Managing Exchange Rate Volatility: A Comparative Counterfactual Analysis of Singapore 1994 to 2003

The objective of this paper is see how well Singapore’s exchange rate regime has coped with exchange rate volatility before and after the Asian financial crisis by comparing the performance of Singapore’s actual regime in minimising the volatility of the nominal effective exchange rate (NEER) and the bilateral rate against the US$ against some counterfactual regimes and the corresponding performance of eight other East Asian countries. In contrast to previous counterfactual exercises, such as Williamson (1998a) and Ohno (1999) which compute the weights for effective exchange rates on the basis of simple bloc aggregates, we apply a more disaggregated methodology using a larger number of trade partners. We also utilize ARCH/GARCH techniques to obtain estimates of heteroskedastic variances to better capture the time-varying characteristics of volatility for the actual and simulated exchange rate regimes. Our findings confirm that Singapore’s managed floating exchange rate system has delivered relatively low currency volatility. Although there are gains in volatility reduction for all countries in the sample from the adoption of either a unilateral or common basket peg, particularly post-crisis, these gains are relatively low for Singapore, largely because low actual volatility. Finally, there are additional gains for nondollar peggers from stabilizing intra-EA exchange rates against the dollar if they were to adopt a basket peg, especially post-crisis, but the gains for Singapore are again relatively modest.East Asia, exchange rates, counterfactuals.

Strategy-as-Coping in Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Social Process of Collective Sensing for Acquisition Opportunities

We explore what may be learned from managerial practices of an established medium-sized enterprise (“MSE”) in surviving and thriving during a recession. Drawing on a Strategy-as- Practice (“SAP”) view of managerial action, an improvised strategic process was observed in four acquisitions undertaken by the MSE when its closely-knit management reacted to operational pressure by improvising ideas for potential acquisitions. This process, which we call “collective sensing”, occurred within unscheduled “get-togethers” in the workplace, when participants enacted a range of roles in a routine of sensing potential acquisitions. We explain collective sensing by viewing it as a consistent pattern of actions among top managers who used get-togethers as a creative platform for identifying a stream of potential acquisitions, including potentially valuable opportunities that have been overlooked in the market. Several contributions are proposed for developing and using collective sensing in SMEs as a practical managerial process that can produce high-potential acquisitions

The Response of Tanzania Higher Learning Institutions to e- Learning during Covid-19 Pandemic

This study examined how the Tanzanian Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs) responded to the e-learning implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic period. It employed the Actor Network Theory that informs the socio-technical interactions. The study employed an explorative case study design with qualitative techniques, involving a total of 13 participants from selected HLIs. A thematic analysis framework was used to analyze data. The study revealed that HLIs in Tanzania have partially implemented e-learning systems and there is limited use of e-learning technology among HLIs in Tanzania. The e-learning implementation is in terms of tuition fee payment, examination results, online learning and presentation of research proposals through mobile technologies and Zoom. It is important for the government to make more emphasis on development of e-learning policies which will increase participation, commitment and accountability in HLIs. It is also important for HLIs to redefine e-learning strategies and develop facilities that will enhance transformations in teaching and learning amidst the Covid 19 Pandemic. This requires good internet networks as well as availability of robust learning management systems. Furthermore, HLIs should establish collaboration with other learning institutions within and outside the country for sustainable e-learning outcomes

Determinants of the characteristics of online brand communities and millennials: Towards a re-conceptualisation

Key words: online brand community, millennials, qualitative research, social influence theory, fashion industry Description: This paper provides a conceptual framework that links a holistic set of online brand characteristics to millennial consumers’ perceptions in the fashion sector and how millennial consumers involvement and participation in online brand communities impacts the development of customer engagement strategies in the fashion industry

How small family-owned businesses may compete with retail superstores:Tacit knowledge and perceptive concordance among owner-managers and customers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the “perceptive concordance” – the proximity of perceptions of the business- between key managers and customers of two small family-owned and managed businesses (“FBs”) and two larger non-FBs in Cagliari, Italy as a preliminary basis for understanding how small retail businesses that are typically family owned have continued to compete and thrive in many Western European cities. Design/methodology/approach – The authors asked how small FBs have been able to compete in an advanced European economy despite apparent competitive disadvantages relative to large superstores selling the same products. In addressing this question the authors drew on a qualitative research methodology in which the authors interviewed senior managers and surveyed customers of the four businesses and applied an original statistical model to assess the degree of their perceptive concordance with over 100 customers of each business. Findings – The study’s findings suggest a significant difference between key managers and customers of the sampled FBs and non-FBs in the perceptive concordance of the respective businesses held by those managers and customers. Research limitations/implications – Based on the research in this study the authors have developed a number of scholarly and managerial implications in the way that both FBs and non-FBs may retain old customers and gain new ones by anticipating and not merely responding to their product and service preferences. Originality/value – This paper extends the literature on customer relations management (“CRM”) in FBs by explaining how small High Street FBs in competitive retail businesses have continued to thrive in Western Europe where owner-managers have developed and successfully leveraged their tacit knowledge of the requirements of repeat customers

Roundtable discussion; State-of-the-Field Discussion

Roundtable discussion about the then state of the art of MOOCs, featured in the preview version of a new journal MOOCs Foru