Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Wasatorn Shutibhinyo Title: BALANCED SCORECARD ATTRIBUTES: KEY DETERMINANT AND PERCEIVED BENEFITS Abstract: This study explored the application among Thai listed firms of four BSC attributes, i.e. translating strategy into operation terms, aligning the organizational units to the strategy, communicating strategy to employees, and providing feedback and learning. The study also provided evidence of key determinant and perceived benefits of each BSC attribute. With respect to the determinant, it was found, based on 81 returned questionnaires, that top management support was positively associated with each of the BSC attributes. Therefore, the support was the facilitating factor vital to the implementation of each BSC attribute. Concerning the consequence, thirty-seven BSC users perceived the four BSC attributes as the source of various benefits, e.g. overall benefits, planning, control and communication. The study contributed to the existing body of research on BSC as the determinant and consequence findings were derived from examination of each of the BSC attributes separately rather than collectively. Classification-JEL: M190, M490 Keywords: Balanced Scorecard, Strategy-Focused-Organization, Top management support, Perceived benefits Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 1-8 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-1.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:1-8 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Bernard Morard Author-Name: Alexandru Stancu Author-Name: Christophe Jeannette Title: TIME EVOLUTION ANALYSIS AND FORECAST OF KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS IN A BALANCED SCORECARD Abstract: This paper offers a generic and rational construction of Balanced Scorecard. The construction involves implementing a time-managed approach to identify the evolution of the main contributors to the current company’s strategy as well as their behavior in the future organizational performance. After the optimal structure of the model is generated employing financial and non-financial strategic indicators collected from the organization, the study puts forward a realistic analysis of the evolution in time of the performance metrics. This analysis is based on the Partial Least Square equations behind the Balanced Scorecard proposed methodology, statistically comparable to the Structural Equation Modeling. Using historical data in the final model, an accurate prediction of the performance indicators can be achieved in the Balanced Scorecard tool as the approach establishes a stable cause-and-effect sequence. Under certain statistical assumptions, this allows forecasting the effects of future strategic decisions. Although the paper proposes a generic methodology, applicable to any organization, both public or private, commercial or non-profit, this technique is applied, reinforced and validated with a practical example from a public-owned Swiss electricity company. Classification-JEL: G39, M19, M40, L32 Keywords: Balanced Scorecard, Key Performance Indicators, Performance Measurement, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Partial Least Squares (PLS), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Public Organization, Energy Industry, Energetic Sector Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 9-27 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-2.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:9-27 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Hsiang-Tsai Chiang Author-Name: Mei-Chih Lin Title: MANAGEMENT TEAM CHARACTERISTICS: EVIDENCE FROM UNIVERSITY GOVERNANCE AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE Abstract: The paper examines cognition from the viewpoint of internal management teams of private universities against satisfaction with school performance, applying the SEM model. Empirical results show that the board’s operational effectiveness and attendance rate for internal important meetings held on campus have a significantly positive relationship with implementing effectiveness and satisfaction with school administrative performance. The satisfaction with school administrative performance and school performance satisfaction showed a significantly positive relationship. The attendance rate for important internal meetings held on campus, the implementing effectiveness, and school performance satisfaction showed a significantly negative relationship. However, the intermediary effect enhances school performance satisfaction to achieve a positive effect, indicating the cognitive level of satisfaction for school administrative performance impacts school performance satisfaction. Classification-JEL: I20, I29, C39 Keywords: University Governance, School Performance, SEM model Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 29-46 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-3.