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1
De, La Riva Torres Omar. "Empirical likelihood confidence intervals for survey data". Thesis, University of Southampton, 2014. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/374699/.
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Cockerham, Geoffrey B. "The legalization of conventional international governmental organizations: An empirical survey". Diss., The University of Arizona, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/289925.
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International legalization refers to the idea that states voluntarily accept legal constraints in certain issue areas. Although the phenomenon of international legalization has become increasingly prominent in world affairs, its growth has been uneven. The purpose of this project is to perform a systematic examination of international legalization by providing an empirical survey of conventional international governmental organizations (IGOs). Due to the lack of a supranational sovereign government, most activity in the international system is not very legalized. IGOs are the most legalized international institutions. They are created by international agreements of states and they include substantive rules that states must follow as well as procedural rules that allow institutions of the organization to conduct its functions. These IGOs exhibit a wide variation in legalization. This observation raises a question as to what can account for this variation? The first step in approaching this task is to build upon the concept of legalization and develop a measure of legalization that is applicable to IGOs. An analysis of the constitutional mandates of these organizations reveals certain characteristics in their respective texts that can be used to create an index of legalization that will allow for a comparison of legal structures across organizations. The next step is to evaluate hypotheses deriving from functionalism, collective action, realism, and neoliberal institutionalism to explain the variation in these observations. These hypotheses are based upon potential explanations at the organizational and at the state level. Using evidence from descriptive data and appropriate methodologies, the findings of the project reveals that the number of members in an organization is an influential characteristic in regard to the level of IGO legalization. It also indicates that the wealth of a member state is also a positively related factor to whether a state will be a party to a highly legalized IGO agreement.
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Fessler, Pirmin. "Home country effects of offshoring. A critical survey on empirical literature". SFB International Tax Coordination, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, 2006. http://epub.wu.ac.at/1294/1/document.pdf.
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The International fragmentation of production processes is of rising importance. One part of this fragmentation involves the relocation of a production process from a home- to a new host country. This literature survey deals with the effects of such relocations on the home country. First of all, we try to conceptualize the terms and definitions most frequently used in this context which are "outsourcing", "offshore outsourcing" and "offshoring". Despite the fact that there is little textual documentation dealing directly with the phenomena of offshoring and offshore outsourcing we try to give an overview of possible empirical literature to which one can regard to. Including FDI literature we try to cover empirical literature which can provide helpful insight on the effects of a relocation to foreign countries on the home country in connection with wages, skill upgrading, prices, profits, taxes and unions. (author's abstract)Series: Discussion Papers SFB International Tax Coordination
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Bleich, Dirk [Verfasser]. "Monetary Policy Rules : Empirical Applications Based on Survey Data / Dirk Bleich". Frankfurt : Peter Lang GmbH, Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften, 2012. http://d-nb.info/1042409307/34.
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Nassereddine, Mohamad. "Three Empirical Essays on Startups’ Survival using the Kauffman Firm Survey". FIU Digital Commons, 2012. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/573.
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This dissertation studies newly founded U.S. firms’ survival using three different releases of the Kauffman Firm Survey. I study firms’ survival from a different perspective in each chapter.
The first essay studies firms’ survival through an analysis of their initial state at startup and the current state of the firms as they gain maturity. The probability of survival is determined using three probit models, using both firm-specific variables and an industry scale variable to control for the environment of operation. The firm’s specific variables include size, experience and leverage as a debt-to-value ratio. The results indicate that size and relevant experience are both positive predictors for the initial and current states. Debt appears to be a predictor of exit if not justified wisely by acquiring assets. As suggested previously in the literature, entering a smaller-scale industry is a positive predictor of survival from birth. Finally, a smaller-scale industry diminishes the negative effects of debt.
The second essay makes use of a hazard model to confirm that new service-providing (SP) firms are more likely to survive than new product providers (PPs). I investigate the possible explanations for the higher survival rate of SPs using a Cox proportional hazard model. I examine six hypotheses (variations in capital per worker, expenses per worker, owners’ experience, industry wages, assets and size), none of which appear to explain why SPs are more likely than PPs to survive. Two other possibilities are discussed: tax evasion and human/social relations, but these could not be tested due to lack of data.
The third essay investigates women-owned firms’ higher failure rates using a Cox proportional hazard on two models. I make use of a never-before used variable that proxies for owners’ confidence. This variable represents the owners’ self-evaluated competitive advantage.
The first empirical model allows me to compare women’s and men’s hazard rates for each variable. In the second model I successively add the variables that could potentially explain why women have a higher failure rate. Unfortunately, I am not able to fully explain the gender effect on the firms’ survival. Nonetheless, the second empirical approach allows me to confirm that social and psychological differences among genders are important in explaining the higher likelihood to fail in women-owned firms.
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Wang, Renhang, e Jialun Wu. "Patent use in Swedish small companies : Empirical evidence from a survey". Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-418103.
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This thesis studies how small Swedish firms used their patents between 1998 to 2016. We also examine the association between used and unused patents and their characteristics such as technological class, family size, inventors, claims, grant and authority. Research data are collected from both databases (PATLINK, Serrano, and PATSTAT) and survey. We found that 79% of patents are used in small Swedish companies and family size is associated with patent use. In small Swedish companies, the increase in patent family size will decrease the frequency of use.
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Ter-Sakarian, Dafne. "Political culture and social networks in Russia since 1991 : an empirical survey". Thesis, University College London (University of London), 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.313618.
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Jogaratnam, Giri. "Environmental munificence, strategic posture and performance: an empirical survey of independent restaurants". Diss., Virginia Tech, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/39101.
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Normative theory holds that strategy should favorably align an organization with its environment. The primary purpose of this study was to provide a test of the contingency effect that environmental munificence may have on the relationship between strategic posture and performance at the level of the business unit. Following the suggestions of Venkatraman (1989) and others (cf. Van de Ven and Drazin, 1985) due consideration was given to developing a precise theoretical position and adopting an appropriate form of fit. In so doing, a secondary purpose was to enhance construct validity and to effect triangulation among measures.
This study adopted the independent restaurant establishment as the unit of analysis. A nation-wide sample of 311 independent restaurateurs representing a response rate of 20.7% responded to a mail-out survey. Multi-item scales and multiple methods (representing within-method triangulation) were adopted to measure the primary constructs of strategic posture, munificence, and performance. Moderated regression analysis was used to assess the independent effects as well as the contingency relationships or interaction between the predictor (strategic posture) and the moderator (environmental munificence).
The results suggest that both strategic posture and environmental munificence are significant independent predictors of performance. The moderating role of environmental munificence on the effect of strategic posture on performance was not established. However, the independent and additive effects of both strategic posture and environmental munificence were significant. Given the consistency of the results across different operationalizations, these results may be interpreted as being robust. Specifically, in tenus of strategic posture, competitive aggressiveness and a propensity towards risk-loving policies tended to have a negative effect on performance while quality service, as might be expected, tended to have a positive impact on performance. With respect to munificence, growth oriented environments were much better predictors of performance. Taken together, munificence explains a greater proportion of the variance in performance than does strategic posture. Given the nature of the restaurant industry, and the evidence suggesting that environment may be the primary determinant of performance, success for independent restaurateurs may perhaps be more serendipitous than strategic.Ph. D.
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Fitzgerald, Damon. "Household Preferences for Financing Hurricane Risk Mitigation: A Survey Based Empirical Analysis". FIU Digital Commons, 2014. http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1725.
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After a series of major storms over the last 20 years, the state of financing for U.S. natural disaster insurance has undergone substantial disruptions causing many federal and state backed programs against residential property damage to become severally underfunded. In order to regain actuarial soundness, policy makers have proposed a shift to a system that reflects risk-based pricing for property insurance. We examine survey responses from 1394 single-family homeowners in the state of Florida for support of several natural disaster mitigation policy reforms. Utilizing a partial proportional odds model we test for effects of location, risk perception, socio-economic and housing characteristics on support for policy reforms. Our findings suggest residents across the state, not just risk-prone homeowners, support the current subsidized model. We also examine several other policy questions from the survey to verify our initial results. Finally, the implications of our findings are discussed to provide inputs to policymakers.
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Compton, Jeffrey A., e Brian A. Meinshausen. "The Department of Defense's management of services acquisition: an empirical analysis". Thesis, Monterey, California, Naval Postgraduate School, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10945/38040.
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Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.MBA Professional Report
The purpose of this MBA project is to determine how best to collect empirical data regarding the current state of services acquisition management of the installation level within the Department of Defense and conduct an initial analysis of collected data. The project designed a web-based, self-administered, cross-sectional survey using SurveyMonkey, a web-based survey engine. The survey's pilot test was conducted between mid-October and early November 2007 and obtained a 50 percent response rate. Of the respondents, 60 percent was Army, 20 percent was Marine Corps, and 20 percent Air Force. The pilot test captured valuable data which was analyzed; however improvements to the core survey maay generate a higher response rate and provide a clearer picture of the current state of services acquisition management at the installation level within the Department of Defense. The results of this project will support on-going research in the area of services acquisition management.
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Bernroider, Edward, e Michel J. Leseure. "Enterprise resource planning (ERP) diffusion and characteristics according to the system's lifecycle. A comparative view of small-to-medium sized and large enterprises". Institut für Informationsverarbeitung und Informationswirtschaft, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, 2005. http://epub.wu.ac.at/1354/1/document.pdf.
