Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Prince F. Ellis Author-Name: Kevin D. Kuznia Title: CORPORATE ELEARNING IMPACT ON EMPLOYEES Abstract: This paper examines the impact of corporate eLearning on employees’ productivity, job satisfaction, overall job performance, and organizational commitment. The theoretical framework proposed was to determine whether eLearning usage has any correlation with these variables. This discussion is supported by conducting an online survey from ten educational institutions and two international corporations. The results concluded that eLearning usage by employees had varying correlations with job productivity, job performance, job satisfaction and organizational commitment. It was determined that the use of technology alone will not yield desired results; corporations need to determine a balance between eLearning strategies and managerial support. Classification-JEL: D29, I21, M53 Keywords: Learning, Information and Knowledge, Analysis of Education, Training Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 1-15 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-1.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:1-15 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Wasatorn Shutibhinyo Title: DETERMINANTS OF BALANCED SCORECARD USAGE: INDIRECT CORRELATION THROUGH ATTITUDINAL FACTORS Abstract: The successful implementation of Balanced Scorecard (BSC) requires a positive attitude toward the BSC. Specifically, the BSC should be perceived as simple to use and of great usefulness. This study develops the measurement of BSC usage and examines whether the determinants impact the BSC usage through attitudinal factors. Most existing studies have quantified the BSC usage by identifying the stages of BSC application whereby the discrete step of usage is reflected rather than the degree of usage. This research work thus develops a measurement to reflect the degree of BSC usage by taking into consideration the key characteristics of BSC usage and their theoretical weights. In addition, this study examines the determinant-innovation relation by drawing on the organizational innovation theory and the technology acceptance model. In particular, this research article seeks to determine whether top management support and training are associated with the BSC usage through the attitudinal factors of perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. Based on 73 complete questionnaires, it is found that top management support and training are indirectly associated with the BSC usage through the perceived ease of use and the perceived usefulness factors. These findings highlight the vital role of the attitudinal factors as the mediating factors. Classification-JEL: M190, M490 Keywords: Balanced Scorecard, Attitudinal Factors Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 17-23 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-2.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:17-23 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ramon Corona Title: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF MAJOR US RETAILERS BASED ON ENTERPRISE MARKETING EFFICIENCY Abstract: The purpose of this research was to analyze financial results of four major US retailers from June 2006 until August 2008 and compare their tactics to create shareholder’s value, using key performance and enterprise marketing ratios. This is a relevant study given the different business models and strategies used by these companies, as well as their strong rivalry in the retail industry. The study highlighted Walmart and Costco given their recent growth and competitiveness. The results showed that Walmart was superior in attracting investors willing to pay a premium for the stock. On the other hand, Costco created an average of $10.32 dollars of sales for every dollar spent in Sales, General and Administrative expenses, whereas Walmart produced only $5.44. In other words, Costco created twice as much sales volume for every dollar spent in these expenses. Further, the Maximum Earnings Market Share displayed that Costco could have made $3,660 million more in that period, whereas Walmart spent $26,300 million more than needed to increase earnings in the same period. Classification-JEL: M2, M3, G1 Keywords: Marketing, Enterprise Marketing, Market Value, Efficiency, Market Share, Costco, Walmart, Retail Industry Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 25-39 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-3.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:25-39 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Xian Yang Zeng Author-Name: Wong Ming Wong Title: DECOUPLING OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES FROM ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES: EVIDENCE FROM TAIWAN Abstract: Between 1998 and 2010, under the thrice industrial structure, Kaohsiung’s output ratios of the secondary and tertiary industries fluctuated dramatically every four years. This study examines the decoupling degrees of underlying environmental pressures from Gross Domestic Product in order to analyze how industrial structure influences environmental sustainability by using Tapio’s method. Based on aggregate data, calculations are made of the Gross Domestic Product elasticities of garbage collection, tap water consumption, electricity supply, suspended particle matters, SO2, CO, NO2, and O3, during the periods of 1998-2002, 2002-2006, and 2006-2010 in Kaohsiung. Analytical results indicate that the electricity supply during the period 1998-2010 exhibited negative decoupling, while tap water consumption and O3 during the period 1998-2002, as well as suspended particulate matter and SO2 during the period 2002-2006 were also negative decoupled. Moreover, industrial structure is not the major determinant to relieve environmental pressures. Fulfilling price strategy and further reducing emissions is a promising measure for sustainable development in Kaohsiung. Classification-JEL: E62, H23, O14 Keywords: Industrial Structure, Price Strategy, Sustainable Development, Decoupling Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 41-50 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-4.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:41-50 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Rahim M. Quazi Title: EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT ON FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT: A CASE STUDY OF AFRICA Abstract: The impact of corruption on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows has been analyzed by many recent studies. Corruption can either reduce FDI as a grabbing hand by raising uncertainty and transaction costs or facilitate FDI as a helping hand by "greasing" the wheels of commerce in the presence of a weak regulatory environment. Using the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) methodology on 1995- 2011 panel data from 53 African countries, this study finds that corruption facilitates FDI inflows to Africa, which is in line with the helping hand hypothesis. Using the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) data, this study also finds that the overall regulatory environment in Africa is weak, which helps explain the context in which the helping hand hypothesis can be validated in Africa. Finally, it is found that Sub-Saharan Africa suffers from a locational disadvantage in attracting FDI vis-à-vis the rest of the continent. Classification-JEL: D73, F21, O55 Keywords: Foreign Direct Investment, Corruption, Regulatory Environment, Africa Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 51-60 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-5.