10.18639/MERJ.2017.03.472524
Original Research Article
Aug 14, 2017
The issue of assessment of absolute and comparative sustainability of major governing structures in agrarian and farming industries is among the most topical issues for researchers, farmers, investors, administrators, politicians, interests groups, and the public worldwide. Despite this issue, practically there are no assessments on the sustainability level of the major types of Bulgarian farming enterprises in the conditions of European Union Common Agricultural Policy implementation. This study applies a holistic framework and assesses the absolute and comparative sustainability of major governing structures in Bulgarian farming industry—unregistered holdings, sole traders, cooperatives, and companies of various types. In this paper, the method of the study is outlined, the inclusion of a novel “governance aspect” of sustainability is justified, and the overall characteristics of the surveyed farming enterprises are presented. Then, the integral, governance, economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the farming structures of different juridical types is assessed. Next, the structure of farming enterprises with different sustainability levels is analyzed. Finally, the conclusion from this study and the directions for further research and amelioration of sustainability assessments are presented.
10.18639/MERJ.2017.03.456843
Review Article
Jul 04, 2017
Financial inclusion has been recognized as a poverty reduction tool, and many economies have taken it up as a national agenda. To achieve the expected levels of financial inclusion, governments have worked with financial intermediaries to reach the expected target group, the unbanked poor. As per the financial intermediation theory, the role of financial intermediaries is to minimize the information asymmetry in the financial system. To enhance financial inclusion, many countries and financial institutions have embraced information and communication technology (ICT). ICT has been recognized as a tool that has worked greatly toward enhancing sharing of information at a low cost and that has thus helped in improving financial inclusion. Though many countries have achieved high levels of financial inclusion through ICT, the levels of poverty have not declined. It was thus important to establish the relationship between ICT, financial intermediation, and household investment. This study methodology was a review of the literature on financial inclusion, financial intermediation, ICT, and household investment. From this study, it was noted that ICT is helping in financial intermediation and thus more people can access financial services. Unfortunately, the levels of ICT capability among the poor are low, and in that case, the poor are not able to utilize financial services offered through ICT platforms to undertake household investment. This is the reason as to why, despite the high levels of financial inclusion, the poor still remain poor. This study recommends that the government should ensure that the levels of ICT among the populace are high. Financial institutions on the other hand should provide financial services with more user-friendly platforms.
10.18639/MERJ.2017.03.453170
Original Research Article
May 26, 2017
Journey from demonetization to digitalization is very hard hitting but not impossible. Recent demonetization in India on November 8, 2016, created lot of panic in the economy but also paved the way to digitalization. Cash crunch and availability of e-sources of transactions compelled many people to use electronic modes of payment. Credit cards, debit cards/RuPay card, USSD/UPI, Internet banking, mobile wallets like Oxigen, Paytm, Mobiwik, aadhar-enabled payment system, POS, and so on are few popular modes of electronic transaction, which are commonly used by the citizen. Digitalization will embrace higher transparency in monetary terms; low-cost maintenance; more convenience in use; and help in financial inclusion and weeding out black money and counterfeit money from the economy. But journey to a destination is always full of roadblocks, and similarly the journey of India toward a digital India is also full of hurdles like a huge illiteracy rate; low bandwidth; more unbanked areas; late adoption of technology; lack of full-time electricity; security concerns like hacking, cybercrime, and safety of personal details; and need for high investments. So, to defend the dream of a digital India, we have to develop well-defined strategies to coach people in using technology like focusing on customer education as well as employee education in technology by conducting workshops, presentations, enforcing strict cyber laws, use of local language, and developing user-friendly websites that leverage technology using the development of simple and smart digital tools, such as the use of a one-time password (OTP). The government has started Vittiya Sakharata Abhiyaan (VISAKA) and outreach campaigns like DigiDhan Abhiyan and so on to encourage people to adopt digital tools. Overall demonetization is greasing the wheels of digitalization and transforming India into Digital India.
