Valuation of internet-based businesses

This study investigates the valuation of Internet-based businesses. In particular the influence of the implementation of an e-business strategy on the value of a business by focussing on its financial performance, will be determined. Although the valuation of businesses in general has been researched extensively, research on the valuation of Internet-based businesses produced contradictory findings. No consensus could be reached regarding the most appropriate valuation approach to be used. Some research findings indicated that the discounted cash flow approach was the most appropriate while others stipulated that a new valuation approach should be developed. Many authors state that the move to include an e-business strategy is natural, and that businesses cannot afford not to include some form of e-business strategy. Previous research has also shown that by including an e-business strategy, it is possible to improve efficiency of the business and ultimately increase profitability. However, there was no emphasis on how the e-business strategy will influence the business valuation. In order to establish whether an e-business strategy will create value for a business, an empirical investigation was undertaken

Determining consumers' intention to use unit trusts

The savings rate among South Africans is too low, and increasing the savings rate is critical for the financial wellbeing of citizens and for the country. Many South Africans do not make use of formal savings products, including unit trusts. However, there is a need to increase the use of unit trusts and thus the savings rate, and ultimately the financial wellbeing of consumers. Unit trusts are well-designed savings/investment vehicles, allowing for small investment amounts with affordable cost structures catering for consumers with different risk profiles. Therefore this study will focus on investigating consumers’ perceptions of unit trusts by identifying the factors which influence consumers’ intention to use unit trusts as an investment vehicle. A quantitative study was employed and for the empirical investigation a convenience sample of 509 respondents completed a self-administered, structured questionnaire. The data was quantitatively analysed and the main results showed that the Accessibility and Benefits of unit trusts are the most important factors influencing consumers’ Intention to use unit trusts. The strategies explained in this study may assist financial service providers in encouraging consumers to use unit trusts as an investment vehicle. This may increase the country’s savings rate and ultimately improve the financial wellbeing of South Africans

Location decision strategies for improving SMME business performance

Purpose: The primary objective of this study is to investigate the macro-environmental factors that may influence location decisions and how these choices may affect the business performance of SMMEs. Problem investigated: SMMEs in South Africa play an increasingly important role in stimulating economic activity, growth and employment creation. However, many SMMEs cease to exist within the first five years of operation due to various challenges faced by SMMEs on a daily basis. Many SMMEs owners disregard the importance of location, yet the geographical location can negatively influence the survival of the business. Several factors influence the choice of the location, which will ultimately have either a positive or negative effect on business performance. Methodology: A positivistic research methodology was adopted for this study. Seven hypotheses were constructed to achieve the primary objective of this study. The population for this study consisted of SMMEs in the Nelson Mandela Metropole from which a convenience sample of 175 SMMEs was selected. The measuring instrument, a self-developed questionnaire, consisted of three sections. The data collected included the demographical data of the respondents and their businesses, statements on location and various factors influencing location decisions as well as measurements of business performance. Cronbach Alpha coefficients were calculated to determine the reliability of the questionnaire items. Data analysis was done by calculating descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients and conducting a simple linear regression analysis. Cohen's d was used to determine the significance of between-factor differences. Findings and implications: The results of the study showed that positive relationships existed between all the independent variables (location, rental rates, employment, inflation, interest rates and green buildings) and the dependent variable (business performance) except for the relationship between electricity tariffs and business performance. Employment and business performance attained the strongest positive relationship; indicating that business owners regarded employment as an important factor to consider when searching for suitable business premises. The relationship between location and business performance obtained the lowest positive correlation. Originality and value of the research: Research on South African SMMEs regarding location decisions and the specific factors identified in this study has not been done previously in South Africa. Therefore, because evidence exists that the macro-environmental factors influence location decisions to varying degrees, this study can provide SMME owners with insight into the factors influencing location choice. It is vital that business owners consider these factors as they could influence business performance, and ultimately, business survival. An increased awareness of the importance of the aspects discussed in this study could consequently lead to improved performance in the SMME sector

Nutrition in Pancreatic Cancer: A Review

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in both genders. More than 80% of patients suffer from significant weight loss at diagnosis and over time develop severe cachexia. Early nutritional support is therefore essential. Summary: This review evaluates the different nutritional therapies, such as enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition and special nutritional supplements, on nutritional status, quality of life and survival. Key Message: Due to the high prevalence of malnutrition and the rapid development of anorexia-cachexia-syndrome, early nutritional intervention is crucial and supported by clinical data. Practical Implications: Enteral nutrition should be preferred over parenteral nutrition. Omega-3 fatty acids and L-carnitine are promising substances for the prevention of severe cachexia, but further randomized controlled trials are needed to establish generally accepted guidelines on nutrition in pancreatic cancer

Multilingual Validation of the First French Version of Munich Dysphagia Test-Parkinson's Disease (MDT-PD) in the Luxembourg Parkinson's Study

The Munich Dysphagia Test for Parkinson's disease (MDT-PD) was initially developed and validated in the German population as a highly sensitive and specific self-reported screening questionnaire to detect early oropharyngeal symptoms and aspiration risk in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (iPD). In order to make this tool accessible for prevention in the French speaking populations worldwide, we performed the first French translation and provide a linguistic and psychometric validation in the unique multilingual environment of the Luxembourg Parkinson's Study

Quantifizierung von Wurzelparametern in Abhängigkeit von Bodeneigenschaften in einem Silomaisbestand

Information zur Wurzelverteilung stellt eine wichtige Größe für die Charakterisierung und Modellierung von Wasser- und Nährstoffaufnahme, Biomasseproduktion sowie Rhizodeposition dar. Detaillierte, räumlich hochaufgelöste Daten zur Wurzel-, Wasser-, Nährstoff- und Kohlenstoffverteilung im Feld zur Kalibrierung von Modellen stehen aber nur sehr begrenzt zur Verfügung. Ziel der Untersuchungen war es beispielhaft einen solchen Datensatz für einen Silomaisbestand zu erstellen und hierbei durch die Erfassung von geo- und bodenphysikalischen sowie pflanzenphysiologischen Parametern eine räumliche Korrelation zwischen diesen Größen zu testen

Korruption: ein ungerechtfertigter Eingriff in internationale Menschenrechte? Chancen und Grenzen einer opferbezogenen Korruptionsperspektive

<p><b>Daily carbohydrate (A) and sugar (B) intake by groups and subgroups.</b> Carbohydrate (A) and sugar intake (B) as illustrated in percent. The boxes cover the first quartile on the bottom and the third quartile on the top. Whiskers reach from the minimum to the maximum value excluding outliers (illustrated by dots). Shift-working group and shift-working nursing-staff subgroup cover identical cohorts. NG, non-shift-working group; SG, shift-working group; SN, shift-working nursing-staff subgroup; NO, non-shift-working office-staff subgroup; NN, non-shift-working nursing-staff subgroup *p<0.05.</p