Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ghazi A. Al-Weshah Author-Name: Khalid Al-Zubi Title: E-BUSINESS ENABLERS AND BARRIERS: EMPIRICAL STUDY OF SMES IN JORDANIAN COMMUNICATION SECTOR Abstract: The current study aims at investigating the relationship between e-business growth and e-business enablers and barriers by SMEs in Jordanian communication sector. More specifically, the study attempts to identify factors associated with SMEs’ adoption of e-business, including barriers and enablers impacting on this adoption. The quantitative approach is employed since it describes and measures the studied phenomenon. Questionnaire is sent to all companies in the sample that was obtained from Jordanian Ministry of Communication. 306 questionnaires were returned with response rate is 86 percent. Correlation analysis is used to identify the strength and direction of relationship between the stages of e-business growth and e-business enablers and barriers. The result reveals that there is a highly significant positive relationship between stages of e-business growth (email exchange, information exchange, and Web presence) and certain enablers and barriers; however our strength of association was highly to moderate. Classification-JEL: L86, M15, M31 Keywords: SMEs, Electronic business, Growth stages, Communication sector, Jordan. Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 1-15 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-1.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:1-15 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Bernardo Quintanilla García Author-Name: Jesús Cuauhtémoc Téllez Gaytán Author-Name: Lawrence A. Wolfskill Title: THE ROLE OF TECHNICAL ANALYSIS IN THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE MARKET Abstract: This paper provides evidence that currency spot prices are autocorrelated, which indicates that technical analysis in foreign exchange trading can and should take a leading role for analyzing expected exchange rate movements. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller test was used to test the Random Walk Hypothesis on the USD/CHF exchange rate prices in a one minute frequency timeline for 10 randomly selected Fridays. Under the Extreme Values Method, calculations were based on the High-Low ask price spread and not on the volatility of closing prices. The main contribution of this paper is that new evidence is generated providing reasonable basis to discard the Efficient Markets Hypothesis in its weak form. The findings lead to embracing the Dow Theory, rather than the Random Walk approach, and conclude that markets are not efficient in their weak form. Classification-JEL: F31; G14; G15 Keywords: price range, volatility, Dow Theory, random walk, foreign exchange, weak form market efficiency Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 17-22 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-2.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:17-22 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rubén Fernández-Ortiz Author-Name: Mónica Clavel San Emeterio Author-Name: Leonor González Menorca Title: A QUANTITATIVE MEASURE OF THE GRADUALIST APPROACH TO INTERNATIONALIZATION Abstract: The goal of this research is to create a holistic global model which integrates the main theories and approaches used in researching company internationalization. The resource-based view of export strategy has shown the greatest capability of explaining deciding exports. The gradualist model of the Scandinavian school of thought has been widely utilized as an explanation of the appropriate methods and momentum for gradual export abroad. The second goal of this research is to demonstrate implementation of the gradualist models. The way of entering each international market by the companies, though being an easily-understood intuitive concept, nevertheless generates confusion from an operating point of view. Currently, there is no quantitative variable that can tell if a specific company, or sector, adheres to the guidelines of the gradualist model. For this purpose, we generate an easilymeasured quantitative, continuous variable, which indicates the extent that companies adapt the thesis proposed by the Scandinavian school of thought. Classification-JEL: M16 Keywords: International priority index, Internationalization models Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 23-35 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-3.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:23-35 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Samar M. Baqer Title: TRUE GREEN CONSUMERS: AN INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMERS’ GENUINE WILLINGNESS TO SHARE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY Abstract: This research investigates environmental attitudes among consumers in three countries: The United States of America, Kuwait and Turkey. The choice of the three countries is based on levels of income and economic development. The focus of this study is exploring characteristics of consumers having the goal of becoming genuinely green. A true green consumer is an individual who plans their lifestyle to become environmental friendly. Moreover, true green consumers are not only environmentally responsible, but also committed to convert his family and friends into green individuals. Classification-JEL: M16, M30, M31, Q50, Z10 Keywords: Green Consumers, Consciousness, Skepticism, Locus of control Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 37-48 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-4.