IPO anomalies in the corporate debt markets are to great extent unexplored field in the academic literature. The aim of this paper is to investigate the underpricing phenomenon of newly issued corporate bonds on the Catalyst market and its determinants. I use event study methodology to test for underpricing and perform regressions to find its determinants. The sample includes 142 corporate bonds issued between March 2010 and August 2013 and listed on the Catalyst market. The computations confirm the uderpricing effect in the CEE market, however do not allow to indicate its determinants.

Corporate accounting scandal is not a new phenomenon and it is the outcome of corporate accruals i.e., accruals by management choice. This study investigated the use of corporate accruals in the financial statements of the listed companies in Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) through segregating total accruals into corporate (discretionary) and accounting (non-discretionary) accruals. The average rate of corporate accruals was 35 percent and in many cases, cash flow from operation exceeded the net income, the growth in accounts receivable was faster than sales growth, and inventory growth was not consistent with sales growth. In this context, this study may create awareness of the risk factors of corporate accruals among external users’ of accounting information especially analysts, regulator, policy makers, existing and potential shareholders, lenders, trade creditors, external auditors, researchers, financial advisors, and stock brokers. Consequently, it may reduce the use of management discretion in preparing the financial statements.

The aim of this paper is to examine the return and volatility spillovers and stock market co-movements among Western, Central and Southeast European stock markets. To examine the volatility spillover effects we employ a multivariate GARCH-BEKK (1, 1) model on a daily data from 2005 to 2014. There is a high and stable conditional correlation between Central and Western European markets during most of the analyzed period and the conditional correlation rises sharply during the periods of financial turmoil, suggesting some evidence on contagion. Conditional correlation between Croatian and Romanian markets and their Western counterparts is modest but it increases during the periods of financial crisis. Conditional correlation coefficients indicate that Macedonian and Serbian stock markets are relatively isolated from the advanced European markets. The return spillovers are investigated with the forecast-error variance decomposition based on the generalized VAR model. Following Diebold and Yilmaz (2012), we develop “spillover indices” based on the variance decomposition results on the generalized VAR model. The results indicate that total spillover index rose sharply during the periods of major financial disruptions. DAX and FTSE100 are the major net transmitters of spillovers to Central and Southeast European markets. There are bi-directional spillovers between DAX and FTSE100, between PX and WIG-20 and between MBI10 and BELEX15.

The paper discusses the primary and secondary convergence conditions for the second monetary zone in West Africa. The focal point is however the primary conditions as these provide the basis for the attainment of the secondary conditions. Panel data for the research are obtained from the West African Monetary Agency website: www.wami.imao.org. The variables are those given in the primary conditions and these are first tested for unit root and stationarity for each country. A panel cointegration test is then applied to obtain a long-run equation which is used as an objective function in the Simplex method of linear programming with the primary conditions as constraints. The panel unit root test results show that all the variables are integrated with the degree of integration varying from zero to one for different countries. The stationarity test confirms the result, as the variables are non-stationarity in level for some countries but stationarity for others. Since the unit root and stationarity test show conflicting results, the pooled mean group estimator is used to obtain long-run cointegration equation. This equation can be applied irrespective of whether the variables are integrated or not. Linear programming is then used to obtain the optimal condition for attainment of a single currency project for West Africa. The result shows that the objective function is minima at 0.0462 with inflation contributing more to the variation in the government external reserves. The paper recommend that Central Banks in those countries preparing for second monetary zone should avoid implementing inflation targeting as a way to solving their economic problem.

The paper is based on UGC sponsored major research project recently completed. Major finding of the project has been that the Indian financial sector has failed to assist in the growth process of the economy. Granger causality tests on quarterly data in the framework of VAR and VEC models have been used to establish the results. These results hold at the aggregate economy level and also at the sectoral level. The reasons are to be found in the working of the financial system as experienced by the demand side of loanable funds. The field study conducted under the project has brought out that not only has the system failed to contribute to economic growth but also that its functioning is highly lopsided. Primary data collected through field survey points to a biased allocation of the available funds by the banking system and a substantial presence of the informal sources of credit in the economy. While the informal real sector is the one that primarily contributes to the growth of the Indian economy the dismal reality is that its financial needs are barely served by the mainstream financial sector. This in itself explains the failure of the financial system to contribute to economic growth. Since the finance growth linkages are found to be weak/ absent, an important implication of the result is that controlling inflation in India using tight credit policies can be achieved with minimum costs to growth of the real sector.

