Young Ah Lee, Marian Patricia Bea Francisco, Shariffa Khalid Qais Al-Said, Muna Yousuf Abdullah Al Bulushi and Ye Wang
This comparative study explored the perceptions of educational stakeholders in Oman and the Philippines concerning children with disabilities and the goals of special education…
Abstract
Purpose
This comparative study explored the perceptions of educational stakeholders in Oman and the Philippines concerning children with disabilities and the goals of special education. Stakeholders' perspectives can influence their professional behaviours and attitudes, which, in turn, can profoundly impact children with disabilities who already face numerous challenges. Hence, comprehending the viewpoints of these stakeholders is vital for fostering socially just education for individuals with disabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a qualitative comparative case study approach with a horizontal comparison strategy, and both convenience and purposeful sampling techniques were used for participant selection. The study involved 53 participants from both countries, including policymakers, teacher educators, in-service teachers and student teachers from general and special education domains. Data were gathered through individual interviews and themes were subsequently discerned via data analysis.
Findings
Despite the different cultural and historical contexts and distinct roles of stakeholders in both countries, the results indicate more parallels than disparities in their perceptions. The primary congruence underscored in this research was imperative to critically assess the language and ideology surrounding the goals of special education, such as mainstreaming and normalisation.
Originality/value
Although numerous studies have probed the perceptions of various educational stakeholders concerning children with disabilities and educational goals, there is limited research that encompasses the perspectives of the seven distinct stakeholder groups. The consistency of language usage across both countries and among all stakeholders underscores the need for a rigorous cross-country examination involving all educational participants.
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Yoon Jeong Baek, Seung-Hyun Kim, Sayup Kim, Eui-Sang Yoo and Joo-Young Lee
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of air mattress pressure on sleep quality.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of air mattress pressure on sleep quality.
Design/methodology/approach
Ten young healthy males participated in all hard surface [AH], shoulder soft [SS] and shoulder and hip soft mattress [SHS] conditions. The surface pressure for SS and SHS were set at their preferred levels.
Findings
The results showed that sleep efficiencies were over 95% for all the three conditions; there were no significant differences in individual sleep variables among the three conditions, but overall sleep quality was better for SS than AH (p = 0.065); heart rates during sleep was greater for AH than the other two conditions (p < 0.1); and a stronger relationship between clothing and bed microclimate humidity were found for SS and SHS than that for AH.
Research limitations/implications
These results indicated that the both pressure relief air mattresses that were set at their own preferred levels provided high quality sleep with no marked differences.
Practical implications
Air pressure relief mattresses can improve sleep quality of healthy individuals during sleep at night. The results can be used to understand appropriate pressure distribution on surface mattress according to body region, and also to develop algorithms to provide optimum sleep using mattresses with surface pressure control by body region.
Originality/value
The present study found that the shoulder and/or hip pressure relief air mattresses that were set at their own preferred levels provided high quality sleep with no marked differences.
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Ismail Khan, Ikram Ullah Khan, Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Safeer Ullah Khan and Jahanzeb Marwat
Given the relative importance of the Shari’ah supervisory boards (SSBs) in Islamic banks’ (IBs’) performance, this study aims to examine the impact of SSB diversity on IBs’…
Abstract
Purpose
Given the relative importance of the Shari’ah supervisory boards (SSBs) in Islamic banks’ (IBs’) performance, this study aims to examine the impact of SSB diversity on IBs’ performance from the stakeholders’ perspective in the context of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
Random-effects model and generalized method of moment are used to investigate the impact of SSB diversity on IBs’ performance across a panel data of 22 Islamic banks in Pakistan from 2005 to 2020 inclusive.
Findings
The findings of this study show that SSB size, SSB relevant educational background diversity, bank’s size and bank’s stability have a positive impact on IBs’ performance. In contrast, SSB age, nationality and cross-membership diversities have a negative impact on IBs’ performance. Moreover, SSB gender, tenure and general educational diversities have no significant impact on IBs’ performance.
Research limitations/implications
SSB diversity and IBs practices are different across different jurisdictions. This study is conducted on IBs in Pakistan because of data constraints; thus, the results of this study may not be generalizable to other countries' IBs.
Practical implications
In structuring the SSBs’ framework, the regulatory authorities and policymakers should consider mandating an ideal SSB size and hiring relevant qualified members with low cross-membership to improve IBs' performance. Thus, the structure potentially attracts Muslim stakeholders, enhances their satisfaction and improves IBs' performance.