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This report represents the next step of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)related research at the Department of Information Business at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Adminstration following previous work on the selection process. Based on 209 datasets originating from a primary, national and industry independent survey, it provides a descriptive oriented overview of main characteristics of ERP in all stages of the system's lifecycle, emphasising differences between small-to-medium sized and large enterprises (SMEs and LEs). The given research topics in particular comprise software diffusion, resources allocated, strategic project guidance, investment drivers, considered and chosen solutions, team structures, selection criteria, information gathering, methodical support, implementation approaches, acompanying business strategies, implementation problems, perceived utilisation of ERP benefits, firm level ERP impact, and the role of ERP systems as technology enabler. Future work based on the gathered data will document analytical projects undertaken in particular focusing on ERP success, enterprise integration, organisational fit of ERP, and BPR/BPI related questions.Series: Working Papers on Information Systems, Information Business and Operations
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Ilyas, Bilal, e Islam Elkhalifa. "Static Code Analysis: A Systematic Literature Review and an Industrial Survey". Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för programvaruteknik, 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-12871.
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Context: Static code analysis is a software verification technique that refers to the process of examining code without executing it in order to capture defects in the code early, avoiding later costly fixations. The lack of realistic empirical evaluations in software engineering has been identified as a major issue limiting the ability of research to impact industry and in turn preventing feedback from industry that can improve, guide and orient research. Studies emphasized rigor and relevance as important criteria to assess the quality and realism of research. The rigor defines how adequately a study has been carried out and reported, while relevance defines the potential impact of the study on industry. Despite the importance of static code analysis techniques and its existence for more than three decades, the number of empirical evaluations in this field are less in number and do not take into account the rigor and relevance into consideration. Objectives: The aim of this study is to contribute toward bridging the gap between static code analysis research and industry by improving the ability of research to impact industry and vice versa. This study has two main objectives. First, developing guidelines for researchers, which will explore the existing research work in static code analysis research to identify the current status, shortcomings, rigor and industrial relevance of the research, reported benefits/limitations of different static code analysis techniques, and finally, give recommendations to researchers to help improve the future research to make it more industrial oriented. Second, developing guidelines for practitioners, which will investigate the adoption of different static code analysis techniques in industry and identify benefits/limitations of these techniques as perceived by industrial professionals. Then cross-analyze the findings of the SLR and the surbvey to draw final conclusions, and finally, give recommendations to professionals to help them decide which techniques to adopt. Methods: A sequential exploratory strategy characterized by the collection and analysis of qualitative data (systematic literature review) followed by the collection and analysis of quantitative data (survey), has been used to conduct this research. In order to achieve the first objective, a thorough systematic literature review has been conducted using Kitchenham guidelines. To achieve the second study objective, a questionnaire-based online survey was conducted, targeting professionals from software industry in order to collect their responses regarding the usage of different static code analysis techniques, as well as their benefits and limitations. The quantitative data obtained was subjected to statistical analysis for the further interpretation of the data and draw results based on it. Results: In static code analysis research, inspection and static analysis tools received significantly more attention than the other techniques. The benefits and limitations of static code analysis techniques were extracted and seven recurrent variables were used to report them. The existing research work in static code analysis field significantly lacks rigor and relevance and the reason behind it has been identified. Somre recommendations are developed outlining how to improve static code analysis research and make it more industrial oriented. From the industrial point of view, static analysis tools are widely used followed by informal reviews, while inspections and walkthroughs are rarely used. The benefits and limitations of different static code analysis techniques, as perceived by industrial professionals, have been identified along with the influential factors. Conclusions: The SLR concluded that the techniques having a formal, well-defined process and process elements have receive more attention in research, however, this doesn’t necessarily mean that technique is better than the other techniques. The experiments have been used widely as a research method in static code analysis research, but the outcome variables in the majority of the experiments are inconsistent. The use of experiments in academic context contributed nothing to improve the relevance, while the inadequate reporting of validity threats and their mitigation strategies contributed significantly to poor rigor of research. The benefits and limitations of different static code analysis techniques identified by the SLR could not complement the survey findings, because the rigor and relevance of most of the studies reporting them was weak. The survey concluded that the adoption of static code analysis techniques in the industry is more influenced by the software life-cycle models in practice in organizations, while software product type and company size do not have much influence. The amount of attention a static code analysis technique has received in research doesn’t necessarily influence its adoption in industry which indicates a wide gap between research and industry. However, the company size, product type, and software life-cycle model do influence professionals perception on benefits and limitations of different static code analysis techniques.
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ANWAR, WALEED. "Software Quality Characteristics Tested For Mobile Application Development : Literature Review and Empirical Survey". Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för programvaruteknik, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-10920.
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Smart phones use is increasing day by day as there is large number of app users. Due to more use of apps, the testing of mobile application should be done correctly and flawlessly to ensure the effectiveness of mobile applications.
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Zagler, Martin, e Ulrike Mühlberger. "The European Employment Price Index: Implementation and Feasibility in Austria". Austrian Statistical Society, 1998. http://epub.wu.ac.at/5640/1/538%2D1529%2D1%2DSM.pdf.
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The study, on which this paper is based upon, has analyzed the
implementation and feasibility of the European Employment Price Index
(EEPI) in Austria. The European Employment Price Index is a Laspeyres
measure of the change in the demand-transaction price of the standardized
unit of labor. We find that it is feasible to construct the index with the
available company data with an approximate lag length of five month. Most
data were easily accessible within firms, with the exception of severance
payments, company pensions, and hypothetical costs. Only 228 observations
are required to obtain an aggregate EEPI for Austria within +/- one
percentage point at the 95 % significance level, whilst some 4800
observations are necessary for disaggregate series, enormously increasing
costs of provision.
15
Hastings, William J. "An empirical investigation into the risk taking behaviour of the family dyad decision unit with special reference to insurance". Thesis, Glasgow Caledonian University, 1986. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.371415.
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Welch, Matthew. "Rural urban migration in developing countries : a survey of economic theory and empirical evidence". Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/5678.
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Bibliography: leaves 57-66.This survey focuses on the theoretical and empirical aspects of rural-urban migration as a determinant of the observed rapid urbanisation in developing countries. The theoretical work covers the neo-classical as well as alternative economic theories of migration. The empirical component covers work on the determinants of migration and attempts to test the economic theories. The more recent modelling and simulation techniques of the computable general equilibrium models (CGE) are then discussed and their merits assessed.
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Pachos, Alexander. "An Empirical Study of Cave Passage Dimensions Using Augmented Radial and Longitudinal Survey Data". University of Akron / OhioLINK, 2008. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1221760340.
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Taylor, Rebecca L. "Here today, gone tomorrow : an empirical analysis of attrition and recall bias in labour market data". Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.310126.
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Maddila, Kalyan Chakravarthy. "Potential metrics for Agile and Lean : Systematic Literature Review and Survey". Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för programvaruteknik, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-1916.
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Context: Despite continuously increasing importance of Agile and Lean in software development, the number of studies that investigate on use of metrics relevant to Agile or Lean are limited and yet few studies implements was unclear. Unclear is which are the prominent metrics that are useful in industries, and their purpose of usage. Objectives: Main goal of this study is to find the metrics useful in Agile and Lean practicing industries; that are evaluated in industries by systematically identifying all the metrics from empirical evidence found in Literature as well as verifying which of them are prominently being used in industries. In addition, the purpose of using these metrics in industries are reported, and causes for dissatisfaction on use of some of the identified metrics among surveyed companies are investigated and reported. Methods: Two research methodologies are used; Systematic Literature Review (SLR) and Industrial Survey. SLR is performed using snowballing as search approach to select primary studies. SLR is used to identify all the metrics that are useful for Agile and Lean software development. Rigor and relevance analysis is performed to assess the quality of the resulted primary studies. Industrial survey was conducted in order to verify and extend the empirical evidence exists in Literature regarding metrics by finding which of them are more prominently being used. Moreover causes for dissatisfaction over outcome of metrics use for process improvements were observed by performing comparative analysis between unsatisfied respondents results and satisfied respondents results. Results: In total 20 metrics were identified from the studies having high rigor and high relevance. Moreover 11 out of these 20 metrics were identified to be prominently being used in industries using survey and other 9 metrics are found useful for Agile or Lean methods but need more awareness. Evidence from both SLR and survey shows that most of these identified or potential metrics are used for time associated purposes which are predictability, tracking, forecasting or planning, and very little evidence found for metrics that are being used directly for quality purpose. It was observed that some of the surveyed respondents who answered not satisfied with the metrics being used are not aware of the potential benefits these metrics can offer in Agile or Lean settings. Conclusion: Evidence from both SLR and survey shows that the identified 20 metrics are very important and useful for Agile or Lean methods. 11 out of these 20 metrics are prominently being used by industries and evidence shows for other 9 metrics are also useful for Agile but needs more awareness for industries to realize their potential benefits in large scale. Also, more evidence is found for metrics that are used for time related purposes which are being dominant and important in industries than quality focused metrics. Therefore, it is important for industries not only to know which metrics are appropriate for Agile or Lean but also to have a deep understating of metrics behaviors. This will help to realize the level predictability these metric’s offer in order to make right assumptions or planning.Mobile no: (+46)-723110118
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Glas, Alexander [Verfasser], e Christian [Akademischer Betreuer] Conrad. "An Empirical Analysis of Survey-Based Macroeconomic Forecasts and Uncertainty / Alexander Glas ; Betreuer: Christian Conrad". Heidelberg : Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, 2019. http://d-nb.info/1177045486/34.
