Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Michael Adusei Author-Name: Sarpong Appiah Title: EVIDENCE ON THE IMPACT OF THE SUSU SCHEME IN GHANA Abstract: The study explores the impact of the susu scheme, an informal banking mechanism for daily or weekly collection of deposits prevalent on the West African markets, on small businesses in Ghana. Evidence gathered from the analysis of a randomly-drawn sample size of 1,600 small business owner contributors indicates that their average daily/weekly contribution to the scheme is three Ghana cedis (approximately two US dollars) and that majority of them have seen its positive impact on their businesses. Binomial logistic regression analysis results support the contention that the number of years of contribution, the number of years in business, marital status, the number of dependants, gender and the amount contributed daily or weekly are predictors of the positive impact of the susu scheme on the business of its contributor. Classification-JEL: G20, G21, G23 Keywords: Susu, Microfinance; Small business; Impact, Contributors, Ghana Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 1-10 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-1.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:1-10 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Nilanjan Ray Author-Name: Dillip Kumar Das Author-Name: Partha Pratim Sengupta Author-Name: Sukanya Ghosh Title: RURAL TOURISM AND IT’S IMPACT ON SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITION: EVIDENCE FROM WEST BENGAL, INDIA Abstract: This study explores rural tourism in West Bengal, India. Rural tourism promotes the local economy, socio-cultural changes and life style of the people residing around the tourist locations. This study explores the reasons foreign and domestic tourists visit this location for religious or recreational purposes. This tourism has created tremendous impact on the local economy, life style and socio-cultural changes among the rural people in and around this tourist destination. A pilot survey shows that rural tourism at this location improved civic amenities like communication, sanitations, transport facilities and standard of living for the people in general. This study assesses the impact of India’s National Tourist Policy 2002 as promoted by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, on this rural tourist location. Specifically in terms of economic growth, employment potential, livelihood and changes in life style of the local people. Classification-JEL: R11, E27 Keywords: Rural Tourism, Non-urban livelihood, Socio-cultural pattern of life, income generation, Implementation of resources, ARMA Model, Economic Migrants. Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 11-22 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-2.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:11-22 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: James Robert E. Sampi Bravo Title: ECONOMIC GROWTH AND REDISTRIBUTION: EVIDENCE FROM DYNAMIC GAMES Abstract: This work is based on a differential game proposed by Kelvin Lancaster. The game between two agents called workers and capitalists is based on the accumulation and redistribution of benefits among social classes concluding that cooperative outcomes outperform non-cooperative. This approach determines the optimum solution in a centralized economy as a non-cooperative game and cooperative Pareto solutions forced by the social planner. We compare the model solution in a decentralized economy, where rates economic growth are converging to a steady state and obtain high rates of inflation, and higher levels of consumption. Alternatively, the cooperative solution found between agents can be confirmed. A capitalist game continues to monitor the cooperative principle, in which the maximum benefit is obtained through cooperation. Classification-JEL: C61, C71, C72, C73 Keywords: Differential game, non-cooperative game and cooperative game Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 23-40 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-3.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:23-40 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Janice M. Barrow Title: A MODEL FOR THE INTERVENTION OF A FINANCIAL CRISIS Abstract: This paper builds a model for intervention and/or mitigation of a financial crisis by first identifying those conditions precedent to a systemic based financial crisis, and then outlying a process to integrate firm specific and systematic risk into a comprehensive strategic model. A simple application of the model was able to identify significant outliers. For example, using 2006 to 2010 data, Capital One Financial Corporation was identified for intervention from as early as 2006. This corporation received $3.56 billion of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act Federal bailout funds. Classification-JEL: G01, G28 Keywords: Systematic risk, financial crisis, banking, reform, failure, regulation, capital, interconnectedness, macro-prudential, micro-prudential Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 41-48 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-4.