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:29-46 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Lucía Sáez Vegas Author-Name: Iñaki Periáñez Cañadillas Title: MARKET ORIENTATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE ANALYSIS OF MUNICIPAL WEBSITE CONTENT: A FRAMEWORK FOR ITS MEASUREMENT Abstract: Increased competition between cities requires them to adopt concepts and methods that have been used by the private sector, such as market orientation, strategic management, marketing, human resources management, competitive advantage or the definition of a competitive image and brand, etc. The aim of this study is to analyze the market orientation in Spain’s regional capital cities by examining the content of their municipal websites. Local governments are increasingly represented on the Internet. The Internet enables them to combine elements of a town hall, tourist information bureau, chamber of commerce, business directory, shopping mall and local newsmagazine. This study also analyses whether, as a result of market orientation in management, the cities studied have fostered marketing strategies, such as the segmentation strategy, brand strategy, or city internationalisation, and it proposes a standard framework for measuring the city’s market orientation by examining the content of the municipal website. Classification-JEL: M31 Keywords: Market Orientation, Local Government, Websites, Competitive Advantages. Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 47-58 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-4.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:47-58 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Moh'd M. Ajlouni Author-Name: Amr Zyoud Author-Name: Bashar Jaber Author-Name: Haya Shaheen Author-Name: Malik Al-Natour Author-Name: Rami J. Anshasi Title: THE RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF JORDANIAN PUBLIC HOSPITALS USING DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS AND PABON LASSO DIAGRAM Abstract: This study aims at investigating and measuring the relative efficiency of public hospitals performance in Jordan, during the period (2006-2008), using DEA and Pabon-Lasso Diagram. The results indicate that the average efficiency of those hospitals is varied and ranges between (73%) to (100%). The average of the relative efficiency of the sample hospitals over the study period is 94%. Of 15 hospitals, the number of efficient hospitals increased from 7 in 2006 to 9 in 2007, but decreased to 8 in 2008. The results are compared with old efficiency scores of the same hospitals reported in the literature. This comparison leads to signify that the efficiency of public sector hospitals in Jordan is varied over time, due to decreasing public expenditures on health care per capita. However, the results concerning ratio analysis in explaining efficiency are inconsistent; implying that these institutions are either having poor management or they treat long stays diseases. Classification-JEL: C61, C67, D02, H11, H51, I12 Keywords: Hospitals, Efficiency, DEA, Pabon Lasso, Jordan. Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 59-72 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-5.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:59-72 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mohamed A. Hadi Author-Name: Refaat H. Abdel-Razek Author-Name: Walid M. Chakroun Title: ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN KUWAIT Abstract: In Kuwait, the current method of generating electricity using conventional power plants cannot provide beneficiaries with adequate service unless more plants are constructed. In addition to their high cost, these plants cause environmental damage, creating the need to investigate sources of clean energy. This study assesses the technical and economic feasibility of implementing Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy in residential houses in Kuwait. Data and information were collected and the appropriate PV system was selected according to cost and PV specifications. Next, the equivalent annual costs of the PV system with various discount rates were estimated together with the cost per kWh both for new and existing houses. Third, the annual reduction of CO2 emissions resulting from implementing grid-tied PV systems was calculated. Taking into consideration the financial savings from CO2 reduction, the cost per kWh was estimated and compared with the current cost. The purported discount rate adopted by the Kuwaiti government’s long term plan is 6.7%. However, a range of discount rates from 0% to 20% was applied and results obtained. The results showed that with a 6.7% discount rate the annual savings on energy costs for a new house and a previously constructed hose were KD 745 and KD 653 respectively. The results also revealed the payback periods for the PV system for these houses are 7 and 7.4 years respectively. We concluded that integrated PV (BIPV) solar energy is economical and technically feasible in Kuwait when the discount rate is equal to, or less than, the break-even point of 10.36%. Classification-JEL: N7 Keywords: BIPV, Equivalent Annual Cost, Payback Period, Renewable Energy, and Solar Energy. Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 73-82 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-6.