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41 – 50 of 225Richard Kwasi Bannor, Helena Oppong-Kyeremeh, Samuel Atewene and Camillus Abawiera Wongnaa
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing the choice and the amount of cocoa beans sold to public and private licensed buying companies in the Western North…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing the choice and the amount of cocoa beans sold to public and private licensed buying companies in the Western North of Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was conducted in the Western North of Ghana. Cragg’s Double Hurdle model was used to examine the factors influencing the choice of licensed buying company (LBC) whereas Kendall’s coefficient of concordance was employed in analysis of the marketing challenges.
Findings
The results showed that non-price incentives determine the choice and the amount cocoa beans sold to an LBC. Specifically, education, years of experience in cocoa farming and timely payment of sold cocoa beans positively influence the choice of public LBC. However, off farm job participation, provision of credit facilities and extension services affect the choice of private LBC as marketing outlet. Perceived low price of cocoa beans, inadequate credit support, and adjustment of scales used in weighing of cocoa beans were identified as the most important challenges confronting farmers.
Research limitations/implications
The research provides important information on non-price incentives influencing cocoa marketing outlet decision as well as the marketing challenges faced by farmers which can contribute to improving internal marketing efficiency of the cocoa industry in Ghana. Besides, this study also extends the frontiers in terms of methodological approach by adopting Cragg’s Double Hurdle Model in addressing the research question.
Originality/value
The research provides important information on non-price incentives influencing cocoa marketing outlet decision as well as the marketing challenges faced by farmers which can contribute to improving internal marketing efficiency of the cocoa industry in Ghana. Besides, this study also extends the frontiers in terms of methodological approach by adopting Cragg’s Double Hurdle Model in addressing the research question.
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Attempts to shed light on the mental health needs of ethnic minorities and the inadequacies of the existing mental health needs for them. Considers the drawbacks in the delivery…
Abstract
Attempts to shed light on the mental health needs of ethnic minorities and the inadequacies of the existing mental health needs for them. Considers the drawbacks in the delivery system and provides guidelines for improved assessment, treatment, treatment strategies and preventative measures. Uses analysis of recent psychological and sociological developments in the field of mental health.
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Beth Vanfossen and Frances Rothstein
The post‐World War ? period has been one of intense development activity throughout the world. Lesser developed countries have showed significant economic growth throughout this…
Abstract
The post‐World War ? period has been one of intense development activity throughout the world. Lesser developed countries have showed significant economic growth throughout this time‐span. Among the many consequences which are attributed to development, changes in gender relations are often mentioned. However, prior research has been unable to establish conclusively how economic development is related to gender inequality, particularly as this is referenced by women's participation in important economic activities. For example, some researchers have found that as development increases, women's participation in and return from the economy declines, others that it increases, and several have suggested it first declines then increases. Similar uncertainties exist about how an increasing emphasis on producing goods for export, and the often‐accompanying reliance on foreign investment, affects women's work. Recent research also suggests that the consequences of development are more diverse than previously thought. Recognition of the diversity requires greater specification of the links between developmental diversity and women's labor force participation.
Introduces a special issue on globalization and the welfare state. Asserts that economic globalization constrains national economic and social policy far more now than ever…
Abstract
Introduces a special issue on globalization and the welfare state. Asserts that economic globalization constrains national economic and social policy far more now than ever before, although the level of international trade has not increased that much compared to levels at the beginning of this century. Talks about the political consequences of economic globalization, particularly welfare state retrenchment in the advanced capitalist world. Outlines the papers included in this issue – comparing welfare system changes in Sweden, the UK and the USA; urban bias in state policy‐making in Mexico; and the developing of the Israeli welfare state. Concludes that economic globalization has a limited effect in shaping social welfare policy in advanced capitalist countries; nevertheless, recommends further research into which aspects of economic globalization shape social welfare policy.
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Beth Davis-Sramek, Konstantin Krotov and Richard Germain
The purpose of this paper is to examine a traditional information technology (IT) integration-performance framework in the transition economy of Russia, which has undergone…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine a traditional information technology (IT) integration-performance framework in the transition economy of Russia, which has undergone significant and tumultuous institutional shifts. The research incorporates variables not previously utilized in the supply chain literature but underscore significant roles in the context of the Russian institutional environment to examine the drivers of IT integration.
Design/methodology/approach
The Moscow-based, Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) was contracted to collect data from Russia manufacturing firms with 100 or more employees, and the effort resulted in 769 responses from Russian private sector firms. This primary survey data were combined with two secondary data sets to test the model using structural equation modeling.