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Lai, Yanqing. "Employee relations in SMEs : an empirical approach using the Workplace Employment Relation Survey (WERS 2011)". Thesis, Kingston University, 2016. http://eprints.kingston.ac.uk/35057/.
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This thesis is a paper-based thesis. Using a large-scale matched employee-employer dataset, three empirical studies were undertaken to empirically examine: 1) the relationship between employee attitudes, human resource management practices and firm performance in SMEs; 2) the effect of the firm size on firms’ and employees’ experience during the recent financial crisis, particularly firm’s employment related responses to the economic hardship; and 3) the impact of firm size on employee’s experience of work stress during economic recession. The findings of the first study suggest a direct relationship between HRM practices and SME firm performance, but this relationship is moderated by high employee job satisfaction. The results suggest that HR policies and practices may improve small firm performance, especially within firms with low levels of commitment and satisfaction. The estimation results presented in the second study show that SMEs are more vulnerable during times of economic hardship than larger firms, but those with HR practices have shown more resilience to the downturn. There is a significant firm-size effect on the choice of specific HRM measures in response to the recession, and having HR practices increases the likelihood of the firm to adopt organizational measures. Also, the results indicate that the differences in workers’ job experience are moderated by high management formality. For the final empirical research, employees in SMEs experience lower level of overall job stress than those in large enterprise, although the effect disappears once the employee-level and firm-level characteristics are taken into consideration. Finally, the findings suggest that the association and magnitude of estimated effects of the work stressor presented in the Cooper and Marshall’s work stress model differ significantly by firm size. Overall, the thesis has made significant contribution to the employee relations in SMEs literature and provide interesting academic and policy oriented findings.
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Hsieh, Bor-Ming. "Housing tenure choice in Scotland : an empirical study of the 1996 Scottish house condition survey". Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2002. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/1424/.
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This thesis analyses Scottish households' tenure choice behaviour by using economic approaches. The data set comes from the 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey (SHCS). To estimate the household's tenure decision behaviour, two simulation models with different structures are developed. The first tenure choice model contains a simple one-level choice set. A multinomial logit model is employed to estimate three choice alternatives: owner-occupation, social renting and private renting. The second tenure choice model contains a two-level choice structure assuming that the household firstly decides to move or stay and then chooses a tenure alternative. A nested multinomial logit model is employed to estimate the decision to move/stay and the choice of three tenure alternative. The determinants of the two tenure choice models not only include household attributes but also include housing attributes. The household attributes generally consist of the household's demographic and socio-economic variables, while housing attributes include dwelling type, location and neighbourhood variables. In addition, this thesis also includes the housing subsidy and rationing variables to estimates their impacts on tenure choice. The estimation results show that the household long term income, the user cost of housing, housing subsidy and rationing variables, as expected, have the most significant influences on households' tenure decisions in Scotland. Moreover, three policy issues are derived from the results of the tenure choice models. The first issue discusses the simulation of the influences of changes in the income tax rate and the mortgage rationing ratios on tenure choice. The second issue analyses income inequality and tenure polarisation. The third issue examines the distribution of housing subsidy between tenures and income levels.
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Gray, Daniel. "Household finances, well-being and subjective financial situation : an empirical analysis of household survey data". Thesis, University of Sheffield, 2013. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/5142/.
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This thesis aims to contribute to the existing literature relating to household finances and well-being by considering three related, yet distinct, topics. Recently, household finances and well-being have received increasing academic attention for numerous reasons, including the recent economic downturn. This thesis aims to explore household finances, well-being and the relationship between them. Chapter 2, the first empirical chapter, investigates the determinants of household financial portfolio allocation in the U.S. by exploring the proportion of total financial assets allocated to four distinct asset categories. The chapter employs a variety of econometric techniques to ascertain whether accounting for the proportional nature of the dependent variables influences the estimated coefficients. The analysis shows that it is important to separate decisions over holding different asset types and the proportions held. Chapter 3 explores the relationship between the household’s financial position and well-being in Britain, Australia and Germany. Building on the existing literature by employing panel data techniques, the analysis suggests that subjective financial position is an important determinant of well-being, while monetary levels of the household’s financial situation have a limited direct impact on well-being. Chapter 4 aims to ascertain the determinants of the subjective financial position and further explores the relationship between the head of household’s subjective financial position and overall life satisfaction in Australia and Germany. It is found that assets and net wealth are positively related to the subjective financial position, whereas debt levels are inversely related. In addition, risk attitudes are found to be an important determinant of subjective financial position. For Australia, once a joint modelling approach is implemented, there is no statistical relationship found between the head of household’s subjective financial position and overall life satisfaction. In Germany, the subjective financial position appears to mediate the relationship between monetary financial measures and overall life satisfaction.
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Manyam, Venkata Sarath Chandra, e Narendra Kurapati. "Empirical investigation on adoption and adaptation of agile practices". Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Sektionen för datavetenskap och kommunikation, 2012. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-4292.
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Context: Agile practices have created its own mark on recent software development strategies. The significance of agile core values and principles attracted several organizations towards agile software development. Agile methods incorporate core values & principles, whereas agile practices define how agile methods are implemented in practice. However, it is still unclear, which combinations of agile practices are adopted in practice and how are they adapted. Objectives: In this research, our main aim is to find the combinations of agile practices that are most commonly adopted in practice, which includes identifying the practices which mostly appear together and finding the evidences for adaptations of agile practices. Methods: We have developed a survey to collect empirical evidence regarding agile practice adoption and adaptation. The survey is based on a framework consisting of a set of questions to determine agile practice adoption and adaptation. The framework was validated with researchers and practitioners through interviews. In order to identify the practices and possible adaptations we conducted a literature review. The sample population of the survey includes primarily project managers, developers, agile coaches and system types includes majority of information systems, commercial type of software, outsourced and embedded. Results: We have collected 109 responses with the survey. It is important to make the tradeoff between the length of the survey and quality of the responses, so, we needed to pose many questions with regard to the ways how the practices are tailored/adapted. We found that there are certain practices which were given highest priority and mostly appear together, certain practices appears only with particular combinations of practices. Regarding practice adaptations, the empirical findings show the adaptations of each individual practice. Moreover, regarding employee and customer satisfaction, the results indicate that there is a significant level of satisfied employees and customers with agile software development. A conceptual model of agile practices and performance is developed and presented to make a better understanding of implications for practice. Conclusions: During adoption there are certain set of agile practices that were given higher importance, given highest priority during selection and also mostly appears together. Moreover, there are certain practices which are considered as most important, but are given with less priority during selection by practitioners. Furthermore, the empirical findings supports practice adaption depends on change in context factors. Finally, it is interesting to see that almost all of the stakeholders in agile software development are satisfied with its nature.
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Lin, Chia-Shu. "An empirical cross-sectional survey of food retail internationalisation in Taiwanese hyper, super and traditional markets". Thesis, University of Sunderland, 2009. http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/5206/.
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This doctoral thesis presents the findings from an empirical cross-sectional survey of food retail internationalisation in Taiwanese hypermarkets, supermarkets and traditional markets. A critical review of the works of Dupuis and Prime (1996) reveals erratic sales performance of hypermarkets operating in Taiwan and in other Asia-Pacific countries since 1989; this sales trend may be linked to lack of understanding of Taiwanese shopping preferences and choices (Burt and Carralero-Encinas, 2000). This led to the research question: “Can global food retailers using hypermarket store formats achieve and sustain their competitive advantage in emerging economies such as Taiwan”. This led to statement of research objectives with the overall aim to investigate how global food retailers using a hypermarket store format can successfully operate in the Taiwanese food retail market. These objectives were achieved by adopting a phenomenological research philosophy and a mix of focus group interviews and questionnaires (Churchill and Iacobucci, 2005; Saunders et al., 2007). The primary data were presented and analysed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques through employed Microsoft Excel and SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The thesis identified six critical factors: (1) facility convenience, (2) shopping environment, (3) convenient products, (4) price incentive, (5) convenient services, and (6) shopping convenience which impact Taiwanese store patronage. The results of the factor and cluster analyses reveal that ‘facility convenience’ (with the highest alpha coefficient value of α = 0.748) has the greatest impact on five Taiwanese shopping clusters: (1) Value shoppers, (2) Environment shoppers, (3) Efficient shoppers, (4) Leisure shoppers, and (5) Convenient shoppers. Hypothesis and chi-square tests revealed a relationship between the factors and clusters, which represents sources of competitive advantage for each store format, and formed the bases for constructing a conceptual framework for retail internationalisation in Taiwan. The framework is the thesis’ major contribution to knowledge in providing better understanding of Taiwanese consumer patronage of store formats - this has series implications for global food retailers in the broad area of food retail internationalisation. The major limitation of the thesis relates to the fact that there is a limited extent to which the conceptual framework could be generalised across emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific Region. The issue of generalisability led to identification of the following two key areas for further research: • Testing the conceptual framework by widening the sample size to cover other cities in Taiwan and other emerging markets. This would make the framework more relevant to the Asia-Pacific Region. • A comparative study to identify trends in grocery shopping behaviour involving hypermarkets, supermarkets and traditional markets in Europe and Asia.
