Factors Affecting Going Public Decision in Sri Lanka: Structural Equation Modelling Approach

Land is one of the important resources that can be used to supply the needs of human life. Uncontrolled land utilization will cause land cover change phenomenon. Land cover change phenomenon can be analyzed by using a model. To get an accurate result, the selection of models in the analysis of land cover change must be based on the characteristics of land cover change phenomenon itself. Land cover change is a binary phenomenon and strongly related to the local characteristics of a region. A model that can be used in the analysis of binary phenomena is Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) model. However, the application of BLR model has a disadvantage. BLR model is one of the global models which assumes that the analyzed phenomenon has homogeneous characteristics for the entire study area. This does not correspond to the characteristic of land cover change phenomenon. Therefore, we need another local model that is able to show local characteristic variations of land cover change. Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model is one of the local spatial regression techniques that can be used to analyze phenomena that have spatially heterogeneous characteristics. The application of GWR model for binary phenomena (dependent variable) such as land cover change is called Geographically Weighted – Binary Logistic Regression (GW-BLR) model. This research aims to analyze land cover change phenomenon in the Northern West Java development region using GW-BLR and compares the result to BLR model. The results of this research indicate that the analysis of land cover change in the Northern West Java development region using GW-BLR model has a higher level of accuracy compared to BLR model. The modeling results of land cover change using GW-BLR model has an overall accuracy value of 91.10% and using BLR model has an overall accuracy value of 84.09%. Therefore, it can be concluded that land cover change phenomenon in Northern West Java development region can be analyzed more accurately by considering its local spatial characteristics through using the GW-BLR model.

The study compares traditional and modern English language teaching methods and examines the prevalence and adoption of these methods by English language teachers. The sample consists of 100 English language teachers. The researchers use OLS regression, binary logistic regression and structural equation modelling to establish an association between adopting a particular language teaching method and the characteristics of the language teachers. Results indicate that experienced teachers prefer the social learning method, while less experienced teachers advocate the bilingual, experiential, and listening and observation methods. There are gender differences in accepting these language teaching methods. Female language teachers show an inclination towards the listening and observation method, whereas male teachers ardently favour the bilingual and experiential methods. Regression analysis reveals a higher probability of adoption of bilingual translation methods by non-English educational background teachers. Experienced teachers adopt the Social Learning Method, while less experienced teachers prefer experiential learning and bilingual translation methods more. Results of the path analysis using structural equation modelling indicate that the gender of the teachers mediates their educational background in the adoption of the particular language teaching method.

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between job satisfaction, work stress, work–family conflict and turnover intention, and explore factors associated with turnover intention, among physicians in Guangdong Province, China.MethodsFrom August to October...

Regression analysis one of the methods to determine the cause and effect relationship between one varibale and another variable. In the relationship model, the variables that used are grouped into two, namely response variables and predictor variables. Logistic regression is a regression model that is often used for modeling the relationship between the qualitative (categorical) dependent variable and one or more independent variables. The model of logistic regression that has a dependent variable of two categories is called a dichotomous (binary) logistic regression model. Binary logistic regression using one response variable can be developed into a binary logistic regression model with two response variables namely bivariate logistic regression (BLR). This research is focused on developing a second-order bivariate binary logistic regression model for the independent variables which is the second order of the model have a polynomial with two degrees. For parameter estimation using Maximum Likelihood Estimator (MLE) method. The problem that arises in the parameter estimation of his model is MLE cannot find an implicit analytical solution, so it is necessary to apply iteration methods in the form of Fisher Scoring with the iteration β^fs(r+1)=β^fs(r)+I(β^fs(r))−1g(β^fs(r)), for r = 0,1, 2, … and Berndt Hall-Hall-Hausmann (BHHH) using iteration β^bhh(r+1)=β^bhh(r)−H(β^bhh(r))−1g(β^bhh(r)), for r 0,1, 2, …. The hypothesis testing for bivariate logistic regression model is carried out simultaneously dan partially by the Maximum Likelihood Ratio Test (MLRT) method.

