Funding Opportunities Research Articles

Corporate leverage during COVID-19

ABSTRACT This article examines the impact of the health pandemic on global firm leverage from 2020 to 2021, and finds firms decrease their leverage during the pandemic, via long-, and short-term debt. As COVID-19 limited external funding opportunities, firms are using internal capital to reduce debt. Further analysis indicates that this effect is significant for financially constrained firms. The results are robust to different proxies.

The value of corporate social responsibility practices in a world more concerned about sustainability: A literature review

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been seen as an opportunity to increase reputation, cost savings, business and financial opportunities, and create economic and sustainable value. The purpose of this review is twofold: first to draw attention to the complex relationship between common CSR practices used to deal with critical issues for our society and the impact they have on the trust and loyalty of stakeholders. Second, based on a study of 91 documents, to identify the advantages/weaknesses of implementing recognized standards (ISO 14001, ISO 26000, GRI, SA8000, AA1000) in different sectors of the economy. The standards provide a guideline for the elaboration, disclosure, and evaluation of the transparency reports of CSR. Some indicators used to measure CSR are more focused on environmental topics but recognizing social justice as a priority is critical to promoting the well-being of internal and external stakeholders. Furthermore, CSR standards play a crucial role in our world because they encourage ethical behaviors that reinforce the values and integrity of our society. The future research agenda should be oriented to monitor the impact of CSR initiatives in complex scenarios, consider the voices of non-specialized stakeholders, and integrate approaches that make visible the consequences of these practices.

Analysis of Factors and Fraud Preventive Efforts in Company Financial Reports: A Literature Review Study

The research in this article aims to identify and provide an overview of the factors that cause fraud and explain efforts to prevent fraud in company financial reports. The results of the research show that there are seven factors that cause fraud in company financial reports, namely greed, opportunity, need, exposure, unshareable pressure/incentive, rationalization, and capacity. Apart from that, it turns out that digital technology has a negative impact in creating the potential to cause fraud in company financial reports. The preventive efforts that can be taken to prevent fraud in company financial reports are through improving risk management, internal control, and the use of digital forensic concepts which are expected to provide input for company management to avoid fraud in company financial reports from an early age. Apart from that, for future academics and researchers, it is hoped that this research can become a reference source for developing knowledge related to fraud.

LLMs and NLP Models in Cryptocurrency Sentiment Analysis: A Comparative Classification Study

Cryptocurrencies are becoming increasingly prominent in financial investments, with more investors diversifying their portfolios and individuals drawn to their ease of use and decentralized financial opportunities. However, this accessibility also brings significant risks and rewards, often influenced by news and the sentiments of crypto investors, known as crypto signals. This paper explores the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) and natural language processing (NLP) models in analyzing sentiment from cryptocurrency-related news articles. We fine-tune state-of-the-art models such as GPT-4, BERT, and FinBERT for this specific task, evaluating their performance and comparing their effectiveness in sentiment classification. By leveraging these advanced techniques, we aim to enhance the understanding of sentiment dynamics in the cryptocurrency market, providing insights that can inform investment decisions and risk management strategies. The outcomes of this comparative study contribute to the broader discourse on applying advanced NLP models to cryptocurrency sentiment analysis, with implications for both academic research and practical applications in financial markets.

Mobile Crisis Teams' Implementation in the Context of new Medicaid Funding Opportunities: Results from a National Survey.

This cross-sectional survey study describes characteristics of mobile crisis teams (MCTs) in the United States. Mobile crisis teams (MCTs) are increasingly recognized as essential responders to help those experiencing mental health crises get urgent and appropriate care. Recent enhanced federal funding is designed to promote adoption of MCTs, but little is known about their current structure and function and whether teams meet new Medicaid rules governing their utilization. Survey participants (N = 554) are a convenience sample of MCT representatives recruited through professional organizations, listservs, and individual email contacts from October 2021 - May 2022. Respondents most frequently identified themselves as MCT program director/manager (N = 237, 43%). 63% (N = 246) of respondents reported billing insurance for services provided (including Medicaid), while 25% (N = 98) rely on state or county general funds only. Nearly all respondents (N = 390, 98%) reported including behavioral health clinicians on their teams, and 71% (N = 281) reported operating on a 24/7 basis, both of which are required by Medicaid's enhanced reimbursement. Just over half of respondents (N = 191, 52%) reported being staffed with 11 or more FTE staff members, our estimated number required for adequate 2-person coverage on a 24/7 basis. MCTs are a popular policy initiative to reduce reliance on law enforcement to handle mental health emergencies, and enhanced federal funding is likely to expand their utilization. Federal rule makers have a role in establishing guidelines for best practices in staffing, billing, and outcomes tracking, and can help ensure that stable financing is available to improve stability in service delivery.

