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This paper employs the R software in identifying the most suitable ARMA model for forecasting the growth rate of the exchange rate between the US dollar and a unit of the British pound. The data is systematically split into two distinct periods identified as the in-sample period and the out of sample period. The best model selected for the in-sample period is used to make forecasts for the out of sample period. Both traditional and rolling window forecasting methods are employed. This research uses the MSE, MAE, MAPE and correct sign prediction criterion to compare the forecasting performance of the rolling window forecasting method and the traditional forecasting method. The results obtained suggest that the traditional forecasting method performs better judging by MSE, MAE and MAPE. In other words, the traditional forecasting method is more suitable for predicting the magnitude (i.e., size) by which the US /UK exchange rate changes over time. However, the results also suggest that the rolling window forecasting method performs better based on the correct sign prediction criterion. In other words, the rolling window forecasting method is more appropriate for predicting the changes in the sign of the US /UK exchange rate. 

Ghana, like most other developing countries, is not isolated from the global financial crisis through the impact of such a crisis on economies. This paper examines the financial sector reforms and its effect on the Ghanaian economy, within the developing country context in general and in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) in particular. The paper seeks to enhance the understanding of relevant policy measures and reflects on what else could be done. The article further studies the effect of change in the institutional environment on bank governance practices primarily to improve the industry’s supervision and regulation, related to the post-crisis exit strategies. This paper discusses the development of ICT infrastructure and application as a basis for the main dimension of Ghana’s digital transformation in financial services. This paper is, therefore, motivated by the lack of empirical studies that examines how the impact of the banking reforms play a substantial role in promoting innovative digital payment systems to replace cash transactions. From the perspective of institutional theory, the study looked at why (and how) a number of policy measures have a significant impact on the financial performance of banks? And how the applications of e-finance in ICT and financial practices, provides several benefits within the banking sector improve the sector’s image and leads to a broader, faster and more efficient market? The application of Koppenjan and Groenewegen (2005) ‘s four-layer model ‘levels of institutional analysis’ perspective seems to be the most useful starting point, which provides the basis for an improved understanding of revealing the inefficient delivery of Ghanaian banking industry in the past. A combination of a review of secondary and empirical data, interviewed used in the analysis. Findings indicate that the financial and banking sector reforms help the industry   advance digital banking culture and impact on the general expansion of the financial and the infusion of financial inclusion in Ghana. These conclusions would be particularly useful in a similar picture in other developing countries, as well as by the bank authorities to create their future policy. It also joins the debate on the impact of the banking reform, a key turning point towards better regulation to refine crisis prevention and resolution mechanisms.

Iran’s banking industry as a developing country is comparatively very new to risk management practices. An inevitable predictive implication of this rapid growth is the growing concerns with regard to credit risk management which is the motivation of conducting this research. The paper focuses on the credit scoring aspect of credit risk management using both logit and probit regression approaches. Real data on corporate customers are available for conducting this research which is also a contribution to this area for all other developing countries. Our questions focus on how future customers can be classified in terms of credibility, which models and methods are more effective in better capturing risks. Findings suggest that probit approaches are more effective in capturing the significance of variables and goodness-of-fitness tests. Seven variables of the Ohlson O-Score model are used: CL_CA, INTWO, OENEG, TA_TL, SIZE, WCAP_TA, and ROA; two were found to be statistically significant in logit (ROA, TL_TA) and three were statistically significant in probit (ROA, TL_TA, SIZE). Also, CL_CA, ROA, and WCAP_TA were the three variables with an unexpected correlation to the probability of default. The prediction power with the cut-off point is set equal to 26% and 56.91% for defaulted customers in both logit and probit models. However, logit achieved 54.85% correct estimation of defaulted assets, 0.37% more than what probit estimated.

 This paper utilizes the Least Squares Dummy Variables (LSDV) technique in investigating the effect of financial depth on economic growth within a sample of middle-income countries, over the period 2005–2017. The research finds that financial depth has a negative impact on real GDP growth within middle-income countries. This result is robust to the use of alternative measures of financial depth, the use of per capita GDP growth as a proxy for economic growth, the inclusion of dummy variables to control for the 2007–2010 global financial crisis, the exclusion of countries with high average growth as well as across income levels. Based on its findings, this study recommends the need for robust regulations to ensure that the credit facilities of domestic financial institutions are channeled towards productive investments rather than debt servicing.

The purpose of this research paper is to explore the factors that influence Saudi users to adopt and use online video games. We developed a theoretical framework based on the Technology Adoption Model (TAM) to examine 6 hypotheses through a survey of 106 video game users. The results indicate that social norms, perceived enjoyment, and social interaction play a positive and significant role in influencing the perceived usefulness of online video games for end users. Also, price value, game quality, and internet speed were all factors that influence end-user perceived ease of use of online video games. Both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness were all of the significant influence on the attitude to use online video games. Furthermore, perceived usefulness and attitude to use online video games influenced the behavioral intention to use online video games which in return influenced the actual use.

