Journal of Business and Retail Management Research

The purpose of this paper was to present the challenges affecting craft producers growth and survival in SA. Craft producers face many challenges that impede on their growth and survival. This paper therefore makes recommendations on what can be done to overcome these challenges. Conceptual analysis was accomplished through literature review to achieve the main critical research questions and to investigate the challenges and solutions on how to overcome these challenges. Government can play a major role in the development of craft producers. Although there are some government interventions in place, they are either ineffective or fail to reach the majority of craft producers. Craft producers should attend training on areas such as product design and development and marketing which will enhance their ability to market their products. 

Current business activity demonstrates the ability to support the economic development of the community. At the same time, it is also considered worrying, due to its perceived role as a cause of environmental damage. This situation requires much attention, namely through environmentally friendly business conduct. Environmentally friendly principles should emerge from within the individual entrepreneurs. The conduct of entrepreneurs that concerns environment in running business is called ecopreneurship. Nevertheless, the implementation needs to be supported by creative green innovations to achieve the success of the products launched. The purpose of this study was to describe the influence of ecopreneurship against green innovation that can affect the creative industry, including manufacturers of Balinese Spa products, to explain the influence of ecopreneurship against the success of new spa supplies describe the influence of green innovations against the success of new products, explain the role of green innovation to bridge the relation between ecopreneurship and the success of the new spa supplies.

            Research was conducted on the entire Balinese Spa product manufacturers in Bali that have been already incorporated in the Association of Balinese Spa Product Manufacturers (Aprosspa). This research engaged 40 respondents as the unit of analysis. The analytical technique used was Partial Least Square (PLS). The results of the analysis are expected to become consideration by the Balinese Spa product manufacturers in facing the competition further and provide an alternative strategy for implementing green business.

This paper reviews a recent literature with regard to the relationship between board composition and performance of listed firms in Nigeria. To achieve the objective of the study, reviews of some prior empirical research on corporate governance, performance, and the theories were examined. The recent studies reveal that inconsistent findings were still found in the previous studies on the characteristics of corporate governance literature. Therefore, the need to measure the link between the board independent and performance will for a long time continue to remain an interesting study area. This paper, therefore, recommends that the researchers should try and avoid the mistake of the prior studies by over-reliance on the direct relationship between board independent and firm performance. The study also recommends the use of board professional knowledge and experience as a moderator and board diversity as a mediator to determine the nexus between the board composition and firm performance and to avoid the use of only one single theory of corporate governance mechanisms and firm performance. The use of primary survey based methodology on the causal effect of the relationship between board composition and the performance would be a key advantage in the area of CG.

The construction materials industry is a multi-industrial complex which forms the resource base for the implementation of virtually all regional and local projects. Sustainable development of this industry, like any other industries, is largely dependent on the federal and regional government policies. This article analyzes the current federal strategy of the construction materials industry of Russia. The analysis shows that one of its key shortcomings is the lack of eco-efficiency indicators and forecast of environmental technologies implementation. To improve the strategic programme the following measures are proposed: introduction of environmental performance indicators (9 indicators); increasing the tax rate on limit and above-limit emissions into the atmosphere; implementation of clear system of ecological monitoring by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation.

The purpose of this study is to analyze and examine the research content and method which was used in BRIA during 2005-2014 in order to depict the research direction and development of behavioral aspect in accounting over the past decade. The analysis is done by comparing the article content (scope), category of topic, and research method. The scope of behavioral accounting is classified according to Siegel & Marconi (1989). The article topic is classified using Birnberg and Shield (1989) taxonomy which has been modified by Meyer and Rigsby (2001). Descriptive analysis technique is used to analyze data.

       The analysis result shows that the behavioral accounting research scopes are dominated by topics about (1) the strategy/method to alter human behavior (29.75%); (2) the handling of human can affect the subject’s behavior (27.27%); and (3) the effect of accounting system to human behavior (13.22%). As much as 47.09% of articles discuss the behavioral accounting topics outside of Siegel & Marconi’s (1989) scopes, which are the handling of human can affect the subject’s behavior; research methodology related to behavioral aspect in accounting; building a model related accounting professions; and the use of theory to analyze human behavior in accounting discipline.

