The moderating impact of corporate governance reform on the relationship between board independence and earnings management

For a transitional market with a short history like that of Vietnam, corporate governance is a critical area of improvement. The issuance of Circular 121 in 2012 marked an important milestone of corporate governance reform in Vietnam as it includes stricter and more well-defined regulations learned from international best practices. Among them is the requirement that independent directors should make up at least one-third of the board of directors. Although improving financial reporting is not at the heart of Circular 121, this Circular is expected to reduce earnings management through the mandatory requirement of board independence. Using data collected from a sample of 523 non-financial listed firms from 2009 – 2016, this study finds no significant relationship between earnings management and the proportion of independent directors, and Circular 121 has no impact on this relationship. These results are consistent across different regression approaches and various robustness tests, suggesting that board independence and corporate governance reform are not effective tools in mitigating earnings management

ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCES, AND CREATIVITY AFFECT ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STUDENTS IN TELKOM UNIVERSITY, BANDUNG.

Pengusaha telah berkontribusi banyak tidak hanya untuk ekonomi suatu negara tetapi juga menciptakan banyak perubahan dalam kehidupan orang-orang. Baru-baru ini, kewirausahaan telah menjadi topik yang sedang hangat dibahas oleh akademisi, pengusaha, dan pemerintah di Indonesia. Ada begitu banyak penelitian tentang kewirausahaan dalam hal karakteristik pribadi, motivasi pribadi, perilaku yang direncanakan, dll. Namun, faktor-faktor yang memutuskan keputusan seseorang untuk memulai usaha masih belum sepenuhnya diketahui. Oleh karena itu, tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menguji apakah pendidikan kewirausahaan, pengalaman kewirausahaan, dan kreativitas mempengaruhi niat kewirausahaan dengan menggunakan metode deskriptif kualitatif, regresi berganda, ANOVA, uji parsial, dan simultan. Hasil dari 266 mahasiswa Administrasi Bisnis angkatan 2015 dan 2016 di Universitas Telkom ditemukan bahwa pendidikan kewirausahaan mempengaruhi keinginan siswa untuk menjadi wirausaha, sementara pengalaman tidak tampak menjadi penentu pengaruh. Di sisi lain, kreativitas sangat mempengaruhi siswa dalam mengejar kegiatan kewirausahaan. Kreativitas sangat terlibat dalam niat kewirausahaan dan siswa yang telah terlibat dalam mata kuliah Kewirausahaan memiliki niat yang lebih tinggi untuk memulai usaha baru. Oleh karena itu, Program Administrasi Bisnis perlu meningkatkan kwalitas mata kuliah kewirausahaan dan kreativitas & Inovasi. Kata Kunci: Kreativitas, Niat Berwirausaha, Pendidikan Kewirausahaan, Pengalaman Wirausaha

The making and selling of an illusion: an examination of racial and gender diversity in post-civil rights U.S. corporations

“Diversity” has become one of the most commonly used words by U.S. corporations. Indeed, many companies claim that they have spent millions, sometimes billions of dollars to create an egalitarian workplace for all workers. Given the amount of money spent and the increased amount of research that corporations have done on the issue of diversity, we should expect some progress in terms of equality or equal rights for minority and female workers. However, while there has been a substantial increase in the rise of corporate philosophy espousing diversity, there is also overwhelming data that suggests minorities and women are still unable to obtain opportunities or to achieve success at the same rates as their white male counterparts. How can we explain the apparent contradictions? Furthermore, why are many companies that have historically barred minorities and women from their workplace now publicizing their support for racial and gender integration? I suggest that corporations are using the word “diversity” as an ideological tool designed to promote themselves at the forefront of equality in the U.S. Using in-depth interviews conducted with 40 middle and senior-level managers and upper-level executive officers from Fortune 1000 companies, I find that while the word diversity is frequently uttered by managers (and strategically used in various media outlets), most managers are unable to clearly define diversity. Moreover, while managers claim their companies are interested in diversity, there is no convincing evidence that would suggest this is true. Thus, my findings suggest that many corporations use “diversity” as a shield to hide the fact that nothing has really changed in the structure of U.S corporations. That is, U.S. corporations have been, and continue to be, exclusive clubhouses for upper class white males

Evaluating the Accuracy of an Equivalent Linear Model in Predicting Peak Displacement of Seismic Isolation Systems using Single Friction Pendulum Bearings

This study evaluates the accuracy of an equivalent linear model in predicting peak nonlinear time-history displacement of seismic isolation systems with single friction pendulum bearings. To perform this evaluation, dynamic response of numerical models of 120 isolation systems subjected to 390 strong earthquake ground motions, including motions with pulse and motions without pulse, was analyzed and statistically processed. The results show that the equivalent linear model can partly predict the peak displacement of its counterpart nonlinear model. However, the equivalent model can also underestimate or overestimate the peak displacement. On average sense, the equivalent linear model underestimates small peak displacement and overestimates large peak displacement. It is also observed that the relationship between linear and nonlinear peak displacements depends on ground motion types. Based on the analysis data, equations representing relationship between linear and nonlinear peak displacements at different reliable levels for different ground motion types were proposed. These equations can be used in practice