10.18639/MERJ.2017.03.403737
Original Research Article
Apr 11, 2017
The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study, based on the theoretical framework of transformational leadership, was to examine the relationships between leadership style, organizational culture, and job satisfaction in the U.S. healthcare industry. The study addressed a problem faced by U.S. healthcare leaders, who are currently unaware as to how transformational leadership and organizational culture can impact job satisfaction in an industry with high burnout and low satisfaction levels. The following research questions for exploration are: (1) Is there a statistically significant relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction in the U.S. healthcare industry? (2) Is there a statistically significant relationship between organizational culture and job satisfaction in the U.S. healthcare industry? (3) Is the relationship between transformational leadership and job satisfaction in the U.S. healthcare industry mediated by organizational culture? Data to answer the research questions is from a collection through random sampling processes that resulted in a sample of 111 American healthcare employees and analyzed with Stata software. The main finding of the study was that an apparent effect of transformational leadership on job satisfaction disappeared when organizational culture variables are considered. The results suggest that healthcare organizations should attempt to move away from externally focused cultures in order to increase job satisfaction. Such a move could improve social outcomes by improving the quality of work for millions of stressed American healthcare employees.
10.18639/MERJ.2016.02.347338
Review Article
Jan 18, 2017
An organization is composed of a variety of human behaviors to reach common goals. The unity of behaviors forms a behavior model that determines the organization's performance. The organizational behavior model is helpful for knowing more clearly what an organization does. There are five (5) models of organizational behavior: autocracy, custodial, supportive, collegial, and system models. Every model has three impact elements, based on management orientation, employee side with three sub-elements, and performance results. To understand the organizational behavior model, it is important to put the model appropriate for an organization. The speech writing unit is an organizational line that often changes the leader. This study is an attempt to look at the right behavior model for an organization. To determine which one is more suitable to implement, every leader in the speech writing unit must consider all the basic elements of each model. The result is that a leader permanently implements no model. Every leader always changes their organizational behavior model according to the situation they face.
10.18639/MERJ.2016.02.345941
Conceptual Article
Dec 17, 2016
The federal government faces a human capital crisis over the next several years due to driving environmental forces, which include the reduction in the replacement labor force cohorts and the image problem of public service. One of the great challenges facing the federal service is the need to address the negative perceptions of the quality of work life experienced in the federal service, especially for younger employees. Consequently, governmental organizations must cope with increasing aging of their labor forces and elevated retirement levels exacerbating succession planning and knowledge transfer practices. This paper examines the current environment of the federal system and explores how it must adapt to postmodern influences that are embraced by Millennial and Generation X employees. While today’s federal system is rigid in many of its key leadership, performance management, and support service delivery systems, the postmodern workforce thrives on flexibility, involvement, and excitement. This paper further examines what leadership concepts and competencies can assist in the positive transformation of the federal government.
10.18639/MERJ.2016.02.293919
Original Research Article
Aug 26, 2016
Leadership determines the attitude of employees toward discharging the responsibilities in organizations. There have been few studies on leadership as it influences employee empowerment. Thus, the broad objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between leadership approach and employee empowerment in small businesses in Lagos State. The study administered 400 questionnaires to the employees of Small businesses in Lagos state; 377 were returned, but 372 were found usable. Pearson correlation matrix was employed to test the significant relationship between leadership approach and employee empowerment. The findings revealed that directive leadership approach significantly shows the positive relationship with employee training and delegation of authority to employees, and also participative leadership approach is insignificant and indicates the negative relationship with the delegation of authority at 5% significant level. Thus, this study recommends that owners or entrepreneurs of small businesses should adopt directive leadership approach due to the fact that it is significantly related to delegation of authority and training, unlike participative leadership. Also, employers of employees in small businesses in Nigeria should let their employee know the importance of following instructions given to them to complete the task assigned to them, and also owners of small businesses should entertain employees’ suggestions and ideas in order to be able to state well-defined business policy(ies) and instructions to be followed.
