Short research report : a comparison of emotional intelligence levels between students in experiential and didactic college programs

Short Research Report: A Comparison of Emotional Intelligence Levels between Students in Experiential and Didactic College Programspeer-reviewe

Occupation-Level Income Shocks and Asset Returns: Their Covariance and Implications for Portfolio Choice

This paper develops and applies a simple graphical approach to portfolio selection that accounts for covariance between asset returns and an investor's labor income. Our graphical approach easily handles income shocks that are partly hedgable, multiple risky assets, many periods and life cycle considerations. We apply the approach to occupation-level components of individual income innovations estimated from repeated cross sections of the Current Population Survey. We characterize several properties of these innovations, including their covariance with aggregate equity returns, long-term bond returns and returns on several other assets. Aggregate equity returns are uncorrelated with the occupation-level income innovations, but a portfolio formed on firm size is significantly correlated with income innovations for several occupations, and so are selected industry-level equity portfolios. An application of the theory to the empirical results shows (a) large predicted levels of risky asset holdings compared to observed levels, (b) considerable variation in optimal portfolio allocations over the life cycle, and (c) large departures from the two-fund separation principle.

Training Employees to Be a Source of Sustained Competitive Advantage

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that there is an important role for learning and development professionals in helping the firm achieve Sustained Competitive Advantage (SCA) and, furthermore, to explain how this can be achieved. This hypothesis is developed through an extensive review of the scholarly literature and leads to the formulation of a practitioner's guide for learning and development professionals. The study finds that employees can be a direct source of SCA for their firm by applying Resource-based Theory (RBT) through employee training and development initiatives and programs. The research findings are limited in that the paper is conceptual and while a great deal of evidence exists to support its central premise, the hypothesis is yet to be tested through empirical research. There are important practical implications of the study for learning and development specialists and consultants, for employees, human resource professionals, organizational strategic planners and organizations at large. Specifically, the paper points toward new directions for learning strategy. This paper has originality in that it appears to be the first to explicitly link the practical application of RBT with employee training and development initiatives and to provide examples of how this can be achieved

Reform and Development in a Transitioning Economy: Assessing Conditions in the Operating Environment of the Small Business Sector in Kazakhstan

This paper examines the emergence of entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan with a view to explore the sector's sustainability. The paper looks at reforms which have enabled the dramatic increase in entrepreneurial activity in the country and discusses the barriers and challenges to further small business growth. A selfadministered survey instrument in the form of a questionnaire was completed by 60 small business owners in Almaty. The study found that Kazakhstan has proactively sought to develop entrepreneurial activity through a wide range of initiatives and reforms and has indirectly helped entrepreneurs through market reforms. However, numerous barriers still exist that frustrate and hinder small business activity and more must be done to address the needs of entrepreneurs if they are to realize their full potential. The research was limited in sample size; geographical reach and data sought. As Kazakhstan continues its aggressive economic development towards a market economy and builds its small business sector, there are implications for policy makers in the small business arena and implications for aspiring entrepreneurs. There is a scarcity of research on the topic of small business in Kazakhstan. This paper is of value to government agencies charged with improving the operating conditions for small business in Kazakhstan

Determining the Impact of Wind on System Costs via the Temporal Patterns of Load and Wind Generation

Wind Energy, System Costs, Alternative Energy, Electricity Generation, Environmental Economics and Policy, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q4, Q42, Q54,

Resource-Based Theory, Competition and Staff Differentiation in Africa: Leveraging Employees as A Source of Sustained Competitive Advantage

This paper reports upon a research project designed to identify the extent to which and in what ways Human Resource (HR) managers in Africa view employees as a source of potential sustained competitive advantage (SCA) and whether Resource-based Theory (RBT) is being applied in practice. A qualitative research methodology is adopted, specifically a constructivist Grounded Theory Research Method (GTRM) approach. Data were collected through fifty-six semi-structured interviews from May 2015 through May 2016 with HR managers from 17 Sub-Saharan African countries. While the interviewees were not aware of RBT or consciously applying RBT principles and practices, many did see the potential for adopting a RBT model and the benefits it could deliver employees and the organization. However, some interviewees were skeptical of RBT and in all organizations represented by the sample there are many barriers to developing and implementing a RBT model. The study has advanced our knowledge of RBT in emerging African economies. The paper highlights a number of potential future research opportunities and acknowledges some of the study's limitations. There are potentially significant practical implications for companies in terms of maximizing employee capability and competitive advantage; opportunities currently being missed. There are implications for employees in terms of their development, job design and engagement and for HR managers developing HR strategy. The authors contend that this is the first empirical, multi-country study of Resource-based Theory in Africa