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:51-60 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Ya-Hui Wang Title: THE DEMAND FOR MEDICAL COSMETOLOGY: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate the demand for medical cosmetology from the perspective of Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao people. We use a questionnaire, and examine the effects of demographic variables on the demand for medical cosmetology. The findings show that demographic variables may lead to significant differences in the most wanted channel, the most wanted surgery, and the acceptable expense. Only monthly income leads to significant differences in the main reason for medical cosmetology in Taiwan. Classification-JEL: I11, M30 Keywords: Medical Cosmetology, Medical Tourism Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 61-70 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-6.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:61-70 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Jackson Ongong’a Otieno Author-Name: Charles M. Rambo Author-Name: Paul A. Odundo Title: COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF LOCAL AUTHORITY TRANSFER FUND IN KENYA Abstract: The Local Authorities Transfer Fund (LATF) is one of the funds that the Kenyan Government has decentralized to local authorities to supplement the financing of service delivery, enhance financial management and accountability, as well as reduce debts accumulated by the authorities. The purpose of this study was to assess and document community perspectives on accountability and transparency in the management of LATF resources. We sourced primary data from 162 community members, including opinion leaders and civil servants. The study found that participants were satisfied with community involvement in the planning and budgeting process (48.8%), enhancing accessibility of external auditor’s reports (42.0%) and liability management (34.0%). However, they expressed dissatisfaction with indicators such as transparency in the procurement process (58.0%), management of Council assets (57.4%), publicization of expenditure reports (44.0%), cash flow management (42.0%), budget execution discipline (35.2%), accounting system (30.9%) as well as internal control and audit system (30.2%). The success of LATF largely depends on the Government’s enforcement of existing regulations, identifying gaps and formulating additional controls, as well as taking public officers and political leaders through the change process. This will provide necessary safeguards against political interference and corruption in the management of LATF projects. Classification-JEL: 016 Keywords: Accountability, Transparency, Local Authority, Service Delivery, Decentralization, Fiscal Decentralization Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 71-85 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-7.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:71-85 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Razeen Ali Author-Name: Desmond Amosa Title: AN EXPLORATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FIJI’S PUBLIC SERVICE CODE OF CONDUCT Abstract: In the Pacific region, public service codes of conduct establish standards by which behavior is often judged proper, or otherwise, for public service officials. However, current research indicates there is very little evidence within Pacific Island Countries (PICs) to demonstrate whether approved Public Service Commission (PSC) codes of conduct are really ensuring that public service officials are able to maintain even minimal standards of professional and personal conduct. One of the promises of the early 1990’s civil service reform in Fiji was to build a highly ethical and professional civil service. A Code of Conduct for all public service officials in Fiji came into effect under the Public Service Act of 1999. This study aims to explore and describe the perceived effectiveness of code of conduct in Fiji’s public service. There are in fact external controls in place to keep public officials in line; however, there seems to be limited awareness and weak monitoring of the code in individual ministries and line departments to ensure it is strictly and constantly upheld. Special measure to support understanding, awareness and adherence to code of conduct also seems to be missing. Classification-JEL: H830 Keywords: Public Service, Ethics, Code of Conduct Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 87-97 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-8.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:87-97 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Solomon A. Keelson Author-Name: Addo J. Odei Title: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOBILE NUMBER PORTABILITY AND CONSUMER CHOICE OF ACTIVE MULTIPLE MOBILE PHONE NUMBERS IN GHANA Abstract: The use of multiple mobile phone numbers in Ghana has become a dominate phenomenon in recent years. The introduction of mobile number portability (MNP) makes it possible for a subscriber to conveniently switch from one mobile network to another without losing his or her number. Because of mobile number portability, we expected that use of multiple numbers would become less attractive. This study examines how mobile number portability has affected the use of multiple phone numbers. We use top, middle and lower level managers of both private and public formal sectors of the economy for examination. Thousands of multiple mobile phone number subscribers were surveyed from Accra where all the mobile networks operate and porting is well known. This study uses the mean and standard deviation to measure the relationship between mobile number portability and multiple phone number use. The study revealed low customer appreciation for mobile number portability, and customers’ negative perception of service quality since introduction of mobile number portability. The article further showed weak or no relationship between number portability and use of multiple mobile numbers. Further, we show the introduction of number portability cannot be a panacea to the use of multiple phone lines even in the near future. Classification-JEL: M31, M38, M39 Keywords: Consumer Choice of Active Mobile Numbers, Mobile Number Portability, Porting, Multiple Phone Numbers Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 99-110 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-9.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:99-110 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Mehdi Hojjat Title: DO MULTILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTS HELP OR HINDER THE U.S. CURRENT ACCOUNT BALANCE? Abstract: This paper investigates the effects of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) also known as bilateral or multilateral trade agreements on the U.S. current account balance. In contrast to the common belief that RTAs provide export opportunities for U.S. companies, hence improve the U.S. trade balances that are part of the U.S. current account balance, this paper shows that trade agreements adversely impact both of these accounts. Classification-JEL: F, F13 Keywords: Trading Bloc, Regional Trade Agreement, Current Account Balance Journal: Global Journal of Business Research Pages: 111-118 Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Year: 2014 File-URL: http://www.theibfr2.com/RePEc/ibf/gjbres/gjbr-v8n4-2014/GJBR-V8N4-2014-10.pdf File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:8:y:2014:i:4:p:111-118