Advertizing, concentration and profitability in Malaysian manufacturing revisited: A simultaneous equation approach

The original Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) paradigm that postulates a unidirectional relationship between concentration, advertizing and profitability had been used as the theoretical framework for many empirical works in industrial organizations before the mid seventies. Thereafter, doubts had begun to surface over the unidirectional postulate and there is new theory suggesting simultaneous interdependence. Unfortunately, not only are Malaysian studies in this area few and far between (exhaustive literature review yields only three published studies namely, Gan and Tham, 1977; Gan, 1978; and Rugayah, 1992), they also failed to incorporate the more recent theoretical development on the simultaneity of effects. This paper revisits the SCP paradigm as applied to the relationship among concentration, advertizing and profitability by conducting an empirical test that allows for simultaneous interdependence among variables. A set of three equations was estimated using three stage least squares (3SLS). The results provide considerable support to the feed forward and feedback effects between the three variables. Advertizing intensity exerts a significant influence on profit and concentration in the industry and there exists a feedback effect running from concentration to advertizing intensity. This finding suggests that advertizing does have an anti-competitive impact on the industry and therefore has a direct bearing on competition policy analysis

Vertical integration, foreign multinationals and Stigler's hypotheses: an empirical test using Malaysian data

In this paper the hypotheses on motives for vertical integration as proposed by Stigler are empirically tested using a panel dataset from Malaysian manufacturing under both fixed-effects and random-effects specifications. Because the degree of multinational participation is expected to influence the results of the regression estimates, empirical tests are conducted with and without controlling for the effect of foreign firms' participation. Depending on model specifications, evidence is found in favor of Stigler's hypotheses where vertical integration is positively related to demand growth and industry concentration. This result is generally consistent with those found in other vertical integration studies. Significantly, the coefficient estimates of the growth variable are not significant and biased downwards if there is no control on the effect of foreign multinationals in the estimation process. © 2006 East Asian Economic Association and Blackwell Publishing Ltd

An observer design for active suspension system

The purpose of this paper is to construct an active suspension for a quarter car model with observer design. The proportional-integral sliding mode is chosen as a control strategy, and the road profile is estimated by using an observer design. The performance of the proposed controller will be compared with the linear quadratic regulator by performing extensive computer simulation

Cadangan model teoritikal bagi menilai kecekapan pelaburan dalam pembangunan Tanah Rizab Melayu

The Malay Reserve (land) accounts for 33.55% of productive land in Malaysia. Unfortunately, several studies have shown that the owners of such a massive source of productive resource are not able to develop its full economic potential. The solution to this inefficient utilisation of resource requires a theory capable of explaining the source of the problem. Even though several ideas have been put forward to explain this phenomenon, few if any, are based on rigorous economic theory. This paper proposes a simple (but rigorous) theory to explain why economically rational owners of the Malay Reserve land make suboptimal investment for the development of their land. In doing so, the theory explains the underdevelopment of the Malay Reserve land. It was found that transaction cost and opportunism arising from multiple ownership and small numbers bargaining are the major factors contributing to underdevelopment of Malay Reserve land

Trends in the Malaysian industrial market structures

Kini sektor pembllatan menyumbang lebih daripada salU pertiga ke/uarall Ilegara dan melebihi separuh daripada jumlah eksport. Malangnya. amat sedikit yang diketalwi len tang arah alirmi jangka panjang allgkubah~angkllbah struktllr pasaran sektor ini, sUllgguhpun mengikut teori ekonomi, angkllbah~al1gkllbah tersebut dapat banyak menerangkan tentang keadaaan saingan dall kecekapan industri dalam jangka pendek dan jangka panjang. Pengetahuan tentang bidang ini juga membolehkan seseorang menilai prospeks masa depan industri pembuatan di Malaysia dalam meng/iadapi liberalisasi dan globalisasi pasaran yang semakin mencabar. Kertas ini memmjukkan bahmva berlakrmya perubahan struktur pasaran perindustrian di Malaysia dan sememangnya menampakkan arah aUran yang signiJikan bagi sesetengah angkubah struktur pasaran

Life Cycle Assessment for Pavement Sustainable Development: Critical Review

Certainly, one of the most cost effective and comprehensive infrastructure assets of the build environment is road infrastructure. The environmental impacts of this asset during its lifecycle drive researchers to create a foundational framework to quantify these effects. Life cycle assessment (LCA), a method for the assessment of all modules in a life cycle, has been examined to evaluate all the environmental modules and components of road projects due to constraints of environmental assessments. The enthusiasm for enhancing the sustainable development of basic infrastructure leads to quick expansion on pavement life cycle assessment. An audit of applicable published LCA studies has recognized that environmental modules, such as the usage module (rolling resistance of pavement, carbonation, and albedo), end of life (EOL) module, and components such as traffic congestion during the construction module are not regarded in most of the articles. These modules potentially have the same environmental impact as other regularly considered modules such as materials, transportation, and construction. The goal of this study is to recognize shortfalls in the fields that bolster pavement LCA, to prepare a comprehensive and straight forward methodology, and to provide a basis on which related studies can move forward

