An empirical analysis of sustainability of trade deficit: Evidence from Sri Lanka

In this paper, the long-run relationship between Sri Lanka exports and imports during the period 1950 to 2006 is examined using unit root tests and co-integration techniques that allow for an endogenously determined structural break. The results failed to support the existence of a long-run equilibrium between exports and imports in Sri Lanka. This finding questions the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s current long-term macroeconomic policies and suggests that Sri Lanka is in violation of its international budget constraint

An Empirical Analysis of Sustainability of Trade Deficit:Evidence from Sri Lanka

In this paper, the long-run relationship between Sri Lankan exports and imports during the period 1950 to 2006 is examined using unit root tests and cointegration techniques that allow for an endogenously determined structural break. The results failed to support the existence of a long-run equilibrium between exports and imports in Sri Lanka. This finding questions the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s current long-term macroeconomic policies and suggests that Sri Lanka is in violation of its international budget constraint.Trade Deficit, Exports, Imports, Unit root, Structural Breaks,Cointegration, Sri Lanka

AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF SUSTAINABILITY OF TRADE DEFICIT: EVIDENCE FROM SRI LANKA

In this paper, the long-run relationship between Sri Lankan exports and imports during the period 1950 to 2006 is examined using unit root tests and cointegration techniques that allow for an endogenously determined structural break. The results failed to support the existence of a long-run equilibrium between exports and imports in Sri Lanka. This finding questions the effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s current long-term macroeconomic policies and suggests that Sri Lanka is in violation of its international budget constraint.Trade Deficit, Unit root, Structural Breaks, Cointegration, Sri Lanka

Modelling Corporate Competitive Capabilities for SMEs in the Malaysian Manufacturing Sector: An Exploratory Study

This study empirically tests the relationship between the four factors of corporate competitive capabilities (CCC) (cost leadership, differentiation, innovative marketing and customer service) and business performance. The study specifically emphasises small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia. The study’s quantitative approach is based on the responses of 135 Malaysian manufacturing SMEs responded to a postal questionnaire. Empirical results from structural equation modelling (SEM) demonstrate an insignificant relationship between CCC and business performance

Impact of work values and ethics on citizenship and task performance in local and foreign invested firms: a test in a developing country context

This study examines the impact of work values and individual characteristics on organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and task performance (TP). A theoretical foundation was developed in order to use work values and ethics as antecedents of OCB. Using five work related values orientations and 416 responses from Sri Lankan manufacturing sector employees, it is found that gender, employment category, and level of education influence citizenship performance. Importantly, the impact of work values on OCB is found to be more significant than that of demographic factors, with three dimensions (work norms, work ethics, and intrinsic values) found to be significant in influencing OCB. Differences between foreign invested firms and local firms are also found with regard to the impact of demographic factors and work values on OCB. Overall, the study contributes to theories and application of work values and OCB

Modelling trade-offs in students\u27 choice set when determining universities

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors influencing Indonesian students\u27 choice of university by estimating the trade-off students make in selecting a university. Design/methodology/approach - Conjoint analysis was used to examine the relative importance and the part-worth scores of the attributes that influence students\u27 public university preferences in Indonesia. Findings - High-school leavers in Indonesia trade off university preferences and view advice from family, friends, and/or teachers, reputation, and job prospects as important factors for selecting a public university. Two different preference-based segments of prospective students were identified from cluster analysis, and classified as either a social networks-based decision or a rational decision segment. A choice simulator was employed with three propositions, and the segments were found to have dissimilar preferences. Research limitations/implications - While this paper provides insights on higher-education consumer choice, more research is needed that includes samples from different types of higher-education institutions and fields of study. Practical implications - A greater understanding of student choice can help to inform marketing practices and customize marketing strategies for each segment by providing important information to principal parties involved in making university choice decisions. Originality/value - This paper demonstrates the relevance and value of conjoint analysis as an effective analytical tool for the identification of important choice criteria and its potential contribution to the development of more effective marketing strategies