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Murtaza, Fowad. "Poverty and Inequality in Pakistan : An Empirical Analysis using the Household Integrated Economic Survey (2001-02)". Thesis, University of Essex, 2010. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.520100.
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Wang, Ruochen. "Empirical Evaluation of Using Contextual Methods to Describe Digital Work Environment: Survey Study at Reykjavik University". Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för informatik och media, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-447321.
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Digitalization in work environment has been a trend in recent years and has profound impact on the way people work. We see the application of digital technologies in workplace greatly benefits people’s daily work, but we also notice health problems such as stress and pressure caused by poorly designed software systems. Two methods, to be used in software development, were proposed to improve the user experience of the software systems. The methods, Contextual Persona method and Contextual Think-Aloud method are supposed to extend IT professionals’ understanding of contextual factors when developing software systems. In this paper, we study students’ perception on the usage of the contextual methods through questionnaire-based survey. We identified the positive and negative aspects of using the contextual methods, and suggestions for improvement. Moreover, we conclude that using the contextual methods is helpful to deliver software systems that are well suited in users’ work environment, and therefore provide a better user experience for the users.
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Jacquier, Kristel. "The economic drivers of public support for the european union : an empirical analysis on survey data". Thesis, Paris 1, 2016. http://www.theses.fr/2016PA01E029/document.
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La thèse présentée s'inscrit dans une période de crise économique, qui affecte tout particulièrement les institutions européennes. A l'aide de données récentes, nous tentons de cerner des continuités ou ruptures dans la perception que les citoyens ont de l'intégration européenne. Nous utilisons de nouvelles sources pour effectuer nos travaux et travaillons sur la variable dépendante afin de cibler un aspect précis du soutien à l'intégration dans chaque chapitre. Sur le plan théorique, nos travaux confirment que quelle que soit la variable dépendante choisie et la méthode utilisée, il existe une masse d'individus favorables à l'Union européenne, et les autres, qui semblent plutôt indécis. Ce clivage entre deux populations s'explique très largement par les déterminants socioéconomiques. Les individus les plu: aisés et les plus qualifiés se montrent nettement plus favorables à l'intégration européenne dans chacune des dimensions étudiées. En dehors de ce résultat bien connu de la littérature, de nombreuses limites aux explications fondées sur des variables économiques sont mises en lumière dans cette thèse. Dans le premier chapitre nous montrons que, pour distinguer les individus hostiles à l'intégration des individus indécis, il est indispensable de prendre en compte l'offre politique nationale. Le deuxième chapitre met en évidence le fait que les variables économiques n'expliquent que faiblement le soutien "affectif" c'est-à-dire le soutien diffus et stable dans le temps dont l'Union européenne a besoin pour exister et avancer. Enfin, dans le dernier chapitre, nous constatons que les variables économiques expliquent mal la dimension territorial des préférences politiquesThe present dissertation uses recent data to identify continuities and ruptures in the perception of the European Union held by European citizens. We especially question the extent to which economic drivers shape public support for the European Union. New data sources are used to carry out the empirical analysis in our study. The dependant variables in each chapters are designed to identify precise aspects o public support. From a theoretical perspective, our findings confirm that regardless of the dependent variable and the method used, a sizeable majority of EU citizens are supportive of the EU, while the other half of the European population appears as uncertain. This broa cleavage is explained to a large extend by socioeconomic determinants. Highly skilled respondents with high incomes display more proEU attitudes in each of the dimensions of public support considered in the empirical analysis. Alongside this result, which is already wellknown in the literature, the present dissertation emphasizes several limitations to the explanatory power of economic variables. ln the first chapter, we show that, to distinguish between individuals hostile to the idea of European integration and those who are only uncertain (or ambivalent), the domestic political offer should be taken into account. Chapter two highlights the fact that economic variables do not explain affective support i.e. diffuse support, stable over time which is crucial to the legitimacy of European institutions and to ensure the continuity of the EU. Finally, in the last chapter, it appears that the theoretical frameworks applied to former member states cannot be applied to new member states
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Cai, Beilei 1979. "Essays in health and environmental economics: Challenges in the empirical analysis of micro-level economic survey data". Thesis, University of Oregon, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/8505.
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xi, 108 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.Micro-level survey data are widely used in applied economic research. This dissertation, which consists of three empirical papers, demonstrates challenges in empirical research using micro-level survey data, as well as some methods to accommodate these problems. Chapter II examines the effect of China's recent public health insurance reform on health utilization and health status. Chinese policy makers have been eager to identify how this reform, characterized by a substantial increase in out-of-pocket costs, has affected health care demand and health status. However, due to self-selection of individuals into the publicly insured group, the impact of the reform remains an unresolved issue. I employ a Heckman selection model in the context of difference-in-difference regression to accommodate the selection problem, and provide the first solid empirical evidence that the recent public health insurance reforms in China adversely affected both health care access and health status for publicly insured individuals. Chapter III examines the construct validity of a stated preference (SP) survey concerning climate change policy. Due to the fact that the SP survey method remains a controversial tool for benefit-cost analysis, every part of the survey deserves thorough examination to ensure the quality of the data. Using a random utility approach, I establish that there is a great deal of logical consistency between people's professed attitudes toward different payment vehicles and their subsequent choices among policies which vary in the incidence of their costs. Chapter IV employs the same survey data used in Chapter III, but demonstrates the potential for order effects stemming from prior attitude-elicitation questions. In addition, it considers the potential impact of these order effects on Willingness to Pay (WTP) estimates for climate change mitigation. I find the orderings of prior elicitation questions may change people's opinions toward various attributes of the different policies, and thereby increase or decrease their WTP by a substantial amount. Thus, this chapter emphasizes the significance of order effects in prior elicitation questions, and supports a call for diligence in using randomly ordered prior elicitation questions in stated preference surveys, to minimize inadvertent effects from any single arbitrary ordering.
Adviser: Trudy Ann Cameron
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Mangxola, Noel Mzwamadoda. "Military deployment and stress : an empirical survey in the SANDF's operational military personnel of the Western Cape". Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9768.
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Bibliography : leaves 61-71.This study explores the psychological impact of deployment of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) military operational personnel to community policing duties of crime and violence in the Western Cape. It is primarily motivated by the fact that, apart from the inherently stressful nature of military deployment, there may be other organisationally induced stressors that impact on the soldiers' psychological well-being. Another concern that has frequently emerged within the SANDF is that the inclusion of the SANDF military operational personnel into community policing duties, which are primarily a responsibility of the South African Police Service (SAPS), may be an ill-informed undertaking. The basis of this concern is that the currently assigned task of community policing is different to the soldier's and military institution's primary training, design, and functional mandate. Other concerns have been in. the form that (1) the ongoing deployment of the SANDF military operational personnel to a community policing function invariably politicises a defence force, (2) such deployment may undermine the image and legitimacy of the SANDF amongst some sectors of the population, and (3) efforts to apply military solutions to community problems inherently and invariably lead to acts of repression.
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Bernroider, Edward. "Effective ERP adoption processes: the role of project activators and resource investments". Palgrave Macmillan, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1057/ejis.2012.51.
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The aim of this paper is to demonstrate whether stakeholders activating a project shape team
building, the structure and magnitude of resource investment levels, and to what extent these
levels impact ERP project effectiveness. The process view of an ERP project includes project
initiation, system justification and funding, implementation, and early system use. Results
from a nationwide empirical survey conducted in Austria (N = 88) show that activating actors
influence team formation and resource investments, which impact project effectiveness
levels. Resource-intensive justification and funding phases tend to precede resource-intensive
implementations in heavy-weight projects, which seem to be less effective than light-weight
projects. Resource and change conflicts are associated with lower project performance and
are more common in resource-intensive ERP projects, where early system use appears to be
relatively less stable. (author's abstract)
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Zitha, Elias Velaphi. "Quality assurance in education and training programmes in business with special rereference to adult literacy an empirical survey /". Pretoria : [s.n.], 2005. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-06142006-083854/.
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Bhorat, Haroon. "Employment, earnings and vulnerability in the South African labour market : an empirical investigation based on official survey data". Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/53405.