Social implications
Having diversified members in the SSB, IBs equally benefit both individual and group stakeholders in society. Diversity in SSB members enhances IBs' performance and the social welfare of various stakeholders in society.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first empirical research that examines comprehensively the impact of SSB structural and demographic diversities on IBs' performance in the context of Pakistan. This paper contributes to the unique Shari’ah governance structure in the context of Pakistan. Additionally, this study may serve to assist IBs’ stakeholders in better comprehending the SSB practices of IBs in Pakistan.
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Aniket Sengupta, Scarlett Wesley, RayeCarol Cavender and Min Young Lee
The purpose of this study is to analyze two global brands (i.e. Benetton and Tommy Hilfiger) and one Indian brand (i.e. Wills Lifestyle) in terms of general brand impression…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze two global brands (i.e. Benetton and Tommy Hilfiger) and one Indian brand (i.e. Wills Lifestyle) in terms of general brand impression, brand specific associations and brand commitment. In addition, the study investigates how the regional differences in India and Indian consumers' affinity towards global brands influence the consumer-brand relationships.
Design/methodology/approach
The research framework has been developed based on consumer-brand relationship theory. The consumer–brand relationship is an important indicator of the success of brands, especially when brands attempt to expand to other markets (Roper and Parker, 2006; Bastos and Levy, 2012). Three brand types were chosen for this study. The choice of the US global brand is Tommy Hilfiger, the European global brand is United Colors of Benetton, and the Indian domestic brand is Wills Lifestyle. The study utilized a repeated measure (split-plot) design involving more than two independent groups. A split-plot analysis of variance analyses a design in which a repeated measure (i.e. within subjects) factor is crossed with a between-subjects (i.e. treatment variable) factor.
Findings
The results confirm the importance of global brands over local brands in the Indian apparel consumer market. This study also examined how Indian consumers' affinity for global brands influences their evaluation of the global brands and the local Indian brands.
Originality/value
The study expands the literature on Indian consumer brand preferences through the investigation of three brands. The theoretical background of the study is the consumer-brand relationship theory that explains the importance of consumer–brand relationship when brands attempt to expand to other markets.
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Damian Tago, Henrik Andersson and Nicolas Treich
This study contributes to the understanding of the health effects of pesticides exposure and of how pesticides have been and should be regulated.
Abstract
Purpose
This study contributes to the understanding of the health effects of pesticides exposure and of how pesticides have been and should be regulated.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents literature reviews for the period 2000–2013 on (i) the health effects of pesticides and on (ii) preference valuation of health risks related to pesticides, as well as a discussion of the role of benefit-cost analysis applied to pesticide regulatory measures.
Findings
This study indicates that the health literature has focused on individuals with direct exposure to pesticides, i.e. farmers, while the literature on preference valuation has focused on those with indirect exposure, i.e. consumers. The discussion highlights the need to clarify the rationale for regulating pesticides, the role of risk perceptions in benefit-cost analysis, and the importance of inter-disciplinary research in this area.
Originality/value
This study relates findings of different disciplines (health, economics, public policy) regarding pesticides, and identifies gaps for future research.
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For Chinese companies that cross-list in Chinese A share and Hong Kong (H share) markets, the H share price has been consistently lower than the A share price by an average of 85…
Abstract
Purpose
For Chinese companies that cross-list in Chinese A share and Hong Kong (H share) markets, the H share price has been consistently lower than the A share price by an average of 85% in recent years. This is puzzling because most institutional differences between the two markets have been eliminated since 2007. The purpose of this study is to explain the puzzle of the price difference of A+H companies.
Design/methodology/approach
Using all A and H share Chinese firms in the period 2007–2013 and a simultaneous equations approach, this study identifies three new explanations for the recent price difference.
Findings
First, utilizing a unique earning quality measure that is directly related to non-persistent components of fair value accounting under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), this study finds that the lower the earnings quality, the lower the H share price relative to the A share price, and hence the greater the price difference. Second, the higher the myopic investor ownership in A share firms, the larger the A share price relative to the H share price. Third, the short-selling mechanism introduced to the A share market since 2010 helps reduce the price difference.
Originality/value
First, this study identifies three new explanations for the puzzle of the AH price difference which remains substantial even after the institutional and accounting standards differences between the two markets were eliminated. Second, we examine the impact of the implementation of fair value accounting under IFRS in an emerging market on the pricing difference of cross-listed shares and reveal that it can induce an unintended negative consequence on the pricing difference of cross-listed shares. Third, this study contributes to the literature on short sales by providing its mitigating role in pricing differences across two different markets. Finally, this study makes improvements in research design, which utilizes a unique measure of earnings quality that is directly related to the implementation of IFRS and a simultaneous equations approach that minimizes endogeneity concern.
