A common perception is that, as investors in hedge funds are afforded a lesser level of legal and regulatory protections than investors in regulated products, there is a…
Abstract
A common perception is that, as investors in hedge funds are afforded a lesser level of legal and regulatory protections than investors in regulated products, there is a deficiency in the degree of transparency and disclosure afforded to them. This paper examines from a largely UK perspective whether that is, in practice, the case.
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David Capps, Simon Firth and Alix Prentice
The past year has seen a flurry of activity from the major international regulators around issues with a common theme: conflicts of interest. The Financial Services Authority…
Abstract
The past year has seen a flurry of activity from the major international regulators around issues with a common theme: conflicts of interest. The Financial Services Authority (FSA), the UK regulator, is no exception. On the sell side, the FSA has consulted twice in 2003 directly on conflicts of interest in the context of investment research and the issuance of securities, as well as making new rules in this area. On the buy side, the FSA shocked the fund management industry with its proposals to limit goods and services that can be bought with commissions and to limit the costs to customers’ funds of acquiring bundled and “softed” services, as well as less explicitly attempting to address conflicts in this area. The issues thrown up by these proposals are considered in this article.
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Fritz Pinnock, Ibrahim Ajagunna and Sandra Casanova
The purpose of this paper is an assessment of logistics services and tourism infrastructure in the Caribbean. The objective is to examine the efficiency and competitiveness of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is an assessment of logistics services and tourism infrastructure in the Caribbean. The objective is to examine the efficiency and competitiveness of the logistics and tourism environment in the region.
Design/methodology/approach
Given the low levels of implementation of logistics services in Barbados and Jamaica, this study is exploratory, and it is hoped that future studies can build on this assessment of Barbados and Jamaica, and by extension the Caribbean.
Findings
Governments across the Caribbean need to recognize that the development of an effective logistics industry rests with improved technology, a proper legislative framework, the development of competent human resources and modern infrastructure development.
Research limitations/implications
The study was limited to Barbados and Jamaica, and so it is not representative of the rest of the Caribbean, as economies like Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic have stronger trans-shipment and cruise tourism activities.
Practical implications
With the low pace of logistics development in the Caribbean, the demand for logistic services, which involve planning, managing and executing the movement of goods and information within global supply chains, will continue to be largely by firms’ desire to outsource some or all logistics-related activities to specialists.
Social implications
The need to plan for the development of a competent and certified pool of human resources to support the development of a logistics and tourism industry is critical. This therefore requires the development of specialized skills, knowledge and the competence of a flexible and agile workforce.
Originality/value
The focus on Barbados and Jamaica provide an adequate picture of the logistics markets and regulatory frameworks in different contexts of the Caribbean, including an economy directly connected with the global marketplace with a relatively diversified product structure, and another less extensively connected and diversified product structure.
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Sang-Won Lim, Kamonchanok Suthiwartnarueput, Ahmad Abareshi, Paul Tae-Woo Lee and Yann Duval
The purpose of this paper is to investigate key critical factors for developing transit trade corridors (TTCs) in optimizing trade and logistics performance, taking into account…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate key critical factors for developing transit trade corridors (TTCs) in optimizing trade and logistics performance, taking into account economic, geographic and political concerns among countries in the Northeast Asia region, which have been dynamically developing TTCs to optimize trade and logistics performance in association with development of transport infrastructure in the Greater Tumen Region located in the Northeast Asia.
Design/methodology/approach
This research explores key factors affecting the TTC through a comprehensive literature review in tandem with expert survey. Factor analysis, both exploratory and confirmatory, is employed to further investigate the underlying factors affecting more efficient development of a TTC.
Findings
This research has drawn eight underlying factors affecting the design of a TTC: development and policy implications; safety, security and political concerns; environmental protection; financing and investment; soft infrastructure; hard infrastructure; geography and landscape; and corridor performance.
Research limitations/implications
This paper has a limited geographical scope of the Northeast Asia. Therefore, more primary data collection would be useful in future work. Development of International trade corridor and TTC is critical in northeast Asia for moving goods through designated geographical paths. The key factors drawn in this paper contributes not only to promoting its related services and information (across borders) with the provision of policy support and related facilities for TTC but also to lowering logistics costs and improving trades in the northeast Asian region. As a result, the countries in the region will accelerate their regional economies in collaboration with international bodies and framework, such as UNDP, Greater Tumen Initiative and One Belt One Road Initiative.
