Volume 2 Issue 1
Authors: Robert J. Nathan; Carolyn Koh; Goh Ling Shing
Abstract: This study examines the relationship between service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction with regard to services offered by hotels in Melaka. Service Quality dimensions were derived from the RATER model. Through a sample of 250 respondents, result shows that reliability is the most important dimension of service quality that determines customer satisfaction towards hotel services in Melaka. The study finds assurance and empathy significantly low in contribution towards customer satisfaction. It is important to focus and emphasize the right dimensions of service quality in ensuring customer satisfaction towards Melaka hotels.
Keywords: Hotel Service Quality; Reliability; Assurance; Tangibles; Empathy; Responsiveness
Authors: Christian Pierdzioch; Georg Stadtmann; Leila Tselauri
Abstract: Currently, the term currency war is on the agenda of many international organizations and governments. Several factors that affected the international competitiveness of nations as well as their wealth position fueled this discussion. We use the Big Mac index as a proxy for the international competitiveness. The comparison between the U.S. and China reveals a strong undervaluation of the Chinese currency against the USD. Nevertheless, the recent loosing of American monetary policy might also cause negative effects for China: Due to the fact that the exchange rate is unilaterally fixed, changes of the nominal exchange rate will not play a major role. Instead, we focus on the implications of a higher American inflation rate on the wealth position of China as well as the impact of the American inflation rate on the Chinese counterpart (imported inflation). In a second step we highlight the implications of the artificially low exchange rate of China for the competitiveness of third parties such as for example Brazil. Due to low interest policy of the U.S., some emerging countries suffer from a deterioration of their competitiveness due to an appreciation of their currencies. Under consideration of this background it is understandable why a Brazilian politician started the discussion about a war of currencies and why capital controls were implemented. The article closes with a short analysis of the most recent developments such as the fixing of the Swiss currency against the Euro.
Keywords: Depreciation, Competitiveness, Central Bank Intervention, Foreign Exchange Reserves, Big Mac Index
Authors: Ludan Zhang; Ji Li; Zhenyao Cai
Abstract: This study tested the relationship between firms’ effectiveness in use of information technology (IT) and performance in sustainable development based on the perspective of organizational identity orientation. We made some theoretical contributions. We predict that firms’ collectivistic identity orientation can moderate the relationship between firms’ effectiveness in IT and their performance in sustainable development. Moreover, the same identity may also have a direct and positive effect on performance in sustainable development. Analyzing empirical data from China’s manufacturing industry, we found evidence supporting the effects of IT effectiveness and organizational identity.
Keywords: Organizational Identity; Sustainable Development; Information Technology; Collectivistic Identity Orientation; Effectiveness in IT
Authors: Wen Zheng; Shi Zheng; Jin Xia
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to enhance the efficiency of monitoring and controlling a regional economic system by the optimization of the fuzzy membership function in the fuzzy controller. The paper improves the membership function by genetic algorithm and made a comparison with our prior research. The simulation results show that the improved controller has many advantages, such as accuracy, self adaptive, robustness and real-time. The method has more applying prospect that it can monitor and control a regional economic system effectively.
Keywords: Genetic Algorithm; Fuzzy Controller; Membership Function; Fuzzy Monitor Optimization Method; Regional Economic System
Authors: Wonsik Hwang; Sangchoon Lee; Almas Heshmati
Abstract: There have been numerous studies measuring efficiency and productivity in the electricity industry worldwide but little research focusing on the comparisons of generation technologies. This study provides a better direction for the proper analysis of the electricity generation sector by examining the performance changes and comparing efficiencies among different types of electric power plants. To account for technology heterogeneity, we apply a meta frontier framework, which is composed of technology specific frontiers. This method allows analyses of the existing gap between generation technologies in the generation part of the electricity industry. The inter- and intra-efficiency variations of the technology groups are investigated using determinant analysis. The overall process is composed of two parts: efficiency measurement by deterministic meta frontier framework and regression analysis for determinant analysis. In the determinant analysis of efficiency differences, we exploit several common and time invariant characteristics of the plants. The results based on panel data of power plants indicate that there are significant technological gaps among different types of plants and several external factors affect performance of the plants.
Keywords: Meta Frontier; Panel Data; Efficiency; Electricity Industry; Heterogeneous Technologies
Authors: Theophilos Papadimitriou; John C. Mourmouris; Periklis Gogas
Abstract: This paper is a condensed version of an actual study commissioned in 2010 to the authors by the Administrative District of East Macedonia and Thrace. The proposed investment plan for the construction of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis Pipeline (BAP) is a significant energy transportation project for South-East Europe and for the local economies in Greece and Bulgaria. The BAP is designed to serve as a complimentary channel to the maritime route of transportation of crude oil from the Black and Caspian Sea to the international markets. The construction and operation of the pipeline is expected to have a significant direct and indirect impact on the national and local economies in terms of increased direct demand for goods and services and employment. In this paper, we thoroughly examine the financial viability of the BAP using an exhaustive number of alternative scenarios as it is a prerequisite for any favorable macroeconomic effects. In doing so, we employ the use of Cash flow analysis, the IRR, the NPV and Break-Even-Point analysis. Finally, after we establish the viability of the investment plan, we investigate its macroeconomic impaction local and national unemployment, GDP and local government revenue that appear to be significant especially on the local level.
Keywords: Economic Viability, Impact Study, Financial Planning, Macroeconomic Impact