The Impact of Dividend Policy on Shareholders' Wealth Based on Agency Cost and Residual Dividend Theory

This study attempts to shed light on dividend policy for Malaysian companies by seeking to understand the explanations for corporate dividend policy's effect on shareholder's wealth (Market Price Share), for the year 2007 to 2009, with the focus on Agency Cost Theory and Residual Theory. Three variables associated with Residual Theory namely Size, Growth opportunity (GO) and Capital expenditure (CAPEX) and two variables associated with Agency Cost Theory, namely Leverage (LEV) and Free cashflow (FCF) are the focus of the study where their interaction effect with Dividend Per Share (DPS) are hypothesised to have significant effect on share price. Earnings per share (EPS), Exachange rate (EXR) and Inflation (INF) are used as control variables. Results show that the interaction variables between DPS and CAPEX, DPS and Growth Opportunity have significant influence on share price but in the direction opposite to that hypothesized under Residual Dividend Policy. Nevertheless, the interaction effect between DPS and Size is also significant in influencing share price in the manner predicted by Residual Dividend Policy. Variable associated with agency Cost Dividend Theory are shown not to play a significant mediating role in the relationship between stock price and DPS

Abstracting network policies

Almost every human activity in recent years relies either directly or indirectly on the smooth and efficient operation of the Internet. The Internet is an interconnection of multiple autonomous networks that work based on agreed upon policies between various institutions across the world. The network policies guiding an institution’s computer infrastructure both internally (such as firewall relationships) and externally (such as routing relationships) are developed by a diverse group of lawyers, accountants, network administrators, managers amongst others. Network policies developed by this group of individuals are usually done on a white-board in a graph-like format. It is however the responsibility of network administrators to translate and configure the various network policies that have been agreed upon. The configuration of these network policies are generally done on physical devices such as routers, domain name servers, firewalls and other middle boxes. The manual configuration process of such network policies is known to be tedious, time consuming and prone to human error which can lead to various network anomalies in the configuration commands. In recent years, many research projects and corporate organisations have to some level abstracted the network management process with emphasis on network devices (such as Cisco VIRL) or individual network policies (such as Propane). [Continues.]</div

The relationship between human resource management and employee performance among hotels in Langkawi

One of the key issues in any organizational is managing their human capital who possess vital position in the organization`s goals. Thus, human resource management comes into play to ensure the availability of right people for the right position and guiding them to achieving successful organizational outcomes. Since employees are the heartbeats of the organizational it is important their performance gradually improves and matches what are expected of them. The purpose of this study was to study the relationship between human resources management practices and employee performance in hotel industry in Langkawi. The sample of this study was the 295 employees of five star hotels in Langkawi, Kedah. For this purpose survey method was used by questionnaire as instrument for data collection. For research method, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 20) was used to analyze data. In this study, regression analysis method and correlation analysis method are used to analysis the correlation between independent variables and dependent variable. The research results have shown that Langkawi hotels have high implementation in human resource management at current stage. Meanwhile, recruitment and selection, training and development, compensation and performance appraisal significantly influence employee performance. During this study the researcher faced several limitations such as time constraints, language constraints and budget constraints. Finally, the finding of this study has some contributions for future research and organization’s employee performance

Future prospects for ethanol fuel use - a review

Countries inspired by a desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet their Kyoto Protocol targets, have turned to ethanol fuels as a cheap and proven alternative to reduce vehicular emissions. Political instability in the Middle East has further motivated countries to develop their own fuel supply to ensure the security of supply and promote internal economic growth. The use of fuel ethanol has attracted considerable negative press and public comments in the early part of 2000s. Because of the importance of ethanol fuel as alternative to petrol, this review presents discussions outlining the various benefits and costs of using fuel ethanol with the objective of highlighting the future prospects of its use to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provide cheap energy source for vehicles and also provide income to farmers producing bio-ethanol. Key words: ethanol fuel, future prospects, conflicting need

A META-ANALYSIS ON PUBLICATIONS FOR LECTURERS’ PERCEPTION OF BLENDED LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION FROM 2020-2022

In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted on 14 articles published between 2020 and 2022, with the Fisher r-to-z transformed correlation coefficient used as the measure of outcome. A random-effects model was employed, using JAMOVI software, to calculate the average Fisher r-to-z transformed correlation coefficient, and the degree of heterogeneity was evaluated using the restricted maximum-likelihood estimator, Q-test for heterogeneity, and I² statistic. The findings revealed that the average correlation coefficient was positive as moderate effect size (0.3528) of the 14 studie  Article visualizations:s. The study also provided recommendations for improving meta-analyses

Analysis of human heat stress status for academic learning environment in Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State, Nigeria.

This study analysed heat stress condition and its implications on Academic activities of the KUST Wudil University. The Meteorological variables consisting of maximum and minimum wet and dry bulb temperatures data were collected from the KUST- Meteorological station from 2008 to 2011 and subjected to means simple statistic for determining heat stress condition by using Formulae of Discomfort Index (DI). The result reveals that DI values were 24.5, 26.5, 28.5 and 20 during the hot-dry, warm-wet, warm-dry and cool-dry seasons, respectively. These mean that the study area is vulnerable to severe discomfort condition, especially during the hot and humid season and during the afternoon hours when the influence of temperature and humidity elements are at their peak. This study recommends that (both passive and active mean of ventilation such as) air conditioners, surrounded with trees as well as the orientation of the building be taken into cognizance from the design stage for the effect of solar radiation on classes and rooms of the students/staff; Subjects that are mathematic based should be scheduled for morning period, while for the benefit of students the semester examinations should coincide with period around December or August when there is less risk of heat stress. The general idea presented is to illustrate the range of dimensions relevant to design and maintenance of an academic setting. Keywords: Heat-stress, Humidity, Learning environment, Meteorology, Temperatur

Strategic Talent Management Practices for Higher Institutions

This paper investigates strategic talent management practices in higher institutions with particular attention on talent pools, retention, deployment, and development. The paper characterizes talent management with regards to the higher institutions and afterward investigates its association with current everyday management practices. The paper scrutinizes the present circumstance for deficient in an alliance between the organisational strategy of higher institutions and how scholarly talent is pooled, retained, developed and compensated. It is contended that talent management can give a calculated structure to upgrade performance over an extended period by blending a higher institution’s strategy with everyday management frameworks. Keywords: Strategy, Talent Management, Higher education

A Content Analysis of Secondary History Textbooks in Somalia In the Light of Fostering Historical Thinking Skills

A Content Analysis of Secondary History Textbooks in Somalia In the Light of Fostering Historical Thinking Skills Dr. Said Abubakar Sheikh Ahme

Analysis of activity concentrations due to natural radionuclides in the fish of Kainji Lake

A study was conducted for natural radioactivity of some fish samples from Kainji Lake, situated between latitudes 9~' 50' - 10~' 57' North and longitudes 4~'25'-4~'45' East, New Bussa, Niger state, Nigeria, using gamma spectroscopy method with Nal(TI) detector. Radioactivity a phenomenon that leads to production of radiations, and radiation is known to trigger or induce cancer. The fish are analyzed to estimate the radioactivity (activity) concentrations due to natural radionuclides (Radium 222(226Ra), Thorium 232(232Th) and Potassium 40 (40K). The obtained result shows that the activity concentration for (226Ra), in all the fish samples collected ranges from 16.06 ~c 0.44 Bqkg-1 to 67.39 ~c 12.34 Bqkg-1 with an average value of 37.22 ~c 4.31 Bqkg-1. That of 232Th, ranges from 42.66 ~c 0.81 Bqkg-1 to 200.6 ~c 10.66 Bqkg-1 and the average value stands at 94.82 ~c 3.82 Bqkg-1. The activity concentration for 40K, ranges between 243.3 ~c 1.56 Bqkg-1 to 384.98 ~c 11.97 Bqkg-1 and the average is 618.2 ~c 26.81 Bqkg-1. This indicated that average daily intake due to natural activity from the fish is valued at 0.999 Bq/day, 2.545Bq/day and 10.31 Bq/day for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K respectively. This shows a promising result, since the activity concentration values for most of the fish are within the acceptable limits. However location Upstream02 (9~'51'.285~AN, 4~'35'.533~AE) and Upstream07 (9~'51'.285~AN, 4~'35'.533~AE) fish, became outliers with significant values of 1 13.10~kSvy-1 and 121.68~kSvy-1 effective dose. This could be attributed to variation in geological formations in the lake as well as the feeding habits of these fish. The work shows that consumers of fish from Kainji Lake have no risk of radioactivity ingestion, even though no amount of radiation is assumed to be totally safe

Effect of Corporate Governance Attributes on Environmental Disclosure of Listed Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria

This research examined the effect of corporate governance attributes on environmental disclosure of listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria. The data for the study were collected from annual reports and accounts of the sample twenty (20) companies listed on the Nigerian Stock exchange for the period of seven years from 2012 to 2018. Empirical analyses were carried out using correlation matrix, regression analysis. Regression analysis was used in testing hypothesis using Stata 11.0. The result of fixed effect rgression reveals independent directors has significant positive effect on the environmental disclosure of listed manufacturing companies. While foreign directors, directors with dual membership and educational background of the directors have positive insignificant effect on environmental disclosure of listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria.  The study therefore, recommends that management of company should have environmental committee to help them monitor and identify environmental need in their host communities. Government should come with policy that will make every company participate in environmental activities and monitor such. Keywords: Environmental disclosure, independent director and foreign directors DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-27-07 Publication date:September 30th 202