Practical implications
The eight underlying factors the authors identified in this research will be valuable for policy-makers to design TTCs and consequently the research will contribute to regional economies in northeast Asia by establishing efficient trade and transport routes among the countries in the region.
Social implications
Developing TTCs is a kind of platform and infrastructure to accelerate cargo movements and people movements in the northeast Asia. Users of TTCs will benefit their businesses thanks to an efficient logistics system and lower logistics costs, which result in promoting international and regional trade in the region.
Originality/value
There has not been any research done on factors to consider in developing TTCs in the world, whose consequence is no readily available reference that can support a systematic assessment and decision-making in development of TTCs. The findings of this research provide a helpful reference for policy-makers, potential users and developers of TTCs to refer in planning and developing them.
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Patrick Eagan, Tanya Cook and Erhard Joeres
Presents a case study of an interdisciplinary, graduate‐level seminar on the topic of international and business sector differences in approaches to sustainable development. The…
Abstract
Presents a case study of an interdisciplinary, graduate‐level seminar on the topic of international and business sector differences in approaches to sustainable development. The importance of the course is that it mixed culture, business and environmental sciences in a study of sustainability. The pedagogical structure of the course was designed to enable students to learn necessary skills for interdisciplinary, cross‐cultural, and cross‐business sector communication about environmental issues through their participation in the course. Discusses course design specifics and presents results of a student survey about the effectiveness of the course. Overall, students did find participation in the course helpful for improving their ability to communicate about environmental issues across disciplines, cultures, and industries. Students also highlighted several key cultural aspects that contribute to the different ways in which countries and businesses within them respond to environmental issues.
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Mohamed Asmy Mohd Thas Thaker, Hassanudin Mohd Thas Thaker and Anwar Allah Pitchay
Waqf institutions in many Muslim countries including in Malaysia are facing liquidity constraints in developing waqf land. This paper aims to offer a sustainable model of source…
Abstract
Purpose
Waqf institutions in many Muslim countries including in Malaysia are facing liquidity constraints in developing waqf land. This paper aims to offer a sustainable model of source of financing for waqf institutions to meet their liquidity constraint in developing waqf land, which is known as the crowdfunding–waqf model (CWM). Later, CWM validated its acceptance in the field among the crowdfunders by adopting the theory of technology acceptance model (TAM).
Design/methodology/approach
The primary data are collected from the survey administered to donors or crowdfunders in Selangor, Penang, Johor and Pahang. The total number of respondents are n = 1,000. The analysis is conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM).
Findings
Based on findings, both the perceived usefulness and perceived easy to use of CWM are found to have a positive impact on the behavioral intention of crowdfunders or donors in assisting waqf institutions to develop waqf land in Malaysia. Furthermore, perceived easy to use has a positive relationship and direct effect on perceived usefulness of crowdfunders to use the CWM.
Research limitations/implications
There are some limitations of the current study. The sample size and area of study become the obvious limitations. Thus, there is a need for caution in the interpretation of the results, and the conclusion cannot be as generalized. Besides, the use of current factors might limit the ability to explore other potentially important determinants of the crowdfunders’ behavioral intention on using CWM. Thus, future research can be conducted by incorporating new factors and provide new insights for optimizing CWM. Other potential moderator variables should be included into the research model in order to obtain more robust results.
Practical implications
The findings of this paper will provide a new avenue for waqf institutions to raise funds for developing waqf land, particularly in Malaysia. The present study also has implications for the government and policymakers. Through CWM, it enables to reduce the expenses of the government for the development of waqf land. Indeed, CWM could be applied in other Muslim countries that are facing liquidity constraint in developing waqf land.
Originality/value
This paper offers an additional literature on waqf and crowdfunding, especially in the Malaysian context. The paper proposes a viable alternative model for waqf institutions as a source of financing by using crowdfunding.
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Mohamed Asmy Bin Mohd Thas Thaker
This paper aims to examine the behavioural intention of donors or crowd funders to use crowdfunding-waqf model (CWM), as this model is proposed to address the liquidity problem…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the behavioural intention of donors or crowd funders to use crowdfunding-waqf model (CWM), as this model is proposed to address the liquidity problem faced by waqf institution in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
The primary data are collected from the survey administered to donors or crowd funders in Klang Valley and the analysis is conducted using Partial Least Squares (PLS). The model has validated its acceptance in the field by adopting the theory of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM).