Strategi Dividen yang Efektif: Memahami Keseimbangan antara Kondisi Keuangan dan Peluang Investasi untuk Pertumbuhan Laba Perusahaan

In complex business dynamics, dividend policy strategy is a key element that influences company growth and competitiveness. An effective balance between financial conditions and investment opportunities is the main focus to achieve sustainable profit growth. This research aims to understand effective dividend strategies by exploring the optimal balance between a company's financial condition and investment opportunities as a critical step towards sustainable profit growth. The type of research used is associative quantitative. The data used is secondary data obtained from the Indonesian Stock Exchange for the research period. Sample selection was carried out based on the purposive sampling method. This research reveals that an effective dividend strategy requires a deep understanding of the balance between finance and investment. A dividend policy that is appropriate to financial conditions and supports investment opportunities can make a positive contribution to company profit growth.

Evaluating speaker gender in scientific sessions at ASCO and ASCO GI (2019-2023).

9009 Background: Gender disparities exist in medicine, including academic and medical society leadership, journal editorial boards, and research teams. Women are also underrepresented in clinical trial leadership and authorship, with one study reporting fewer than 10% female corresponding authors for randomized clinical trials in GI Oncology, GU oncology, and Hematology. Clinical trial leadership, subsequent podium presentations and authorship have downstream effects on promotion, reputation, and funding opportunities. We examined the gender of speakers in scientific sessions at the ASCO Annual Meeting (AM) and Gastrointestinal Symposium (ASCO GI) from 2019-2023. Methods: We examined speaker gender, role (session chair, abstract presenter, abstract discussant), speaker region (Asia, Europe, N. America), and presentation topic (colorectal cancer or non-colorectal cancer) for the ASCO AM GI scientific sessions and ASCO GI from 2019-2023. For the ASCO AM, we included GI oral abstracts and plenary sessions; for ASCO GI we included oral and rapid abstracts. Self-identified gender was not available; therefore, gender was assigned by physical appearance via ASCO video or institutional websites. Statistical analyses were performed using the two-proportions z-test with a p value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: 208 scientific abstracts were reviewed across both meetings over 5 years. There was a statistically significant difference in the % of men vs. women as abstract presenters (77% vs 23%, p <0.001). This did not differ when looking at ASCO and ASCO GI separately (ASCO 76% vs 24%, ASCO GI 78% vs 22%, p <0.001 for both) and was observed across all 5 years. Similarly, there was a predominance of men as abstract presenters regardless of speaker region (Asia 93%, Europe 74%, N. America 67%, p<0.001 for all) and presentation topic (CRC 76% vs 24%, non-CRC 78% vs. 22%; p <0.001 for both). The percent of men as repeat presenters for scientific abstracts was statistically higher than women (84% vs 16%, p <0.001). Importantly, there was no difference in men vs. women in the invited chair/discussant roles (51% vs 49%, p = 0.89). Conclusions: Our analysis of 5 years of scientific sessions for ASCO and ASCO GI shows a stark difference in the proportion of men vs women as abstract presenters regardless of presentation topic, region of presenter, and meeting year. Our data highlight the need for all trial sponsors to be more intentional in the selection of principal investigators and lead authors as these opportunities are critical to the promotion of women in GI Oncology and to diversifying approaches to clinical trial design and access. Our data is limited by how gender was assigned (i.e., not self-reported). Lastly, we commend ASCO on their efforts to ensure gender equity among the roles that are within their control, and we advocate for them to consider opportunities for self-identification of gender in their membership directory.