An estimated 70 percent of adult learning is self-directed learning (Cross 1981). Self-directed learning has been described as "a process in which individuals take the initiative, with or without the help of others," to diagnose their learning needs, formulate learning goals, identify resources for learning, select and implement learning strategies, and evaluate learning outcomes (Knowles 1975).
    Mocker and Spear (1982) included self-directed learning in a descriptive model of lifelong learning based entirely on the locus of control for decision making about the objectives and means of learning. The model is a two-by-two matrix of learner and institution; the self-directed learning situation occurs when learners--not the institution--control both the learning objectives and the means of learning. The following situations occupy the other cells of the matrix: (1) formal learning, in which institutions, not learners, control objectives and the means of learning; (2) nonformal learning, in which learners control the objectives and institutions control the means; and (3) informal learning, in which institutions control the objectives but learners control the means of learning(lowry,1996).Self directed learning is very significant for adults and represent a very practical learning method for them, therefore this paper discusses the following issues: the concept of self directed learning, the importance of self directed learning for adults, educators role in self directed learning for adults.

The vital theme of this paper is to examine and identify the focal possible challenges and constraints faced by small and medium enterprises in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Dhofar Region in the Sultanate of Oman.  The heavy dependent of Sultanate of Oman on oil has led to the progress of alternative procedure which limited state involvement while promoting the individualization of markets and then establishment of more Small and Medium Enterprise (SMEs). Current uncertainties in the decrease of oil prices and also in the worldwide business environment continue to encourage activities in Oman’s SMEs sector to the level that both the government and SME owners have developed policies to help them raise their contribution in the economy. SMEs continue to be essential in all economies because they shape the basis of economic recovery and development.

            The paper has applied Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) which was originally initiated by Davis (1989). The study uses both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. The qualitative method is investigative, so data will be collected through wide literature reviewed from official reports and researches to develop a clear picture of the problem. Then for quantitative questionnaire is developed and distributed to the SME owners. The study has used random sampling method.

            The findings indicate that owners of SMEs in Dhofar region are aware of the perceived benefits (usefulness) of ICT adoption. In addition to that, in the sample surveyed, perceived benefit is found to be the most important factor affecting ICT adoption. While perceived ease to use, is found to be insignificant in influencing ICT adoption.

The purpose of this paper was to investigate how small independent retailers select their suppliers. Retailers are in the business of buying and selling. What they buy determines their success. It is important to understand how they select their suppliers and the impact this has on their success. A survey was conducted among 102 independent retailers in Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. A convenience sampling method was used owing to an inaccessible database of independent retailers in the region. Findings of the study revealed that independent retailers buy from the wholesalers. The majority of the retailers have been inexistence for about five years. Independent retailers rated product quality, cost and delivery time as the most important supplier selection criteria. The Anova results proved that supplier selection criteria do not differ across sales revenue. However, the significant differences were found across gender, age group and how long the business has been in operation.

In this paper, we study the impact of integration effects on the export potential of the Republic of Kazakhstan by assessing the pros and cons of membership, in order to form a reasoned conclusion. Membership of the WTO required a large reduction of import tariffs, as well as the elimination of numerous non-tariff barriers. Empirical findings on the impact of the tariff reduction and the effect on the export potential of Kazakhstan will be discussed at the industry level.

The research focuses on two aspects. Firstly, we analyze the export situation within the WTO system and forecast possible changes. Using information collected on import tariffs and non-tariff barriers, we explore the relative importance of alternative mechanisms through which policy changes may have been affected. Secondly, we explore the possible measures for making managerial solutions.

