The role of corporate governance strength in crisis and non-crisis times

This study evaluates corporate governance practices of listed firms in the United Arab Emirates and investigates whether corporate governance mitigates/exacerbates the impact of leverage and risk on firm performance during crisis and non-crisis times. The study constructs a corporate governance index not only to examine the dispute of the role of corporate governance during the crisis but also its influence on other factors that fuelled the crisis. A firm-level panel data is used that spans the period 2008–2012 of all listed firms on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM). The study finds a positive influence of corporate governance strength on the accounting performance, but a negative influence on the firms’ economic performance. In normal times, corporate governance mitigates the negative influence of leverage and risk on the accounting and economic firm performance. However, this synergy effect varies across performance indicators during crisis.     

Non-user preference for improvements,and attitude towards future use of a bus system

This study was designed to determine transit non-user preferences towards improvements of the bus system in the Milwaukee area. The study was undertaken at the time when the bus system was still privately owned. Pare increase, reduction of service and decline in ridership has been the path, for the private system, to stay in operation. Public acquisition of the system was being contemplated at the time of the study and was finally consummated in July of 1975, when Milwaukee County acquired the system.A questionnaire was distributed by mail to four study areas in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The study areas all had existing bus service; however, their population constituted a majority of non-users for work trips. The study queried the non-user of the “most desired improvement,” instead of the use of a preference scale to assess the need for improvements, and to measure the impact of improvements on ridership.This study concluded that a potential market does exist amont non-users-approximately 40% being likely to use an improved system. In addition, a systematic relationship does exist between the areas of residence and the respondent's major preference in system improvement, giving rise to a desired improvement profile in each area.The study has also explored the factors which contribute to the willingness of the commuter to change mode and use an improved bus system.     

Profitability analysis of foodgrain in the Sudan's irrigated agricultural sector

This paper discusses the situation of irrigated sorghum and wheat with respect to their financial and economic profitability and international competitiveness in use of domestic resources, in light of declared government policy which emphasizes shifting from traditional rainfed sector to irrigated sector for production of staple foodgrain. Domestic resource cost analysis has been employed using official and shadow exchange rates. Measures of domestic resource cost ratio, international value added, international competitiveness, nominal and effective protection coefficients were also estimated. Results indicate that the economic profitability has been significantly higher than the financial one due mainly to variability in international prices, yields and overvalued exchange rates; but devaluation of the currency is not a sufficient condition for paying higher prices to farmers.