IOSR-JBM   Volume-19 ~ Issue-2 ~ February-2017

Abstract: The study evaluated the existence and nature of systematic competition for corporate capital between local and foreign firms operating in major African economies. The study is motivated by the debate that foreign firms have easier access to corporate capital than domestic firms, and that the problem in the global financial market might push foreign firms to rely more on domestic financial markets for funds. To achieve the goal of this study, both microeconomic and macroeconomic data were sourced from diverse sources – including the World Bank's Global Development Indicators' database and the individual annual financial reports of firms. The data generated a total of 351 firms based in 11 African countries over a period 2009 to 2014...........

Keywords: Corporate Capital, Corporate Competition, Domestic Firms, Foreign Firms

[1]. Abor, J. (2006), The effect of capital structure on profitability: an empirical analysis of listed firms in Ghana, The Journal of Risk Finance, 6(5): 136-145
[2]. Aggarwal, R. & Kyaw, N. A. (2008) Internal capital networks as a source of MNC competitive advantage: Evidence from foreign subsidiary capital structure decisions, Research in International Business and Finance, 2(2):409–439
[3]. Armstrong, P. (2003). Status report on corporate governance reform in Africa. Johannesburg, South Africa: Pan-African Consultative Forum on Corporate Governance.
[4]. Armstrong, C. E. & Shimizu, K. (2007) A review of approaches to empirical research on the resource-based view of the firm, Journal of Management, 33(6): 959-986
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Abstract: This paper examined microfinance and the challenge of financial inclusion for SMEs development in Nigeria. The study adopted two separate econometrics models for capturing and testing for significance in the stated objectives between 2005 and 2015. The first model determined whether financial inclusion improve the financial well-being of low-income savers in the study period. The second investigated the impact that micro finance has on the performance of small and medium scale enterprises. Each of the models was subjected to the Ordinary Least Square regression to determine the appropriateness of models estimated...............

Keywords: Microfinance, Financial Inclusion, Small Medium Enterprises

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[2]. Ashraf, N., Aycinena, C., Martinez, A., & Yang, D. (2010). Remittances and the problem of control: A field experiment among migrants from El Salvador. London: Mimeo.
[3]. Banerjee, A. V., & Duflo, E. (2011).Poor economics. New York, NY: Perseus.
[4]. Beck, T., & De la Torre, A. (2006). The basic analytics of access to financial services. London: Mimeo.
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Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to determine the drivers and barriers of adopting electronic supply chain management (E-SCM) practices in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan. The methodology is based on critical review of research papers and analyzing the data acquired from the sample of the study through constructed survey. As per the primary data analysis, the quantitative data from the selected pool of SMEs from Jordan showed that Lack of qualified staff and skills, Resistance to change, Security and Perceived cost are the major barriers in adopting the technology of E-SCM in order to ease the working of business organizations................

Keywords: Electronic Supply Chain Management, SMEs, Jordan

[1]. Agrawal, N., & Smith, S. A. (2009). Retail supply chain management. Springer US.
[2]. Al Bakri, A. (2013). An Overview of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Jordan: Review the Literature of Usage, Benefits and Barriers.
[3]. Al-Zu'bi, H. A. (2011). Organizational citizenship behavior and impacts on knowledge sharing: an empirical study. International business research, 4(3), 221.
[4]. Arend, R. J., & Wisner, J. D. (2005). Small business and supply chain management: is there a fit?. Journal of Business Venturing, 20(3), 403-436.
[5]. Bayraktar, E., Demirbag, M., Koh, S. L., Tatoglu, E., &Zaim, H. (2009). A causal analysis of the impact of information systems and supply chain management practices on operational performance: evidence from manufacturing SMEs in Turkey. International Journal of Production Economics, 122(1), 133-149.

Abstract: Structure and processes are core variables in understanding organizational effectiveness. This paper assesses the influence of the nature of formalization and level of horizontal integration on the level of communication and locus of decision-making in organizations. The paper is drawn from a study of two Kenyan universities, namely the Moi University and the University of East Africa (UEA), Baraton . The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design that was descripto-explanatory in nature to identify attributes of the study population using a small sample of individuals. Independent samples t-test was used to test whether or not there was any significant difference in organizational structure and organizational effectiveness between public and private universities...............