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:73-82 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Saquib Yusaf Janjua Author-Name: Majid Khan Author-Name: Asghar Naeem Author-Name: Farrukh Nawaz Kayani Title: CHANGE FACTORS DRIVING MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT NEEDS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN Abstract: The paper explores the impact of external and internal organizational changes on competence development needs of managers in Pakistan. The study examines internal and external developments in the business environment. It provides a detailed analysis of the impact of these change drivers on Pakistan business organizations. Additionally, the research examines the influence of these change drivers on theoretically derived competence classes by performing multivariate analysis. The findings indicate, in the context of the external environment, the global & national economic situation, government policies, political instability, energy crisis and above all technological changes affect the business organizations in Pakistan. The internal environmental examination reveals that workplace changes, technological innovation, and changes in HRM and HRD policies influence competence development needs of managers. This paper provides useful information to policy makers and business practitioners regarding changes taking place in Pakistan. The knowledge generated with this research may assist in re-designing the business education curriculum and ignite re-thinking of human resource management and development strategies in Pakistan. Classification-JEL: M1, M12 Keywords: Pakistan, Drivers of Change, Growth, Competence Management Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 83-93 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-7.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:83-93 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Charles Corcoran Title: YIELD CURVE INVESTING: OPTIMIZING RISKADJUSTED RETURNS Abstract: This paper investigates how recent changes in market interest rates have affected risk-adjusted returns. Returns are adjusted for duration, a measure of interest rate risk. Prior to the 2007 - 2008 rate decrease, one-year Treasuries offered the best risk/return tradeoff. As a result of the rate decrease, short rates dropped much more than longer rates, rendering the one-year Treasury less competitive. After 2008, the five and seven year Treasury maturities offer the best risk-adjusted returns. Classification-JEL: E43 Keywords: Yield Curve, Duration, Interest Rate Risk, Maturity, Mean Reversion, Risk-Adjusted Return Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 95-102 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-8.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:95-102 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mary Beth McCabe Author-Name: Ramon Corona Author-Name: Richard Weaver Title: SUSTAINABILITY FOR HISPANICS IN CALIFORNIA: DO THEY REALLY CARE? Abstract: This paper is a study about the perceptions of well-educated Hispanics living in California regarding environmental sustainability. Hispanics in the US are growing three times faster than non-Hispanics and now comprise 16% of the population, or more than 50 million. Just in the last 10 years, Hispanics grew 43%, equivalent to more than half of the growth of the entire US population. Given its importance and the undeniable needs of creating a conscious for sustainability in California, we developed this study to learn about the attitudes and perceptions of Hispanics regarding environmental practices, vs. non-Hispanics, in an effort to find out any differences between the two groups, and how this could be beneficial for many companies trying to market their products and services to this vibrant target market. The results of our survey showed a number of differences regarding environmentally friendly activities, such as use of solar energy and carpooling, and use of media to gain information about sustainability. Classification-JEL: M30, M31 Keywords: Hispanics, Sustainability, Environmental, Marketing Strategies, Eco-friendly Behavior Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 103-112 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-9.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:103-112 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Blanca Rosa García Rivera Author-Name: Peter W. Hom Author-Name: Ignacio Alejandro Mendoza Martínez Author-Name: Sonia Elizabeth Maldonado Radillo Author-Name: Concepción Ramírez Barón Title: TURNOVER AND JOB EMBEDDEDNESS IN TIJUANA MEXICO Abstract: In this paper we analyze the relationship between family and community links and future intentions to quit from employees at the export processing zone (EPZ) in Tijuana, Mexico. With survey data gathered in an organization belonging to a Tijuana EPZ, we applied the theory of embededdness to identify the causes behind turnover. A questionnaire with 125 items using a 4-points Likert scale was developed to assess job embeddedness, family embeddedness, satisfaction with benefits, and affective commitment and correlated the potential causes with employee’s future intentions to stay or leave the organization. One hundred employees completed surveys. Statistical analyses of their survey data revealed strong relationships between certain predictor variables and intentions to stay. Classification-JEL: M12 Keywords: job turnover, embeddedness, EPZ, job satisfaction, affective commitment Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 113-122 Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Year: 2013 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v7n2-2013/GJBR-V7N2-2013-10.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:7:y:2013:i:2:p:113-122