The last decade was a major year for all the retail sectors as the transformation which happened in the various urban centers lead to the birth of organized retail formats with the emergence of mega shopping malls. These changes has given the people of Gurgaon a one stop destination to fulfil their daily needs and wants like socialization, shopping & entertainment, due to which the growth and dimension of retail sector has changed drastically in India. With a large number of malls emerging in Gurgaon city it has become a shopping destination for most of the people.  The basic aim of this paper is that, by using the structural equation modeling to study the consumer behavior of people who gets attracted to these shopping malls based on 6 important dimensions. This would also help the shopkeepers and the mall management to get a clear view about the customer through a proper data related to the behavior of the customer which would in turn help the mall management to provide better services as well as increase their business efficiency. This study was found to be fit as the outcome suggested that the shopping behavior of the shoppers tell a lot about their shopping satisfaction and loyalty. This proves that to maintain the loyalty of the shoppers it is important to improve the factors which affect the shopping behavior of the customer hence they stay loyal towards a particular retail outlet and the shopping mall. In the environment where the retail outlets are growing day by day would help the management to understand and influence the shopping behavior of the shoppers which would in turn proves to be successful for the mall management to fight the growing competition in the retail sector in India.

Nigerian banking industry has been experiencing series of reforms from the colonial era to date. Though, the banking reforms in Nigeria were intended to make the banks flourish, reliable and strong enough to finance other key sectors of the Nigerian economy. These objectives challenge the banks operating in the country in terms of their business sustainability, employee job security and customers’ satisfaction. This article provides a chronological overview of banking reforms, implementation, supervisory role of the apex bank and banks’ performance in Nigeria. The current study adopted a critical examination of literature on banking policies, supervisory role of the apex bank and banks performance in Nigeria to establish the influence of banking reforms on banks effectiveness and job security. The quantitative data in the Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin were extracted and analysed. The results show that banking reforms in terms of recapitalisation of banks contributed significantly to the performance of the financial sector in Nigeria as it enabled expansion of the banking network. The capital base enhances banks’ purchasing power in acquiring the IT applications required to fully integrate into electronic banking operations in Nigeria. There were high levels of retrenchment of experienced bankers to reduce the wage bills. Conversely, demand for fresh graduates during the post-consolidation period was high in the banking sector. This study recommends that the reserve bank should also regulate the issue of employee job insecurity in the banking industry.

The review on the previous study indicates that the focus was on the specific code of best practice, not on the multiplicity of the code that is causing difficulty in the implementation and compliance in the flow of regulatory agencies in Nigeria. This paper intends to fill the conceptual gap that currently exists. This paper aims to investigate the issues and challenges of corporate governance and how the duplication and proliferation of codes have affected the practice of CG within individual specific agencies and policy maker that is causing havoc and a bottleneck in the practices, implementation and compliance process. The issues and the challenges of the code of best practices have been a subject of scholastic research in many years with more emphasis on the emerging and developed economies nations. In line with the called by recent studies, this paper aims to add to the Africa, researchers to the energetic stream of studies. This paper adopts an informative and explanatory methodology approach in reviewing the codes of best practices that were issued by different sectors in Nigeria for many years ago. The paper showed that CG has been an essential issue of worry in the eyes of policy marker and shareholders in Nigeria since the collapses of many firms as well as other financial institutions in the country. The paper has also identified that application of the code of best practices by individual agencies has made the codes very difficult and challenges for both the firms and the monitors. This paper found that recent literature works are on the lack of single harmonised codes having been a major obstacle to the corporate governance practice in Nigeria. This is the most comprehensive paper to have recommended the key area of CG mechanisms that need and demand immediate solutions in the Nigerian context.

The aim of this article is to present partial results of a conducted survey on the needs of the application of customer cost accounting and to provide a definition and concept of the general model of customer cost accounting. Customer cost accounting is a tool of management accounting, which task is to help managers in managing customer relationships. Optimization of these relationships is to be realized thanks tocorrect determination of profitability of those relationships, and properly run customer cost accounting is required to determine the profitability of those relationships.

This article represents a theoretical background to a practical model of risk management and internal control systems integration within corporate governance structure. The provided model reduces the risk of duplicate management functions, minimizes bureaucracy and costs intensity of processes, motivates management to obtain results and covers all levels of company management. The ability to evaluate the management processes efficiency in relation to the main objectives of the company as well as the opportunity to control the management process at each level are distinctive features of the model.

Design/methodology/approach

            The model is based on the integration of the functions of the two most common models in practice: 3 LoD and functional model of risk management. Evaluating the effectiveness of management functions is achieved by the introduction of the key management performance indicators, and the accuracy of the base for the calculation of KPIs - by Behnisch M-score.

