Business Commons^™

Teenage Consumer Behaviour: Factors That Influence Their Purchase Decisions Towards Clothing Brands., Regina Baylor

Theses

This study explores the perceptions held by Irish teenage consumers in relation to branded clothing and investigates the different factors which influence them in their decision-making process. In seeking to expand the understanding of teenage consumer behaviour and the factors that influence their clothing brand choices, this study focuses predominantly on the susceptibility of teenage consumers to peer and reference group influence. This study examines the social and psychological concepts of attributing status, social value and specific purchase intent to clothing brands in relation to teenage consumer decision-making.

This study is therefore interested in exploring the hypothesis that branded clothing …

Little To Large: Critical Success Factors & Implications For Sme's In Kerry And Rural Ireland., Noelle Foley

Theses

This research is unique in that it profiles the growth trajectories of three global knowledge based companies in rural Ireland. The chosen companies were start-up small businesses that became international global leaders in their selected fields. The selected companies range from different industries but share similar growth trajectories and factors which have enabled high growth. There was a gap in research regarding the growth factors which have allowed small to medium-sized enterprises develop into large corporations. This study took an in-depth look at how each company has managed the vital factors in their growth transition in the hope of applying …

Expected Idiosyncratic Skewness, Brian H. Boyer, Todd Mitton, Keith Vorkink

Faculty Publications

We test the prediction of recent theories that stocks with high idiosyncratic skewness should have low expected returns. Because lagged skewness alone does not adequately forecast skewness, we estimate a cross-sectional model of expected skewness that uses additional predictive variables. Consistent with recent theories, we find that expected idiosyncratic skewness and returns are negatively correlated. Specifically, the Fama-French alpha of a low-expected-skewness quintile exceeds the alpha of a high-expected-skewness quintile by 1.00% per month. Furthermore, the coefficients on expected skewness in Fama-MacBeth cross-sectional regressions are negative and significant. In addition, we find that expected skewness helps explain the phenomenon that …

Assessment Centers At The Crossroads: Toward A Reconceptualization Of Assessment Center Exercises, Filip Lievens, Robert P. Tett, Deidra J. Schleicher

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Exercises are key components of assessment centers (ACs). However, little is known about the nature and determinants of AC exercise performance. The traditional exercise paradigm primarily emphasizes the need to simulate task, social, and organizational demands in AC exercises. This chapter draws on trait activation theory in proposing a new AC exercise paradigm. First, we develop a theoretical framework that addresses the complexity of situational characteristics of AC exercises as determinants of AC performance. Second, we argue for planting multiple stimuli within exercises as a structured means of eliciting candidate behavior. Third, we show how the new paradigm also has …

Business Schools And Management Research: A Uk Perspective, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In recent years, the role and value of management research is being increasingly challenged because of the perceived imbalance between its rigour and relevance. The purpose of this paper is to review the progress of management research in the UK and focuses particularly on the need for sensible evaluation of the impact of management research. The paper outlines the research challenges faced by business schools from a UK perspective. It draws upon the author's experiences and the results of an analytic study of Economic and Social Research Council-sponsored research undertaken by the author in 2008. There is a perception that …

A Petri Net-Based Approach To Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems Modeling, Linda L. Zhang, Brian Rodrigues

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs) have been used to provide manufacturing companies with the required capacities and capabilities, when needed. Recognizing (1) the importance of dynamic modeling and visualization in decision making support in RMSs and (2) the limitations of the existing studies, we model RMSs based on Petri net (PN) techniques with focus on the process of reconfiguring system elements while considering constraints and system performance. In response to the modeling difficulties identified, a new formalism of colored timed PNs is introduced. In conjunction with colored tokens and timing in colored PNs and timed PNs, we further define a reconfiguration …

Idiosyncratic Risk And The Cross-Section Of Expected Stock Returns, Fangjian Fu

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Theories such as Merton (1987, Journal of Finance) predict a positive relation between idiosyncratic risk and expected return when investors do not diversify their portfolio. Ang, Hodrick, Xing, and Zhang (2006, Journal of Finance 61, 259-299) however find that monthly stock returns are negatively related to the one-month lagged idiosyncratic volatilities. I show that idiosyncratic volatilities are time-varying and thus their findings should not be used to imply the relation between idiosyncratic risk and expected return. Using the exponential GARCH models to estimate expected idiosyncratic volatilities, I find a significantly positive relation between the estimated conditional idiosyncratic volatilities and expected …