10.18639/MERJ.2016.02.283546
Case Study
Apr 20, 2016
Many small business owners in the United States dream about getting a large contract with the federal government, feeling that their lives would be easier if they did. Ironically, there have been numerous occasions where small businesses have gone out of business after being overwhelmed by a government contract. This case study addresses how small businesses can improve their survival and success rate in the public sector with a strategic approach to their operations. It begins by discussing the preparation that goes into federal contracting by small businesses. Case examples of four American companies involved in contracting with the Department of Energy are evaluated. Data collection is achieved through qualitative analysis. The application of these conclusions could increase the survival rate of small businesses operating in an unstable public environment. The study is significant because this research widens contemporary assumptions about strategic thinking for small businesses engaged in government contracting.
10.18639/MERJ.2016.02.200914
Review Article
Feb 12, 2016
The main objective of this paper is to investigate the impact of social media applications on small business entrepreneurs. It also examines how small business owners are motivated to use social media applications. Social media has completely transformed the way businesses are done. Social media applications in the present time have become the most efficient and effective tool for small business entrepreneurs, and normally all small businesses use social media platforms for the advertising and publicity of their products and services. They make fan pages for their followers, and they warmly welcome their suggestions and opinions, which help in improving their businesses. However, based on literature review, we conclude that there is a positive impact of social media applications on small business entrepreneurs as well as they are highly motivated to use these platforms.
10.18639/MERJ.2015.01.162936
Review Article
Sep 25, 2015
The article appraises the impact of e-banking and cashless society in the Nigerian economy. The study explores various aspects of e-banking and cashless economy using the banking sector of the Nigerian economy as a focal point. Specifically, the paper articulates empirical opinions that highlight the possible ways these policy measures have direct links to beneficiaries and the weighted outcomes when divergence is noticed and how to bring back the soundness, sustainable and rebranding policy that ensures economic growth. The paper holds that for a sustainable cashless society to emerge all hands must be on desk; banks should de-emphasize all odds and ensure that efficiencies of e-banking mechanisms are of utmost priority. It, therefore, recommends that adequate plans be in place to sensitize the general public about the effects and lay down procedures to check possible drawbacks. It, however, concludes by imploring all avenues and reports that relevant agency, service providers, operators, and those who have direct access to information to advocate as timely as when necessary about the implicit needs and benefits behind the cashless economy.
10.18639/MERJ.2015.01.159412
Original Research Article
Aug 28, 2015
The purpose of this manuscript is to shed light on problems associated with lost sales and the incurring of cost associated with lost sales. An investigation is made to determine if seasonality in sales and lost sales have effects on the efficient operations of supply chains. Optimization is always a goal of management supply chains, but cost increases due to insufficient inventory, low-quality product and the like lead to customers not returning. These are lost sales that occur for many reasons. We study a data set to determine if the ignoring of time series component also has an effect on the variation in lost sales. If so, can we measure the magnitude of the effects of seasonal variation in lost sales, and what are their consequences?
10.18639/MERJ.2014.01.30309
Original Research Article
Nov 12, 2013
Most companies listed on the Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P 500) index have smoothed reported earnings since the 1990s inspiring questions from regulators about the accuracy of financial statements. In 2002, the Sarbanes- Oxley Act (SOX) was issued to eradicate earnings management activities and improve transparency in financial reporting. Although many studies have been conducted to evaluate changes in reporting requirements, much less is known about the effectiveness of these regulations on earning smoothing with discretionary accruals (DA). Accordingly, this study was an investigation of DA from 2002 to 2011. In addition, this study included an evaluation of DA before and after the financial crisis of 2008. This study is a quasi-experimental research design where 330 observations from the U.S. financial industry segment were used for the analysis. The Modified Jones model was used to separate DA and repeated measures analyses of variance were used to assess differences in levels before and after the financial crisis of 2008. The findings suggest DA activities are decreasing but represent over 50% of total net accruals (TNA) for all years. Improved financial regulation is needed. The study contributes to positive social change by providing regulators and investors with new information about accruals for income conservative firms by segmenting DA within the financial industry segment.