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Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2003.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The welfare challenge that faces South Africa in the post-apartheid period is, at its core, defined by the high levels of poverty and inequality in the society. The labour market, as a provider of wages to individuals and ultimately households, remains the key transmitter of these poverty and inequality outcomes in the society. This specific line of reasoning is the underlying intellectual thrust of this thesis: namely that the state of poverty and inequality in a society is mirrored by, and perhaps more strongly - determined and shaped - by the state of its labour market. The thesis therefore focuses in the first instance on employment trends in South Africa since 1970, across two discrete time periods. The intention is to sketch the changing patterns of labour demand in South Africa, with a particular focus on how these patterns have yielded differential gains for different occupation, race, gender and education cohorts. Ultimately, these uneven employment patterns remain one of the most significant factors shaping South Africa's poverty and inequality challenges. The inequality challenge, so often thought of in terms of households only, is analysed here purely in terms of the employed. The starting point once again, is that it is precisely these earnings that contribute to the extraordinarily high inequality levels in South Africa. This analysis imparts information about the manner in which intra-employed wage inequality is structured and furthermore, how South Africa compares in the international context. A major contribution of the thesis is to, through more formal measures of poverty, apply these to labour market-defined individuals, rather than households, which is the norm in the literature. The point of departure is of course that poverty, or vulnerability, expresses itself through individuals in the labour market, and is thereby transmitted at the household level. Hence a significant component of the dissertation attempts a formal measurement and modelling of the degree of poverty and vulnerability in the South African labour market. These welfare challenges for a society though, should not only be analysed, but rather solved as well. Hence the final two chapters of the dissertation attempts to examine two very recent policy options mooted in South Africa, and through using simulation techniques, attempts to estimate both the costs and benefits of instituting these two alternatives which are explicitly aimed at reducing poverty, vulnerability and inequality in the society.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika se welvaartsvraagstuk in die na-apartheidsperiode word deur die hoë vlakke van armoede en ongelykheid in die samelewing bepaal. Die arbeidsmark, as voorsiener van lone aan individue en uiteindelik ook huishoudings, is die belangrikste bepaler van die oordrag van armoede- en ongelykheidsuitkomste in die samelewing. Die sleuteluitgangspunt van hierdie proefskrif is dat die stand van armoede en ongelykheid in 'n samelewing in sy arbeidsmark weerspieël en selfs daardeur bepaal en gevorm word. Die proefskrif fokus daarom veralop Suid- Afrikaanse indiensnemingstendense sedert die sewentigerjare, in twee diskrete periodes. Die doel is om die veranderende Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsvraagpatroon te skets, veral die ongelyke voordele wat hierdie patrone vir verskillende beroeps-, rasse-, gestags- en opvoedkundige groepe meegebring het. Hierdie ongelyke indiensnemingspatrone is uiteindelik belangrike determinante van Suid-Afrika se armoede- en ongelykheidsvraagstuk. Hierdie analise verskaf inligting omtrent die struktuur van loonongelykheid onder werkendes en hoe Suid-Afrika internasionaal vergelyk. 'n Belangrike bydrae is die toepassing van formele armoedemaatstawwe op individue in die arbeidsmark, eerder as die konvensionele toepassing op huishoudings. Die uitgangspunt is natuurlik dat armoede of weerloosheid in die arbeidsmark op die vlak van die individu ervaar word, en dat dit daarna na die huishouding oorgedra word. Daarom is 'n groot deel van die proefskrif op die formele meting en modellering van die omvangvan armoede en weerloosheid in die Suid-Afrikaanse arbeidsmark toegespits. Hierdie welsynsvraagstukke moet natuurlik nie net ontleed word nie, maar ook opgelos word. Daarom poog die laaste twee hoofstukke om die implikasies van twee onlangse beleidsvoorstelle te ontleed. Deur simulasietegnieke word probeer om die kostes en voordele van hierdie twee alternatiewe beleidsvoorstelle gemik op die vermindering van armoede, ongelykheid en weerloosheid in die samelewing te beraam.
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Meredith, Guy Robert George. "The consequences of a mismatch between employee needs and job attributes in the information systems field : an empirical survey". Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14948.
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Includes bibliography.The high turnover of IS staff in South Africa continues to be a source of concern to organisations relying on Information Technology. Such turnover is costly, and leads to delays in project completion; loss of valuable experience; and reductions in IS department productivity. One of the suggestions for reducing turnover that is frequently encountered in the literature is for organisations to implement a dual-career path for their IT staff. This advice is based on the assumption that IT personnel hold either a Managerial or Technical Career Orientation, and that the dual-career path will, therefore, meet the needs of all IT personnel. This study shows that such an assumption is invalid. As a group, IT professionals in South Africa are shown to have a wide diversity of career orientations. In addition, professionals with different career orientations are shown to be very different types of employee, having different needs and values, and exhibiting different levels of performance in the job. As expected, professionals also tend to occupy jobs that are most likely to fulfil their career orientations. Furthermore, IT professionals whose jobs are congruent with their orientations show significantly greater job and career satisfaction, higher organisational commitment, and less intention to leave their organisations, than their counterparts who experience a mismatch. In contrast, the matched group as a whole did not show superior perceived performance in the mismatched group, although certain orientations did exhibit such differences. It is critical that organisations take cognisance of the diversity of IT personnel in their employ, and adopt career planning and motivational strategies flexible enough to accommodate each orientation. This study has shown that the implementation of a dual-career path will satisfy a scant 10.2% of the individuals surveyed. Thus, greater focus by organisations on understanding the individual, and less on seeking to manage the IT profession as a group, will result in personnel experiencing greater satisfaction, as well as more commitment to, and less likelihood of leaving, their employing organisations. It is recommended that research is continued into the career orientations of IS personnel. Specifically, it would be valuable to improve and refine the instrument assembled in this study, the aim of producing a measure that researchers and, moreover, employers can utilise to assess how various jobs match the different career orientations known to exist. Also, it would be beneficial to examine further the performance levels of individuals in positions incompatible with their orientations, and to examine why different levels of performance between matched and mismatched individuals were exhibited by only certain of the orientations. Finally, research should be performed into the different career paths, positions and assignments most suited to the individual orientations, in order to enable organisations to achieve a better fit between the needs of the organisation, and the needs of the IT employee. It is recommended that research is continued into the career of IS personnel. Specifically, it would be valuable to improve and refine the instrument assembled in this study, with aim of producing a measure that researchers and, moreover, employers can utilise to assess how various jobs match the different career orientations known to it would be beneficial to examine further the performance levels of individuals positions incompatible with orientations, and to examine different levels of between matched and mismatched individuals were by only certain of the orientations. Finally, research should performed into the different career paths, positions and assignments most suited to the individual in order to enable organisations to achieve a between the needs of the and the needs of the employee.
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Ghalib, Asad Kamran. "How effective are microfinance programmes in serving the poorest? : empirical perspectives on outreach and impact from survey-based research". Thesis, University of Manchester, 2010. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/how-effective-are-microfinance-programmes-in-serving-the-poorest-empirical-perspectives-on-outreach-and-impact-from-surveybased-research(f7ae1e26-6c5f-4f86-8c09-369e9d66adf3).html.
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The Microfinance Model has been applied extensively on a global scale as a strategy for reducing poverty and promoting development. The ensuing results have transformed both the social and economic lives of countless households worldwide. While some practitioners and academics consider the results to be indisputably affirmative, others have questioned the legitimacy and sanctity of the findings, and have even argued that in certain cases (gender empowerment, for instance) the impact has not been as promising as portrayed. This research centres on two questions: first, it measures the depth (as opposed to breadth) of programme outreach, i.e. how ‘deep down’ microfinance has been able to reach by gauging what category of the poor it currently serves; and second, it assesses the nature and extent of impact that programme participation has had on borrowers’ livelihoods. The study draws on first-hand observations and empirical data gathered from 1,132 households across eleven districts in the rural areas of the province of Punjab in Pakistan. In order to accurately portray the multi-dimensional nature of poverty, the survey captures household characteristics over four dimensions divided into a multitude of variables. The study employs quasi-experimental research design and hence makes use of data collected by interviewing both borrower (treatment) and non-borrower (control) households. By applying the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model, each household is allocated a specific poverty score in relation to all other households in the sample, to generate a poverty index which enables ranking and further analysis. In order to account for the problem of selection bias in the sample, the study uses propensity scores and assesses programme impact by applying both kernel and stratification methods, across the four dimensions on which poverty levels are captured. Study findings reveal that depth of programme outreach is poor, as there is a proportionately higher distribution of borrowers in the ‘less poor’ category (41 percent); the ‘middle poor’ are 35 percent, and the smallest proportion of borrowers served (22 percent) belongs to the ‘very poor’ category. Regarding programme impact, there are mixed results; although borrowers seem to fare better across around 70 percent of the indicators, a majority of these are not statistically significant. This suggests that despite producing some degree of positive impact, microfinance institutions still have to do a lot more if they are to make a real difference to the poors’ livelihoods. Finally, policy implications that can assist towards both deepening outreach and enhancing programme impact are discussed.
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Andersson, Gustaf, e Nora Lindvall. "Trust and Turnout : An Empirical Study of South African Voters". Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Statistiska institutionen, 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-352688.
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Scholars have proposed the idea that trust influences individuals’ choice to vote or abstain. However, there is uncertainty about the composition of trust and its effect on voter turnout. The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between interpersonal and institutional trust and voter turnout in South Africa. Examining presently unused data for South Africa from the World Values Survey 2006 through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, the argument is advanced that trust is a multidimensional concept that may be modelled by multivariate measurements. A logistic factor score regression model shows that a one-unit increase of trust in public institutions on average increases the odds of voting by 9 % whereas trust in private institutions and interpersonal trust have no significant effects. The results imply that trust- strengthening actions may be of interest to South African public institutions to increase electoral participation and legitimise election outcomes.
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Bernroider, Edward, e Nelson K. H. Tang. "A Preliminary Empirical Study of the Diffusion of ERP Systems in Austrian and British SMEs". Institut für Informationsverarbeitung und Informationswirtschaft, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, 2003. http://epub.wu.ac.at/954/1/document.pdf.
