Journal of Applied Business and Economics

How Microeconomics Works Within a Firm

Prakash Deo — 2025-01-26

While it is a widespread practice for business majors to take the microeconomics course in the early years of their college education, for most students it is followed by courses in other disciplines such as accounting, finance, and marketing. In turn, in these disciplines, the formulation of theory, models and examples involve use of nomenclature specific to that discipline such as accounting and financial performances. Sometimes the word “economic” measure does appear in these discipline specific courses. Many of these concepts and models with resulting measures though perceived to be developed in different business disciplines, they originate from or developed utilizing the micro economic theory. In this study, we plan to link together the microeconomic theory and its applications in development of concepts and models in other disciplines so that student and practitioners will be able tie in a seamless manner, and if necessary, modify these concepts to apply and solve business issues in a firm.

A Practical Exploration of Work-Family Balance

Joy Cooper — 2025-01-26

This paper analyzes the dimensions of work and family interrole conflicts and modified a process developed by Yavas, Babakus, and Karatepe (2008). The effects of work-family conflict (WFC), family-work conflict (FWC), and stress on intent to stay (ITS) with an organization were analyzed and tested. The paper (a) presents and tests a revised version of the work-family and family-work conflict model and provides support for associated hypotheses; (b) investigates how constructs of FWC, WFC, stress, and ITS to stay with an organization are related in keeping with the model; and (c) presents and discusses the results. Four implications for human resource development practice emerged as well as implications for theory and future research.

Exploring the Dual-Card Crisis Under the Information Asymmetry

Chih-Hsiung Chang — 2025-01-26

The article aimed to explore Taiwan’s dual-card crisis under the information asymmetry. Different from South Korea or Hong Kong, the card debts in Taiwan were derived from the credit cards and the cash cards. To achieve the goal, the article constructed the information asymmetry model combined with the adverse selections and the moral hazards. The results showed that the adverse selections and the moral hazards did exist in the dual-card market which led to the dual-card crisis. To cope with the dual-card crisis, the conclusion implied that the card debts in the dual-card market needed to be solved at the same time.

An Overview on the China Oil and Gas Market

Grasu Stelian — 2025-01-26

The article presents China’s oil and gas market, outlining its legal framework regulatory authorities of the market transport and distribution entities. Furthermore, the article discusses the primary strengths of China’s oil and gas sector, including extensive government support, rising domestic demand, and substantial investments in both strategic reserves and international partnerships. It also identifies areas of vulnerability, such as heavy reliance on imports, regulatory unpredictability, aging infrastructure, and environmental concerns, which challenge industry stability. Lastly, the SWOT analysis highlights key opportunities for growth in technology and innovation and market liberalization identifying external and internal risks.

Does Competition Make Businesses Resilient?

Ravi Jain — 2025-01-26

This study investigates the relation between industry-level competition and the stock market's response to an exogenous shock. Specifically, we utilize the stock market's reaction to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, which caused a significant market decline. Our findings reveal that firms operating in highly concentrated industries (lower competition), as measured by the Herfindahl index, experienced more pronounced negative returns following the attacks. Therefore, firms in less competitive fields may not be prepared for the unexpected. These results support the notion that competition bolsters business resilience to shocks and underscore the importance for investors to consider product market structures when evaluating firm performance.

Consumption Subsidies Revisited

Itsuo Sakuma — 2025-01-26

The Japanese government launched the “GO TO Travel” campaign in late July, 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic to rescue beleaguered tourism industries by subsidizing travel expenses by 35%. The Cabinet Office, responsible for compiling national account statistics in Japan, determined that these subsidies should be treated as individual final consumption expenditures of the general government. This treatment implies that defrayal of these subsidies by the government was regarded as “consumption subsidies,” by using the term proposed by Jean-Claude Roman in 1985. However, the SNA in its 1993 version and in its 2008 version did not incorporate this concept. So, the Cabinet Office’s treatment is against the present SNA’s recommendations, though she changed the treatment by the end of November 2021. However, it may be worth reconsidering the concept and its treatment. In this paper, the author will review the discussion to clarify the key points involved.

Exam Proctoring in Online Business Education: Empirical Insights and Strategic Recommendations

Rattaphon Wuthisatian — 2025-01-26

This study examines the impact of exam proctoring on student performance in online MBA courses. Following the literature, this topic remains relatively understudied in graduate-level online business courses, particularly those focusing on economics. Using data from two sections of an online MBA economics course – one with proctored exams and one without – the study identifies a significant performance gap, with students in the proctored setting achieving lower scores. The findings further suggest that proctoring methods and students' comfort with proctoring technology can influence performance. Based on these results, strategic recommendations for improving exam practices in online MBA programs are provided.

The Impact of Ambulatory Acquisitions on the Cost of Business

Elizabeth Thomas Koss — 2025-01-26

This study contributes to the literature regarding the increase in acquisition activity and the annual increase in the cost of health insurance premiums for small to middle size businesses. Th research specifically addressed the HCPCS billing rates of procedures before and after acquisition; it examined the annual increase in the percentage of ambulatory physicians compared to the increase percentage in health insurance premiums, and the increase in health insurance premiums was evaluated based on age, type of firm, and size of the firm. The results indicated a statistically significant difference in the billing rates of procedures before and after ambulatory acquisition.

