International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting, Finance and Management Sciences

1–19

Authors: Franklin Njue MBAE, Elegwa MUKULU, John M.KIHORO

The unemployment and poverty has remained to be a major challenge in the world despite heavy investment directed towards youth and women empowerment initiatives. In doing so most Government and international organizations worldwide in an endeavor to increase socio economic empowerments (increase incomes) of the poor cohorts have used group funding as “a bullet magic”. The purpose of the article is to stimulate critical thinking on basic assumptions among policy makers and youth development practitioners that lays emphases on micro- credit provision but little attention on the group support dynamism as an agency of empowerment which yield to opportunity structure and achievement conditions of empowerment as alluded to by Kabeer (2001). The agency condition influences other conditions of empowerment and therefore the rate of individual socio economic empowerment. This then raises the question that many policy maker and researchers have not answered; that is, what determines or is the precursor and as such, a predictor of empowerment process in groups funding. By answering this question, we shall have the right vehicle through which to drive the agenda of youth empowerment with a renewed vigor and excitement. Since we would have found the medium on which other factors or conditions of empowerment (achievement condition) thrive on thus increasing the rate of individual empowerment. Finally the author’s thoughts are guided by the definitions of empowerment process by Kabeer 2001 and Kishor 2000 and the Model of Positive Youth Development (PYD) to explain and offer provoking thoughts and guidance to study findings by the Mbae F.N 2014 in Embu County Kenya on the influence of youth group funding on individual member’s socio economic empowerment in Kenya.

28–43

Authors: Iman MOHAMMADI, Fatemeh ZIGLARI, Masoud BARATI

The aim of this study was to determine the importance of agility and lean criteria in selecting the supplier of ceramic tiles’ raw materials for paints and glazes in active companies of Najaf Abad city, as well as the ranking the suppliers. In this study, first, the related literature in the field of supplier’s selection based on agility and lean was reviewed. Then, a conceptual model of agility and lean criteria and sub-criteria was presented. For data analysis experts’ ideas were used. In addition, to analyze the data, the weight of each criteria and sub criteria of agility and leanness was gained through the method of analysis of hierarchical process (AHP) and to rank the suppliers of each company, the TOPSIS method was applied. According to the obtained data, the most important sub criteria were warranty and replacement policy, capability of R and D and innovation, and product durability, the other criteria gained the other places in ranking. Focusing on both agility and leanness criteria of suppliers reduce costs and enhance product quality and increase the speed and flexibility in changing needs of the market, which is an important issue in today's constantly changing and growing markets. In this study, we aimed to combine the agility and leanness criteria in selecting the suppliers in order to reach higher speed in responding to the market’s changes, meeting the costumers’ needs and higher quality of production in the local and international markets. Moreover, it was also intended to decrease the cost of manufacturing operations and reduce delays in the delivery of goods to the consumer.

52–62

Authors: Shiva GHASEMPOUR, Mohamadjavad SALAMI

This research was done to evaluate and compare performance of Iranian banks based on the CAMELS rating system. For this purpose, after studying the related literature, factors relating to efficiency and soundness were identified and used to assess banks; these were Capital Adequacy, Asset Quality, Management Capability, Earnings, Liquidity, and Sensitivity to Market Risk. Then, an importance coefficient was determined for each of these factors using the Analytical Hierarchy Process. Iranian private banks were then ranked according to evaluations on indices from audited financial statements at the end of the Solar year 1993 (March 2015) and the TOPSIS method. Results determined high-ranking banks as follows: Pasargad Bank, Khavarmiane, Karafarin, Sina and Ansar.

73–81

Authors: Bima Cinintya PRATAMA

AEC (ASEAN Economic Community) enacted in ASEAN since the end of 2015. AEC is expected to improve the ASEAN to be more dynamic and competitive region. In the other hand, AEC may also make the competition between firms inside ASEAN region become increasingly competitive. This condition requires the firm to utilize its resources more effectively and efficiently so that the firm can create value added and compete on the AEC. Indonesia, as a country with the largest economy in the region, needs to address this issue so that the companies in this country can face AEC challenges. This study aims to examine the positive impact of intellectual capital on firm’s financial and market performance of high-tech companies that are listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange. This study conducted with the observation period of 2008-2014. The final sample used in this study consists of 31 companies with the total of 144 observations. This study uses panel data regression model analysis, ie. fixed effect regression and random effect regression. The results showed that intellectual capital has a positive impact on firm’s financial performance. This result indicate that the efficient and effective use of intellectual capital will make the firms able to achieve higher financial performance and will be useful for facing AEC. There’s no evidence to support the impact of intellectual capital on market performance.