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This paper presents the work in progress regarding an international research project based on an empirical survey. It focuses on the early stages of making the adoption decision, thereafter evaluating and selecting an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system prior to implementation in Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs). The project seeks to close some of the identified gaps in ERP research. In addition, it attempts to link the results of the early stages of decision making to implementation, usage and evolution success in order to allow important conclusions to be made, for example, on the best practices in decision making or decision quality and success. This project will be restricted to the case of ERP software but will also give insights into the potential of integrating ERP and other important applications such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or Supply Chain Management (SCM). The proposed research seeks to identify any differences and similarities contributing to the analysed research areas between British and Austrian companies. The choice of companies originating from two different regions in Europe is an important precondition in order to formulate results that will be applicable to the European Union in general. Due to the pervasive nature of ERP systems, our research results should be of interest to a wide range of professional and scholarly communities (from software engineering to accounting), in addition to the Information Systems (IS) field. The results presented should especially help practitioners in SMEs facing the important task of introducing an ERP system into their company. (author's abstract)Series: Working Papers on Information Systems, Information Business and Operations
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Burggraf, Tamina. "Exploring the Residents' Attitude towards Greening Buildings and their Willingness to take action: An Empirical Survey Study in Deutz, Cologne". Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-418932.
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In times that reveal the consequences of climate change, cities are using urban greening as a potential measure in their climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. Greenery in the city regulates the climate and balances temperature extremes through evapotranspiration and air humidification, spending shade and increased air circulation. Many cities in Germany, such as the City of Cologne, have established funding programmes for private stakeholders to support the greening of buildings. Greened buildings contribute to a reduction of the urban heat island effect by decreasing temperatures through increased evapotranspiration, increased air circulation and air humidification and a higher reflective power (albedo). The greening of buildings also cools down the building itself forming a natural insulation layer, shading and the reflection of sun energy. However, in most cities the potential for houses that could be greened is barely utilized. This study explores variables that influence the residents’ attitudinal and behavioural acceptance towards greening their building in Cologne Deutz. Survey research was conducted based on a theoretical framework that explains how external variables form beliefs that lead to attitudinal acceptance (positive attitude) and eventually behavioural acceptance (actual behaviour). The survey was designed to examine attitudinal acceptance and behavioural intention to act, as behavioural acceptance is difficult to measure. The main variables found to influence the residents’ attitudinal acceptance and behavioural intention towards the greening of buildings were ecological aspects, such as an increase of nature in the urban environment, an improvement of the urban climate, air quality and street cooling, and climate change. Visual-aesthetic aspects also played a major role, while finances and funding possibilities had a special influence on the perceived ease of use of greening one’s building. Amongst the sample of this study attitudinal acceptance and behavioural intention were categorized as high. Reasons that could explain the low amount of greening measure implementation were a possible lack of knowledge (of funding possibilities), a low number of private property owners, and an imbalance in the distribution of tangible advantages and disadvantages amongst tenants and landlords.
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Chen, Chun-I. Philip. "Factors Affecting Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce Success: An Empirical Investigation". NSUWorks, 2010. http://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/118.
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It is generally believed that Business to Business (B2B) e-commerce has a great impact on business performance improvement. Considerable research also shows that another dependent variable, B2B e-commerce success, can be a good overall measure of B2B systems. This paper investigated and examined the impact of several factors, which are either internal or external to the firm on B2B performance improvement and B2B e-commerce success. It is suggested that the various factors affect B2B success through business performance improvement.
A research model was developed to test and evaluate these factors. A survey instrument was developed to examine the relationships between these factors and business performance. Survey data was collected online from 143 companies in the U.S.A. and Taiwan where their B2B e-commerce systems were operational for more than 1 year. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was used to assess the measurement and the structural model.
Analyses and results of the pooled survey data suggest that the following factors are significant in the B2B e-commerce environments: (a) alignment of business and e-commerce strategy has a positive impact on business performance, (b) strong relationships between the trading partners have a positive influence on business performance, and (c) B2B e-commerce success is significantly influenced by business performance improvements. Thus, firms that seek to implement successful B2B systems should focus on business performance improvements.
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Madeira, Inês Margarida Pereira. "Determinants of attitudes to risk in Europeans : an empirical analysis based on Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)". Master's thesis, Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/10782.
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Mestrado em FinançasEsta tese investiga os determinantes da atitude face ao risco financeiro dos idosos europeus no contexto da Household Finance. Após a análise da literatura relevante, foram testados empiricamente os determinantes da atitude em relação ao risco com base nos dados do Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) 2006/2007 de 14 países (N=17.587 observações de indivíduos entre os 50 e os 86 anos). Várias especificações foram testadas usando a modelação Probit, em que a variável dicotómica dependente representa a atitude apercebida face ao risco financeiro assumindo valor 1 quando os indivíduos admitem não assumir nenhum risco financeiro nos seus investimentos e poupanças, e assumindo o valor 0 nos restantes casos. Os resultados obtidos mostram que ser mulher, ter mais filhos e sentir-se mais débil quanto à saúde aumentam a probabilidade de não assumir qualquer risco financeiro. Por outro lado, a probabilidade de atitude negativa face ao risco financeiro decresce com: o rendimento e a riqueza da família, as capacidades cognitivas, o nível de educação, a situação de empregado, a expectativa de deixar herança, o grau de confiança nos outros e a socialização. As diferenças encontradas entre países indiciam ainda preditores ligados a características institucionais (e.g. Sistema Nacional de Saúde, Segurança Social, políticas fiscais), cultura e história.
This dissertation investigates the determinants of attitude towards financial risk among older Europeans in the context of Household Finance. After reviewing the relevant literature, the determinants of attitude towards risk were tested empirically using micro data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) 2006/2007 of 14 countries (N = 17,587 observations of individuals between 50 and 86 years old). Several specifications were tested using Probit modeling, in which the dependent variable is a dichotomous variable representing the attitude about self-perceived financial risk (taking value 1 when individuals do not assume any financial risk in their investments and savings, and assuming the value 0 in all other cases). The results show that being female, having more children and feeling ill increase the probability of not assuming any financial risk. Moreover, the probability of a negative attitude towards financial risk decreases with: income and wealth, cognitive abilities, level of education, being an employee, the expectation of leaving an inheritance, degree of trust in others, and socialization. In addition, the differences found among countries suggest predictors that are linked to institutional characteristics of each country?s institutional framework (e.g. national health services, social security systems or tax policies), culture and history.
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Koseler, Refika. "Multi-dimensional Evaluation Of E-learning Systems In The Higher Education Context: Empirical Investigations". Master's thesis, METU, 2009. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/2/12610713/index.pdf.
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There has been little research on assessment of learning management systems (LMS) within educational organizations as both a web-based learning system for e-learning and as a supportive tool for blended learning environments. This study proposes a conceptual e-learning assessment model, HELAM (Hexagonal e-Learning Assessment Model) suggesting a multi-dimensional approach for LMS evaluation via six dimensions: (1) system quality, (2) service quality, (3) information (content) quality, (4) learner perspective, (5) instructor quality, and (6) supportive issues. A survey instrument based on HELAM has been developed and applied to 374 learners. This sample consists of students at both undergraduate and graduate levels who are users of a web-based learning management system, U-Link, at Brunel University, UK and NetClass LMS at METU, Turkey. The survey instrument has been tested for content validity, reliability, and criterion-based predictive validity. The explanatory factor analysis shows that each of the six dimensions of the proposed model had a significant effect on the learners‟
perceived satisfaction. Confirmatory factor analyses used to assess the number of factors and the loadings of variables. The results of confirmatory factor analyses were overlapped with the proposed model. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) statistical analysis was used to validate the research model. The analytical results strongly support the appropriateness of the proposed model in evaluating LMSs through learners&
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satisfaction. Additionally, individual case results were presented with descriptive statistics, Pearson&
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s Product Correlations outputs. Findings of this research will be valuable for both academics and practitioners of e-learning systems. The presented statistical results highlighted the importance of supposing a multidimensional analytical approach for e-learning system success evaluation. The proposed model provided several implications for e-learning effectiveness evaluation.
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Ohnemus, Jörg. "Empirical analysis of information technology and business process outsourcing". Doctoral thesis, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Fakultät, 2012. http://dx.doi.org/10.18452/16490.