Consumer Decision Making And Aging: Current Knowledge And Future Directions, Carolyn Yoon, Catherine A. Cole, Michelle P. Lee

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We review existing knowledge about older consumers and decision making. We develop a conceptual framework that incorporates the notion of fit between individual characteristics, task demands and the contextual environment. When the fit is high, older consumers use their considerable knowledge and experience to compensate for the impact of any age-related changes in abilities and resources. When the fit is relatively low, older consumers feel increased need to adapt their decision making processes. We discuss these consumer adaptations and propose a number of research questions related to the processes underlying them in order to contribute to a better understanding of …

Investor Reaction To Women Directors, E. Kang, David K. Ding, C. Charoenwong

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Existing studies on women directorships present equivocal results on the association between appointing women directors and firm performance. These studies tend to focus on western countries and largely ignore investors' reactions to such appointments. This paper applies the financial event study method and finds that investors generally respond positively to the appointment of women directors in Singaporean firms. Regression analyses also reveal that investors are most receptive when the women are independent directors and are least receptive when the directors assume the CEO role. This study not only tests the theory of gender diversity in an Asian context but also …

Business Aggression, Institutional Loans, And Credit Crisis: Evidence From Lending Practices In Leveraged Buyouts, Xiaping Jerry Cao, Wei-Ling Song, Joe Mason

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This paper investigates the lending practices related to leverage buyouts (LBOs) market between high and low write-down institutions. The write-downs, which are a proxy for business aggression of institutions, are mainly related to credit crisis from the beginning of 2007 to August 10, 2008. We find that high (low) write-down institutions increase (decrease) loan market share dramatically during the period of 2001-2006. The increase is mainly driven by the segment of loans sold to institutional investors, such as collateralized loan obligations vehicle, hedge fund, and insurance companies. Institutional loans originated by high write-down institutions carry significantly fewer covenants and higher …

Maximizing Throughput Of Bucket Brigades On Discrete Work Stations, Yun Fong Lim, Kum Khiong Yang

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

One way to coordinate workers along an assembly line that has fewer workers than work stations is to form a bucket brigade. The throughput of a bucket brigade on discrete work stations may be compromised due to blocking even if workers are sequenced from slowest to fastest. For a given work distribution on the stations we find policies that maximize the throughput of the line. When workers have very different production rates, fully cross-training the workers and sequencing them from slowest to fastest is almost always the best policy. This policy outperforms other policies for most work distributions except for …

Stakeholder Influences On Diversification: Implications For Shareholders And Stakeholders, Partiban David, Jonathan P. O’Brien, Toru Yoshikawa, Andrew Delios

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The article presents the results of research into the relative influence of stakeholders and shareholders on corporate strategic planning in terms of diversification and performance, focusing on concepts such as opportunity cost and rent appropriation. An overview of related previous studies is provided, along with details of the research protocol, which involved data analysis drawn from a sample of Japanese firms and their corporate profits from the years 1990 through 2004. A distinction between transactional and relational ownership is described, which can lead to different priorities in terms of profit and growth.

Changing To Daylight Saving Time Cuts Into Sleep And Increases Workplace Injuries, Christopher M. Barnes, David Turley Wagner

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The authors examine the differential influence of time changes associated with Daylight Saving Time on sleep quantity and associated workplace injuries. In Study 1, the authors used a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health database of mining injuries for the years 1983–2006, and they found that in comparison with other days, on Mondays directly following the switch to Daylight Saving Time—in which 1 hr is lost—workers sustain more workplace injuries and injuries of greater severity. In Study 2, the authors used a Bureau of Labor Statistics database of time use for the years 2003–2006, and they found indirect evidence …

Chinese Philanthropy In Southeast Asia: Between Continuity And Change, Thomas Menkhoff

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

What makes ethnic Chinese philanthropy tick? Thomas Menkhoff looks at what drives prominent Chinese business leaders to give back to society and offers a glimpse of the changing face of ethnic philanthropy.

