IOSR-JBM   Volume-1 ~ Issue-6 ~ Jul-Aug-2012

Abstract: The rapid evolution of telecommunication, World Wide Web, and computing technologies continues to shape the businesses around the globe. In this rapidly changing technological environment, a country‟s broadband Internet readiness has become a significant factor of the global competitiveness of a nation. Using a modified Porter‟s diamond model, this study compares broadband Internet development in Pakistan and India and investigates various factors that contributed to the different degrees of broadband Internet development in the two countries. The study finds that the diffusion of broadband Internet does contribute to the global competitiveness of a nation. The study reports findings from the first comparative study of Pakistan and India carried out in the area of broadband Internet competitive advantage.
Keywords – adoption, broadband, consumer, diamond model, Internet

[1] Wolf, J. & Zee, N., 2000.The Last Mile: Broadband and the Next Internet Revolution 1st ed., Mcgraw-Hill.
[2] Rao, B., 2001. Broadband innovation and the customer experience imperative. International Journal on Media Management, 3(2), pp.56–65.
[3] CNetNews, 2002. CEOs talk broadband with Cheney - CNET News. Available at: http://news.cnet.com/2100-1033-822691.html [Accessed March 25, 2012].
[4] Sprano, E. &Zakak, A., 2000. E-COMMERCE CAPABLE: COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR COUNTRIES IN THE NEW WORLD E-CONOMY. Competitiveness Review: An International Business Journal incorporating Journal of Global Competitiveness, 10(2), pp.114–122.
[5] Albert, S. &Flournoy, D., 2010.Think Global, Act Local.International Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development, 2(1), pp.59–79.
[6] Lee, C. & Chan-Olmsted, S.M., 2004. Competitive advantage of broadband Internet: a comparative study between South Korea and the United States. Telecommunications Policy, 28(9–10), pp.649–677.
[7] Garfield, M.J. & Watson, R.T., 1997. Differences in national information infrastructures: the reflection of national cultures. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 6(4), pp.313–337.
[8] Han, G., 2003. Broadband Adoption in the United States and Korea: Business Driven Rational Model Versus Culture Sensitive Policy Model. Trends in Communication, 11(1), pp.3–25.
[9] Hargittai, E., 1999. Weaving the Western Web: explaining differences in Internet connectivity among OECD countries.Telecommunications Policy, 23(10–11), pp.701–718.
[10] OECD, 2001a.The Development of Broadband Access in the OECD Countries, OECD Publishing. Available at: http://ideas.repec.org/p/oec/stiaab/56-en.html [Accessed May 14, 2012].

JEL-M-31, L-10, L-19
KEYWORDS - Mix, Rationality of Product Life Cycle, Users' Life Span, Reliability, Ring

[1]. Brooks, Neil, and Lyndon Simkin. "Measuring Marketing Effectiveness: An Agenda For Smes."Marketing Review 11.1 (2011): 3-24. Brooks, Neil, and Lyndon Simkin. "Measuring Marketing Effectiveness: An Agenda For Smes."Marketing Review 11.1 (2011): 3-24.
[2]. Constantinides, E. "The Marketing Mix Revisited: Towards The 21St Century Marketing." Journal Of Marketing Management 22.3/4 (2006): 407-438.
[3]. Corstjens, Marcel, Andris Umbljis, and Chao Wang. "The Power Of Inertia." Journal Of Advertising Research 51.2 (2011): 356-372.
[4]. Hanssens, Dominique M. "Advertising Impact Generalizations In A Marketing Mix Context." Journal Of Advertising Research 49.2 (2009): 127-129.
[5]. Karniouchina, Ekaterina V, Can Uslay, and Grigori Erenburg. "Do Marketing Media Have Life Cycles? The Case Of Product Placement In Movies." Journal Of Marketing 75.3 (2011): 27-48.
[6]. Laszlo Tihanyi, et al. "Where Is The Opportunity Without The Customer? An Integration Of Marketing Activities, The Entrepreneurship Process, And Institutional Theory." Journal Of The Academy Of Marketing Science 39.4 (2011): 537-554.
[7]. Lehtinen, Uolevi. "Combining Mix And Relationship Marketing." Marketing Review 11.2 (2011): 117-136.
[8]. Luan, Y. Jackie, and K Sudhir. "Forecasting Marketing-Mix Responsiveness For New Products."Journal Of Marketing Research (JMR) 47.3 (2010): 444-457.
[9]. Luo, Lan. "Product Line Design For Consumer Durables: An Integrated Marketing And Engineering Approach." Journal Of Marketing Research (JMR) 48.1 (2011): 128-139.
[10]. Marnik G Dekimpe, et al. "The Effect Of Business-Cycle Fluctuations On Private-Label Share: What Has Marketing Conduct Got To Do With It??." Journal Of Marketing 76.1 (2012): 1-19.