Findings
This study has revealed that both the perceived usefulness and perceived easy to use are found to have a positive impact on the intention of donors or crowd funders in assisting waqf institution to develop waqf land in Malaysia. Furthermore, perceived easy to use has a positive relationship and direct effect with perceived usefulness of crowd funders to use the CWM.
Research limitations/implications
The variables that have been used based on TAM in this study are constantly in flux. There are other variables such as trust, social norm, orientations that might be affecting the adoption level of donors or crowd funders in Malaysia. In addition, the current study is covering only Klang Valley, Malaysia. Future research is nevertheless still required that incorporate other variables and extend the study to other states of Malaysia.
Practical implications
The findings of this paper will provide waqf institution with an alternative source for raising capital to develop waqf asset. The present study also has implications for government and policy makers.
Originality/value
To the best of the author’s knowledge, no study has incorporated an element of crowdfunding to develop waqf land. Thus, the present study is relevant in extending the importance of crowdfunding as a source of financing for waqf institutions in developing waqf land.
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Mathilde Pulh, Rémi Mencarelli and Damien Chaney
This paper aims to investigate the consequences of the heritage experience in brand museums on the consumer–brand relationship. By highlighting its heritage within a museum, the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the consequences of the heritage experience in brand museums on the consumer–brand relationship. By highlighting its heritage within a museum, the brand proposes a specific experience that deserves attention because it is based on memory and communal identity, thus creating or strengthening a relationship with consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
Ethnographic case studies were conducted through direct observation and extensive interviews with 72 visitors at two brand museums, the Fallot Mustard Mill and the House of the Laughing Cow.
Findings
The results highlight the emergence/strengthening of the relationship between consumers and the brand through the development of intimacy with the brand and the emergence of supportive behaviors toward the brand in the form of commercial support, ambassadorship and volunteering.
Research limitations/implications
By characterizing and articulating the different relational consequences of visiting a brand museum, this research contributes to the literature dedicated to heritage experiences in consumption contexts and to the literature dedicated to consumer–brand relationships in servicescapes.
Practical implications
The study shows the necessity of grounding “heritage” in the physical setting of the brand museum to create a meaningful experience for visitors and, in turn, a deep relationship. Managers should treat brand museums as a relational tool in the marketing strategy of the brand and approach them from the perspective of long-term profitability.
Originality/value
While the literature has examined the spectacular and esthetic experiences brand museums offer, this study is the first to characterize the heritage experience and to document its consequences in terms of the consumer–brand relationship.
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Valérie-Inés de La Ville and Nathalie Nicol
The purpose of this paper is to offer some insight into how siblings aged between 4 and 12, engaged in a collaborative drawing activity at home, recall the shopping trips they…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to offer some insight into how siblings aged between 4 and 12, engaged in a collaborative drawing activity at home, recall the shopping trips they have experienced.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a Vygotskian perspective, the data collection consisted of engaging 15 pairs of siblings in the production of a joint drawing of a shop of their choice. Drawing in pairs opens a Zone of Proximal Development (Vygotsky, 1978) where the younger child benefits from verbal guidance by the older one to achieve the common task. This situation enables the researcher to gain close access to children’s knowledge about stores and to the words they use to describe their personal shopping experiences.
Findings
This exploratory research reveals some constitutive elements of children’s “shopscapes” (Nicol, 2014), i.e. the imaginary geographies they actively elaborate through their daily practices and experiences with regard to retail environments. In their communicative interactions when elaborating a joint drawing of the shop they have chosen, children demonstrate that they master a considerable body of knowledge about retail environments. Surprisingly, recalling their shopping practices sheds light on various anxiety-generating dimensions.
Research limitations/implications
The data collection is based on a remembering exercise performed at home and does not bring information about what children actually do in retail environments. Moreover, the children were asked to focus on buying a present for a friend’s birthday, therefore the information gathered essentially relates to toy stores.
Practical implications
This research underlines the necessity for retailers to endeavour to reduce some of the anxious feelings depicted and verbalized by children, by improving the welcome for children into their stores.
Social implications
There are also opportunities for retailers to invest in the consumption education area by guiding young visitors so that they learn how to behave as apprentice consumers in retail outlets.
Originality/value
The child-centric perspective of the study reveals new and surprising insights about the way children report their memorised shopping experiences.