Recycling toward sustainable pavement development: End-of-life considerations in asphalt pavement

As quality aggregate sources are depleted, there is a growing importance given to incorporating recycled co-products and waste materials (RCWMs) in new and rehabilitated pavements. An ideal goal would be using recycled materials to create long-lived, well-performing pavement and then being able to use those materials again at the end of their life to create new pavement, thereby effectively achieving a zerowaste highway construction stream. This would not only produce distinct cost advantages, but it would also significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and eliminate the need for landfill disposal. Drawing from ISO standards and practices, this article reviews the recycling methods and definitions associated with the End-of-Life (EOL) phase and present various EOL considerations for asphalt pavements and the associated challenges to quantify EOL contribution in the pavement life cycle

Causes of tax evasion and their relative contribution in Malaysia: an artificial neural network method analysis

Tax is one means of financing government expenditures and plays an important role in increasing government revenue. The amount of tax collected actually depends on the effectiveness of the tax system in an economy. When a taxation system is ineffective, many people will exploit the situation to avoid paying tax and tax evasion will become popular. In the presence of tax evasion, the government cannot allocate revenue for programs or provide desirable social services. Realizing the significant impact of tax evasion on the economy, the present study aims to determine the main factors that result in tax evasion and their relative importance. The present study employs an artificial neural network (ANN) methodology on Malaysian data for the period between 1963 and 2011. The results show that tax burden, size of the government and inflation rate have positive effects on tax evasion. The income of taxpayers and trade openness, however, has negative effects on tax evasion. The results also reveal that the income of the taxpayer has a more significant relationship with levels of tax evasion than the other causes of tax evasion examined in the present study

Relación entre los rasgos del empresario y la adopción de la computación en la nube entre las PYMEs de Malasia con propietarios malayos

[EN] Purpose of the research: This research aims to empirically examine the relationship between entrepreneurs’ personality traits and cloud computing adoption among Malay-owned SMEs in Malaysia. The research was done under theoretical framework that was developed based on the previous literature. Methodology: This study adopts non-probability sampling which is convenient sampling for data collection. Data collection was done in all major towns in West Malaysia. Hypotheses related to personality factors (determination, opportunity, independent, innovativeness, locus of control, creativity, risk taking ability and achievement) and cloud computing adoption among Malay entrepreneurial society were tested by using multiple regression analysis on survey data from a sample of 383 entrepreneurs from major towns in Malaysia. Major conclusion: The result of this study indicates that cloud computing adoption depend on the entrepreneur’s trait. This study confirms that personality traits have significant influence on cloud computing adoption. Research limitation: Like other empirical studies, this study is not without its limitations. The sample size itself is small. The study can be strengthened by increasing the sample size and including participants in other geographical areas. Originality and value: The findings of this paper serve as a reminder for the Malay-owned SMEs that they have to consider cloud computing for their business operation, particularly for managing and maintaining all their virtual resources at their own end.[ES] Objetivo de la investigación: Esta investigación tiene como objetivo examinar empíricamente la relación entre los rasgos de personalidad de los empresarios y la adopción de la computación en la nube entre las PYME Malayas. La investigación se realizó bajo un marco teórico desarrollado sobre la base de la literatura previa. Metodología: Este estudio adopta un muestreo no probabilístico para la recolección de datos. La recopilación de información se realizó en todas las ciudades importantes de Malasia occidental. Las hipótesis relacionadas con factores de personalidad (determinación, oportunidad, independencia, innovación, locus de control, creatividad, capacidad de asumir riesgos y orientación al logro) y la adopción de la computación en la nube entre el colectivo emprendedor malayo se analizaron usando un análisis de regresión múltiple de datos de una muestra de 383 empresarios de las principales ciudades de Malasia. Conclusión principal: Este estudio confirma que los rasgos de personalidad del empresario tienen una influencia significativa en la adopción de la computación en la nube. Limitación de la investigación: Al igual que otros estudios empíricos, este estudio no está exento de limitaciones. El tamaño de la muestra en sí es pequeño. El estudio se puede fortalecer con futuras investigaciones que aumenten el tamaño de la muestra e incluyendo a los participantes en otras áreas geográficas. Originalidad y valor: Las conclusiones de este documento sirven como recordatorio para las PYME de propiedad malaya que tienen que considerar la computación en nube para su operación comercial, en particular para administrar y mantener todos sus recursos virtuales para la consecución de sus objetivos