The Sustainable Organization Design for Transport Services: Guarantees of Origin (GOs) via Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)

Abstract This study explores the potential for change that Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) can bring to the transportation sector. It seeks to tackle the pressing need for sustainable progress in light of increasing concerns about climate change and growing greenhouse gas emissions. The transportation industry, essential for global supply chains and movement, is confronted with the task of lessening its environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency and dependability. The emergence of ITS presents a hopeful solution by combining information and communication technologies with transport infrastructure and vehicles to streamline logistics, improve safety, and reduce emissions. These systems offer crucial up-to-date information on traffic conditions, vehicle function, and route planning, enabling well-informed decision-making and effective resource management. This study focuses on the creative use of the "Guarantee of Origin" (GO) idea, typically utilized in the renewable energy industry to validate the environmental friendliness of energy sources, in the field of logistics and transportation. The research suggests that expanding the GO framework to include detailed emissions tracking for complete travel plans within an ITS system could greatly improve the sector's environmental responsibility and openness. Generating a clean GO is exclusively feasible within an ITS, particularly for intricate travel itineraries or AWBs. Using a qualitative approach, this study delves into an in-depth review of literature to investigate how the organizational structure of transportation needs to change in order to incorporate sustainability through ITS. The goal is to bridge the gap between ambitions for sustainable transportation and the practical steps necessary for their achievement. A new model for organizational design is proposed, which utilizes ITS and the GO concept. This model envisions a comprehensive travel system that integrates various modes of transport within a government-run cloud platform. It will allow for accurate calculation and distribution of emissions data for each segment and mode of transportation. Ultimately, this research aims to demonstrate that ITS can be considered as projects that reduce emissions upstream (UER), paving the way for new funding opportunities in digital infrastructure development with a focus on sustainability. This study supports the overall objective of reaching carbon neutrality and sustainable growth in the transportation industry, emphasizing the essential function of ITS in aiding this significant shift.

Current understanding and knowledge gaps regarding wildlife as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious health issue shared across all One Health domains. Wildlife species represent a key intersection of the animal and environmental domains. They are a relevant but understudied reservoir and route of spread for AMR throughout the environment. Most wildlife AMR research thus far has focused on avian species, terrestrial mammals, and a selection of aquatic and marine species. Pathogens often identified in terrestrial wildlife include enteric zoonotic organisms such as Eschericia coli and Salmonella spp, in addition to nonenterics such as Staphylococci. Resistances have been commonly identified to antimicrobials important in veterinary and human medicine, including β-lactams, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and macrolides. Our emerging understanding of the dynamics of AMR distribution across life on Earth provides further opportunities for us to assess the risk it poses to veterinary and human health. Future work will require prioritizing which wildlife most exacerbates and indicates AMR in domestic animals. However, decreasing prices and increasing ease for metagenomic sequencing allows for synergies with expanding wildlife viral disease surveillance. Improved understanding of how wildlife impacts veterinary and human healthcare may increase opportunities for related research funding and global equity in such research. The companion Currents in One Health article by Vezeau and Kahn, JAVMA, June 2024, addresses in further detail the routes of spread of AMR across different animal populations and actions that can be taken to mitigate AMR with special consideration for wildlife sources.

Tax Loss Carryforwards and Firm Investments

ABSTRACT The asymmetric tax treatment of gains versus losses can lead to the creation of a tax loss carryforward (TLCF) in case of prior-period losses. TLCFs shield future income from taxation and can therefore be relevant for investment decisions. The relevance of this tax shield is underlined by the substantial amounts of TLCFs carried forward by U.S. corporations. Despite the theoretically expected positive relation, empirical research on TLCFs and firm-level investments is scarce. We first investigate the TLCF investment relation using simulation analyses and differentiate capital expenditure from R&D expenditure. Our empirical results confirm the positive TLCF investment relation, especially when firms have sufficient financial resources and investment opportunities. Also, the TLCF incentive works differently for capital expenditures compared with R&D. Additional simulation results illustrate how the recent legal changes in carryforward and backward rules affect the investment-enhancing effect of TLCFs and show that it is expected to remain qualitatively comparable. Data Availability: Data are available from the public sources cited in the text. JEL Classifications: H25; H32; M41.

Agritourism Development through Leveraging Financial Support within the 4As Framework

Abstract Financing is a crucial issue in agritourism development. Financial considerations play a significant role in the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of agritourism ventures. This research focuses on understanding the financial challenges that arise within each component of the 4As framework. The research methodology used is a literature study. This study emphasizes the financial challenges that emerge within each component of the 4As framework. Key financial factors for sustainable agritourism includes infrastructure investment, eco-friendly planning, cost management, effective marketing, training, and environmental preservation. Developing and managing attractions requires financial investment in creating and promoting unique experiences while ensuring cultural sustainability and integrity. Access involves infrastructure development and maintenance, transportation costs, and the need to reach remote rural areas. Providing adequate amenities requires financial resources for facility development, maintenance, and visitor service management. Ancillary services pose financial barriers in terms of initial investment, operational costs, and balancing authenticity with visitor expectations. Innovative financial approaches and support mechanisms are needed to foster agritourim development. These include accessing funding opportunities, exploring public-private partnerships, leveraging community-based tourism models, and volunteer tourism. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the importance of financial support programs through government grants and subsidies, incubators and accelerators programs, and tourism development funds.