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:37-48 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rikard Smistad Author-Name: Igor Pustylnick Title: HEDGING, HEDGE ACCOUNTING AND SPECULATION: EVIDENCE FROM CANADIAN OIL AND GAS COMPANIES Abstract: Using archival data, this paper presents the results of analyzing a sample of twelve primarily oil and gas, western Canadian energy firms and their use of financial derivatives to manage commodity price risk. The firms range in size from small to large based on total assets. All twelve companies document and disclose their risk strategies and derivative products they use to manage risk. Regardless of size, all companies make use of common commodity price risk strategies using derivatives. The large energy companies are more likely to utilize hedge accounting than are their small and mid-sized peers. All companies, except for the largest ones, claim they do not use derivatives to speculate. However, by clarifying the definition of speculation, all of the energy firms attempt derivative speculation to a different extent. Classification-JEL: G32; M41 Keywords: Hedging, hedge accounting, speculation Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 49-62 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-5.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:49-62 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ya-Ling Huang Author-Name: In-Fun Lee Author-Name: Yen-Hsien Lee Title: MODELING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY USING DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS: EVIDENCE FROM ATLANTIC CITY HOTELS Abstract: The casino entertainment industry is an intensely competitive environment with many operational risks, explaining why casino managers highly prioritize performance evaluation. This study develops a performance evaluation model based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) to determine casino managerial efficiency in 2007 and the change in efficiency for eleven casinos from 2003-2007 in Atlantic City. Analytical results suggest an apparently high technical efficiency and low scale efficiency, indicating that managerial inefficiency derives mainly from an inappropriate scale of business in the casino entertainment industry of Atlantic City. Moreover, weak industrial growth of casino entertainment implies that front runners should closely examine systematic problems in their management strategies. Classification-JEL: C44, C61, G00 Keywords: Data envelopment analysis (DEA); Performance evaluation; Casino management Slacks-based measure (SBM), Managerial efficiency Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 63-72 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-6.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:63-72 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jorge Aníbal Restrepo Morales Author-Name: Santiago Medina Hurtado Title: ESTIMATION OF OPERATIVE RISK FOR FRAUD IN THE CAR INSURANCE INDUSTRY Abstract: The regulatory framework for assessing and risk measurement in most companies focuses primarily on proposals of the New Capital Accord (Basel II). The Basel Committee gives importance to the concept of operational risk and requires that financial institutions cover possible loses with capital. The goal is to identify expected losses because of different events that might arise in firm management. This work develops a model to estimate the monetary loss due to car theft for Columbian insurance companies. We estimate the probability functions of monetary losses for car theft. First we estimate the distribution functions of the number of car thefts and for the monetary loss. Then, we use Monte Carlo simulation to identify the severity of expected losses. The results and conclusions will be useful for insurance firms. Using the results here, they can set up guidelines to improve risk management. Classification-JEL: G22; C15 Keywords: Insurance, Operational Risk, Simulation, Loss Distribution Aggregated Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 73-83 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-7.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:73-83 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Maria Sanchez Title: THE ROLE OF THE FORENSIC ACCOUNTANT IN A MEDICARE FRAUD IDENTITY THEFT CASE Abstract: Identity theft is a rampant problem in the United States. It occurs when one’s personal information is stolen for the purpose of impersonating that person, making unauthorized purchases, taking money from bank accounts, opening new lines of credit with the stolen information, or using that information for other financial gain. According to a recent survey by the Javelin Strategy and Research Center, at least one in ten people have been the victim of identity theft. Forensic accountants and fraud specialists can help to prevent, detect and prosecute identity theft. This study examines a case of identity theft involving Medicare fraud. The role that the forensic accountant may play in the prosecution is discussed. The forensic accountant is important in these types of cases because the financial trail must be traced and will lead back to the criminal. The forensic accountant also has the important job of preparing the evidence exhibits for the prosecutors to use in court. Classification-JEL: M40, M49 Keywords: forensic accounting, Medicare fraud, identity theft Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 85-92 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-8.