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:41-48 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Genti Daci Title: IMPLEMENTING SOLARIS CONTAINERS TO INCREASE PERFORMANCE AND SCALABILITY OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE Abstract: This paper examines Virtualization Technologies which are popular in modern financial management systems. Many researchers and financial systems administrators have researched the techniques related to utilizing server computational resources. Currently there are many technologies for this purpose. These technologies include running multiple applications, and multiple operating systems on the same hardware, like: VMWARE, Linux-VServer, VirtualBox and Xen. These technologies try to solve the problem of resource allocation from two approaches: running multiple operating system instances on the same hardware and virtualizing the operating system environment. Our study presents an evaluation of scalability and performance of an operating system virtualization technology known as Solaris Containers. The main objective is to measure the influence of a security technology known as Solaris Trusted Extensions for securing financial management software. Classification-JEL: L86, M15, C88 Keywords: Financial Management Systems, Solaris Containers, Trusted Extensions, ERP Systems, Kernel-Based Virtualization Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 49-55 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-5.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:49-55 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Peter Géczy Author-Name: Noriaki Izumi Author-Name: Kôiti Hasida Title: CLOUDSOURCING: MANAGING CLOUD ADOPTION Abstract: Cloud computing adoption by organizations has been minor despite the initial optimism. The primary concerns obstructing adoption of cloud-based services are security, loss of control, and inadequate legislative. In a cloud-based model, information technology services are distributed and accessed over networks such as intranet or internet. Intranets are inside organizations and internet outside. The main concerns are inherently linked to employing services provided by other organizations and accessing them over internet. In such case, valuable organizational data and services are transferred to providers. The provider or other entities may compromise organizational data and services, thus posing significant security risks. By moving data and services to outside providers, organizations also loose substantial control over timely management and retention. Organizations must follow the rules set by the providers‒ which may not be well suited for them. The providers legally distance themselves from liabilities on important issues such as security, data loss and damage. There are also several other pertinent factors. Proper cloud computing adoption and utilization by organizations requires balanced approach. We elucidate various factors and highlight proper strategic concepts for effective cloud adoption management—benefiting both organizations and providers. Classification-JEL: M15; O14; O32; O33; L86; K12; K23; K42 Keywords: cloud computing, cloud providers, cloud-based systems, cloud services, web services, information technology management, knowledge management, risk management, actionable knowledge, knowledge-intensive organizations, knowledge workers. Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 57-70 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-6.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:57-70 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Antero Ollila Title: PROPOSALS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF ISO 9001 Abstract: The ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) includes a method of continuous improvement put in place in 1994. Through this system, audits and reviews are performed to identify, correct and prevent problems. Although the method of continuous improvement, combined with adherence to annual quality objectives, is an important part of the QMS, only a few business managers and quality professionals seem to acknowledge its significance. Whether the organization uses QMS or other improvement programs such as Six Sigma, Lean and TPM, it faces the same key question: how to ensure that methods that were beneficial during the execution of a project have continuity in the organization after the project has ended? One method of ensuring continuity is to apply QMS at the end of a project. Many organizations acquire and use ISO 9001 QMS in a limited way, for marketing purposes among other things, without taking a full advantage of its beneficial features. This paper analyzes various ways by which an organization can use the most beneficial characteristics of ISO 9001 QMS to improve its operations. The paper contributes to an ongoing discussion on the content and implementation of a quality system version related to ISO 9001 QMS, known as ISO 9001:2008. The paper proposes revisions that will make substantial improvements to ISO 9001:2008. Classification-JEL: L20; L21; L23; M10; M11 Keywords: ISO 9000, quality management system, performance improvement, process approach Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 71-81 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-7.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:71-81 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mariya Yesseleva Title: SMALL- AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES: DATA SOURCES IN AUSTRALIA Abstract: Small- and medium-sized enterprises constitute a significant sector in any economy. Academic research studies, which analyze various dimensions of small- and medium-sized sector in Australia, reiterate the importance of availability and reliability of data sources regarding these firms. Any research study has to be supported with reliable data sources that provide comprehensive, consistent and timely information, enhancing the significance of research results. This article provides information on eleven data sources for conducting a research on small- and medium-sized enterprises in Australia. The main aim of this article is to support the continuance of research in this crucial business sector. The data presented in this article provides vital information for researchers interested in conducting studies on different aspects of small- and medium-sized enterprise sector. Classification-JEL: M15, C80 Keywords: small business, SMEs, data sources, research in Australia. Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 83-92 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-8.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:83-92 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Alejandra López Salazar Author-Name: Ricardo Contreras Soto Author-Name: Rafael Espinosa Mosqueda Title: THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL DECISIONS AND TRATEGY ON SMALL BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS Abstract: This paper examines the financial decisions made by companies, the strategies that organizations follow, the alignment between these two variables, and the relationship of financial decisions to the level of competitiveness. Two hundred two businesses’ testimonies in the region of Celaya were analyzed. The results show that most micro and small enterprises make funding decisions in a certain way, apply an intensive strategy, also that their market longevity is low and their level of sales is regular, implying that Mexican companies lack competitiveness, which hampers their development and expansion. The emphasis that companies place on certain financial decisions is not always appropriate for the type of business strategy being implemented. Likewise, companies that efficiently manage their short-term assets and liabilities are more competitive, as evaluated by their longevity on the market. Classification-JEL: M10; G30 Keywords: Small business, competitiveness, strategy, financial decisions Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 93-103 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-9.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:93-103 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ludmila Mládková Title: SHARING TACIT KNOWLEDGE WITHIN ORGANIZATIONS: EVIDENCE FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC Abstract: Knowledge is a changing system with interactions among experience, skills, facts, relations, values, thinking processes and meanings. Literature differentiates between the two dimensions of knowledge, explicit and tacit. Explicit knowledge can be expressed in formal and systematic language and can be shared in the form of data. ICT makes this process easy these days. Tacit knowledge is highly personal and hard to discover. Explicit knowledge and intuition, mental models, experience, crafts and skills etc., create it. It is partly or fully subconscious, deeply rooted in action, procedures, routines, commitment, ideas, value and emotions of individuals or groups. It is very difficult to turn into data. Attempts to formalize it usually lead to its damage. Even though tacit knowledge is an important asset that enables us to do practical activities, many organizations underestimate it. This article discusses the basic theoretical background of tacit knowledge, its importance for modern organization and the results of research on tacit knowledge management in organizations in the Czech Republic (Central Europe). The research is qualitative and helps us to monitor development of knowledge management activities in our country. It started in 2004, continues to this day and currently provides the experience of 145 organizations. Classification-JEL: M19 Keywords: knowledge, tacit knowledge, apprenticeship, communities, storytelling Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 105-115 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-10.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:105-115 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Graziella Sicoli Title: EVOLVING DYNAMICS IN THE PROCESS OF BUSINESS INTERNATIONALIZATION Abstract: Over the past century the global economic scene has undergone numerous rapid and ongoing transformations. The consequences of these changes are reflected in problems linked to organizational and qualitative adaption that companies must carry out in order to compete successfully. The goal is to achieve strong economic growth and obtain accurate and timely information regarding emerging markets. In this context it has become a priority for dynamic companies to take their business overseas in order to grasp opportunities offered by foreign markets for their goods and services. Classification-JEL: F0; F13; F23 Keywords: internationalization, economic development, competitive ability Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 117-124 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-11.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:117-124 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Igor Pustylnick Title: RESTRUCTURING THE FINANCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PROJECTS IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS Abstract: This paper deals with project finance restructuring in the view of future or present financial distress. We treat the occurrences of negative cash flow and negative NPV as signs of potential project distress. The solutions offered for negative cash flow are (1) restructuring debt thereby making it payable earlier when the project has sufficient cash influx or (2) change of the project management and contractors. The paper explains advantages of the first technique over the second. We explain that legal costs in the latter can exceed perceived benefits. The paper argues the best solutions for negative NPV problems are deferring of payments and restructuring of cash disbursements as a part of the project financial agreement. Classification-JEL: G31, G32 Keywords: Project Finance, Financial Distress, Positive Cash Flow, Positive NPV, Finance Restructuring Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 125-134 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n2-2012/GJBR-V6N2-2012-12.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:2:p:125-134