E-ISSN : 2233-5382
Purpose - Labor productivity is extremely important to the profitability and competitive advantage of organizations that provide services to customers, such as banks. This study investigates the factors driving labor productivity in Iran’s Melli Bank. Research design, data, methodology - Five managerial, psychosocial, cultural, and individual factors are identified and their relative importance for labor productivity prioritized using AHP. The required data are then collected through a questionnaire designed for a pairwise comparison of the driving factors of labor productivity and their subcategories. Results - The study outcomes reveal that the managerial and individual factors are the most important. Specifically, the most important factors in increasing labor productivity in the branches of Melli Bank are having a competent supervisor, promotion opportunities, fair working conditions, conscientiousness, the right tools, and a correspondence between skills and work. Conclusions - Implementing AHP using Expert Choice software revealed that, among the driving factors of labor productivity (i.e., managerial, psychosocial, cultural, environmental, and personal), managerial factors were considered the most important by the respondents.
Chinese distribution market will continue to bring tremendous business opportunities to commercial enterprises given the relatively strong economic fundamentals and substantial government-led measures for boosting domestic demand. Research design, data, and methodology - The study conducted a survey on China’s 2011 retail market data. After empirically analyzing the data on retail sales, online retail markets, and franchises, we believe that online retailing in China will maintain its growth momentum. Results - This study shows that 2012 is expected to be a challenging year for the retail sector, as both external and internal pressures are likely to persist. Some of the major challenges facing retailers in China are mentioned below. Conclusions - Retailers in China face several major challenges. First, the uncertain economic outlook is having a considerable impact on China’s retail market. Second, China’s retailers face an unfair competition environment. Third, they are suffering the impacts of product safety problems.
relationship between actual profits’ deviation from the profits expected in earnings per share’s adjustment announcements and the degree of apparent earnings management in annual financial statements. Research design, data, and methodology - The samples consisted of 133 companies from ten industries. The companies were selected among those listed in the stock exchange, and their data were examined covering the two-year period from 2008 to 2010. Tests were conducted using a regression model and SPSS statistical software. Results - The findings indicate the following. There is no significantly positive relationship among the last earnings per share’s adjustment forecast, the first earnings forecast per share, and earnings management. Moreover, the amount of the latest earnings per share’s adjustment forecast relative to its first forecast is not associated with the companies’ discretionary accruals items. Finally, the hypothesis that a relationship exists between companies’latest adjustments of their earnings per share and earnings management was tested the results indicate that there is no such relationship. Conclusions - The study’s results suggest that the amount of earnings per share’s adjustment is not a motivation for earnings management.