performances of firms. Our central focus is the extent to which a country's economic…

Abstract

We investigate the relationship between gender diversity on corporate boards and environmental performances of firms. Our central focus is the extent to which a country's economic status (developed, developing) can shape such a relationship. We find evidence that gender diversity is positively correlated to environmental performances of firms. Interestingly, this correlation is not only stronger in developing countries but also increasing in gender diversity. These findings have considerable importance in terms of policy.

Promotion of gender diversity in developing countries, where abatement costs are the lowest, would improve global environmental quality in a cost-effective way. This is best achieved through building institutions and strengthening them. The benefits of such policy go beyond developing countries frontiers, particularly when global environmental problems (pollution, global warming, ozone layer depletion, loss of biodiversity, etc.) are concerned. These benefits can be a leverage for an efficient implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) both as gender diversity stands as a goal by itself and also because it facilitates achieving other environmental-related SDGs.

Details

The Emerald Handbook of Women and Entrepreneurship in Developing Economies
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80071-327-7

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 September 2023

Ekundayo Peter Mesagan and Xuan Vinh Vo

The authors analyse the interactive influence of energy use, capital investment and finance on pollution in energy-dependent African countries.

Abstract

Purpose

The authors analyse the interactive influence of energy use, capital investment and finance on pollution in energy-dependent African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyses data from 5 selected energy-dependent African nations (i.e. Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and South Africa) between 1981 and 2020 using the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) approach.

Findings

The panel result reveals that capital investment and energy interaction and financial development and capital investment moderation reduce pollution in all the countries. However, for country-specific results, the interaction of investment and energy lowers emissions in Algeria, South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco but increases pollution in Egypt. Similarly, except for Egypt, financial development and capital investment interaction offset pollution in Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco.

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of the study stems from the inability to extend the scope to cover the entire African region. However, the fact that the authors selected the most prominent African nations in the sample to enable us to set the template for other smaller nations to follow makes the study tenable in its present form.

Practical implications

Energy-dependent African countries should invest in eco-friendly machines, technologies and equipment to lower pollution vis-à-vis production expansion.

Originality/value

The present research is more expansive by combining the finance and capital investment channels in the quest for decarbonising emerging African nations. Moreover, this is a comparative study, unlike past studies that mainly deploy a one-size-fits-all approach.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 35 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 September 2023

Dimitrios Panagiotou and Filio Naka

The purpose of this paper is to investigate for symmetries – in sign and size – between spot and futures prices in the markets of energy commodities.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate for symmetries – in sign and size – between spot and futures prices in the markets of energy commodities.

Design/methodology/approach

The aforementioned objective is pursued using daily observations of spot and futures prices for the commodities of crude oil, Brent, heating oil, gasoline and natural gas, along with local nonlinear regression.

Findings

Symmetry in sign and size cannot be rejected. This means that, shocks of the same absolute magnitude, but of different sign, are transmitted from futures prices to spot prices with the same intensity. In addition, larger absolute value price shocks in the futures are transmitted to the spot markets with the same intensity compared with smaller ones. The findings of symmetry in the comovements among prices reveal a lack of those commodities on diversifying the investors’ investment risk.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to use local nonlinear regression to test for sign and size symmetry between futures and spot prices in the energy commodities markets.

Details

Studies in Economics and Finance, vol. 41 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1086-7376

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 October 2023

Amanjot Singh

This study examines the relationship between oil price uncertainty (OPU) and corporate inventory investments using a sample of 6,072 USA manufacturing firms from 1992 to 2019.

Abstract

Purpose

This study examines the relationship between oil price uncertainty (OPU) and corporate inventory investments using a sample of 6,072 USA manufacturing firms from 1992 to 2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The author's study employs a panel dataset to examine the relationship between OPU and corporate inventory investments. The author uses several alternative specifications such as fixed effects models, an instrumental variable analysis, an impact threshold for confounding variable (ITCV) analysis, alternative measures, additional control variables and the percent bias analysis to account for endogeneity issues.

Findings

Corporate inventory investments decrease in response to high OPU. This decrease in inventory investments happens regardless of firms' expected stockout costs, information environment and reliance on external financing. As a potential mechanism, an uncertainty-induced increase in cash holdings contributes to this reduction in inventory investments. Also, the effect of OPU is non-linear and asymmetric. In response to the volatility of positive (negative) oil price changes, inventory investments decrease (increase) up to a certain point and increase (decrease) after that. Further, uncertainty-induced adjustments in inventory investments positively influence the operating performance of firms.

Originality/value

The author's study adds to the growing literature that examines the impact of OPU on corporate outcomes. Inventory investments directly affect business operations and could better reflect firms' responses to an uncertain environment.

Details

International Journal of Managerial Finance, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1743-9132

Keywords

Content available
Book part
Publication date: 14 December 2023

George Okechukwu Onatu, Wellington Didibhuku Thwala and Clinton Ohis Aigbavboa

Abstract

Details

Mixed-Income Housing Development Planning Strategies and Frameworks in the Global South
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-814-0

1 – 10 of 145