High unemployment levels means that graduates are now encouraged to consider entrepreneurship as a career, and it is necessary to understand how entrepreneurship education influences their career choices. We investigated the relationship between entrepreneurial education and entrepreneurial intentions of business management students at selected Universities of Technology (UoT) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  We used quantitative research questionnaire to survey the entrepreneurial intentions and skills of students of 224 students enrolled in business courses and had completed a module in entrepreneurship at undergraduate level. Regression analysis of entrepreneurial education variables and entrepreneurial intention was conducted. The findings of this study indicated that Entrepreneurial intention is positively affected by entrepreneurial skills, creativity, leadership, and business experience but negatively by financial knowledge. These results show that while higher levels of financial knowledge have a negative impact on entrepreneurial intention of business students. Therefore, the university curriculum must cultivate traits like resourcefulness, leadership, and ambition which encourages beneficial outcomes of entrepreneurial intention amongst students.

The paper’s purpose was to assess whether the effects on the regulatory capital of the ECL model in European banks differs among those that adopted IRB or standardized approaches to credit risk management. The empirical tests revealed that there was a significant reduction in the level of capita buffers of European banks when the IFRS 9 was first adopted, and that this reduction was more pronounced among banks using a standardized approach to credit risk than for those that relied on an IRB approach. Further testing confirmed the premise that there was an underestimation of capital requirements in the period prior to the adoption of the ECL. The study fills a gap in literature, by evaluating the difference in the impact of adopting the ECL model on the banking system, as a function of the credit risk management approach for capital purposes. The assessment of what happened in the European banking system can be used as a guidance to other jurisdictions still in transition to the ECL model.

The detrimental impact of childcare institutions (CCIs), or orphanages, is well known. Despite deinstitutionalisation strategies in Uganda, CCIs remain the predominant intervention method employed by Western actors responding to the needs of children there. Reforming this approach requires contextualised critical understandings of the children’s experiences and perspectives of their institutionalisation, to reduce the misidentification and misappropriation of children as orphans. Therefore, operationalising the theoretical lens of Bourdieu within critical hermeneutic analyses, this article draws upon the narratives of 30 children living within an orphanage in Kampala, to enhance critical understandings of their experiences, perspectives, and behaviours throughout transition from home to an orphanage, via the streets of Kampala, illuminating how and why they come to be living there. Guided by Ricœur’s critical hermeneutic approach, the study found that poverty drives children to the streets in search of economic opportunity and organisations perceived to offer access to basic services of which they are deprived, such as education. Education, as a form of cultural capital, is understood amongst participants as ensuring an elevated position within society, or a means of overcoming poverty. Within this transition from home to the orphanage, whilst on the streets, socially acquired dispositions and harmful stereotypes contribute to the manifestation of the ‘street kid’ construct, for which the children are marginalised, and experience physical and sexual abuse. Girls are most at risk, whereby gender inequality contributes to their exploitation and the normalisation of rape. However, for the children entry into a CCI from the streets means relinquishing agency and social capital that is integral to them, often.

The deprivation, adversity, and lack of protection for children on the streets of urban Uganda are well known; as is the reality that most of their support is facilitated by Western Missionary operated, non-government organisations (NGOs). However, their approach is problematised as ineffective, oppressive, and colonial. Yet there is a dearth of research from the children’s perspectives, capturing the meaning of such actors’ interventions within their lifeworld’s, and no such literature within the Ugandan context. Therefore, this case study focuses on the ‘Mzungu Phenomenon’, a theme unearthed from critical hermeneutic analyses of the life stories of 30 former street children within an orphanage in Kampala, Uganda. The Mzungu phenomenon refers to the meaning and influence of the Western Missionaries and volunteers that feature within the children’s experiences, captured within their narratives. Underpinned by Ricœur’s narrative philosophy, this study illuminates and problematises the way in which Western NGO actors feature within the children’s lifeworld’s, and the wider ramifications from postcolonial, and postcolonial feminist theoretical perspectives. This includes the perpetuation of colonial legacies, ideologies, and praxis, that contribute to disempowerment for children, their families, and their communities, and the dual oppression of women. Therefore, this piece argues that despite a need to enhance child protection measures in Uganda, the current approaches that do not align with national and international rights-based policies must be further critically examined, challenged, and reformed, to ensure the wellbeing of the children.

Using Q investment model to scrutinize investment-cash flow sensitivity, a measure of financial constraint, has been a subject of controversy in literature. By using an alternative model called Error Correction model, this study aims to check the sensitivity between firm’s internal finance and investment level for the case of lower middle income country. Literature has shown that firms’ specific characteristics affect the relation between investment and cash flow of the firms. By considering the unique characteristics of Pakistani corporate sector, this study further target to check whether the investment-cash flow sensitivity differs across size of the firms, group affiliation of the firms and dividend policy of the firms. Our findings indicate that Pakistani listed firms are financially constrained. We find a strong relationship between investment and cash flow for small and non-dividend-paying firms; whereas group-affiliation does not affect investment- cash flow sensitivity of firms.