IMPROVING THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF SNAKEHEAD FISH (Channastriata) SAUSAGE BY PROTEASE FROM ITS VISCERA

The study was conducted to investigate the possibility of enhancing the quality of cultured snakehead fish (Channastriata) protein, especially used in the processing of sausage products, by treatment with protease from its viscera. The change in physicochemical properties (expressed by water holding capacity, emulsifying capacity of protein, texture characteristics and whiteness index) of snakehead fish paste related to various protease activity (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 U/L) and washing time (20, 30 and 40 min) were determined. In addition, protease treatment conditions were fixed at ambient temperature (30 ± 2 °C) and the ratio of minced fish and protease solution was 1:1(w/v). The results showed that physicochemical properties, gel quality and sensory properties of sausage significantly improved from soaked minced fish in protease solution at 9 U/L for 30 minutes

Selection Matters: Predicting Intrinsic Motivation and Employee Commitment in small Vietnamese Firms

The model in this study measures the effects of selection process and interpersonal communication on many important factors in work environment including supervisor trust, intrinsic motivation and organizational commitment. In literature, SMEs tend to have less formalized selection procedures. The study will expand on past research by investigating the reactions of employees to selection procedures as well as communication satisfaction, important areas of growing interest in recent years. Therefore, levels of formality in selection procedures is expected to positively related to levels of supervisor trust, intrinsic motivation of employees and organizational commitment which involves in employees’ attachment and their intention to stay at the firm. In addition, interpersonal communication which is based on corporate communication and personal feedback is recently one of the most important factors in SMEs. Consequently, it is expected that high amount of interpersonal communication will lead to a higher level of trust in supervisor, intrinsic motivation and organizational commitment. Finally, the study makes a contribution by collecting data in a new country, Vietnam. Using data from small and medium firms in Vietnam, the paper reviews the recruitment and selection practices as well as employees’ attitudes in these firms. It incorporated findings from a survey of employees to understand to role of the level of formality of selection procedures and communication satisfaction in SMEs’ work environment and their influence on employees’ attitudes in their jobs. The sample included 20 Vietnamese SMEs. The actual sample included 188 participants who come from these companies and have full-time job. These SMEs are usually family businesses located in an industrial zone in a Southern province of Vietnam. They are small manufacturers which are in different industries. The results supported the hypotheses that the use of selection tests is positively related to supervisor trust, intrinsic motivation and organizational commitment. Besides, the formality of interview process is positively related to supervisor trust. This study also found that interpersonal communication is positively related to supervisor trust, and organizational commitment; and personal feedback is positively related to intrinsic motivation. The findings of this study imply that SMEs, especially in Vietnam, need to pay more attention to the formality of selection procedures so that they can successfully run the business

