Creative Industries: Case Studies from Arab Countries

The paper describes and explains empirically the economic performance of four key creative industries (the book publishing, music sound recording, film production and software industries) in five Arab countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon). Using the Porter (Diamond) model as its theoretical background, a survey was conducted in the years 2002-03 among 242 experts, covering firm representatives, industry and government experts. The results were incorporated into five national case studies. This paper synthesizes the results of those national reports, giving a comparative account of the performance of the four creative industries in these Arab countries. The overall results of the study suggest that creative industries in Arab countries are substantially underdeveloped, and there remains a great potential that should systematically be mobilized. A discussion of how this can be achieved is offered, based upon a well-designed and implemented process of upgrading and innovation in companies, industries and clusters related to creative activities. Public policy can play in this process an important role, as shown in the example of promoting Shanghai creative industries, where the Municipal Government has played a key role.Knowledge-based industry, knowledge economy, creative industry, creative economy, cultural industry, copyright –based industry, Arab countries, Arab world, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon

Growth Policy and Bank Profitability for Jordan Commercial Banks: Housing Bank for Trade & Finance Model

The present study aimed to estimate growth Policy for (HBTF) in Jordan measured by total assets percentage growth and profit percentage growth ,this study also correlate growth strategy  with the accounting-based determinants of bank profitability measured by  return on assets (ROA) , and return on equity(ROE) during the period (2000-2009). The researcher  collected bank-specific data variables from the financial statements of housing bank for trade and finance in Jordan over the period 1999-2009 available in the annual reports and Amman financial market. The researcher used the Descriptive Analytical Method, the researcher used Analytical method to analyze the data from the financial statements throughout the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS-15). The present study revealed the following findings: 1- There is statistical significant correlation at of significance (p?0.05) between ROE and growth percent in profit during 2000-2009. 2-There is statistical significant correlation at of significance (p?0.05) between ROE and growth percent in total Assets during 2000-2009. 3-There is statistical significant correlation at of significance (p?0.05) between ROA and growth percent in assets during 2000-2009.. 4-There is no statistical significant correlation at of significance (p?0.05) between ROA and growth percent in profit during 2000-2009. Keywords: growth policy,  profitability,  ROE ,ROA.   

Banking Services Transformation and Financial Technology Role

The primary purpose of this paper is to explore and discuss the role of Fintech in the transformation of Malaysian banking services. The research design is qualitative and secondary source analysis is conducted. Secondary data is collected from relevant journal articles, research papers, editorials, websites and official documents. Based on the analysis, it is concluded that different key drivers played an influential role in the progress of the Fintech industry in Malaysia. Financial literacy programs and Malaysia Stack are some notable initiatives that support the Fintech progress in Malaysia. A range of Fintech businesses is operating in Malaysia that are transforming different banking services including payments solutions, lending personal loans, credit cards, personal finance management solutions and one- stop-shop online banking. Underserved populations, flexible regulatory environment and increased level of interest of state authorities are some of the critical aspects for the future progress of Fintech business in Malaysia. The research paper explains the role of Fintech businesses in the Malaysian banking industry. Many have viewed Fintech as a disruptive technology, however, this study highlighted that Malaysian banking services are transformed by Fintech business and there are still opportunities for the progress of the Fintech industry in Malaysia

Commercial Banks Loans and Lending Rate in Nigeria: A Toda-Yamamoto Causality Approach

This study examined the relationship between commercial banks loans and lending rate in Nigeria for the period of 1981 to 2016. The study employed the augmented Granger causality test approach developed by Toda and Yamamoto (1995). This study is motivated by the fact that commercial banks loans and lending rate is the key to development and growth of every economy through the manufacturing sector, Agricultural sector, and industrial sector. The specific objectives of the study are; to examine the causality between commercial banks loans and lending rate, to examine the causality between commercial banks loans and money supply, and to examine the causality between commercial banks loans and monetary policy rate. The objectives shall be examined using an alternative causality testing approach of Toda-Yamamoto (1995). The proposed data employed shall be from Central Bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin (2016). The results are expected to illustrate the extent to which commercial banks loans and lending rates has affected the investment sector of the economy and suggest ways of cushioning the negative effects Keywords: Commercial bank loans, Lending rate, Toda and Yamamoto causality. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-2-02 Publication date: January 31st 2020

Antecedents and impact of AIS usage amongst Jordanian SMEs : moderating effects of environmental uncertainty and firm size

An effective use of the Accounting Information System (AIS) facilitates firms to sustain their competitiveness by providing timely, accurate and reliable financial information for more informed business decisions. Despite extensive government efforts, the usage of AIS amongst the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan is relatively low and thus limiting the impact on firms‘ effectiveness. Furthermore, previous studies regarding the antecedents and impact of AIS usage are somewhat inconsistent. Thus, the purpose of this study was to propose an integrated model utilizing the Technological, Organizational, and Environmental (TOE) framework and the Resource-based View (RBV) theory to better explain the antecedents affecting AIS usage and its impact on AIS effectiveness amongst Jordanian SMEs. This study hypothesized seven factors affecting AIS usage based on the TOE framework. Meanwhile, RBV explained the relationship between AIS usage and AIS effectiveness as well as the moderating effects of environmental uncertainty and firm size on such relationships. Using the quantitative approach, this study employed a self-administered questionnaire survey on 741 owners of SMEs listed in the Amman Chamber Industry, of which 186 responses were usable for analysis (25% response rate). The Partial Least Squares (PLS) results revealed significant influence of compatibility (technological factor), owner/manager commitment and organizational readiness (organizational factors), as well as competitive pressure and government support (environmental factors) on AIS usage. Furthermore, compatibility demonstrated the strongest influence on AIS usage followed by competitive pressure. The results further demonstrated a positive and significant effect of AIS usage on AIS effectiveness. Finally, the findings only ascertained considerable moderating effect of firm size. Apart from extending the body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive model to explain how several interrelated factors influence AIS usage and its impact on AIS effectiveness, the results offer insights on how firms could improve the use of AIS for better firms‘ performance

The financing problems of small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises in Jordan

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Transformational leadership and innovation at the Lebanese banking industry

Purpose: Transformational leadership (TL) has been recognized as one of the most important factor influencing innovation. It is argued that this style plays an essential role in developing the process, structure and climate for organizations to become innovative. This research aims to examine the impact of TL on two aspects of innovation namely product and process innovation. Design/Methodology/Approach: The quantitative and explanatory analysis was taken by using the Structural equations modeling (SEM) with AMOS 20 to examine the relationship between TL and innovation. Research data were collected through a survey method. The sample result was determined by the probability stratified sampling technique of about 310 employees at 27 banks in Lebanon. Findings: The findings confirmed the importance of TL in enhancing innovation in banking sector. The main implication of the research highlights that individualized consideration is the most important predictor of product and process innovation followed by, inspirational motivation and idealized influence, respectively, whereas, intellectual stimulation has insignificant influence on product and process innovation. Practical Implications: Findings point to how transformational style of leadership produce better outcomes for the banks by mobilizing employees to engage in innovative products and processes. Originality/Value: These findings extends the understanding of the processes through which transformational styles of leadership stimulate innovation, and also highlight the benefits gained by cultivating more transformational styles of leadership to generate more innovative outcomes.peer-reviewe