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:85-92 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rajni Devi Author-Name: Joycelyn Devi Author-Name: Rashika Kumar Author-Name: Charlotte Taylor Title: ACCOUNTANT AND USER PERCEPTIONS OF FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING: EVIDENCE FROM FIJI Abstract: This paper through use of proxies for users and preparers of financial reports, finds the definition and understanding of ‘fair value accounting’, and identifies how it is measured (for shares and property investments) in Fiji. The paper also studies benefits and limitations of the concept, examines its impact on financial reporting roles, determines appropriate alternatives of this method and forecasts its prominence and endurance in Fiji. The paper concludes that users and preparers of financial reports have similar understanding of fair value accounting. Some measurement techniques identified were the use of active markets, independent valuers and referrals to cost. Some benefits identified were better disclosure and information that is more relevant. Proxies also identified limitations of the method in terms of costs of valuation, training and hiring of professionals, and the application of subjective judgment. The proxies predict prominence of fair value accounting in the long run. Classification-JEL: M41 Keywords: Fair value accounting, measurement techniques, valuation method Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 93-102 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-9.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:93-102 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Md Sahanur Islam Author-Name: Partha Pratim Sengupta Author-Name: Sukanya Ghosh Author-Name: Samir Chandra Basu Title: THE BEHAVIORAL ASPECT OF MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS: A CASE STUDY FROM INDIA Abstract: In the turbulent global economy, mergers and acquisitions of industries takes place to protect Indian businesses. Such mergers and acquisitions are taking place in Heavy Industries and in major service industries. This paper investigates the context, process and consequences of the merger of State Bank of Indore with the largest nationalized banking firm, State Bank of India. Due to inadequate emphasis on the human resource aspect, employee resistance acted as impediment to merger of these two banks and delayed the process. This paper develops a model, which can help the industry achieve smooth changes without employee resistance. Classification-JEL: G34; C38 Keywords: Turbulent global economy, Mergers and Acquisitions, Impediment to merger Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 103-113 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-10.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:103-113 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Manuela del S. Camacho Gómez Author-Name: Cecilia García-Muñoz Aparicio Author-Name: María del Carmen Ancona Alcocer Title: USUMACINTA CANYON STATE PARK: SOCIAL TOURISM ALTERNATIVE Abstract: Alternative tourism represents an important source of income in Mexico. There are many potential sites remaining to be developed in the southeast of the country. Included in this group is the state park Cañón del Río Usumacinta, Boca del Cerro. This park is located in the municipality of Tenosique and is surrounded by indigenous populations of the Tzotzil, Chol, Maya and Zoqueg. The objective of this study is to carry out an integral diagnosis of socioeconomic and demographic conditions, and of nature in the region, to identify sites and strategies for tourism development in the area of the Cañón del Usumacinta state park. The study is non experimental as none of the variables described in the project were controlled or modified. Rather the study is trans-sectional as the data were recorded at a single moment in time. The objective is to characterize the phenomenon to provide alternatives or solution proposals (Hernández, Fernández, Baptista, 2006). The paper reports results of 129 interviews carried out with residents of areas adjacent to the Cañón del Usumacinta state park. The paper also identifies the ecotourism potential of the area. The findings of the study constitute a series of marketing ideas, useful in decision making with respect to the tourism development of the region. Classification-JEL: M21, M31 Keywords: Cañón del Usumacinta State Park, alternative tourism, communal host, social marketing. Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 115-126 Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Year: 2012 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v6n3-2012/GJBR-V6N3-2012-11.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:6:y:2012:i:3:p:115-126