Multidisciplinary Wind Farm Electrical Infrastructure Optimization

During the construction stage of a wind farm, it is paramount to consider which layouts are the most efficient. Recent literature has found that optimization of the annual energy production is not necessarily driven by the same factors as other economic metrics, such as the internal rate of return. One parameter that makes this particularly true is the electrical cable length and layout, which affect both the cash flow of the project and the investments. While placing turbines far from each other is beneficial to mitigate the wake effect, the capital expenditures associated with the longer cables affects economic metrics. On the other hand, even though placing turbines close to each other reduces cable expenses, wind turbine mechanical loads are challenging to determine from wake effects. This work investigates trends between annual energy production, internal rate of return, electrical cable layout, and turbine components degradation due to mechanical loads. Results point towards corroborating recent literature, finding financial opportunities to explore tighter layouts with shorter electrical cables.

Membangun Kapasitas UMKM dalam Pemasaran Digital di Desa Wisata Way Tebing Cepa

The Covid-19 pandemic has severely hampered the expansion of the world economy, including Indonesia. In the midst of this challenging situation, businesses are being forced to innovate and fight for their survival. On a positive note, the rapid advancement of digital technology has opened up new opportunities for MSMEs to market their products to a wider audience online. This allows MSMEs to reach a broader market and increase sales. However, to fully capitalize on these opportunities, MSMEs need to improve their human resources (HR) and information technology (IT) capabilities. This is crucial to help them adapt to the various new technologies emerging in the era of Industry 4.0. The government has high hopes for MSMEs to become major players in the development of Indonesia's digital economy. MSME empowerment can be achieved by assisting them in gaining access to finance and ensuring that their products are of sufficient quality to compete in the market. This can increase investor confidence in MSMEs and open up funding opportunities. To enter the online business, MSMEs need to make improvements in several areas, such as product quality, product standardization, HR development, and access to financing. Collaboration between the government and e-commerce platforms is essential to support MSMEs in utilizing digital technology and developing their online businesses. As a commitment to helping MSMEs, Universitas MItra Indonesia is conducting a community service activity with the theme "Building MSME Capacity in Digital Marketing in Way Tebing Cepa Kalianda Tourism Village". This activity is being held in Taman Baru Village, Penengahan District, South Lampung Regency. This activity's primary goal is to teach and advise MSMEs in the community on how to use social media to market their goods and services.

The Effects of Capital Intensity, Financial Distress, Leverage, Analyst Coverage and Investment Opportunity Set on Accounting Conservatism in Politically Connected Companies Listed on Indonesia Stock Exchange

This study aims to examine the effect of capital intensity, financial distress, leverage, analyst coverage and investment opportunity set on accounting conservatism in politically connected companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. This research was conducted on 16 state-owned companies (BUMN) listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2017-2021 period using a proposive sampling method. This research uses multiple regression method. The results of the study show that partially analyst coverage has a positive effect on accounting conservatism. Financial distress, leverage and investment opportunity sets have a negative effect on accounting conservatism. Capital intensity has no effect on accounting conservatism.

Analisis Keuangan Pelaku UMKM Berbasis Local Wisdom Di Kota Palangka Raya

This research presents a thorough analysis of the financial aspects influencing the performance of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) based on local wisdom in their operational activities. Through a case study approach, financial ratio analysis, and survey, we explore the financial performance faced by locally based MSMEs. The implications of this research are significant for the government, business actors, and society in supporting the growth and sustainability of locally based MSMEs, as well as providing guidance for more effective policies to support this sector. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in the national and local economy, determined by criteria such as net worth, annual sales, and number of employees. Financial analysis of locally based MSMEs explores the financial aspects of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) relying on local wisdom in their operations. This research aims to understand the financial performance, challenges, and opportunities faced by locally based MSMEs. The analysis methods used include quantitative descriptive with calculations of profitability ratios and activity ratios to gain comprehensive understanding. The results of this research are expected to provide insights for stakeholders, including the government, business actors, and society, in supporting the growth and sustainability of locally based MSMEs.

How do the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Technology Transfer Centers Decide What Evidence-Based Practices to Disseminate and Determine How to Do So? A Cross-Sectional Study of a National Network.

