Impact of corporate performance on stock price predictions in the UAE markets: Neuro-fuzzy model

Predicting stock price remains one of the challenges for investors' investment strategies. This study helps with accurate prediction and the main factors affecting variations in stock prices. It applies an adaptive neuro-fuzzy model on 58 listed firms from both the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and the Dubai Financial Market for the period 2014–2018 to estimate the predictive power of corporate performance measures and their significance. After examining four performance predictors—return on asset (ROA), return on equity (ROE), earning per share (EPS), and profit margin (PM)—the study finds that ROE is the most significant predictor and ROA is the least. EPS is the most influential profitability measure and PM the least.     

Non linear and asymmetric linkages between real growth in the Euro area and global financial market conditions: New evidence

This paper deals with transition mechanisms through which financial market conditions affect real economic growth in the Euro area. The informational content of financial variables for predicting real economic growth is assessed, allowing for asymmetric responses to shocks. A nonlinear framework is developed based on a smooth transition model for which the effects of shocks can vary across business cycles when financial indicators modify both the endogenous and state variables. Global financial variables are shown to significantly affect real growth in the Euro area, particularly during periods of recession. Changes in stock market index and yield slope have asymmetric effects on real growth. In recessionary periods, the slope of the US yield curve does not have a significant impact on growth in the Euro area.     

Women and culture of poverty (a qualitative study of the culture of poverty among the Iranian caretaker women)

This study examines the culture of poverty among women who are caretakers of their families and supported by the Behzisti Organization (an Iranian governmental Welfare Institution) of Sari Township. It employs Oscar Lewis’s theory of the culture of poverty to reveal the nature and dimensions of poverty as experienced by these women. Employing in-depth, semi-structured interviews, we spoke with 28 women and Behzisti assistants. These interview data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Resultant themes indicated general elements of poverty such as lack of literacy and the accommodation issue, but also indicated other outcomes of women in poverty, including irresponsibility, dis-participation, secrecy, gender bias, sexual vulnerability, forced remarriage, low- risking and beggary. For these women, poverty has multiple dimensions and a continuing trajectory.     

Local Asymptotic Power of Breitung's Test*

In this article, we derive the local asymptotic power function of the unit root test proposed by Breitung [Journal of Econometrics (2002) Vol. 108, pp. 343–363]. Breitung's test is a non‐parametric test and is free of nuisance parameters. We compare the local power curve of the Breitungs’ test with that of the Dickey–Fuller test. This comparison is in fact a quantification of the loss of power that one has to accept when applying a non‐parametric test.     

Trust orientations in the organic food distribution channels: A comparative study of the Canadian and French markets

The objectives of this research are to (i) identify supply side factors that determine trust/mistrust in OF products, and (ii) determine the distribution channel strategies to increase trust in OF products. A total of 80 individual in-depth interviews were conducted in Canada and France with managers from superstores, specialty stores, farmers, markets, producers and certification bodies. Results show a clear distinction between the Canadian and French OF distribution structures in terms of trust. Consequently, distributors have to adapt their strategies and tools in order to enhance trust in OF, in their distribution channel and in the overall food supply chain.     

A paradigm for examining second-order factor models employing structural equation modeling

We present here a paradigm for assessing second-order measurement models. Our approach is hierarchical in nature. We discuss the need for higher-order models from a conceptual perspective and illustrate how some common challenges in empirical research can be resolved through the deployment of higher-order modeling. Essentially, we argue that many constructs can be meaningfully described by a higher-order structure and testing for the existence of such structures requires a careful examination of alternative models. There is a need for conceptual as well as empirical support. In order to demonstrate our paradigm, we use data that relate to airline service quality. Our sample includes two databases. Responses from 170 individuals are employed for exploratory purposes and responses from 437 individuals are used for subsequent data analyses.     

An empirical analysis of price discrimination among countries

This article examines empirically the proposition that in recent years many less developed countries (LDCs) have been consistently overcharged for products exported to them from OECD countries. For a wide group of both developed and developing countries importing from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) members, unit export values expressed in SUS per metric ton are statistically analysed and, in the case of the selected (homogeneous) agricultural products, the proposition doesnot receive conclusive support. The overall implications are presented along with suggestions for further research.The authors are from the College of Business Administration, San Diego State University.     

Saving,investment, fiscal deficits,and the external indebtedness of developing countries

This paper investigates selected aspects of the external indebtedness of the developing countries. It examines both the theoretical and empirical sides of the debt servicing capacity issue, focussing on the role of domestic savings and investment as well as the budget deficits of the public sector in the recent widening of their current account deficits. The results of the study do not support the proposition that increases in external indebtedness among developing countries reflect overconsumption. Capital inflows did not partly or wholly displace domestic saving for the sample of countries examined; rather, the increase in external deficits can in most cases be accounted for by expansion in investment (relative to total output). However, the author qualifies his basically optimistic conclusions in pointing out that countries' ability to repay debt depends not only on whether initial borrowing sustained consumption or investment. but also, if the latter, on the quality of the investment spending.     

Evaluation of urban land supply policy in Iran

Since the Islamic revolution of 1979, several urban land laws and regulations, as well as a new urban land development policy, have been initiated in Iran. The implementation of these policies was mainly based on public land ownership as a fundamental principle. This paper evaluates the process of recent urban land development policy and focuses on the effectiveness of the policy in terms of land supply. It includes a discussion on the issue of public land ownership, an investigation of post-revolutionary urban land policies in Iran, a discussion on the evaluation of urban land development policy in terms of land supply, and finally, presents an argument on the relationship between public land ownership and urban development. The paper argues that alongside the primary advantages of public land ownership, such as urban growth control, preventing land speculation and providing land for various social needs, the land policy has succeeded to some extent in meeting residential land demand in the study period. However, in terms of the effectiveness of the land supply policies, the paper raises some concerns such as the centralized nature of the land development process, land wastage and isolation from the general process of planning.