This paper analyses the modifications of financial audit reports of Maltese companies between 2005 and 2009. It examines the audit reports of a random sample of 374 limited liability companies registered with the Registry of Companies in Malta. The study shows that the average 2005-2009 modification rate in Malta stood at 22.4%, this representing an increase over previous periods. Most modified reports were noted in the case of private exempt and international trading non-exempt companies. Generally, private exempt companies had their audit report qualified on the basis of a limitation of scope, whilst most international trading companies had their reports qualified on the basis of disagreement with management. Furthermore, the “small company qualification” (which has been long abolished) was still incorrectly being used in Maltese audit reports till 2009. The results therefore show that there is still room for improvement in audit reporting in Malta. Whilst the Big Four audit firms do not appear to have issues in appropriately adhering to audit reporting standards, Maltese smaller audit firms and sole practitioners were found still to be the main cause for inappropriate audit reporting. Towards improvement, the study provides various recommendations including: a more consistent regulatory framework, stricter enforcement of quality assurance, and the reconsideration of the statutory small audit. Such recommendations may also be applicable to other jurisdictions.

Ready-mix concrete business as the part of the procurement chain in the construction industry is strongly influenced by the economic and social situation in Slovenia. The financial crisis has revealed all the weaknesses and forced the industry into huge transition that left behind a mass of companies at the edge of survival. The purpose of this study is to investigate and examine the most appropriate strategic change framework with some proposals for the selected organization. After the analysis of current situation a desk research was made to explore different strategic change models. In the next stage the study adopted a quantitative methodology using self-completing questionnaire to collect relevant data about customer values and requirements and a qualitative methodology conducting a focus group interview among company's management team to evaluate most important strategic change issues. New mission, vision, and core values were developed as the core strategic elements of new approach. On the basis of selected strategic model new strategy was transformed into a set of managerial projects. Conclusions of the study confirm that ready-mix concrete production is a commodity business that competes mostly on price and quality on geographically small markets. However, further analysis demonstrates additional opportunities when customers are segmented into more specific groups in view of their core businesses and specialities. In addition to regular ready-mix concrete production for general use, there is a possibility to provide individually developed concrete based solutions. All presented findings and conclusions that constitute a new strategic approach contribute to long term company stabilization, competitive advantage and overall performance.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine Macedonian managers’ behavior and the strategy they most often have facing a conflict situation at work.

Design/methodology/approach: Research instrument in a form of questionnaire was used to obtain data about strategies for managing conflict. For assessing which of the five modes: competing, collaborating, compromising, avoiding and accommodating Macedonian managers’ use we used Thomas-Kilmann conflict mode instrument.

Findings: The results from the study give new insights in the managerial mind, providing information about managers’ approaches they have facing problems and conflict situations.

Research limitations/implications: There is a literature gap in the area of organizational behavior studies in Macedonia. The results from the survey can be used for comparing the profile of Macedonian managers with managers from other countries.

Practical implications: This study will increase the understanding of how managers’ behavior is connected with conflict management styles. Also, the results from the study can be used in creating new teams and predicting behavior based on the styles used in learning and conflict resolution.

Originality/value: This research contributes to the field of organizational behavior by offering support and new findings. This study adds to the body of literature in what is considered relatively new and unexplored area of study in Macedonia. Also, this study will provide information about the behavior Macedonian managers have and clearer picture of their managerial style.

Environmental pollution and its devastating effects, which have made their mark on the contemporary generation, have generated the need for policies to protect the environment, but at the same time to create a framework conducive to sustainable development. Although in the literature are now numerous concerns for refining the objectives, to identify appropriate methodologies to help protect the environment and ensure sustainable development, however there is no a clear picture about the strategies of development and environmental protection, especially in Romania. The research goal is to capture the impact of pollutant factors on the environment`development, as well as measures that could mitigate the harmful effects of it. The paper presents and analyzes the economic reality of Romania, by drawing up a report on the work of environmental protection agencies, Botoșani. Its importance consist in the fact that it represents an element of strategic guidance on long-term efforts to solve the environmental development and protection issue. Also, the study tries to capture the ability of some strategies of sustainable development on amount of time horizon of 2013-2020. As can be seen in the work, Romania has a relatively large domestic market and the second largest in Central and Eastern Europe, a qualified workforce with low costs compared to Western European countries, and Romania's economic prospects have been improved following the accession to the European Union.