It is important to use evidence-based programs and practices (EBPs) to address major public health issues. However, those who use EBPs in real-world settings often require support in bridging the research-to-practice gap. In the US, one of the largest systems that provides such support is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) Technology Transfer Center (TTC) Network. As part of a large external evaluation of the Network, this study examined how TTCs determine which EBPs to promote and how to promote them. Using semi-structured interviews and pre-testing, we developed a "Determinants of Technology Transfer" survey that was completed by 100% of TTCs in the Network. Because the study period overlapped with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we also conducted a retrospective pre/post-pandemic comparison of determinants. TTCs reported relying on a broad group of factors when selecting EBPs to disseminate and the methods to do so. Stakeholder and target audience input and needs were consistently the most important determinant (both before and during COVID-19), while some other determinants fluctuated around the pandemic (e.g., public health mandates, instructions in the funding opportunity announcements). We discuss implications of the findings for technology transfer and frame the analyses in terms of the Interactive Systems Framework for Dissemination and Implementation.

Unlocking Financial Opportunities: The Substantial Alleviation of Financing Constraints on Small and Micro Enterprises Through Digital Inclusive Finance

Unlocking Financial Opportunities: The Substantial Alleviation of Financing Constraints on Small and Micro Enterprises Through Digital Inclusive Finance

Funding Opera in the Changing Landscape: Should Opera Be Funded or Accepted as a Fading Culture in South Africa?

Opera is considered a significant part of cultural heritage in many societies. In the South African context, opera has a rich history and has contributed to the development of various art forms. Opera has continued to play a significant role in preserving and promoting cultural diversity in South Africa. Opera production contribute to the economy by creating jobs for artists, musicians, technicians, and other professionals. Additionally, opera events can attract tourism and boost local economies. Public funding for opera may be seen as an investment with economic returns. The purpose of this article is to examine the funding of opera in South Africa against the backdrop of a changing cultural landscape. It aims to investigate whether opera should continue to receive funding or if it should be accepted as a fading cultural form. Employing a qualitative approach, ten participants, including opera company managers and artists, share their perspectives through semi-structured interviews. Colaizzi's phenomenological data analysis method reveals key themes of financial viability, challenges, and opportunities. Findings were presented in themes and supported by quotes from research participants. Opera company managers and artists shared valuable insights into financial viability, challenges, and opportunities. Strategic collaborations, revenue diversification, and the pivotal role of public funding emerged as central themes. The findings shed light on the adaptive measures undertaken by stakeholders in response to the changing cultural and financial climate. The conclusion synthesises the key findings, emphasising the resilience of South African opera in the face of funding challenges. It underscores the importance of balancing financial support and cultural acceptance for sustained vitality. The study contributes to ongoing discussions on the intersection of funding, cultural relevance, and the future of opera in South Africa.

Healthcare Sustainability to Address Climate Change: Call for Action to the Infectious Diseases Community.

The U.S. healthcare system's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change is disproportionately high and harms the public. Several medical specialties are now reassessing how they can mitigate healthcare's harmful environmental impact. Healthcare sustainability is broadly defined as measures to decrease greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and other pollutants generated during the healthcare delivery process. Prior efforts and programs by infectious diseases (ID) professionals, such as antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control can form a framework for ID professionals to help apply this expertise to healthcare environmental sustainability more broadly. This call to action proposes strategies for ID societies and professionals to incorporate climate change education for trainees, increase research and funding opportunities in healthcare sustainability, and calls for action by ID societies to champion system changes to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

Centralized climate clubs and decentralized governance: A model of global CO2 mitigation

AbstractThis paper extends the climate literature by examining the feasibility of integrating sub‐national governance into global club governance for mitigating CO2 emissions. Global climate clubs become an argument for having separate bundles of emission targets and incentive mechanisms in the form of opportunities for climate finance and technology sharing among the club members. An exploratory analysis is important to examine the role of import and export taxes and other channels, such as the clean development mechanism, in meeting the objective of nonmember countries to join the club. The crux, however, is how, after determining national‐level quotas, the mitigation responsibilities are shared with subnational entities. We propose a design of a carbon entry tax at the subnational level, namely states, districts, and municipalities. The carbon entry tax uses the nighttime luminosity data published by NASA as a measure of carbon, which constitutes the tax base. The carbon entry tax serves as a fiscal instrument of decarbonization in a decentralized framework.