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After the financial crisis of 2007–2008, the financial service industry realized that the world’s worst financial catastrophe had been caused by an age of easy money and lax…
Abstract
After the financial crisis of 2007–2008, the financial service industry realized that the world’s worst financial catastrophe had been caused by an age of easy money and lax monitoring. This realization led to pressure on regulators to overhaul the financial system during the Great Depression. Banks were required to make sure they implemented a variety of endogenous risk-minimization mechanisms and assume accountability for verifying the stability of the financial scheme. Innovative financial technology (FinTech) solutions arose in this more regulated environment to address – or, as one would argue, avoid – risks that arose during the financial crisis. The goal of this chapter is to examine the possible challenges and opportunities of incorporating FinTech into Islamic finance. Four services are provided by Islamic FinTech: finance, payments, advisory, and compliance. The traditional financial system is being recolonized by Islamic FinTech. FinTech adoption in Islamic finance could lead to greater financial inclusion, the solution to emergencies like COVID-19, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for a sustainable national economy. However, there could be obstacles associated with this acceptance in the form of risk, investment, and regulatory issues. In order for FinTech companies to be innovative and address social issues that conventional financial institutions fail to address, authorities must provide a market whereby these companies can thrive without having to be acquired by major banks or focus their innovation solely on meeting the demands of these banks. Furthermore, they need to be explicit about the regulations' applicability to FinTech companies, especially with regard to how to strike a balance between being a technology company and a financial institution.
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This chapter re-assesses the stories of three important Asian American women in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century. Like many undocumented migrants in…
Abstract
This chapter re-assesses the stories of three important Asian American women in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century. Like many undocumented migrants in our current day, they each “discovered,” as children and as young adults, that they and other members of their families had a “pariah status,” as immigrants, as women of color, and as persons who could not enjoy the rights and opportunities of citizens of the United States. This chapter explores how they coped with being “unlawful,” with their precarious status, both by evading the law and then also by becoming critics of the law itself.
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Young-Ah Kim, Kyung-Ah Kim and Peter G. Moffatt
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of government support policies and research and development (R&D) activities on product innovation under market uncertainty.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of government support policies and research and development (R&D) activities on product innovation under market uncertainty.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies logistic regression analysis to a sample of 4,000 South Korean manufacturing firms in order to investigate the impact of government policies and R&D activities of the firm on firm innovation performance, with particular interest in the moderating role of the firm's perceived market uncertainty (PMU).
Findings
Policies supporting industry/university/institute/local collaboration are found to have greater benefit under high PMU. Surprisingly, support for a consortium among different-sized firms has a negative effect on product innovation, although this negative effect disappears under high PMU. Both support for the protection of intellectual property (IP) and support for the resolution of manpower shortages have strong positive effects on the propensity to innovate products, but in both cases the moderating effects of uncertainty are negative. Finally, all types of R&D activities have positive effects on the propensity to innovate, more so for new product innovation than for improved product innovation.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to examine analytically the moderating effect of PMU in the effectiveness of government policies promoting innovation in the manufacturing sector. The study is potentially useful both for policymakers in deciding which policies to implement under prevailing market conditions; and for entrepreneurs choosing between different forms of government support, particularly given the abnormal levels of market uncertainty prevailing in the Covid-19 era.
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Rasidah Mohd-Rashid, Ahmad Hakimi Tajuddin, Karren Lee-Hwei Khaw and Chui Zi Ong
This study aims to examine the changes in equity guidelines and initial returns in the Malaysian initial public offering (IPO) market.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the changes in equity guidelines and initial returns in the Malaysian initial public offering (IPO) market.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses cross-sectional data over 16 years from 2000 to 2016. It uses ordinary least squares for the baseline model and incorporates an interaction term, quantile regression, quadratic term, break test and logit regression model for further analysis.
Findings
The results support the propositions that lockup provisions signal commitment and demand increase initial returns. The revision in the Bumiputera equity requirement means that issuers no longer need to discount offer prices to entice investors. Finally, the revised Sharīʿah-compliance screening requirement ensures that stocks are better in quality and more transparent, leading to a higher demand that drives prices upwards.
Research limitations/implications
This study’s findings provide insights into how issuers can secure good subscriptions. Besides, policymakers should ensure that firms disclose the required information in their prospectuses.
Originality/value
This study adds to the body of knowledge on whether and how the regulatory requirements affect IPO initial returns.