Examining the corporate competitive capabilities of Malaysian manufacturing SMEs

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate competitive capabilities, which consists of cost leadership, differentiation, innovative marketing and customer service; and business performance.The paper is a quantitative-based approach using data obtained from the manufacturing sector of small to medium enterprises in Malaysia. Empirical results from structural equation modeling (SEM) demonstrate that corporate competitive capabilities had significant influence on its business performance. The paper has limitations due to a small response rate, would show short of a firmer conclusion from the analysis.This paper will contribute to the literature on strategic management, SMEs and resource-based view theory.This study isparticularly new in the context of the Malaysian SMEs manufacturing industry.The findings provide useful guidance to Malaysian SMES’ practitioners and policy-makers, by understanding the unique capabilities of their firms

Correlations of Structure and Dynamics in an Aging Colloidal Glass

We study concentrated colloidal suspensions, a model system which has a glass transition. Samples in the glassy state show aging, in that the motion of the colloidal particles slows as the sample ages from an initial state. We study the relationship between the static structure and the slowing dynamics, using confocal microscopy to follow the three-dimensional motion of the particles. The structure is quantified by considering tetrahedra formed by quadruplets of neighboring particles. We find that while the sample clearly slows down during aging, the static properties as measured by tetrahedral quantities do not vary. However, a weak correlation between tetrahedron shape and mobility is observed, suggesting that the structure facilitates the motion responsible for the sample aging.Comment: Submitted to Solid State Communication

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification applied to filarial parasites detection in the mosquito vectors: Dirofilaria immitis as a study model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite recent advances in our understanding of the basic biology behind transmission of zoonotic infectious diseases harbored by arthropod vectors these diseases remain threatening public health concerns. For effective control of vector and treatment, precise sampling indicating the prevalence of such diseases is essential. With an aim to develop a quick and simple method to survey zoonotic pathogen-transmitting vectors, LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) was applied to the detection of filarial parasites using a filarial parasite-transmitting experimental model that included one of the mosquito vectors, <it>Aedes aegypti</it>, and the canine heartworm, <it>Dirofilaria immitis</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>LAMP reactions amplifying the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene demonstrated high sensitivity when a single purified <it>D. immitis </it>microfilaria was detected. Importantly, the robustness of the LAMP reaction was revealed upon identification of an infected mosquito carrying just a single parasite, a level easily overlooked using conventional microscopic analysis. Furthermore, successful detection of <it>D. immitis </it>in wild-caught mosquitoes demonstrated its applicability to field surveys.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Due to its simplicity, sensitivity, and reliability, LAMP is suggested as an appropriate diagnostic method for routine diagnosis of mosquito vectors carrying filarial parasites. This method can be applied to the survey of not only canine filariasis but also lymphatic filariasis, another major public health problem. Therefore, this method offers great promise as a useful diagnostic method for filarial parasite detection in endemic filariasis regions.</p

The global antigenic diversity of swine influenza A viruses.

Swine influenza presents a substantial disease burden for pig populations worldwide and poses a potential pandemic threat to humans. There is considerable diversity in both H1 and H3 influenza viruses circulating in swine due to the frequent introductions of viruses from humans and birds coupled with geographic segregation of global swine populations. Much of this diversity is characterized genetically but the antigenic diversity of these viruses is poorly understood. Critically, the antigenic diversity shapes the risk profile of swine influenza viruses in terms of their epizootic and pandemic potential. Here, using the most comprehensive set of swine influenza virus antigenic data compiled to date, we quantify the antigenic diversity of swine influenza viruses on a multi-continental scale. The substantial antigenic diversity of recently circulating viruses in different parts of the world adds complexity to the risk profiles for the movement of swine and the potential for swine-derived infections in humans.Medical Research Council Fellowship MR/K021885/1 (JF