Adventures with NVivo: Analysing ethnographic results and the particularistic aspect of node saturation

This paper looks at a researcher's experience of analysing results from an ethnographic study of corporate governance in a developing country. After collecting three forms of data - interview questionnaire, media articles and participant observation - a computer assisted qualitative analysis data program called NVivo was applied. This paper looks at the âadventureâ or experience of analysing the data and the particularistic concept of node saturation that emerged whilst using the program to analyse the data. The use of NVivo has allowed for a thicker and richer discovery and analysis of the data but the inductive method applied in the analysis was also a time-consuming aspect in this particular research experience

The dominance of family owned business groups in the Philippines

Family-owned business groups have long dominated the East Asian corporate landscape. This paper looks at the dominance of business groups in the Philippines and tries to explain their dominance by their role as filling the institutional voids left by government due to decades of political and economic instability. The paper also discusses the applicability of agency theory in the country. Finally, the paper looks at the downside to this common form of corporate organizing and how family businesses reflect the oligarchical nature of the countryâs stratified society

Corporate Governance Reforms in the Philippines: An Ethnographic Approach

This research investigates the impact of corporate governance reforms in Philippine institutions and firms. Literature reviewed looks at the macro and micro view of corporate governance theories and the prevailing business environment. The methodology of this research applies an ethnographic approach combining both deductive and inductive inquiries with a triangulated method using interviews, media articles and participant observation. Collection of the interview data occurred over four intensive months whilst in situ in Manila, Philippines. The data was then analysed using the NVivo qualitative analysis computer program. The results of my data collection and analysis are explained and distilled in six chapters. They are: - Chapter 4: Business and Corporate Governance Environment - Chapter 5: The Regulators - Chapter 6: Business Groups: The Owners of Companies - Chapter 7: The Board and Management: The Controllers of the Company - Chapter 8: The Government Financial Institutions - Chapter 9: Corruption The thesis concludes with a chapter on a summary of the research findings and recommendations for policy and practice

Honourable Intentions? Analysing the interests of private equity in the aged care sector

The Australian aged care industry was once dominated by non-profit organisations but recently ownership has changed significantly with the entry of for profit and in particular private equity investment vehicles. This paper provides an overview of the main players and the effects of private equity on the Australian aged care sector. The analysis is framed within the literature which examines the relationship between ownership type and the quality of community services. It also presents a series of case studies which suggest that a change of ownership from non-profit to private equity may have significant consequences for the quality of service provision

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

The Impact of Corporate Governance Reforms on Two Asia Pacific Stock Exchanges

Stock markets and their institutional administrators - stock exchanges - play important roles in âfostering good standards of corporate governance.â (Maasen 1999:80) They are important corporate governance institutions in countries being intrinsically involved in the life cycle of public companies through listing, overseeing, regulating and delisting. In essence, they play a central role in the economic activities of the private sector. According to Summers (1987), financial markets are the wheels of economic growth, and âlocal stock exchanges are the keystone of the financial market-centred model of national economic growth.â (Weber & Davis 2000: 4). Stock markets channel capital, are mechanisms for effective governance, and are a fulcrum for producing institutional and social change within an economy. Firstly, this paper discusses the major corporate governance systems around the world. Secondly, current corporate governance reforms are examined with reference to the profound influence of the OECD Principles of Corporate Governance (1999, revised 2004), and the criticism of the Principles. Thirdly, the growth of capital markets from 1990 to 2005 and the dominance of Anglo-American stock exchanges are examined. Fourthly, the state of two stock exchanges in two Asia Pacific countries with differing socio-economic histories is compared: the Australian Stock Exchange with the Philippine Stock Exchange. Finally, the paper concludes with recommendations for the future direction of corporate governance reforms

Corporate Social Responsibility - Whither the Role of Government?

This book analyzes issues related to multinational corporations, their immense economic and political influence in a globalized world, and corporate social responsibility

The Changing Face of Corruption in the Asia Pacific Region: Its Discontents, Current Perspectives and Future Challenges

This book brings together a diverse group of academicians, practitioners and contributors and their knowledge of, and/or experience of, corruption in the Asia Pacific Region. Hand in hand, the theoreticians inform, while the practitioners enlighten. This complementary group and their collective wisdom demonstrate the ills and ramifications of corruption and how breathtaking it is in its depth. They note the different changes that have occurred in the region from the latter half of the 20th century to the early decades of the 21st century as it emerged an economic powerhouse: the ‘Asian Century’ is here

The Pivotal Role of and Pervasive Influence of Business Groups in East Asia

Double peer-reviewed conference: "The invitation to ANZAM members, both academic and practitioner, and professionals with a passion, interest and experience in management and associated fields to join us for the 26th ANZAM Conference resulted in the submissions of over 400 papers. After the traditional ANZAM double blind peer review under the guidance of the stream chairs, the papers that meet the required academic rigour and standard are included in these Conference Proceedings presented over the three day conference. The double blind peer review process resulted in the acceptance of 285 papers, all presented in the traditional ANZAM discipline and interest sessions as clustered by the stream chairs.