Findings
Overall, the results indicate that firms in developed economies must pay special attention to specific contextual nuances in transition economy firms that can affect their ability to successfully navigate this significantly different supply chain environment. Specifically, the results show that spatial distance from Moscow hampers a firm’s ability to integrate its logistics IT capabilities, suggesting that “modern” logistics IT (and possibly supply chain practice in general) initiate from the Moscow core and spread outward. Further, results find that growth in the number of foreign competitors in a firm’s primary industry over the prior five-year period associates with greater integrated logistics IT. It appears that increasing foreign competition creates a sense of urgency for managers within Russian firms to focus on cost reduction and improvements in logistics efficiencies by way of greater IT integration.
Originality/value
A significant portion of research related to supply chain management and firm performance takes place in the economically developed West, but there are questions about whether these findings are applicable in transition economies that have a significantly different set of institutional dynamics. This research highlights how the unique contexts in transition economies such as Russia can present challenges for firms as they adapt to the realities of global market dynamics.
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Catherine A. Finger and Wayne R. Landsman
This paper provides evidence that will help stock market participants interpret sell‐side analyst buy/sell recommendations. We examine whether recommendation levels (e.g. buy…
Abstract
This paper provides evidence that will help stock market participants interpret sell‐side analyst buy/sell recommendations. We examine whether recommendation levels (e.g. buy) correspond with traditional predictors of the underlying stock's performance, and whether recommendation revisions (e.g. an upgrade) are consistent with news analysts receive. Consistent with theory, we find that more optimistic recommendations are associated with higher mean forecast errors, forecast revisions, and forecasted earnings‐to‐price ratios. However, contrary to expectations, they also have higher market‐to‐book ratios, higher market values, and lower ratios of value to price (Lee et al. 1999). These results are probably driven by specific differences between buys and the less optimistic recommendations, as holds and sells are rarely distinguishable from each other. Our recommendation revision findings are consistent with our expectations. Upgrades have significantly larger earnings forecast errors, earnings forecast revisions, and unexpected earnings growth than do reiterations or downgrades.
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SPRING is now well with us, and it is not easy to prophesy what effect the great war will have on our profession, indeed it is impossible to forecast anything whatever about it…
Abstract
SPRING is now well with us, and it is not easy to prophesy what effect the great war will have on our profession, indeed it is impossible to forecast anything whatever about it. So far as libraries are concerned, there are abundant evidences that some librarians have been able to seize the opportunities the time affords them. An interesting example of this is a duplicated list issued by the Bristol Public Libraries offering to readers the titles of the books which in his capital little volume Books and You Somerset Maugham has recommended. It is a pity that the book referred to, which is a small volume of about 80 well‐spaced pages, costs 3s. 6d. Had it been published at 1s. we should recommend that every library should purchase one copy for every five hundred of its readers; and although this would be a large number it would be a thoroughly justifiable purchase, because Maugham, following of course personal standards as every writer must, has selected books which in his own opinion—and his is an opinion of no mean value—are of first hand excellence. In bringing the titles before the public in the way Bristol Libraries has done, Mr. Ross has done a service which most librarians are trying to do in some way or other, but is particularly effective in this particular case. Other libraries are putting out lists of war books, of gardening books, of cookery books and, indeed, on all sorts of practical subjects dealing with the war effort.
Childhood often represents a central arena through which we construct our fantasies about the future and a battleground through which we struggle to express competing ideological…
Abstract
Childhood often represents a central arena through which we construct our fantasies about the future and a battleground through which we struggle to express competing ideological agendas. (Timimi, 2006, p. 35)One critical part of the future is our children. The way we bring them up is an indication of how we feel about the future; and of course our attitudes to the young and ideas on how they should be educated reveal much about the present …. Without a strong sense of how we want the future to be, the government tends to revert to a default position, thinking mainly about how children will fit into the economy. (Davison, 2005, p. 7)
We issue a double Souvenir number of The Library World in connection with the Library Association Conference at Birmingham, in which we have pleasure in including a special…
Abstract
We issue a double Souvenir number of The Library World in connection with the Library Association Conference at Birmingham, in which we have pleasure in including a special article, “Libraries in Birmingham,” by Mr. Walter Powell, Chief Librarian of Birmingham Public Libraries. He has endeavoured to combine in it the subject of Special Library collections, and libraries other than the Municipal Libraries in the City. Another article entitled “Some Memories of Birmingham” is by Mr. Richard W. Mould, Chief Librarian and Curator of Southwark Public Libraries and Cuming Museum. We understand that a very full programme has been arranged for the Conference, and we have already published such details as are now available in our July number.