This paper analyses the start of the debt crisis in Europe and in Spain, which increased inflation, unemployment and public debt. Although Spanish banking system was considered one of the best, the growing debt brought Spain into one of the worst affected countries in financial crisis. Because of this, Spain was faced to the fiscal consolidation as the imperative for further development. The strength of the crisis in Spain can be seen from main economic indicators. Budget deficit in Spain was almost 12% just two years after it went into surplus for the first time in 30 year period. Public debt has started to rise from 2007 and in 2013 it overcomes 90% of GDP. The rate of unemployment also started to rise from 2007 and in 2013 it is higher than 25%. This paper analyses also Phillips curve in Spain using the actual data after the start of fiscal consolidation.

Since 1995 China officially adopted the Strategy of Revitalizing China through Science and Education to advance towards the knowledge economy. Our paper aims to access China’s progress using international indices of economic and innovation development (Knowledge Economy Index, Global Competitiveness Index, and Human Development Index). We also explore six types of public-private partnerships in innovation activities of the Chinese universities. They are: technology contracts, technology transfer, university-owned enterprises, joint research centers, independent colleges, and university-based science parks. For each partnership we study the role it played in intensification of research and education with an emphasis on government participation mechanisms. Based on the analysis of the official statistics the authors find that the progress of China to the knowledge economy is evident. China’s government played a leading role in the construction of the knowledge economy providing legislation basis and financing. Public-private partnerships in innovation activities in the universities in China significantly contributed to the technological development of the country and the country’s transition towards the knowledge economy. Studying successful experience of the public private-partnerships in the Chinese universities is a first step to possible adaptation of this mechanism in other countries, including Russia.

In past ten years the world of retailing has changed dramatically due to changes to consumer consumption, product saturation and most of all to technology improvements. Retailers have to operate in environment that fluctuates among different challenges that global economy puts on their way of doing business. Also global economy and internationalization of business reduced dependence on home markets and mood swing of domestic consumers. Needless to say attractiveness of foreign-new markets and its possibilities of growth. But unfamiliar and unpredictable territory has its treats and risk. In our paper we are focused on analysis of the strategies that retailers have as option when their wont to internationalize their business. Analysis of theoretical aspects of retail internationalization, and also of motives that shift retailers operations and attention from domestic toward unfamiliar markets are also given. The question for new analysis or research is put is there the best entry strategy for retailers or is it a mix of skill, experience and luck?

Existence of global rivalry between corporations causes the need for expatriation as one of potential sources of international competitive advantage. Expatriation is standard practice of multinational corporations to accomplish their missions. In this paper focus is put on self-initiated expatriates who represent contemporary trend among global working force. Their importance and uniqueness is elaborated broadly. Special emphasis is put on comparison between traditional and self-initiated expatriates. The most important differences between those two categories are analyzed as well as different motives that lead and encourage them to successfully finish their international assignments.

The aim of this paper is to provide an insight in to the world of corporate governance quality as well as to shed light on efforts in measuring the quality of corporate governance through an overview of relevant academic and commercial corporate governance indices by. As the paper will show, measuring the quality of corporate governance is still a relatively new concept. The construction of the index for measuring the quality of corporate governance still comes down to simplification of standards or criteria which mainly revolve around three dimensions - compliance, performance and accountability. In contrast to the level of compliance with good governance standards, scientific assessment of the quality of corporate governance remains a mystery.

The peculiarities of microfinance and prospects of its implementation in the institutional structure of a social and economic system in general and transitional economies systems in particular are considered. Special attention is paid to the problems of investing in microfinance activity under globalization and different institutional configurations.

Prerequisites of agent’s limited rationality are defined, when their choice is influenced by preferences, last events, emotional characteristics. An impact of behavioral characteristics on making decision in case of limited rationality of the agent is considered. For example, overconfidence managers encourage an increase in debt in capital structure of the company and overinvestment. The conflicts of interests for the Russian companies with ownership concentration are analyzed. Moreover ownership concentration – is a necessary measure of shareholders protection, not always have a negative effect on financial economic results. Behavioral features and agency problems vary at life cycles of the company. The algorithm of transition from one life stage to another in accordance with determined risks, agency problems and drivers is developed. The challenge to stimulate managers for increase of productivity and their decisions is determined. This article presents investigation a motivation and an encouragement of management; defined behavioral characteristics in the way of incentives; behavioral stereotypes in stimulation methods are presented.