The purpose of this study was to examine the Relationship among Korea Sports Promotion Foundation`s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Corporate Image, Consumer Attitude. The participants of this study consisted of 300 people selected from stadium for cycle racing in Kwang-Myung. Samples were extracted by purpose sampling method. 340 surveys were collected, and removi ng those that have no or insufficient answers, total 271 surveys were used as data in actual analysis. Through exploratory factor analysis, four factors were extracted by corporate social responsibility. Using SPSS 18.0 version for Window, frequence analysis, exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach`s α, Pearson`s correlation analysis. Also, the statistical methods such as confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling by using AMOS 7.0 were utilized. The results of this study are as follows; First, financial responsibility and ethical responsibility out of corporate social responsibilities have been proven to give a statistically careful effect on professional corporate image. Also, all factor of corporate social responsibilities have been proven to give a statistically careful effect on confidential corporate image. Second, professional corporate image has a careful effect on consumer emotion, and all factor of corporate image has a careful effect on consumer attitude.

Companies with complex equity structures formed by issuing shares of different types are a common phenomenon in developed and developing economies, including Russia. However, the causes and consequences of companies choosing such equity structures are not well understood. In particular, neither theory nor empirical studies give a clear answer to the question of the impact of such equity structures on companies' behavior and performance. This article has two goals: first, to characterize the segment of Russian public companies with dual-class stock, including the question of their genesis, and second, to assess the impact of complex equity structures on company performance. The empirical analysis draws on a database of all Russian public companies whose shares were traded on the Moscow Exchange in 2011-20. Using the tools of descriptive, statistical and econometric analysis, we show that the share of dual-class stock companies on the Russian stock market has been high and stable over time, that the overwhelming majority of such companies were created during the processes of privatization and/or reorganization of industries, and that they are characterized by a significant concentration of ownership and control rights in the hands of the largest shareholder. We find that the issue of dual-class stock does not lead to a decline in company performance. However, company performance is inversely related to the wedge between the control and ownership rights of the largest shareholder. Specifically, it is a decreasing function of the shareholder's control rights and an increasing function of her ownership rights, with almost identical absolute values of these effects. The academic significance of this study stems from the confirmation of a negative effect of the control-ownership wedge on company performance in a quasi-experimental setting of the Russian economy, where the majority of dual-class stock companies emerged as a result of government decisions on privatization/reorganization of industries. The results can be used by stock market participants and regulators, which highlights the practical value of this study.

In this paper, we examine the antecedents of ownership rights within multiunit firms, focusing on the wedge between the control rights and cash-flow rights that parent companies hold over their subsidiaries. We argue that a key antecedent of a parent’s ownership rights in a subsidiary is the extent of the subsidiary’s interdependencies with the firm. Exploring two such interdependencies, we hypothesize that (1) the wedge between parents’ control and cash-flow rights is smaller for subsidiaries that are more closely related to the firm and (2) there is a U-shaped relationship between the extent of a firm’s multimarket contact in an industry and the wedge between parents’ control rights and cash-flow rights for subsidiaries that operate in that industry. We tested our predictions and found evidence supporting the first hypothesis and mixed results for the second in a sample of subsidiaries newly added to French manufacturing firms through acquisitions or de novo creations. In supplementary analyses, we also found that a subsidiary’s interdependencies are also associated with its hierarchical position within the firm’s formal authority structure. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/stsc.2022.0114 .