Service users’ participation in mental health community-based organizations

Une grande proportion de personnes aux prises avec des problèmes de santé mentale vit dans l’isolement social. Les infirmières en santé communautaire sont interpellées au premier rang pour accompagner ces personnes dans leur processus de rétablissement et pour atténuer leur isolement social. La participation au sein d’organismes communautaires optimise l’expérience de rétablissement, diminue l’isolement social et renforce les réseaux sociaux de personnes ayant des problèmes de santé mentale. Toutefois, la participation des personnes utilisatrices de services dans la structure d’organisation des organismes communautaires est encore peu documentée. Afin de pallier cette lacune, cette étude avait pour objectifs de documenter, décrire la nature de la participation des personnes utilisatrices de services en santé mentale et d’explorer des facteurs facilitatants et des barrières à cette participation. Un devis de méthodes mixtes, qualitatif et quantitatif, a été utilisé. Dans le premier de deux volets, une enquête impliquant la réalisation d’entretiens semi-dirigés a été menée auprès de douze directeurs d’organismes communautaires œuvrant dans le domaine des services en santé mentale. Une version française du questionnaire « Adapted User Involvement » (Diamond, Parkin, Morris, Bettinis, & Bettesworth, 2003) a été administrée afin de documenter l’étendue de la participation des personnes utilisatrices de services dans les organismes visés. Pour le deuxième volet, deux organismes communautaires ont été sélectionnés à partir des résultats du questionnaire et de l’analyse documentaire de documents publics de ces organismes. Les scores obtenus au questionnaire ont ainsi permis de sélectionner des organismes présentant des résultats contrastés en matière de participation des personnes utilisatrices de services. Les entretiens semi-dirigés ont été menés avec différents groupes de répondants (membres de conseil d’administration, personnes utilisatrices de services, employés, directeurs) afin de recueillir de l’information sur les thèmes suivants: la nature de la participation des personnes utilisatrices de services, ainsi que les facteurs facilitants et les défis qui y sont associés. Les résultats de l’analyse montrent que: (1) les facteurs qui favorisent la participation des personnes utilisatrices sont: l’accès à un espace de participation pour les personnes utilisatrices et l’accompagnement de celles-ci par les intervenants de diverses disciplines pendant leur participation au sein des organismes communautaires, (2) les barrières de la participation des personnes utilisatrices au sein des organismes communautaires sont la stigmatisation sociale et les caractéristiques personnelles reliées aux problèmes de santé mentale chez les personnes utilisatrices, et (3) les avantages principaux de la participation des personnes utilisatrices de services se déclinent en services mieux adaptés à leurs besoins et leurs demandes, en leur appropriation du pouvoir (dans leur participation dans l’organisme communautaire) et en leur sentiment d’appartenance à l’organisme. À la lumière des ces constats, l’accompagnement des personnes utilisatrices de services dans leur participation apparaît une avenue prometteuse pour les infirmières en santé mentale communautaire afin de faciliter leur appropriation du pouvoir et d’améliorer leur bien-être.A large proportion of individuals with mental health problems are affected by social isolation. In the front line, community mental health nurses are called upon to accompany these individuals in their recovery process, and reduce their social isolation. User participation in community-based organizations (CBO) optimizes the recovery process, decreases feelings of social isolation, and consolidates the social support networks of individuals living with mental health problems. However, relatively little is documented on user participation within the organizational structure of mental health CBOs. To address this knowledge gap, the objectives of this study were to document, describe the nature of user participation and explore facilitating and inhibiting factors associated with user participation. A mixed-method (qualitative and quantitative) design, broken into two phases, was used in this study. In the first phase, a survey of twelve directors from CBOs providing services to individuals with mental health problems was conducted using the format of semi-structured interviews. The French version of the “Adapted User Involvement Questionnaire” (Diamond et al., 2003) was administered in order to document the extent of user participation in the targeted CBOs. In the second phase, two CBOs were selected on the basis of the results of the questionnaire and the findings of the archival data analysis. The scores obtained by the administration of this questionnaire made it possible to choose CBOs with constrasting results on user participation. Different groups of key informants (members of the governing board of the CBO, service users, CBO staff and directors) from the two CBOs participated in semi-structured interviews to collect detailed information about the following themes: the nature of user participation and facilitators and inhibitors for user participation. Results of the analysis show that: (1) factors that facilitate user participation are : access to participatory space for service users and professionals of different disciplines supporting service users in user participation activities; (2) factors that inhibit user participation are : social stigmatization of individuals with mental health problems and service users’ personal characteristics associated with their mental health problems; and (3) advantages of user participation are: services adapted to users’ needs and requests, service user empowerment (in participating in organization of CBO services) and service users’ sense of belonging to the CBO. Consequently, the study’s findings suggest that accompanying service users in their participation in CBOs, in order to facilitate their empowerment and improve their well-being, is a promising avenue for community mental-health nurses

Watch your step! Towards predicting osteoarthritis onset based on side-to-side imbalances

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating disease characterized by the erosion of articular cartilage at the extremity of bones. OA contributes to economic burdens, pain, and abnormal locomotion to accommodate for loss of protective cartilage. Since there is no cure for OA, mitigating disease onset can relieve the lives of millions of people who are at higher risk of OA such as females and overweight people.The progressive disappearance of protective cartilage leads to bone-on-bone contact at the joints, which is aggravated by higher-than-normal joint contact forces. Although OA can affect any joint, the primary weight-bearing joints of the lower body, i.e. hip, knee, and ankle, suffer the most impairment. Thus, investigating walking behavior can aid in detecting abnormal locomotion that may lead to OA.The objectives of this study were (1) to investigate a simple mechanical model’s ability to accurately reproduce measured gait kinetics and (2) to propose and evaluate novel parameters to supplement current noninvasive clinical tools for gait analysis.For a total of forty healthy subjects, kinematic and kinetic parameters were optimized for 300 consecutive steps to fit experimental vertical ground reaction force data measured during treadmill walking. Using an existing inverted spring-loaded pendulum with a spring-loaded ankle, we assessed the variations in leg and ankle stiffnesses during gait. We quantified bilateral lower limb symmetry, gait regularity, and gait variability based on the optimized stiffness values, which highlighted gait disparities between males and females, and between different body mass index categories.Our results confirmed that all subjects exhibited a certain amount of side-to-side asymmetry, irregularity, and variability in their leg and ankle stiffnesses during walking. Furthermore, large inter-subject variability indicated that our simple model could detect idiosyncratic gait patterns and therefore estimate potential imbalances in gait patterns. Future studies to test these walking assessments with accelerations as input parameters, which are easier to measure in a clinical setting, can improve current screenings for OA