Abstract

Advances in computing specially in Internet technologies given reasons to adopt virtualization and cloud computing to meet the corporate demand for computing over internet that is growing exponentially over the past decade.  The primary thesis of the paper is intended to provide guidance for Cloud Consult, Design and Implement (CCDI) engagements for complete lifecycle. The CCDI paper provides guidance on two aspects — first is stepwise guidance on how such an engagement should be carried out and second it serves as an indicative channel for engagement practitioners. This research attempts to examine the impact of potential strategies surrounding Cloud Consult, Design and Implement (CCDI) management processes under changing conditions, and provide guidance for managerial decisions. This paper is structured to provide guidance broadly on engagement Approach, transform Application to Cloud computing, and use Cloud Management Services and Migrate Application to Cloud environment. Finally it integrates Cloud Consult, Design and Implement (CCDI) to cloud strategy and cloud Implementation planning. The paper also discusses readiness of IT resources to be included in the Cloud strategy by examining relevant factors for each Cloud Service layer.

Abstract

In the past few decades, we have seen global warming, terrorist attacks, financial institution collapses, business scams, the Enron case and other unethical practices in the United States and other parts of the world (Low, 2009; 2009a). Notably then, nowadays, facing with accelerating turbulence and change, business leaders and managers need or should seek fresh ways of thinking and actions to sustain their business performance and growth in a global setting. Asian countries including China, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan and Singapore are fast emerging or becoming dominant global business players; the recent rapid heating and rise of the Chinese economy has an impact on the overall global economy as well as the balance of power in the world.

It is interesting to note that all these said Asian countries have been influenced historically in one way or another by the practice of Confucian Ethics in their business leadership and management. In this paper, prepared with wise Chinese sayings, the authors interpret and present Confucian Ethics and business lessons derived from the wisdom of Confucius. From Confucian Ethics comes the emphasis on positive business dealings and harmonious relationships as well as the value of learning; and these bring many benefits and good practices including good business management and applications of the Stakeholder theory. The understandings and practices of Confucian Ethics in a business organization coupled with the awareness, theory and applications of the stakeholder theory can indeed bring much peace, learning and growth for an organization.

Abstract

Corruption is no doubt endemic in our society, Nigeria. Evidences abound of how successive government’s effort at curbing its menace had fizzled out with time. The debilitating socio-economic situations of Nigerians have heightened the potential for corruption and sharp practices in public and private sectors of the economy. Besides, leaders and followers get entrenched in corruption because they lack independent economic base; hence they rely on the state of survival. It is on this note that this study examines employee’s perception of the possibility of corruption eradication. To consummate this study, Edo and Delta states were made the case study to which questionnaires were administered. Further determinants and control of corruption was explored. Frequency distribution and the analyses of Variance were used in the analysis. The findings confirmed that age and educational attainment does have no significant impact on employees’ views on corruption eradication. It was also confirmed that total eradication of corruption is not significantly feasible.

Abstract

The efficiency of the capital market has raised various debatable issues all over the world. Numerous studies give evidence that the capital markets are informationally efficient and hence, cannot outperform the market consistently on the basis of price change predictions. However, some researchers have also brought into light seasonal effects/calendar anomalies in the developed markets. The present paper is focused towards the identification of anomalous behavior of the stock indices return series during particular months of the year. For this, the daily price index (BSE 100, BSE 200) data have been collected and analyzed for the period from July 1997 to December 2007. The validity of the null hypothesis has been examined by t-statistic and Kruskal-Wallis H Test. The F-statistic has also been applied to test the joint hypothesis that all the coefficients for February through December are simultaneously equal to zero and alike is also done for other calendar anomalies.

The result of this study shows that the investors and fund managers may get significantly higher, returns even by a short term buy and sell strategy (as lowest returns in the months of mean April and March and highest returns in the months of December and November) The anomalous behavior of the return series of the stock indices may be a result of or seasonality of derivative markets in India.

Abstract

The present paper outlines the perceived level of empowerment in manufacturing and service sector has been analysed. Empowerment is multifaceted and its essence cannot be captured in a single concept. The dimension of empowerment as identified through pilot study consists of; trust, self-esteem responsibility, leadership practices and decision making. It is found that the perceived level of empowerment is better projected in the Manufacturing sector than that of Service sectors. It is high time our public utility providers realize the ultimate beneficiaries of empowerment: the entire society.

Abstract

Stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them. There is a clear distinction between pressure, which can create a ‘buzz’ and be a motivating factor, and stress, which can occur when this pressure becomes excessive. This study examined the occupational stress and burnout in the bank employees of Hyderabad city in Andhra Pradesh.  A total of 200 bank employees (64.0% male and 34.0% female) from different  commercial banks participated in the survey. In order to collect data on stress and burnout a self-reported questionnaire was administered to bank employees. Descriptive, correlation and regression statistical tools were used to analyze data. The results identified that role conflict, role ambiguity, workload, working hours, technological problem at work, inadequate salary, time for family and job worries at home are the significant sources of stress in the bank employees. The significant symptoms of burnout as revealed by the results are back pain, extreme tiredness, headache and sleep disturbance. All stressors (Organization, Job, Relationship at work, work environment and family work interface) are significantly correlated to all burnouts (Physical, Psychological and Organizational). All the stress elements significantly predicted burnout in the bank employees of Hyderabad. The changing work pattern is creating stress for the bank employees and these stressors are leading to burnout. These results are consistent with the emergent evidence of the impact of stress on the burnout.

Abstract

The use of covert advertising in film production is an emerging brand communication strategy in the Nigerian society. In this advertising strategy, it integrates an advertiser's product into movies and TV shows on-screen visibility; it involves the inclusion of a product, brand name or the name of a firm in a movie for increasing awareness of the brand and instant recognition at the point of purchase. This paper examines the effect of covert advertising on brand purchase, using the movie ‘Letter to a stranger’. The study also examined if the products advertised were noticed; their level of awareness as well as if the placements contributed to the patronage of the product towards the advertised products. The paper suggests that Nigerian movie producers and advertisers should work together to create more placements in Nollywood movies, but these placements should be creatively done so as to be able to recapture the hearts of many Nigerians.