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Diese Dissertation befasst sich in drei empirischen Aufsätzen mit der Auslagerung von Informationstechnologien (IT) und Geschäftsprozessen. Der erste Beitrag untersucht die Auswirkung von IT-Outsourcing auf die Arbeitsproduktivität der auslagernden Unternehmen, wobei ein Endogenous Switching Regression Modell im Rahmen einer Cobb-Douglas Produktionsfunktion verwendet wird. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Mitarbeiter, die hauptsächlich mit einem Computer arbeiten, produktiver sind in Unternehmen die IT auslagern. Daher kann die Computernutzung und IT Outsourcing als komplementäre Faktoren betrachtet werden, die sich beide positiv auf die Arbeitsproduktivität auswirken. Der zweite Aufsatz befasst sich mit der Wirkung von IT Outsourcing auf das Beschäftigungswachstum. Während Outsourcing zumindest kurzfristig oftmals mit einem Beschäftigungsabbau in den auslagernden Unternehmen assoziiert wird, können die mittel- bis langfristigen Auswirkungen von Outsourcing durchaus positiv sein. Durch einen Instrumentalvariablenansatz wird für mögliche Endogenität zwischen Beschäftigungswachstum und IT Outsourcing kontrolliert. Die empirischen Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, dass sich Outsourcing mittelfristig positiv auf das Beschäftigungswachstum der Unternehmen auswirkt. Allerdings zeigt eine separate Betrachtung des verarbeitenden Gewerbes und von Dienstleistungsunternehmen, dass dieser positive Effekt nur für letztere signifikant ist. Der dritte und letzte Beitrag untersucht die Auswirkung der Auslagerung von IT nahen Geschäftsprozessen auf die Unternehmensproduktivität. Diese Analyse basiert auf Paneldaten. Um Verzerrungen durch nicht beobachtbare Heterogenität von Firmen, Messfehler der Variablen und Simultanität der In- und Outputs zu erfassen, werden verschiedene Schätzverfahren im Rahmen einer Cobb-Douglas Produktionsfunktion verwendet. Die Ergebnisse zeigen einen signifikanten positiven Effekt der Auslagerung von Geschäftsprozessen auf die Produktivität der Unternehmen.This thesis consists of three essays that contribute to the empirical literature on information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing. The first essay analyses the impact of information technology outsourcing on labour productivity in outsourcing firms by using an endogenous switching regression model in a Cobb-Douglas production function framework. Estimation results show that employees who mainly work with a computer are more productive in firms conducting IT outsourcing. Therefore, computer usage and IT outsourcing can be interpreted as complementary factors that positively affect firms’ labour productivity. The second essay refers to the employment effects of IT outsourcing. Even though, in most cases outsourcing is widely associated with accompanied job losses in outsourcing firms, the medium and long term effects of outsourcing can absolutely still be positive. The analysis is conducted by using an instrumental variable approach to account for possible endogeneity between the employment growth rate and IT outsourcing. Estimation results provide empirical evidence that IT outsourcing has a positive effect on a firms’ medium-term employment growth rate. However, dividing the sample into manufacturing and service firms, a significant medium-term positive growth effect of IT outsourcing can only be observed for firms operating in the service sector. Finally, the last essay takes a close look at the impact of IT-related business process outsourcing on firm productivity. This analysis is based on panel data. In order to account for unobserved firm heterogeneity, measurement errors in the variables and simultaneity of inputs and output, different estimation techniques are applied to estimate a Cobb-Douglas production function model. The results clearly reveal a positive and significant impact of business process outsourcing on firm-level productivity.
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McKibben, Jodi B. Aronoff. "Sex and Cult Affiliation Biases in the Diagnosis of Dependent and Narcissistic Personality Disorders: An Empirical Investigation". Ohio : Ohio University, 2003. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?ohiou1057177965.
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Muhammed, Shahnawaz. "Antecedents and Impacts of Knowledge Management Practices Supported by Information Technology: An Empirical Study in Manufacturing Context". University of Toledo / OhioLINK, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1153916152.
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Lau, Ngan-phan Reynold. "Euphemism : an investigation into its sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic implications, and an empirical survey of some euphemistic expressionsreferring to personal health and hygiene /". [Hong Kong : University of Hong Kong], 1985. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record.jsp?B12323640.
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Leander, Aggeborn Noah, e Kristian Norgren. "An Empirical Study of Students’ Performance at Assessing Normality of Data Through Graphical Methods". Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Statistiska institutionen, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-385507.
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When applying statistical methods for analyzing data, with normality as an assumption there are different procedures of determining if a sample is drawn from a normally distributed population. Because normality is such a central assumption, the reliability of the procedures is of most importance. Much research focus on how good formal tests of normality are, while the performance of statisticians when using graphical methods are far less examined. Therefore, the aim of the study was to empirically examine how good students in statistics are at assessing if samples are drawn from normally distributed populations through graphical methods, done by a web survey. The results of the study indicate that the students distinctly get better at accurately determining normality in data drawn from a normally distributed population when the sample size increases. Further, the students are very good at accurately rejecting normality of data when the sample is drawn from a symmetrical non-normal population and fairly good when the sample is drawn from an asymmetrical distribution. In comparison to some common formal tests of normality, the students' performance is superior at accurately rejecting normality for small sample sizes and inferior for large, when drawn from a non-normal population.
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Axelsson, Kim, e Kasper Batalje. "Utforskning i spel och immersionens djup : En empirisk studie om upplevelsen av immersion i ett utforskningbaserat spel". Thesis, Södertörns högskola, Institutionen för naturvetenskap, miljö och teknik, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:sh:diva-29498.
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Den här studien är en empirisk studie genomförd via en enkät online där deltagarnahar fått svara på frågor som rör utforskning och inlevelse i spelet Starbound.Deltagarna fick svara fritt i löpande text hur de upplever att dessa aspekter påverkarderas förmåga för immersion. Dessa svar har vi sen analyserat med tematisk analysför att ta fram teman och kategorier som ger underlag för vår forskning. Vi fann att deredan etablerade kategorierna för immersion kunde utökas då svaren vi fick tydligtindikerade på att utforskning är av stor vikt för spelarnas förmåga att uppnåimmersion i spelet. Utöver utforskningsbaserad immersion fann vi också att tillgångtill flerspelarläge var en återkommande viktig aspekt för spelarnas immersion.This study is an empirical study that was conducted via an online survey where theparticipants have answered questions regarding exploration and immersion in thegame Starbound. The participants answered the questions in their own words abouthow these aspects affected their ability to immerse themselves in the game. Theseanswers were then analyzed using thematic analysis in order for us to establish themesand categories that we used as a foundation for our research. We found that thealready established categories for immersion could be complemented by our findings;the answers from the participants indicated that exploration is of great importance forthe players ability to achieve immersion in the game. In addition to explorativeimmersion, we also found that immersion via multiplayer was a recurring importantaspect for the participants.
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Swanepoel, Elmarie. "An empirical survey of certain key aspects of the use of statistical sampling by South African registered auditors accredited by the Johannesburg securities exchange". Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/17835.
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Thesis (MAcc)--Stellenbosch University, 2011.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The quality of external audits has increasingly come under the spotlight over the last decade as a result of a number of audit failures. The use of scientifically based statistical sampling as a sampling technique is allowed, but not required by International Standards on Auditing. The science behind this sampling technique can add to the credibility and quality of the audit. Accordingly the main objective of this study was to explore certain key aspects of the use of statistical sampling as a sampling technique in the audits of financial statements done by South African Registered Auditors accredited by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). A literature review of the most recent local and international studies related to the key aspects addressed in this study was done. An empirical study was then done by means of a questionnaire that was sent to the JSE-accredited auditing firms for completion. The questionnaire focused on what was allowed by the firms’ audit methodologies regarding the key aspects investigated in this study and not on the actual usage of statistical sampling in audits performed by the firms. The following main conclusions were drawn in respect of the four key aspects that were investigated: 1. In investigating the extent to which statistical sampling is used by auditing firms, it was found that the majority of them was allowed to use the principles of statistical sampling. Upon further investigation it was found that only 38% were explicitly allowed to use it in all three sampling steps (size determination, selection of items and evaluation of results). The evaluation step was identified as the most problematic statistical sampling phase. 2. Two reasons why auditors decided not use statistical sampling as a sampling technique were identified, namely the perceived inefficiency (costliness) of the statistical sampling process, and a lack of understanding, training and experience in the use thereof. 3. In investigating how professional judgement is exercised in the use of statistical sampling, it was found that the audit methodologies of the majority of the auditing firms prescribed the precision and confidence levels to be used, and further that the minority indicated that they were allowed to adjust these levels using their professional judgement. The partner in charge of the audit was identified to be typically responsible for final authorisation of the sampling approach to be followed. 4. It was found that approximately a third of the auditing firms did not use computer software for assistance in using statistical sampling. The majority of the auditing firms did however have a written guide on how to use statistical sampling in practice available as a resource to staff. The value of this study lies in its contribution to the existing body of knowledge in South Africa regarding the use of statistical sampling in auditing. Stakeholders in statistical sampling as an auditing technique that can benefit from this study include Registered Auditors in practice, academics, and, from regulatory, education and training perspectives, the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na aanleiding van 'n aantal oudit mislukkings in die afgelope dekade het die kwaliteit van eksterne oudits toenemend onder die soeklig gekom. Die gebruik van wetenskaplik gebaseerde statistiese steekproefneming word deur die International Standards on Auditing toegelaat, maar nie vereis nie, as 'n steekproefnemingstegniek. Die wetenskap agter hierdie steekproefnemingstegniek kan tot die geloofwaardigheid en die kwaliteit van die oudit bydra. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie was gevolglik om sekere sleutel aspekte van die gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming as 'n steekproefnemingstegniek in die oudits van finansiële state soos gedoen deur Suid-Afrikaanse Geregistreerde Ouditeure geakkrediteer deur die Johannesburgse Effektebeurs (JSE), te verken. 'n Literatuurstudie van die mees onlangse plaaslike en internasionale studies wat verband hou met die sleutel aspekte wat in hierdie studie aangespreek word, is gedoen. 'n Empiriese studie is daarna gedoen met behulp van 'n vraelys wat vir die voltooiing aan die JSE-geakkrediteerde ouditeursfirmas gestuur is. Die vraelys het gefokus op wat toegelaat word deur die firmas se oudit metodologieë ten opsigte van die sleutel aspekte ondersoek in hierdie studie en nie op die werklike gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming in oudits wat deur die firmas uitgevoer word nie. Die volgende hoofgevolgtrekkings is gemaak ten opsigte van die vier sleutel aspekte wat ondersoek is: 1. In die ondersoek na die mate waarin statistiese steekproefneming gebruik word deur ouditeursfirmas, is gevind dat die meerderheid toegelaat was om die beginsels van statistiese steekproefneming te gebruik. By verdere ondersoek is gevind dat slegs 38% uitdruklik toegelaat word om dit te gebruik in al drie steekproefneming stappe (grootte-bepaling, keuse van items en evaluering van resultate). Die evalueringstap is geïdentifiseer as die mees problematiese statistiese steekproefnemings fase. 2. Twee redes waarom ouditeure besluit het om nie statistiese steekproefneming as 'n steekproefnemingstegniek te gebruik nie is geïdentifiseer, naamlik die vermeende ondoeltreffendheid (hoë koste) van die statistiese steekproefnemingsproses, en 'n gebrek aan begrip, opleiding en ondervinding in die gebruik daarvan. 3. Met die ondersoek van die wyse waarop professionele oordeel uitgeoefen word in die gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming, is gevind dat die presisiepeil en vertrouensvlakke wat gebruik word deur die meerderheid van die ouditeursfirmas se oudit metodologieë voorgeskryf word, en verder het die minderheid aangedui dat hulle hierdie vlakke mag aanpas deur hul professionele oordeel te gebruik. Die vennoot in beheer van die oudit is geïdentifiseer as tipies verantwoordelik vir die finale goedkeuring van die steekproefnemingsbenadering wat gevolg word . 4. Daar is gevind dat ongeveer 'n derde van die ouditeursfirmas nie gebruik maak van rekenaarsagteware vir bystand in die gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming nie. Die meerderheid van die ouditeursfirmas het egter 'n geskrewe gids oor hoe om statistiese steekproefneming in die praktyk te gebruik as 'n hulpmiddel aan personeel beskikbaar. Die waarde van hierdie studie lê in sy bydrae tot die bestaande liggaam van kennis in Suid-Afrika met betrekking tot die gebruik van statistiese steekproefneming in ouditkunde. Belanghebbers in statistiese steekproefneming as 'n oudittegniek wat kan baat vind by hierdie studie sluit in Geregistreerde Ouditeure in praktyk, akademici, en, vanuit regulerings-, opvoedings- en opleidingsperspektiewe, die Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors en die Suid-Afrikaanse Instituut van Geoktrooieerde Rekenmeesters.
