Cross cultural perspectives of decision-making and control in multinational corporations operating in ASEAN

Kajian ini membincangkan isu-isu persekitaran budaya negara ASEAN dan cabaran-cabarannya terhadap pengurus-pengurus korporat multi-nasional. Kajian ini melaporkan penemuan terhadap corak membuat keputusan, kawalan dan pengurusan budaya serta aspek gelagat. Walaupun penemuan ini mempunyai persamaan dengan kajian lain, namun terdapat perbezaan dalam corak membuat keputusan, kawalan dan pengurusan budaya serta aspek gelagat

Impact of Foreign Direct Investment on Economic Growth in Pakistan

The paper examines the Impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on economic growth in Pakistan. The study has used data from 2000 to 2010 by using Two- Stage least squares method of simultaneous equations the results have been estimated. The results show that there exists a negative relationship between economic growth, proxies by gross domestic product (GDP) and foreign direct investment in Pakistan. Domestic investment, exports size and political stability were found to be very appropriate in locational choice of foreign direct investment in Pakistan. The enhancement of foreign direct investment in Pakistan government should ensure political stability and encourage more domestic investment and also make sure about trade globalization and foreign direct investments policies in today’s era for attracting more foreign direct investment in Pakistan. Keywords: FDI, GDP, Exports Growth and Domestic Investment

Sustaining livelihoods by improving urban public transport

This article was published in the journal, Proceedings of ICE, Engineering Sustainability [© Thomas Telford Publishing] and is also available at: http://www.thomastelford.com/journals/This paper reports on application of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to the wider impacts of urban public transport on the lives of the urban poor in developing countries. In applying the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to the research data, transport is considered as an asset within the Sustainable Livelihoods framework. It draws upon findings of case studies undertaken between 2001 and 2003 in Colombo (Sri Lanka), Faisalabad (Pakistan) and Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania). Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, the study looks at price, affordability, accessibility and quality of public transport services

Factors Impeding Online Shopping: An Arab World Perspective

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that impede online shopping in the Arab region. This region has witnessed a fast growth in internet usage and offers a lot of potential for online retailing. The study is conducted in Saudi Arabia, which is the largest market in the Arab region. This study investigates the barriers to online shopping in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Empirical research is used to determine the difference in the barriers to online shopping by the shoppers and non-shoppers. Results based on a survey indicate that the major factors that impede online shopping are digital concerns, financial security concerns and online store barriers.  Non-shoppers express more profound concerns than online shoppers. The paper discusses the implications of these and makes recommendations. The study provides valuable insights into online shopping in Saudi Arabia that has not been previously investigated. From a practical point, findings of this study will be particularly useful to online retailers, shoppers, financial institutions and telecommunication service providers

Factors Impeding Online Shopping: An Arab World Perspective

The purpose of this study is to examine the factors that impede online shopping in the Arab region. This region has witnessed a fast growth in internet usage and offers a lot of potential for online retailing. The study is conducted in Saudi Arabia, which is the largest market in the Arab region. This study investigates the barriers to online shopping in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Empirical research is used to determine the difference in the barriers to online shopping by the shoppers and non-shoppers. Results based on a survey indicate that the major factors that impede online shopping are digital concerns, financial security concerns and online store barriers.  Non-shoppers express more profound concerns than online shoppers. The paper discusses the implications of these and makes recommendations. The study provides valuable insights into online shopping in Saudi Arabia that has not been previously investigated. From a practical point, findings of this study will be particularly useful to online retailers, shoppers, financial institutions and telecommunication service providers

Sustaining livelihoods by improving urban public transport

This paper reports on application of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to the wider impacts of urban public transport on the lives of the urban poor in developing countries. In applying the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach to the research data, transport is considered as an asset within the Sustainable Livelihoods framework. It draws upon findings of case studies undertaken between 2001 and 2003 in Colombo (Sri Lanka), Faisalabad (Pakistan) and Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania). Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data, the study looks at price, affordability, accessibility and quality of public transport services

Fighting corruption in infrastructure delivery in Nigeria

Fighting corruption in infrastructure delivery in Nigeri

An investigation into the procurement of urban infrastructure in developing countries

The poor in urban areas of developing countries suffer from inadequate tertiary (neighbourhood level) urban infrastructure; water and sanitation, solid waste, drainage, access pavements, street lighting and community buildings. Procurement of tertiary level infrastructure is the responsibility of the public sector. Rapid urbanisation is outstripping the already lacking resources of public sector. The involvement of private commercial sector in the procurement is through the micro-contracts. The term, 'micro-contracts', is proposed for the small and medium size contracts. In some cases a third sector like NGOs, CBOs and community groups have also played roles in the procurement of infrastructure. The processes, roles, relationships and performance of micro-contracts procured under routine and community participated strategies were explored with a view to promote the role of the community in the procurement process. The constraints to contract, relationship between public sector and community groups and ways to overcome those constraints were explored. The contract contexts were taken from India, Pakistan and Sri-Lanka. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used. A multiple case study approach was adopted for the research. During the research three hundred and ninety contracts, more than a hundred interviews and filed notes and more than two hundred documents related to the micro-contracts were reviewed and analysed. The concept of benchmarking was adopted in performance analysis. 'Community partnering' is proposed as a procurement strategy to facilitate the community to play different roles parallel to the roles of Client, Engineer and Contractor. The cost and benefits of community partnering were discussed. It was concluded that, for the similar conditions studied, the community partnering between the urban public sector and suitable urban communities is an appropriate procurement strategy. The recommendations include a number of actions which could be taken to promote the community role in urban infrastructure procurement. Areas of future research are proposed