IMPACT : International Journal of Research in Business Management

7-12

Authors: MOHAMMADHADI VAYSI, KOBRA VEISI & MAHDI VEISI

This paper introduces new theoretical arguments to explain how institutional pressures influence decisions to adopt IFRS voluntarily. Through recourse to an institutional theory context, we combine the analytical framework proposed by Oliver (1991) with the concept of institutional logics, and apply this framework to the financial accounting field for the first time. This combined model shows how multiple forms of rationality constrain company responses to pressures to adopt a new accounting regime. This study focuses on the methods and methodology for the measurement of formal accounting convergence. Single standards are clustered according to their convergence level, which may indicate further convergence emphasis. The results reveal that this new method can measure the convergence level of NAS with IFRS more clearly and informatively. Prevailing institutional logics are shown to provide important insights to the decisions of companies to adopt IFRS voluntarily. We draw on our results to contend that a company’s acquiescence to institutional pressures to adopt IFRS occurs notwithstanding that they can also contemplate more active strategies (through decoupling)

19-26

Authors: G. GABRIEL PRABHU & G. CHANDRASEKARAN

Banking Sector plays an important role in economic development of a country. The banking system of India is featured by a large network of bank branches, serving many kinds of financial services of the people. The State Bank of India, popularly known as SBI is one of the leading bank of public sector in India. SBI has 14 Local Head Offices and 57 Zonal Offices located at important cities throughout the country. ICICI Bank is second largest and leading bank of private sector in India. The Bank has 2,533 branches and 6,800 ATMs in India. The purpose of the study is to examine the financial performance of SBI and ICICI Bank, public sector and private sector respectively. The research is descriptive and analytical in nature. The data used for the study was entirely secondary in nature. The present study is conducted to compare the financial performance of SBI and ICICI Bank on the basis of ratios such as credit deposit, net profit margin etc. The period of study taken is from the year 2009-10 to 2013-14. The study found that SBI is performing well and financially sound than ICICI Bank but in context of deposits and expenditure ICICI bank has better managing efficiency than SBI.

15-28

Authors: ELOM EGEDE MATTHIAS & NWEKPA KENNETH CHUKWUMA

Trade liberalization and globalization has created a more unified world market where organizations have opportunities to exploit to their advantage. At the same time, it has placed much responsibility on them as they have to be mindful of the best practices in their industry. Nigerian organizations have to compete with organizations in the most developed worlds which have achieved competitiveness country wise. This makes it imperative for them to look inward to device a means of overcoming shortfalls created by deficit infrastructures in other to stand toe to toe with their counterpart in different parts of the world. The study was conceptual, and extensive review of literature was undertaken with focus on corporate entrepreneurship and VRIO model. The outcome shows that despite huge challenges faced by these Nigerian organizations as a result of infrastructural deficit, they can still capitalize on human resources to excel. The VRIO analysis shows that the resources needed by organizations to achieve sustainable competitive advantage are mainly those that are imperfectly imitable and organizational specific procedures (organizational exploitation) developed overtime. It is this uniqueness which is not tradable that gives a firm an edge. These resources can be developed mainly through corporate entrepreneurship approaches. The study found that organizations that encourage entrepreneurial thinking/activities (entrepreneurial orientated organization) are more likely to achieve sustained competitive advantage over those that do not. It was recommended that Nigerian organizations should create entrepreneurial organizational climate and support individuals that are entrepreneurial instead of forcing them to adapt completely and cohesively to organizational bureaucracy and routine. They should adopt corporate entrepreneurship as a panacea for survival as this will help them surmount the challenge of obsolescence and achieve sustained competitive advantages

39-48

Authors: M. KAVITHA

Coir or Cocos - Nature's wonder fibre is extracted from the protective husk of the coconut. This golden fibre is spun in a breath - taking range of textured yarn and woven into a spectrum of colorful floor covering. The husks separated from the nuts are retted in lagoons up to ten months. The retted husks are then beaten with wooden mallets manually to produce the golden fibre. The fibre is later spun into yarn on traditional spinning wheels called "Ratts", ready for dyeing and weaving into myriad shades of floor coverings. A score of varieties/grades of coir yarn are produced and each variety is associated with certain specific characteristics, used for industrial, agricultural and domestic applications

57-68

Authors: HILDA OSISIOMA, HOPE NZEWI & NWOYE PAUL

The study examined the relationship between corporate social responsibility and performance of selected firms in Nigeria. The specific objective of the study was to determine if there was any significant relationship between social responsibility cost and corporate profitability in the selected firms. The study was based on the stakeholder theory of social responsibility which emphasized the need for a corporate organization to satisfy the requirements of various interest groups. Exploratory research design was employed with the use of time series data. Product moment correlation was used to test the hypothesis and to determine whether there is any significant relationship between social responsibility cost and corporate profitability in the selected firms. Findings revealed a significant relationship between social responsibility cost and corporate profitability. Therefore, the study concluded that social responsibility was vital to organizational performance. It is recommended that firms in Nigeria should endeavour to increase their commitment to social responsibility by setting aside substantial amount of their income to social responsibility programmes.

81-100

Authors: LUCA SCAINI

The aim of this paper is to improve the Matrix of Ayal & Zif (Ayal & Zif 1979), with specific emphasis on the use of holistic variables able to offer a quantitative background for analyses and incorporating the possibility to explore the effect of physioeconomical hidden barriers on the mechanical functions of this Matrix. The expected finding is a way to draw a new quantitative Matrix for a business development strategy. The qualitative methodology pursued lies in observation-and-analysis of a range of physioeconomical data and econometric phenomena, while the quantitative aspect of research lies in the computing of the economic effect of certain factors and it is pursued thanks to a double meter: the Value meter (seen like a relationship between Volume of Sales and Operational Economical Value) and the Use of Resources during and in respect of the operational Time and in witch exact stage of the operation. The hypothesized relationships between the two complex variables are tested using data from a few different operations in order to offer a sample of the working process and can be further improved and exported on a larger scale, as a future improvement and actual limitation. Moreover, the possible audience is both academicals, since the development starts from a theoretical observation:“To what extent can the physioeconomical factors be quantitatively measured to prove their influence on the mechanicalresults of the Ayal &Zif’s Matrix?”, but also a business audience since the practical application of the Matrixhas been widely used to setup markets development strategies of concentration or differentiation by the industry and its enhancement can offer more realist results

109-120

Authors: Samuel Okurebia & Etimfon Offiong

Had there been a Manager, Director (a treasurer) in the Garden of Eden, he would have erected a security fence around the tree of knowledge and the history of the world would have been different. Traditional and modern approaches to the study of organizations and management confirm that organizations are established with aims and objectives. Accomplishment of such goals is actualized by management. Management theorists define management in various ways. Management is a problem solving process of effectively achieving objectives through efficient and effective use of scarce organizational resources in a changing environment. Chandan (2004:4).

11-22

Authors: KALAGI SHAH & POOJA SHAH

Stress has existed throughout the evolution. Students stress is an unavoidable phenomenon which is often seen in their lives. Post graduate students were easily target of stress than the graduate students. Factors such as physical and mental, family, job, relationship and social were the main source of stress among the students. There is always a dilemma for the students regarding its performance in exam and to secure a good job. Academic stress among students has long been researched on, and researchers have identified different stressors affecting the students. Students have different expectations, goals and values that they want to fulfil, which is only possible if they are integrated with that of the institution. The prima facie goal of this research is to evaluate the impact of the components of academic stress such as such as curriculum and instruction, team work related issues, assessment, and placement, impact on performance, etc. on the students. The study takes into account various criteria like physical, psychological, individual, and psychosomatic factors of stress among the management students. Research was supported by sampling 100 post graduate management students from various management institutes spread across Ahmedabad, a city in Gujarat, India. Data was collected through structured academic stress questionnaire

35-46

Authors: Nwekpa Kenneth Chukwuma & Ewans Chukwuma

This study sought to optimize cement distribution in the Nigerian cement manufacturing industry with special interest in cement distribution from three selected factories to four markets in Ebonyi state. Sources of distribution were identified as Gboko, Port-Harcourt and Calabar, while destinations or markets were identified as Abakaliki, Onueke, Oha-ozara and Afikpo with a view to determining the shortest route that minimized the cost of cement transportation from Gboko, Port-Harcourt and Calabar factories to Abakaliki, Onueke, Oha-ozara and Afikpo markets respectively. The literature reviewed showed that transportation model could improve the shipment route at minimal cost. The study employed Descriptive research design of which secondary data were collected from the randomly selected cement producing firms and the data collected were analyzed with Excel solver. It was found that these companies incur cost following the transportation of cement from factories to number of destinations which subsequently affect per unit cost of their product. Therefore, high cost of transporting products from factories to their respective markets to a large extent increases the price of the product and therefore concludes that transportation model is an indispensable tool that could improve the cost efficiency required in the distribution net-work. it is against this background that the study recommends that cement producing firms should adopt this model as a tool in order to minimize cost of transportation by identifying the most efficient route.

19-26

Authors: NUHI SELA, ANA RISTEVSKA & FATLUM GOGIQI

The strategy of the economic development is closely tied with the business development, because it constitutes one of the strongest segments for one state, which as an objective has the creation of a positive-encouraging climate for the implementation of the investment politics and the export through the production which is focused in the human resources, in way that the managers to increase the competition and the survival of their enterprises and the investments with high technology - novelties that change the organizational culture, enabling a life quality for the community or our society. This experience is needed for a successful management strategy. These reforms are closely related to the market liberalization, the macroeconomics stability and the functioning of a market economy where the purpose is the economic efficiency and the competitive ability to be involved in the European Union. The EU does efforts such as in the moderated world, for a positive move for the Western Balkan countries that are less developed through the stabilization and association process (PSA) related to SMEs launched in 1999. In this paper on this international conference we aim to present business data for the last six years, and also the business results of the company from the private sector in South-West Planning Region, Republic of Macedonia.

39-44

Authors: HITESH N RAMDASANI& B. B. RAYATE

There is an extensive spread in the use of mobile phone with a phenomenal increase in the number of consumers who use the device. This change has diverted the marketing methods from traditional to a new concept as this new marketing method has a strong impact on the decision making of the consumers. This research inspects the factors that have an impact on decision making of the consumers involving various factors which are - usage of the device, purchases made using mobile phone, sharing of coupons, assistance of the device for shopping, response to the advertisement on phone and the features of mobile marketing. A questionnaire was designed to collect the data and understand the impact of marketing through mobile phone. The findings were studied which indicated a moderate impact of mobile marketing on the consumers

15-28

Authors: NGUTHARI CYPRIAN MUGAMBI & JOSPHAT KWASIRA

Knowledge management in law firms involves a number of tools and services for more effectively managing, sharing, and using knowledge in a variety of areas: the law and how to provide legal services; clients and their businesses and indus¬tries; the expertise, skills, and backgrounds of firm attorneys and staff; and referral sources, experts, possible merger candidates or lateral hires, and other third parties. However, studying KM practices in legal firms in Kenya has not been sufficiently considered in literature, and limited studies have been conducted o investigate the effect of KM practices on their organizational performance. The purpose of the study therefore was to establish the influence of knowledge management practices on legal firms. The study targeted all 162 registered law firms. The study employed a descriptive research design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study used close-ended questionnaires to collect data using simple random sampling from the law firms. The questionnaire was piloted to ensure validity and reliability. The collected data was coded and analyzed by the aid of Statistical Package for Social Scientists presented in tables. For purposes of establishing the strength and direction of the variables in the study, a correlation analysis was carried out. The study established that all four practices influenced performance of legal firms. Knowledge sharing (r = 0.664) had the most influence on performance of legal firms while knowledge implementation (r = 0.213) had the least influence on performance of legal firms. The study recommended that law firms should enhance their knowledge management strategies in order to enhance performance of legal firms

57-76

Authors: YOSER GADHOUM

Research on ownership has shown that the legal system explains the ownership concentration in the world. In the Anglo-Saxon countries, and among them the United States of America and Great Britain, regulations are strong and protecting minority shareholders. As a result, the company’s capital will be dispersed. However, in countries with a Franco-Saxon legal system, regulations concerning stock ownership are weaker, making expropriation easier. Consequently, firms’ ownership will be concentrated in these countries. This article suggests that regulations do not influence the distribution of ownership in Canadian companies. Also, results show that ownership structure of companies in Quebec is similar to the other companies in the rest of Canada. Even though, the two groups of companies are operating in two different legal systems, when comparing them, their results are very similar

83-94

Authors: NAMRITA KALIA & YOGINDER S. VERMA

Himachal Pradesh (H.P.), a northern Himalayan state of India possesses all natural parameters followed by the Government backing for the fast growing hospitality industry in the state. The study was taken assess the effect of Vigor, Dedication and Absorption dimensions of Employee engagement on the Job performance of the employees and its implication on this industry. The sample for the study was drawn from all the population units with the help of multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected from manager/senior executives and supervisors/ junior executives by administering them structured questionnaire on employee engagement and job performance .Data analyses & interpretation was done by using simple percentage, Pearson Correlation and One Way ANOVA . Among the total employees surveyed, 86.86 percent were males and 13.14 percent females, 69.14 percent married and 30.86 percent un-married, 89.43 percent contractual and 10.57 percent were salaried. Correlation analysis reveals that vigor, dedication and absorption has positive and significant relationship with contextual and task performance of employees. ANOVA also confirmed that these employees engagement factors significantly effects contextual and task performance of the employees. The Stake holders involved in H.P. Hospitality industry should conduct regular survey of their organizations and give impetus on employee engagement for the success of this industry

111-120

Authors: IBEOGU ALOYSIUS S & ULO FABIAN U

This paper titled Internally Generated Revenue in the Local Government System and Sustainable Community Development is aimed at identifying strategies to improving the sources and utilization of internally generated funds in the local government system in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design. The study is anchored on the theory of structural functionalism. The study established that inefficient monitoring of revenue officials led to poor revenue generation; that absence or poor entrepreneurial skill among revenue officials led to poor revenue generation; that absence or poor entrepreneurial skill among revenue officers brought about inadequate revenue generation capacity of the local government. The implication of findings is that the internal sources of revenue to the local government are not fully tapped, while the available revenues are not properly utilized in carrying out the constitutional functions of the third tier government. The study equally concluded that the over dependency on statutory allocation have incapacitated the local government from effective revenue drive. It recommends thus; the institution of disciplinary measures so that any council worker (revenue officers) who violates established rules regarding revenue generation should be dealt with, that honest staff (revenue officers) should be rewarded through giving them fringe benefits or promotion