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Braat, Sylvie Anne Ingrid. "On sensory experience of historic architecture : an empirical review of sensory perceptions in historic buildings, aiming to inform their conservation process". Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2725.
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This thesis studies people’s sensory perceptions of historic architecture, exploring the physical triggers for such experience, and connecting these with what can and should be maintained through building conservation. Sensory design is a developing field in architecture. The research argues that this approach can inform people’s understanding of the architectural experience of historic buildings, which in current discourse are predominantly considered for their associated ‘cultural significances’. People’s affinity to (historic) buildings is initiated by a response through the senses. This research advocates that establishing the triggers for such sensory response should be the main focus of the initial assessment of a building for conservation. From the review of changing approaches to building conservation, and exploration of sensory perception and sensory design, the research concludes people’s experiential perceptions have not been structurally considered in the appraisal of historic buildings. The methodology entailed the empirical development of a suitable assessment format, through performing initial on-site surveys that generated data to be added to those of a final sensory assessment, covering three buildings. Buildings were assessed according to Gibson’s sensory systems of visual, auditory, haptic, olfactory/gustatory and orientational perception, as well as with a comprehensive multisensory focus. Evidence from the data retrieved through this research indicates that the sensory assessment is a useful, informative and exciting addition to any architectural survey in building conservation practice. Such rich information will provide guidance and clarity to decision processes, to assist in retaining the affinity as the building’s physical relevance for the future. The research makes an original contribution to knowledge through the combination of two areas of study; through the application of sensory perception to understand historic buildings; and, in demonstrating that a sensory assessment has true potential as a suitable approach to the issue in practice.
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Romain, Astrid. "Essays in the empirical analysis of venture capital and entrepreneurship". Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/210729.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThis thesis aims at analysing some aspects of Venture Capital (VC) and high-tech entrepreneurship. The focus is both at the macroeconomic level, comparing venture capital from an international point of view and Technology-Based Small Firms (TBSF) at company and founder’s level in Belgium. The approach is mainly empirical.
This work is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on venture capital. First of all, we test the impact of VC on productivity. We then identify the determinants of VC and we test their impact on the relative level of VC for a panel of countries.
The second part concerns the technology-based small firms in Belgium. The objective is twofold. It first aims at creating a database on Belgian TBSF to better understand the importance of entrepreneurship. In order to do this, a national survey was developed and the statistical results were analysed. Secondly, it provides an analysis of the role of universities in the employment performance of TBSF.
A broad summary of each chapter is presented below.
PART 1: VENTURE CAPITAL
The Economic Impact of Venture Capital
The objective of this chapter is to perform an evaluation of the macroeconomic impact of venture capital. The main assumption is that VC can be considered as being similar in several respects to business R&D performed by large firms. We test whether VC contributes to economic growth through two main channels. The first one is innovation, characterized by the introduction of new products, processes or services on the market. The second one is the development of an absorptive capacity. These hypotheses are tested quantitatively with a production function model for a panel data set of 16 OECD countries from 1990 to 2001. The results show that the accumulation of VC is a significant factor contributing directly to Multi-Factor Productivity (MFP) growth. The social rate of return to VC is significantly higher than the social rate of return to business or public R&D. VC has also an indirect impact on MFP in the sense that it improves the output elasticity of R&D. An increased VC intensity makes it easier to absorb the knowledge generated by universities and firms, and therefore improves aggregate economic performance.
Technological Opportunity, Entrepreneurial Environment and Venture Capital Development
The objective of this chapter is to identify the main determinants of venture capital. We develop a theoretical model where three main types of factors affect the demand and supply of VC: macroeconomic conditions, technological opportunity, and the entrepreneurial environment. The model is evaluated with a panel dataset of 16 OECD countries over the period 1990-2000. The estimates show that VC intensity is pro-cyclical - it reacts positively and significantly to GDP growth. Interest rates affect the VC intensity mainly because the entrepreneurs create a demand for this type of funding. Indicators of technological opportunity such as the stock of knowledge and the number of triadic patents affect positively and significantly the relative level of VC. Labour market rigidities reduce the impact of the GDP growth rate and of the stock of knowledge, whereas a minimum level of entrepreneurship is required in order to have a positive effect of the available stock of knowledge on VC intensity.
PART 2: TECHNOLOGY-BASED SMALL FIRMS
Survey in Belgium
The first purpose of this chapter is to present the existing literature on the performance of companies. In order to get a quantitative insight into the entrepreneurial growth process, an original survey of TBSF in Belgium was launched in 2002. The second purpose is to describe the methodology of our national TBSF survey. This survey has two main merits. The first one lies in the quality of the information. Indeed, most of national and international surveys have been developed at firm-level. There exist only a few surveys at founder-level. In the TBSF database, information both at firm and at entrepreneur-level will be found.
The second merit is about the subject covered. TBSF survey tackles the financing of firms (availability of public funds, role of venture capitalists, availability of business angels,…), the framework conditions (e.g. the quality and availability of infrastructures and communication channels, the level of academic and public research, the patenting process,…) and, finally, the socio-cultural factors associated with the entrepreneurs and their environment (e.g. level of education, their parents’education, gender,…).
Statistical Evidence
The main characteristics of companies in our sample are that employment and profits net of taxation do not follow the same trend. Indeed, employment may decrease while results after taxes may stay constant. Only a few companies enjoy a growth in both employment and results after taxes between 1998 and 2003.
On the financing front, our findings suggest that internal finance in the form of personal funds, as well as the funds of family and friends are the primary source of capital to start-up a high-tech company in Belgium. Entrepreneurs rely on their own personal savings in 84 percent of the cases. Commercial bank loans are the secondary source of finance. This part of external financing (debt-finance) exceeds the combined angel funds and venture capital funds (equity-finance).
On the entrepreneur front, the preliminary results show that 80 percent of entrepreneurs in this study have a university degree while 42 percent hold postgraduate degrees (i.e. master’s, and doctorate). In term of research activities, 88 percent of the entrepreneurs holding a Ph.D. or a post-doctorate collaborate with Belgian higher education institutes. Moreover, more than 90 percent of these entrepreneurs are working in a university spin-off.
The Contribution of Universities to Employment Growth
The objective of this chapter is to test whether universities play a role amongst the determinants of employment growth in Belgian TBSF. The empirical model is based on our original survey of 87 Belgian TBSF. The results suggest that both academic spin-offs and TBSF created on the basis of an idea originating from business R&D activities are associated with an above than average growth in employees. As most ‘high-tech’ entrepreneurs are at least graduated from universities, there is no significant impact of the level of education. Nevertheless, these results must be taken with caution, as they are highly sensitive to the presence of outliers. Young high-tech firms are by definition highly volatile, and might be therefore difficult to understand.
CONCLUSION
In this last chapter, recommendations for policy-makers are drawn from the results of the thesis. The possible interventions of governments are classified according to whether they influence the demand or the supply of entrepreneurship and/or VC. We present some possible actions such as direct intervention in the VC funds, interventions of public sector through labour market rigidities, pension system, patent and research policy, level of entrepreneurial activities, bankruptcy legislation, entrepreneurial education, development of university spin-offs, and creation of a national database of TBSF.
Doctorat en Sciences économiques et de gestion
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished