X-efficiency Analysis of Commercial Banks in Pakistan: A Preliminary Investigation

The emergence of a fast-paced dynamic environment in the business world in general, and in the financial services sector in particular, has highlighted the significance of competition and efficiency. The need for deregulation has become a touchstone of success in fostering both competition and efficiency especially in the economies, which are exposed to structural reforms. In addition to that, intense competition both among domestic and foreign banks, rapid speed of innovations and introduction of new financial instruments, changing consumer’s demands and desire for product augmentation have changed the way a bank conducts business and services its customers. Larger the degree of competition, it is perceived that the firms would become more efficient. However, when the structure of an industry is product of the government regulations, the degree of competition is impaired markedly implying that the efficiency suffers negatively. Banking industry acts as life-blood of modern trade and commerce acting as a bridge to provide a major source of financial intermediation. Thus, appraisal of its efficiency is vital in context of an efficient and competitive financial system. Study of x-efficiency is believed to be important in particular as Berger, et al. (1993) found that x-inefficiencies account for around 20 percent or more of banking costs. Similarly, recent drive among banks towards downsizing, rightsizing and rationalisation of banking costs also implicates for the assessment of x-efficiency analysis of banks. It becomes vital in Pakistani context as there appears to be no study in literature on efficiency or x-efficiency analysis of banks in Pakistan. “A great deal more work is needed on x-efficiency research in banking. Managerial efficiency, the concept of x-efficiency, appears to be a much more important strategic and policy consideration” [Molyneux, et al. (1960), p. 273]. Given

An Evaluation of Karachi Export Processing Zone: A Preliminary Investigation

The literature on EPZs shows that these are a second-best solution compared with generalised countrywide reforms, but that, where countrywide reforms are difficult to implement, they can be a useful weapon in the development arsenal [World Bank (2001)]. EPZs have been instrumental not only in increasing exports but also attracting export-oriented foreign direct investment (FDI). China is a classic example to be mentioned here where the levels of FDI have gone up massively over the last ten years. Added up with exports increase are also the benefits of employment generation, development of backward and forward linkages and strengthening the industrial base. The phenomenon of export-processing zones (EPZs) is a part of broader context of structural changes in global economic development. During the last few decades, there has been a tremendous increase in exports of manufactured goods especially from developing countries. EPZs have emerged as an important channel of export generation, especially of manufactured goods, from most of the developing countries e.g. East Asia, Mexico, Morocco etc. Their significance cannot be undermined because of the location-specific advantages and infrastructure facilities possessed by them.

Measuring Fluid Reasoning and Its Cultural Issues: A Review in the Indonesian Context

Fluid reasoning (Gf) is a central component of human abilities and has been shown to be statistically indistinguishable from general cognitive ability. However, measuring fluid reasoning is not that easy since the operationalization of the construct itself is not conclusive. This situation is exacerbated if the measurements and comparisons are carried out in groups with different cultural and language abilities. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the fluid reasoning construct as well as measurement practices that have been carried out in Indonesia. My review would mention the positioning of fluid reasoning in several intelligence theories, how researchers conceptualize fluid reasoning, how researchers measure fluid reasoning in a multicultural context, and outline critical future directions for test development. In conclusion, I emphasize the importance of using a multi-processes figural fluid reasoning test as a proxy for a culture fair intelligence test that can be used in cross-cultural assessments

Predicting Participation in Volunteering Based on Personality Characteristics

The main purpose of this study was to find out whether big five personality traits can predict the participation in volunteering. A total of 420 participants consisting of 215 volunteers and 205 non-volunteers from various regions in Indonesia completed measures of the Big Five personality traits. The preliminary analysis using independent sample t-test found that the extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness of volunteer samples were significantly higher than non-volunteer samples. Binary logistic regression analysis then was used to examine whether each of big five personality traits was able to predict the participation to be volunteer. The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ2 = 67,102, p < ,01. The model explained 19,7% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in volunteer participation and correctly classified 64% of cases. Increasing extraversion and conscientiousness was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of volunteer participation. Thus, certain personality characteristics can predict participation in volunteerin

An Evaluation of Karachi Export Processing Zone: A Preliminary Investigation

The literature on EPZs shows that these are a second-best solution compared with generalised countrywide reforms, but that, where countrywide reforms are difficult to implement, they can be a useful weapon in the development arsenal [World Bank (2001)]. EPZs have been instrumental not only in increasing exports but also attracting export-oriented foreign direct investment (FDI). China is a classic example to be mentioned here where the levels of FDI have gone up massively over the last ten years. Added up with exports increase are also the benefits of employment generation, development of backward and forward linkages and strengthening the industrial base. The phenomenon of export-processing zones (EPZs) is a part of broader context of structural changes in global economic development. During the last few decades, there has been a tremendous increase in exports of manufactured goods especially from developing countries. EPZs have emerged as an important channel of export generation, especially of manufactured goods, from most of the developing countries e.g. East Asia, Mexico, Morocco etc. Their significance cannot be undermined because of the location-specific advantages and infrastructure facilities possessed by them

X-efficiency Analysis of Commercial Banks in Pakistan: A Preliminary Investigation

The emergence of a fast-paced dynamic environment in the business world in general, and in the financial services sector in particular, has highlighted the significance of competition and efficiency. The need for deregulation has become a touchstone of success in fostering both competition and efficiency especially in the economies, which are exposed to structural reforms. In addition to that, intense competition both among domestic and foreign banks, rapid speed of innovations and introduction of new financial instruments, changing consumer’s demands and desire for product augmentation have changed the way a bank conducts business and services its customers. Larger the degree of competition, it is perceived that the firms would become more efficient. However, when the structure of an industry is product of the government regulations, the degree of competition is impaired markedly implying that the efficiency suffers negatively

PENDAMPINGAN PENGUATAN MOTIVASI SPIRITUAL ANAK LKSA AISYIYAH KOTA BATU

Panti asuhan memiliki tujuan untuk memberikan pelayanan, bimbingan dan keterampilan kepada anak untuk menjadi manusia yang berkualitas. Sebagai sarana pembinaan, LKSA di bawah ormas Islam ini mengharapkan setiap anak asuh memiliki motivasi yang didasarkan dari agama. Untuk itu, pengabdi hadir untuk memberikan pendampingan untuk menguatkan motivasi spiritual anak LKSA dalam menjalani aktivitas kehidupannya. Proses pendampingan dilakukan selama tiga hari berturut-turut dan menggunakan perpaduan antara ceramah, game dan beberapa simulasi.Hasil pengukuran karakter positif yang dibagikan dalam bentuk angket menunjukkan bahwa ada peningkatan rata-rata karakter positif antara sebelum dan setelah pelatihan. Sebelum pelatihan rata-rata nilai karakter positif adalah 64,42 dengan SD = 6,49; sementara setelah pelatihan rata-rata skor karakter positif adalah 73,26 dengan SD = 7,59. Selanjutnya dilakukan uji statistic dengan paired sample t-test untuk melihat signifikansi perbedaan skor tersebut. Uji asumsi normalitas dengan Shapiro Wilk menunjukkan data normal (w = 0,97; p = 0,76). Analisis paired sample t-test menunjukkan nilai t (18) = -5,76 dengan p < 0,001. Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa ada perbedaan signifikan skor karakter positif antara sebelum dan setelah pelatihan, dengan karakter positif setelah pelatihan lebih tinggi dari sebelum pelatihan.Adapun evaluasi pelaksanaan dari peserta pelatihan menyatakan bahwa kegiatan pelatihan yang diberikan mampu meningkatan karakter positif, yang menunjukkan peserta mampu mengenal diri, memiliki tujuan hidup, manajemen stress, pengambilan keputusan, dan manajemen konflik. Selain itu peserta juga memiliki sikap yang psotif terhadap pelatihan yang diberikan dengan rata-rata peserta memberikan penilaian yang baik pada komponen materi, penyampaian materi, metode yang digunakan, sarana prasarana, serta manajemen pelatihan. Meskipun demikian, evaluasi lebih lanjut perlu dilakukan pada rentang waktu yang lebih lama setelah kegiatan pelatihan, misal 6 bulan atau 1 tahun, sebab beberapa perubahan sifatnya hanya temporer pasca kegiatan. Hal ini untuk memantau perubahan yang terjadi bersifat sementara atau bertahan lama

The Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan: An Econometric Analysis

Abstract This study contributes to an understanding of locational determinants of FDI in Pakistan. Although there exists a great deal of literature in this area, there is hardly any evidence of such a study in the case of Pakistan. Economy level analyses are carried out to explore the determinants of FDI through multivariate regression analysis. The results of the multivariate regression analyses reveal that market size, relative interest rates and exchange rates are the major determinants of FDI in Pakistan. The variables such as market growth and political instability were consistently insignificant in the analyses. However, mixed findings were revealed by the variables such as consumer goods imports and the political regime in Pakistan