Volume 4, Issue 2, Published in December 2015
Yingping Huanga*, Tao Lib, Xisheng Xiaoc, Xihui Zhanga, and John Olaguesd
aUniversity of North Alabama, Florence, AL 35632, USA
bChangsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha, Hunan 410004, China
cGuizhou University of Finance & Economics, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, China
dTruth in Options, River Ridge, LA 70123, USA
Abstract
In this paper, we introduce a new type of employee stock options – dynamic employee stock options (DESOs). A cost-benefit analysis of DESOs is conducted against traditional employee stock options (TESOs). The results indicate that DESOs have many advantages over TESOs while they only cost the firm 4% more. We suggest that firms should choose DESOs over TESOs for the best interests of both the employers and the employees.
Keywords: dynamic employee stock options, traditional employee stock options, cost-benefit analysis.
Joel Jolayemia*, Festus Olorunniwo, Chunxing Fan and Xiaoming Li
Department of Business Administration, Tennessee State University, Nashville TN USA
Abstract
We develop a composite process for establishing and continuously maintaining end-to-end visibility in multiple multi-tier supplier network systems. The composite process is made up of: (1) the dig-down and shovel-up procedure for mapping and developing critical supplier network paths, (2) the dig-down and shovel-up procedure for establishing the visibility of tier suppliers in all critical supplier network paths, and (3) the dig-down and shovel-up procedure for using scorecard for evaluating every critical tier supplier in multi-tier supplier network systems. The steps to be followed in applying each of these procedures are developed and presented together with an illustrative flow chart. A list of information items that can be collected, transmitted, shared, and stored during the applications of the composite process is also developed. We also develop a list of follow-up actions and decisions that can be taken after establishing the visibility of tier suppliers and after each scorecard evaluation cycle. Furthermore, an outline of the procedure by which decision support system can be used for effectively and efficiently sharing, transmitting, storing, and accessing information during the applications of each of the procedures of our composite process is developed. Additionally, we do a critical review of the current approaches used in some industries for engendering tier supplier visibility. To the best of our knowledge, the composite process and its constituent procedures are the first and best of their types as tools for engendering tier supplier visibility. They are devoid of all the shortcomings of the current industry approaches.
Keywords: Critical supplier network path, critical tier suppliers, dig-down-and-shovel-up procedure, industry’s approaches, scorecard, supplier relationship management.
Charles Andoha* and Daniel Quayeb
aDepartment of Finance, University of Ghana Business School, Legon, Accra, Ghana
bDepartment of Marketing and Customer Management, University of Ghana Business School, Accra, Ghana.
Abstract
The study examines the formation of an enterprise through the pooling of the resources of a group of individuals over a period of time, as opposed to the conventional approach of seeking institutional loans. Mathematical models and/or mathematical expressions/formulas are developed for the managements of the pooled funds under a general case and under some special cases. The developments of most of the mathematical expressions/formulas are based on the developments and proofs of some propositions. Mathematical analysis for determining the sustainability or viability of the enterprise or pooling arrangement is presented. Many of the models are illustrated using audited data from the largest shopping mall in Ghana. Some illustrations are also done using some hypothetical data. The illustrations done with the real world and the hypothetical data show that enterprise formation by pooling is a good and viable source of funding for the establishments of small-and medium-scale enterprises.
Keywords: acquisition period, Andoh’s inequality, crowd funding, honesty test inequality, strain, shadow amount.
Jane Peihsun Wua* and Vincent W S Chowb
aShanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai, China
bHong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
Abstract
This study is the first exploratory empirical research on retail consumption behavior in rural China. The study develops an understanding of retail consumption behavior using well-established theories and cognitive models, with a focus on lifestyle and store attributes. The results show that the factors of customer lifestyle and of store attributes contribute positively to rural people’s consumption attitudes, and indirectly contribute to their intentions to shop in retail stores. The mediatory effect of consumption attitude is also strongly significant. Customer lifestyles have greater influence on attitudes and shopping intentions than store attributes, and this finding has important, practical implications for retail entrepreneurs in rural China.
Keywords: rural China, retail consumption behavior, lifestyle, store attributes.
Aysu Göçer*
Izmir University of Economics, Department of Logistics Management, Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
Abstract
In this research, we investigate and identify the interface areas or areas of overlap between marketing and logistics/supply chain management in marketing research. We do this by reviewing and classifying the articles published in the last three years in three most influential marketing journals, namely: Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Research and Journal of International Marketing. Kotler and Keller’s popular book (Kotler and Keller, 2012) was used as a guide in developing nine groups of marketing/logistics/supply chain management concepts on which the classifications of articles were based. We also identify the current common areas of interests as well as future research trends in logistic/supply chain management research from marketing perspective on one hand and from logistic/supply chain management perspective on the other. This we did by reviewing recently published supply chain related articles by supply chain management scholars/researchers in the journals of supply chain management, operations management, and other journals and then compare the areas of logistics/supply chain research interests or focus in these articles with the marketing’s area of research interests or focus (in the areas). The results show that articles published in the three major marketing journals reviewed cover a wide variety of logistics and supply chain management and relationship marketing concepts. Nonetheless, the results also show that there are some important logistics/supply chain concepts or areas which are entirely left uncovered in the last three years by these three major marketing journals.
Keywords: Marketing research, logistics/supply chain research, logistics/supply chain concepts, marketing-logistics/supply chain interface, grouping, overlap.
Andrew I.E. Ewoha* and Olayinka Tejuosob
aBarbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas 77004, U.S.A.
bKennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144, U.S.A.
Abstract
In the American law, the at-will employment doctrine defines an employment relationship between an employer and the employee in which both parties can terminate the relationship at any time with no liability as long as there was no contract for a definite period. As an “at-will” state, an employee in Georgia works at the will of the employer, however employers cannot fire employees against any established federal public policy, which are discriminatory such as race, gender or national origin. This analysis deploys various sources to provide a descriptive evaluation of the nature and scope of at-will employment structure in the public sector, with special focus on the Georgia reform. The purpose of this exploratory analysis is to furnish scholars and human resource specialists with a good understanding of the reasons why the State of Georgia adopted an at-will employment reform and the policy implication of the current practice. The analysis concludes with recommendations on how to improve the employment relationship between employers and their employees.