Purpose – Global mobile communication is one of the most dynamic and important service markets. Several researchers suggest using a theoretical approach to develop a much deeper insight into key marketing constructs such as service quality, customer perceived value, customer satisfaction, perceived switching costs, corporate image, and customer loyalty is of vital importance to the mobile communications market. This study aims to develop and test a comprehensive hierarchical model of these six important constructs. The model also incorporates the retailing function of a major mobile communication provider. Design/methodology/approach – The research sample of 516 was drawn from customers of one of the largest mobile communications service providers in China. The data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Findings – The results of the study support using a hierarchical and multidimensional approach for conceptualising and measuring customers' perceptions of service quality in the mobile communications market. In addition, the findings illustrate that service quality is an important determinant of customer perceived value, customer satisfaction, corporate image, and perceived switching costs. Customer perceived value is also an antecedent of customer satisfaction. Corporate image, customer satisfaction, and perceived switching costs are three key drivers of customer loyalty. However, the findings also indicate that corporate image is not an important determinant of customer satisfaction and that customer perceived value is not a key driver of customer loyalty. Originality/value – This is the first paper that has developed and tested a comprehensive hierarchical model of the mobile communications market.

The nutritional status of children can be grouped into two, namely normal and abnormal nutrition so that the data are analyzed using a binary logistic regression model. In this study, the use of binary logistic regression was developed on the use of the spline estimator as part of the nonparametric regression approach. This model is able to model qualitative response data by showing several trends that may occur in the data. Data on the nutritional status of children were analyzed based on the child's weight through a linear spline estimator and the optimal model was obtained at the use of a one-knot point, which was 4.7 kg. These results indicate that if a child has a body weight of 4.7 kg and above then there is a chance that the child has an abnormal nutritional status of 9.013 times compared to a child with a body weight below 4.7 kg. This could be due to the fact that children are no longer getting breast milk, so they need to get attention regarding their nutritional status.

This paper investigates the relation between corporate governance and auditor selection for firms listed in Taiwan. More specifically, we use the divergence between control rights and cash flow rights (i.e., the ratio of control rights to cash flow rights) to measure the extent of the corporate governance mechanism whereas we use three quality levels to define auditor type - Big 5 industry specialist (highest quality), nonspecialist Big 5 (middle quality), or non-Big 5 auditor (lowest quality). Using both multinomial logistic regression and binary logistic regression models, we find that the likelihood of selecting specialist auditors and Big 5 auditors increases with the ratio of control rights to cash flow rights after controlling for other variables, which suggests that firms with greater entrenchment effects are more likely to hire high quality auditors. Our study contributes to the literature of accounting and auditing by demonstrating the relation between corporate governance, measured as the deviation of control rights and cash flow rights, and selection of high quality auditors, which has not been explored in Taiwan where the interests of controlling and minority shareholders are not perfectly aligned.

Dietary modifications remain the mainstay in managing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Published data on the effect of overall dietary patterns on NAFLD is scarce. The present study aims to extract the dietary patterns and investigate their association to NAFLD by gender, using structural equation modeling, among adult participants in Amol, northern Iran. In this cross-sectional study, data from 3,149 participants in the Amol cohort study (55.3% men, n = 1,741) were analyzed. Usual dietary intake was assessed by a validated 168-items semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. We classified major dietary patterns by explanatory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). NAFLD diagnosis was based on ultrasound scanning, including increased hepatic echogenicity, abnormal appearance of hepatic arteries, and diaphragm in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption. Multivariable logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and NAFLD. Three distinct dietary patterns, including western, healthy, and traditional/mixed dietary patterns, were identified. Adult male who adhere to the western dietary pattern were more affected with NAFLD risk [Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, odds ratio (OR) = 1, 1.16, 1.34, 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.83–1.61, 0.96–1.85, 0.98–1.96, ptrend = 0.04, respectively]. A full mediating effect of healthy dietary pattern, western dietary pattern, and traditional dietary pattern via dietary acid load (DAL) proxy (of dietary patterns to DAL: βstd = −0.35, p < 0.006, βstd = 0.15, p = 0.009, and βstd = 0.08, p = 0.001, respectively), on NAFLD was found through mediation analysis using SEM. A western dietary pattern comprising frequent intake of salty and sweet snacks, soft drinks, refined grains, processed meats, cooked and fried potatoes, eggs, and coffee was associated with a higher odds of NAFLD in an Iranian male population. Additionally, our findings might provide a mechanistic explanation for the association between dietary patterns and NAFLD via DAL proxy. However, further prospective studies, including assessing acid-base biomarkers, are needed.