Political Promotion, Ceo Compensation, And Their Effect On Firm Performance, Xiaping Jerry Cao, Michael Lemmon, Gary Tian, Xiaofei Pan

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We investigate the impact of CEO’s compensation-based and promotion-based incentives on firm performance in China, where the CEOs of most state-owned enterprises are government appointed and thus face dual incentives. We find that both monetary and political incentives are positively related to firm performance. More important, we pinpoint a substitution effect: the monetary compensation-based incentive is weaker when CEO incentives are heavily driven by political career concerns. Overall, the evidence suggests that, via a competitive arena in the external political job market, promotion helps mitigate weak incentives for CEOs in China. State control or political connection is not necessarily inconsistent …

Firm Capability, Corporate Governance, And Firm Competitive Behavior: A Multi-Dimensional Framework, Jinyu He, Joseph T. Mahoney, Heli Wang

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

In this paper, we propose two possible remedies for corporate governance research. First, when examining the effects of corporate governance, researchers may want to simultaneously consider the role of firm resources and capabilities. Second, linking corporate governance with firm-level competitive behaviour rather than with firm-level performance may enable researchers to detect more nuances about the effects of corporate governance. We base our propositions on the notion that 'capability' and 'motivation' are the two fundamental drivers of firm competitive behaviour. Firm resources/capabilities, which correspond to the capability driver, define the potential level of a firm's competitive activity. Further, corporate governance, by …

Study Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act Of 2002 Section 404 Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Requirements, Gennaro Bernile

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

No abstract provided.

What Do Business School Deans Do? Insights From A Uk Study, Julie Davies, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

During the last 40 years, the growth and impact of UK business schools have been significant. Relatively few studies have reviewed how business school deans emerge and grow. This paper aims to explore the experiences and psychometric profiles of UK business school leaders to understand their tenures, problems, dilemmas and succession issues. The study comprised 16 semi-structured interviews with business school deans and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) questionnaires completed by deans and aspiring deans (associate deans and heads of department). The study uses the executive life cycle and concepts of social capital as theoretical frameworks to understand the dean's role. …

Asking Tougher Questions In Tough Times, Irving Low, Claudia Eio, See Liang Foo, Yang Hoong Pang, Kwong Sin Leong, John Joseph Williams

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

The recent wave of corporate governance disasters globally raises many eyebrows and burning questions whether audit committees (ACs) are doing the right things to effectively discharge their roles and responsibilities. To further test the integrity and reputation of the Singapore market as a listing gateway for foreign companies in turbulent times like these, the headlines are also reporting a spate of suspected and actual corporate fraud and scandals involving China-based, Singapore listed companies (commonly referred to as “S-chips”). Many angry investors and the public question whether ACs and independent directors are doing their jobs.

Corporate Tax, Capital Structure, And The Accessibility Of Bank Loans: Evidence From China, Liansheng Wu, Heng Yue

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

In this paper, we investigate whether listed firms in China adjust their capital structure in response to an increase in the corporate taxrate. Although theories of capital structure suggest that corporate tax is an important determinant of capital structure, how exogenouschanges of the tax rate affect firms’ leverage decisions has not been fully explored. We examine a unique circumstance in which the Chinesegovernment increased the corporate tax rate of firms that had previously received local government tax rebates. The evidence indicatesthat these firms increased their leverage when the corporate tax rate increased. Further investigation suggests that the adjustment ofleverage was …

When Income Matters: Customers Evaluation Of Shopping Malls' Hedonic And Utilitarian Orientations, Thomas Allard, Barry J. Babin, Jean-Charles Chebat

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study, based on 772 shopper's interviews in two shopping malls, establishes that malls can achieve differentiation from their competitors through the pursuit of singular orientations following the hedonic and utilitarian dimensions of shopping. Furthermore, perceived differentiation from competitors is found to positively influence customers’ attachment to the mall, a determining factor in the mall's evaluation. Interestingly, mall's orientation related to hedonic elements was found appealing by all subjects, although slightly more by those with lower income. However, utilitarian orientation appeared strictly effective on those with higher income. Theoretical and managerial implications along with limitations are discussed.