Guyana in 2025: The Confluence of a Possible Dénouement of Its Centuries-Long Territorial Dispute and Its Newfound Oil Wealth

Ira Sohn — 2025-01-26

In recent years Guyana has been featured in the news disproportionally. This paper begins with a short overview of the country’s vital statistics, followed by a brief review of Guyana’s political and economic pre- and post-independence history, incorporating a synopsis of its longstanding territorial dispute with its neighbor, Venezuela. The paper highlights Guyana’s recent recognition as a potentially large oil-producing nation, whose economy since 2020 has recorded the highest growth rate in the world. In 2023, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 33%. With the government committed to deploying the country’s newfound wealth towards modernizing the economy and increasing living standards for all its citizens, Guyana’s vulnerability to the “Dutch disease” and the “resource curse” are discussed along with the technical support provided by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank who are assisting with the country’s development program.

Comparative Analysis of Regional Economic Conditions in South Texas, Including Business Manager, Local Resident, and University Student Perceptions

Thomas M. Krueger — 2025-01-26

This report focuses on comprehensive documentation concerning regional economic indicators for Kleberg County, Texas, located in the Coastal Bend Region along the Gulf of Mexico. It is compared to two other South Texas counties, Texas, and United States for perspectives. The benchmark counties were chosen on the basis of their level of tourism, which is a key economic driver in the region. The research is of value to Journal of Applied Business & Economics readers from elsewhere because it is an example of regional economic analysis. Part 1 presents a broad range of demographic data, while Part 2 focuses on economic conditions. Demographic characteristics and economic conditions. Part 3 presents opinions of local business managers, residents and students regarding economic conditions, including preferred government spending. This report builds on the base of economic information is designed to provide decision-makers a valuable economic tool for strategic planning.

The Influence of Fashion Creep on Dress Etiquette: Is Your Organization Marked Safe?

Debra Y. Hunter — 2025-01-26

As consumers navigate a world increasingly influenced by digital media, globalization, and progressive social norms, their fashion choices often serve as a form of personal expression and identity. Though individuals are encouraged to exercise freedom of expression, certain espoused fashion statements in public settings challenge socially acceptable societal norms and business etiquette. Thus, business etiquette and historical trends are marked “unsafe” from the ever-changing fashion industry trends. Evolutions in fashion and variations in cultural trends continue to challenge traditional dress norms in the workplace, formal public establishments, and classrooms across America. If inconsistent with organizational norms, these changes influence unfavorable perceptions of constituents and the respective organizations. Managing these impressions becomes critical for decision-makers desiring to protect an organization’s reputation and brand image. This paper explores the underlying dynamics shaping dressing norms, the paradigm shift, influences on professional attire, and outcomes associated with style selections. To embrace the changes and protect company images, we recommend continuous evaluation and reinforcement of dress code policies. We examine External Conformity Theory and Impression.

Integrating the Stock Market Simulation Into the Core Curriculum of a Business Program: Evidence of the Impact on Learning From a Longitudinal Study

Germain N. Pichop — 2025-01-26

This study examines the impact of a multi-year stock market simulation on undergraduate business students at East Central University. We used a quasi-experimental mixed-methods approach to analyze quantitative data (simulation participation, trades, and assessment scores) and qualitative data (student reflection papers) across lower and upper-division courses. Results indicate increased engagement and knowledge, with upper-level students showing better assessment performance. While complementary investing education did not significantly affect performance, qualitative analysis revealed deeper learning beyond quantitative measures. The findings support integrating simulations throughout the curriculum to enhance business students’ financial literacy and investing competency.

My IRA: Making Up Ground or Cashing It in?

Bing Chen — 2025-01-26

We interpret participation in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) in the United States over time from both an economic and socio-behavioral perspective. We report an IRA plateau with about 33% of families aged 30-64 participating during 1999 – 2007. The participation rate has fallen steadily to about 23% in recent years. From an economic perspective, expectations of greater non-pension retirement resources appear to induce a decline in IRA participation. Greater current resources lead to more persistent pension participation. In terms of social factors, we observe notable gender differences in the composition of IRAs.

Strategic Partnerships of Nonprofit Organizations: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Janna Hoglund — 2025-01-26

This article draws from in-depth research for the doctoral dissertation “Successful Strategic Partnerships of Nonprofit Organizations: A Case Study.” Serving as a synthesis and sharing some of the content from this dissertation, it offers a comprehensive review of existing literature on the nature and dynamics of strategic partnerships within the nonprofit sector. The article begins by defining strategic partnerships, examining the diverse forms they can take, and exploring the motivations behind their formation. It further delves into the tangible benefits these partnerships can offer and addresses the common challenges organizations encounter in their collaborative efforts. Additionally, key success factors that enhance the effectiveness of these alliances are highlighted, as well as insights into why some partnerships fail to yield intended outcomes. With a particular emphasis on partnerships led by nonprofit leaders, this review underscores how thoughtful and well-constructed collaborations can amplify the missions of nonprofit organizations, streamline resource usage, and generate a broader community impact.

Analysis of the General Aviation Jet Industry: Competition, Concentration, and Forecasts With an Eye on Labor Markets

Jesse Jacobs — 2025-01-26

This paper examines the global production and delivery of business jets, focusing on trends and shifts in industry concentration using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). After analyzing the concentration trend, we use ARIMA models to forecast production and industry structure through 2026 and estimate the impact of changing concentration on employment. Although estimates indicate increasing concentration in the large jet sector, a potential increase in deliveries and growing GDP could offset the higher HHI. The findings offer valuable information for policymakers and analysts interested in capital-intensive industries while contributing to broader discussions on market competition and labor dynamics.