Search results for "firm"
showing 10 items of 975 documents
Bank-firm credit network in Japan. An analysis of a bipartite network
2015
We present an analysis of the credit market of Japan. The analysis is performed by investigating the bipartite network of banks and firms which is obtained by setting a link between a bank and a firm when a credit relationship is present in a given time window. In our investigation we focus on a community detection algorithm which is identifying communities composed by both banks and firms. We show that the clusters obtained by directly working on the bipartite network carry information about the networked nature of the Japanese credit market. Our analysis is performed for each calendar year during the time period from 1980 to 2011. Specifically, we obtain communities of banks and networks …
Constructing the Audit Risk Assessment by the Audit Team Leader When Planning: Using Fuzzy Theory
2021
The aim of this study is to construct the assessment of the expected audit risk by the audit team leader (ATL) during the planification phase of the audit. The ATL plays an important role within the audit, and even more so regarding small and medium-sized (SME) audit firms. The audit risk assessment is critical as relying more (less) on internal controls implemented by the client leads to performing less (more) substantive audit procedures. This is determined by the ATL based on their professional judgement and previous experience. The use of fuzzy theory has powerful potential into the audit arena, as the audit risk assessment (outcome) is critically related to the auditors’ judgement and …
Measuring Social Solidarity. Some Research Notes
2012
Abstract There is an increasing public, political and research interest in social solidarity. Even though the concept has a long history and is embedded in solid approaches, there is not much literature concerned with its measurement. The paper falls into the area of the methodological studies of social solidarity and it deals with construct validation. The objective of this paper is to test for convergent validity and nomological validity of two sets of items aiming to measure social solidarity attitudes and acts. The main method employed is confirmatory factor analysis.
Evolution of Bacterial Community in a Full-scale Biotrickling Filter by Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH)
2012
The performance of a full-scale biotrickling system for the treatment of exhaust gases from two different paint sources at a furniture facility, was investigated applying Fluorescense in situ hybridization (FISH). This technique allowed the detection of major bacteria groups and, therefore, helped in understanding complex microbial communities. The results indicated that Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria were more predominant than Firmicutes and Actiniobacterias. In addition, a variation in the composition of the bacterial community throughout the time of operation and with the paint source was observed. Betaproteobacteria showed similar r…
Development of a questionnaire to assay recalled liking for salt, sweet and fat
2012
Abstract Liking for a sweet, salty or fatty diet may induce overconsumption of simple carbohydrates, sodium or lipids. Measuring overall liking of the corresponding sensory sensations contributes to understanding the determinants of dietary behaviours. However, no standardized validated questionnaire assaying these sensations is currently available. In the present study, we developed a web-based questionnaire, “PrefQuest”, which measures recalled liking for the following four sensations: salt, fat and salt, sweet, fat and sweet. PrefQuest included four types of items: (1) liking for sweet, fatty-sweet and fatty-salty foods, (2) preferences in the level of seasoning by adding salt, sweetener…
International student mobility in Southern-Latin Europe: beyond the EU logics, towards a new space
2018
This paper discusses international student mobility (ISM) in Southern-Latin Europe, specifically Italy, Portugal, and Spain, analysing the inflow of international students as reflected in the UNESCO, OECD and European Commission databases. Only recently Italy, Portugal and Spain, as latecomers, have become more actively involved in ISM dynamics. This trend has been a response to EU pressures to internationalization, instrumented through the consolidation of the Bologna process and the need to build a common space of higher education. The analysis shows that at the intra-European level Italy, Portugal and Spain share similar ISM patterns; however, in the global context other logics shape ISM…
The Somatic Symptom Disorder - B Criteria Scale (SSD-12): Factorial structure, validity and population-based norms.
2017
The Somatic Symptom Disorder - B Criteria Scale (SSD-12) assesses the psychological features of DSM-5 Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD). The present study investigates the dimensionality and psychometric properties in a general population sample and provides norm values.Test dimensionality was evaluated via confirmatory factor analysis and nonparametric item response theory. Correlational analyses and logistic regression models based on related measures (SSS 8, PHQ-2, GAD-2, Health Care Utilization) were used to derive predictive validity. Age and gender specific norms were derived via quantile regression.The SSD-12 has good item characteristics and excellent reliability (Cronbach's α=0.95). C…
The UNIPSICO questionnaire: psychometric properties of the scales measuring psychosocial demands
2016
espanolObjetivo. Analizar las propiedades psicometricas de las escalas de la Bateria UNIPSICO que permiten evaluar los factores psicosociales de recursos del contexto de trabajo. Metodos. La muestra estuvo formada por 2564 participantes, 1391 trabajadores de centros de atencion a personas con discapacidad psiquica, y 1173 docentes de secundaria de la Comunidad Valenciana. La recogida de datos se realizo mediante las escalas de la Bateria UNIPSICO que evaluan factores psicosociales de recursos del lugar de trabajo (26 items) que se agrupan en 4 escalas: Disponibilidad de recursos, Apoyo social en el trabajo, Retroinformacion y Autonomia. Se realizaron analisis de items, validez de constructo…
Refinement and validation of a comprehensive scale for measuring HR practices aimed at performance-enhancement and employee-support
2019
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to refine and validate a Human Resource practices (HRP) scale to measure employees' perceptions and test a two-tier model structured in eight practices and two bundles. In a sample of 554 employees, an EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis) offered six factors that explained about 70% of the variance. Then, with 1647 employees (from 41 Spanish organizations), first- and second-order models were tested with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The former encompasses eight practices. The latter grouped the practices in two bundles, one on enhancing performance and the other on supporting employees. The Cronbach's alpha, Rho coefficient (Composite Reliability Co…
Assessing Time Management Skills as an Important Aspect of Student Learning
2004
The main purpose of this study is to analyse the factorial structure, psychometric properties and predictive capacity for academic achievement of a scale designed to evaluate the time management skills of Spanish high school students. An adaptation of the Time Management Questionnaire was presented to two samples of 350 Spanish high school students. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis results from the two samples shows an adequate fit of a three-factor oblique model, as well as its superior explanatory capacity compared to other competitive models considered. This model basically reproduces the structure of the original scale, integrating the subscales on short-range planning, lon…