"I Know What You Want To Know": The Impact Of Interviewees' Ability To Identify Criteria On Interview Performance And Construct-Related Validity, Klaus G. Melchers, Ute Christine Klehe, Gerald M. Richter, Martin Kleinmann, Cornelius J. Konig, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

The current study tested whether candidates' ability to identify the targeted interview dimensions fosters their interview success as well as the interviews' convergent and discriminant validity. Ninety-two interviewees participated in a simulated structured interview developed to measure three different dimensions. In line with the hypotheses, interviewees who were more proficient at identifying the targeted dimensions received better evaluations. Furthermore, interviewees' ability to identify these evaluation criteria accounted for substantial variance in predicting their performance even after controlling for cognitive ability. Finally, the interviewer ratings showed poor discriminant and convergent validity. However, we found some support for the hypothesis that the …

Decision Aids For Addressing The Validity-Adverse Impact Trade-Off, Paul R. Sackett, Wilfried De Corte, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Typically, adverse impact (AI) is an after-the-fact analysis: Once predictor scores for a pool of applicants are available, AI is evaluated. Sometimes the analysis is made in real time, as predictor scores are obtained on a set of applicants, and AI calculations are done on a “what if” basis as input to decisions about features such as where to set a cutoff score. The focus of this chapter, however, is on attempts to estimate in advance the likely impact of a given selection system. Here, estimates are made based on available information about the features such as the expected magnitude …

So, Farewell Then ... Reflections On Editing The Journal Of Management Studies, Timothy Adrian Robert Clark, Mike Wright

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Thisissue of Journal of Management Studies (JMS) marks theend of our term of office as General Editors of the Journal.

Does Size Matter In The Hedge Fund Industry?, Song Wee Melvyn Teo

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

We document a negative and convex relationship between hedge fund size and future risk-adjusted returns. Small hedge funds outperform large hedge funds by 3.65 percent per year after adjusting for risk. This over performance is not driven by fund age, leverage, serial correlation, or self-selection biases. The capacity constraints manifest across various investment styles and regions. In particular, they are strongest for funds managed by multiple principals who trade small, illiquid securities, suggesting that the observed diseconomies can be traced to price impact and hierarchy costs (Stein, 2002). While investors direct disproportionately more capital to smaller funds, they do not …

Extreme Neo-Liberalism: An Introduction, Stefano Harney

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

During the Historical Materialism Conference (2009), Stefano Harney gave a talk within an ephemerasession on ‘Politics in the Business School’ which we organised in preparation for this special issue. Thispiece offers a full transcription of that talk and is prefaced here by some introductory remarks fromStefano. The question and answer session which followed the talk has also been made available online asan audio file. Special thanks are due to Demet Dimler for inviting ephemera to organise a session atHistorical Materialism, to Matteo Mandarini for chairing the session, to Tim Edkins for recording thesession and to Alison Shalaby for transcribing the …

Assessment Centres: A Tale About Dimensions, Exercises, And Dancing Bears, Filip Lievens

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

This study reviews prior construct-related validity research in assessment centres. Special focus is placed on disentangling possible explanations for the construct-related validity findings. The conclusion is that we now have a much better picture of the reasons behind the construct-related validity findings. Careful assessment centre design and high interrater reliability among assessors seem necessary albeit insufficient conditions to establish assessment centre construct-related validity. The nature of candidate performances is another key factor. This study next discusses how these empirical findings have changed how assessment centres are conceptualized (theoretical advancements framed in the application of trait activation theory), analysed (methodological advancements), …

A Word About The Iba, About Our Authors, Back Matter, Tufail A. Qureshi

Business Review

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Back Matter Of Volume 4 Number 1, Tufail A. Qureshi

Business Review

Call for Papers: the Third International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies (ICICT'09) August 15-16, 2009, A word about the IBA, About our Authors, Back Matter

Front Matter, Contents And Editorial Perspective, Tufail A. Qureshi

Business Review

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