Determining factors affecting congestion pricing acceptability

Delayed access to health care in terms of diagnosis and treatment has unforeseen health and cost implications on the patients and the public health system in general. Thus, the study examines patients’ waiting time in accessing health care services. The study employs a convenience sampling technique in collecting data from a sample of 350 Outpatients using a questionnaire. The main analytic tools used in the study are the paired sample t-test, binary logistic regression and SmartPLS structural equation modelling. Results from the study show that the actual waiting times of patients are generally higher than the expected times. Furthermore, the probability of a patient’s waiting time being rated as unacceptable is affected by the Day of attendance, Arrival time of patients, Large number of patients or long queue, Long registration time, Type of diagnosis, and Type of treatment sought. Finally, the study also establishes that there is no relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and unacceptable waiting time, as well as no relationship between hospital factors and unacceptable waiting time. Additionally, the study shows that unacceptable waiting time does not have any influence on overall patients’ satisfaction. However, a strong positive relationship between process factors and unacceptable waiting time was established. The study recommends that there is the need for health care policy formulators to adopt more efficient strategies, like use of computer modelling to help assign appointment time to patients, so as to significantly reduce the time patients spend waiting at the hospitals.&#x0D; Citation: Kunu, E. K. and Agbede, P. S. (2021). Statistical Analysis of Patients Waiting Time in Accessing Health Care Services in Ghana: A Case Study of University of Cape Coast Hospital. International Journal of Technology and Management Research. Vol. 6, Issue 1: 14－27.&#x0D; Received: October 23, 2020Accepted: March 30, 2021

We aimed to investigate three reports of a possible role of early parental death in late onset dementia. We tested a multivariate model of risk factors for late onset dementia that included established (female sex, a family history of dementia, APOE ε4) and putative influences (vascular risk factors, years of full-time education, parental ages at death, and childhood IQ) on dementia risk. We examined contributions of early life and late life risk factors for dementia by using childhood social and family data and blood samples obtained at interview at age about 78 years. In 1997-1999, we recruited 281 subjects without dementia from a 1932 Scottish IQ survey of children born in 1921 and followed them up to 2010 (at age 88). Binary logistic regression and Bayesian structural equation modelling were used to model dementia risk. Risk of dementia was associated with increasing age from 77 to 88 years, female sex, death of either parent before age 11 and APOE ε4 genotype. Family history of dementia, childhood IQ, years of education and vascular risk factors did not contribute to the model. Our multivariate models of the possible causes of late onset dementia confirm previous associations of dementia with female sex and APOE ε4 genotype and supports earlier reports of a role for early parental death.

This study expands ongoing inquiry and debates on the influence of single-parent households on child health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the phenomenon is rapidly increasing. It examines how conventional (i.e., access to money for children—conceived as experience of poverty—, family support, and experience of social isolation) and contemporary (i.e., health literacy) factors shape the health-related well-being of children in single-parent homes in Ghana in the short-, medium- (five years or less) and long-term (6 years +). It also investigates the extent to which health literacy explains how other factors influence their health-related well-being. Data was gathered through a cross-sectional survey conducted in Kumasi in the Ashanti region of Ghana (n = 337). Based on binary logistic regression and structural equation modelling analysis, health literacy (Odds Ratio, OR, = 1.086, p < 0.05) and social isolation (OR, = 0.584, p < 0.05) were associated with the health-related well-being of children who had been separated from a parent for five years or less while family support (OR = 1.592, p < 0.05) was associated with the health-related well-being of children separated from a parent for more than five years. Health literacy explained the association of experience of poverty (β = -0.012, p < 0.05) and experience of social isolation (β = -0.010, p < 0.10) with their health-related well-being. However, these significant relationships did not differ according to the duration of separation. The results underscore the need to invest in policies and programmes that can reduce exposure to health risks and empower children in single-parent households to contribute to protecting their health-related well-being.