Keywords: Level, Communication, Locus, Decision-making, Organizations, Nature, Formalization, Horizontal Integration

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Abstract: Brand preferences are usually studied by attempting to profile and understand loyal consumers. It is the indicator of the strength of a brand in the hearts and minds of customers. Brand preference represents which brands are preferred under assumptions of equality in price, battery durability, camera resolution and so on. In recent times smart phone plays a significant role among the users to meet up their numerous objectives by operating their desired smart phone. A total of 200 completed copies of questionnaires are evaluated for analysis. The results suggest that, brand name variable have statistically significant relationships with consumer preferences variable...............

Keywords: Smartphone, Samsung, Walton, Oppo, Brand preference, Brand satisfaction, SPSS

[1]. Arif, H., Ahmed, S., and Farrukh, M., (2015) Factors affecting customer's preferences to buy Cellular Phone for local versus international brands: (A Case Study in Pakistan), Journal of Marketing and Consumer Research, www.iiste.org ISSN 2422-8451, An International Peer-reviewed Journal Vol: 10, 2015.
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[4]. Harish, R., & Rajkumar, P., (2011) Service quality and customers preference of cellular mobile service providers, Journal of Technology Management and Innovation, 6(1), 13-41
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Abstract: This study investigates Stock Price Movements and the Value of firms in Nigeria using secondary data research design and pooled data study approach. Five firms were selected for the study between 2005 and 2015. Data were analysed using Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression technique. Variables used were Shareholders' Fund (dependent variable), Earnings Per Share, Dividend Per Share, and Return on Shareholders' Funds. EPS shows a positive and significant relationship at Mobil Oil Nig Plc; a positive but non-significant relationship at Niger Insurance, Oando and Flour Mills and a negative and significant relationship at GTBank Plc at 5 percent significance level..............

Keywords: Earnings Per Share, Return on Shareholders' Funds, Variance Inflation Factor

[1]. Pandey, I. M. (2014). Financial Management. (Tenth Edition). India: Viksa Publishing House PVT LTD.
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Abstract: Due to large consumption and usage of paper in Universities, it is important to find ways to reduce the usage of paper. The aim of the research is to see how going paperless can be achieved by a university environment in Cyprus while at the same time being a profitable decision for the University's management to embark on; one that benefits the society, the environment, and improves the University's image. The goal is to present universities with information on decisions and processes necessary for an organisation to go paperless. Going paperless will create tremendous value for the university's operations. This includes increased recognition and attractiveness, teacher and student productivity...............

Keywords:Corporate social responsibility, Competitive Advantage, Energy conservation, Going Paperless, Key Performance Indicators, Stakeholders

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Abstract: Mutual fund is an instrument of investing funds. A number of mutual fund schemes are available for investors to gain. India is one of the largest and most important emerging market nations, and since 2010, Indian benchmark indices have shown a strong uptrend. The importance of mutual funds in stock market has grown dramatically in last decades. The majority of market analysts expect this upward momentum to continue over the long term. Indian-focused equity mutual funds offer investors opportunities for substantial capital gains................

Keywords: Mutual fund, higher return, capital gains.

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Abstract: The concept of "environment" has evolved as a global issue in the early 1970s. At first, it was a kind of global recognition that the Earth's ecosystems are in fact fragile, and that human beings have been
contributing much to its degeneration. When countries started to join efforts to strike a balance between improving the quality of human life and protecting the environment for the sake of future generations, a new
awareness materialized. The social and economic welfare of human beings is closely linked to their environment. Any change in the socioeconomic fields will have an impact on the earth's environment and vice
versa, whether positively or negatively, immediately or eventually. And in many cases, negative results are irreversible. Environmental resources are those that have intrinsic value of their own or are of value for the longer term sustainability and use by humans.

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