Findings

The introduction of risk management and internal control procedures are in themselves a sign of the maturity of the management company and an indicator of the potential investment appeal.

Compliance with all of the recommendations in relation to internal control and risk management is not appropriate and is destroying the value of small and medium-sized businesses.

Most of the processes of risk management and internal control systems are duplicative, but targeted at different results depending on the management objective.

Application of KPIs is expedient at evaluating the effectiveness of the organizational model of risk management and internal control, and choice of KPIs and their distribution depends on the risk owners in the model.

Application of Behnisch M-score increases business transparency and stakeholder confidence in the results.

Case study, presented in the article, fully reflects the purpose of research and demonstrates that management results are quite different among similar in size, type and market conditions companies: the poor organization of internal control and attempts to manipulate reporting, provokes negative trend - the company's value starts falling, despite the fact that the purpose of manipulation was to increase the investment attractiveness.

Originality/value

            None of the presented in prior research studies was not aimed on integration of management and control functions within a single model, and, moreover, was not aimed to use the accounting approach for evaluating the effectiveness of management functions. Nevertheless, the possibility of manipulating the statements are quite broad and do not always include illegal methods. In this regard it is necessary to consider the relevance of the data in the evaluation of the effectiveness of the company's management model.

Grocery shopping is considered a critical and routine element of consumer behavior. Hence, numerous studies have been conducted to understand the factors influencing shoppers’ behavior. Employing a cross-sectional design, this paper aims at describing the shopping behavior of hypermarket consumers in Kuwait. Results show that nationality, payment options, and the day of the week are critical factors influencing consumers 'patronage intentions.

The Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has been playing a very significant role for the economic development of Bangladesh. There are more than 13,000 people directly working in this bank. Many people are working indirectly in this bank through financing in business including export-import, industrialization, SME financing and rural development projects, etc. These people need various types of training to enhance their skills, abilities, knowledge, concepts and attitudes for better performance.   The authority of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has been providing various types of training to the employees for enhancing their performance. Thus, the paper attempts to explore the effectiveness of training programme of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited. In Bangladesh,   the Islami Banking System is becoming popular over the conventional banking systems since 1983. There are eight (8) Islami banks operating their business activities in Bangladesh at present. In addition to eight (8) Islami banks, a good number of conventional local and foreign banks have Islami banking branches and windows. The Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited has been playing leading role among these Islami banks, branches and windows. That is why, the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited needs skilled and efficient human resources. Therefore, this paper also attempts to find out the problems relating to the training programmes of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited and suggest some measurers for bringing effectiveness in the training programmes of the bank. 

This study examined the effects of market orientation, service quality and star rating system on Malaysian hotel performance. 475 questionnaires distributed to three star and above hotels and 206 completed questionnaires collected. Structural equation modelling (SEM) with AMOS 20 was utilized to test the data. Goodness of fit of the revised structural model indicates fit. This research has proven five direct causal effects: competitor orientation and performance; customer orientation and performance; competitor orientation and service quality; customer orientation and service quality and service quality and performance. Furthermore, this study also found mediating effects of: (1) competitor orientation, service quality and performance; (2) customer orientation, service quality and performance. Thus, the findings suggested service quality plays a significant role in market orientation and performance relationship. Finally, this study found the star rating system does not moderate the inter-functional coordination, service quality and performance link. The results of this research will add new insight in terms of theoretical and practical for the scholars and practitioners.

This study is an exploratory study that identify brand trust, customer satisfaction, and purchase intention between an international brand and Malaysia/local brand among Malaysian. A set of questionnaires was developed to test the brand trust, brand reputation, customer satisfaction, and purchase intention. 40 questionnaires were distributed and all are usable for the purpose of this study. The findings showed that the international franchise brand is more preferable than the local franchise brand. The purchase intention has a direct positive relationship with customer satisfaction (p=0.000), and brand trust (p=0.000). Few areas were highlighted to enable local franchise to improve their brand trust, brand reputation, customer satisfaction, and purchase intention of customers in Malaysia.