Abstract: This study examined the coverage of agriculture and environment in Nigerian newspapers using content analysis and empirical review. The (content) analysis of environmental reportage was carried out in three newspapers: The Punch, The Guardian and The Sun between August and September (2011) to back up the studies reviewed as carried out by Ifenkwe (2008) and Okorie and Oyedepo (2011). The review backed up by the fresh study further revealed the extent with which newspapers influence public knowledge and actions. Both studies reviewed had similar recommendations; that the press should improve its advocacy role by paying more attention to reportage of developmental issues. Furthermore, based on the author's fresh findings, it was observed that issues on agriculture did not receive favorable coverage by the newspapers. Three basic issues of national/global interest were selected to ascertain their degree of importance in the three newspapers studied: The Punch, The Guardian and Nigerian Tribune. The issues selected were the most reported issues at the time of study, they are: Gaddafi's capture, Boko Haram and Environment. 151 stories out of a total of 454 stories analysed making 33.2% was allotted to environment, 97 (21.3%) stories were published on Gaddafi's trail and capture while Boko Haram had 206 (45.4%) stories reported. Thus, similar to the papers studied; this paper suggests that the press should endeavor to give adequate attention to various issues on agriculture as well as its developmental programs in its reportage and to intensify efforts on setting environmental agenda so as to facilitate sustainable development in agriculture and environment.
Keywords: Agriculture, environment, sustainability, development, newspaper reportage

[1.] Aiyesimoju (2010) Public Enlightenment as a Tool for National Development: The Roles of Nigerian Newspapers, Unpublished Undergraduate Thesis.
[2.] Ifenkwe (2008) Assessment of Newspaper Advocacy for Rural Development and Environmental Education in Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol. 12 (2), pp. 41-51.
[3.] Okorie and Oyedepo (2011) Newspaper Reportage and its Effect Towards Promoting Agricultural Development in Nigeria. Journal of Media and Communication Studies Vol. 3(2), pp. 27-32.
[4.] Utulu (2009) Between Public Opinion and Media Agenda of Political Issues in Nigeria. International Journal of Social and Management Sciences Vol.1(1) pp. 35-54

Abstract: Bangladesh adopted a liberal economic regime, particularly in the areas of trade, finance, and capital account, since mid-1980s. This paper attempts to investigate empirically the causality relationship between trade liberalization and economic growth in Bangladesh by employing co-integration and granger causality techniques of time series econometrics for the period of 1975-2010. The data on trade liberalization and economic growth are taken from the world development indicators. The empirical results reveal that there exist short run and long run co-integration and causality relationships among variables in the growth model. It implies that trade openness policies may be feasible with sustained economic growth. It is also found that causality runs from economic growth to trade liberalization. The results are also consistent with the growth theories and economic literature.
Keywords: Trade Liberalization, Economic growth, Co integration.

[1.] Abhayaratne, Anoma S.P. 1996. Foreign Trade and Economic Growth: Evidence from Sri Lanka 1960-92. Applied Economic Letter 3: 567-570.
[2.] Ahmed, J. and A. C. C. Kwan (1991), "Causality between Exports and Economic Growth, "Economic Letters, 37: 243-248.
[3.] Ahmed, J. and S. Harnhirun (1995), "Unit Roots and Cointegration in Estimating Causality between Exports and Economic Growth: Empirical Evidence from the ASEAN Countries, "Economic Letters, 49: 329-334.
[4.] Ahmed, N. (2001), Trade Liberalization in Bangladesh: An Investigation into Trends, The University Press Limited, Dhaka.
[5.] Anoruo, Emmanuel and Yusuf Ahmad. 2000. Openness and Economic Growth: Evidence from Selected ASEAN Countries. The Indian Economic Journal 47:110-117.
[6.] Bakht, Z. (2000), "Trade liberalization, Exports and Growth of Manufacturing Industries in Bangladesh", chapter 5 in Mozammel Huq and Jim Love (eds.) Strategies for Industrialization: The Case for Bangladesh, University Press Limited, Dhaka.
[7.] Balassa, Bela. 1978. Exports and Economic Growth: Further Evidence. Journal of Development Economics 5:181-189
[8.] Balasubramanyam, V.N.; M. Salisu; and D. Sapsford (1996). "Foreign Direct Investment and Growth in EP and IS Countries", The Economic Journal, Vol. 106, No. 434, pp. 92-105
[9.] Baldwin, R. 1963. Exports, Technology and Development from a Subsistence Level. Economic Journal 73:80-92
[10.] Bayes, A., Hussain, I. And Rahman, M. (1995) "Trends in the External Sector: Trade and Aid", Chapter 8 in Sobhan, R. (ed.) Experiences with Economic Reforms: A Review of Bangladesh's Development 1995, Centre for Policy Dialogue and University Press Limited, Dhaka, pp.243-297.

Abstract: Brand credibility and its benefits still needs to be investigated in different contexts using distinctive industries. Credibility has been argued to enable firms to enhance their relationships with their respective customers and would lead to higher satisfaction and commitment among customers and make them stay with the current brand. By analyzing 147 data from telecommunication service users in Iran using SEM, this study found 1) brand credibility is positively related to satisfaction, loyalty commitment, and continuance commitment; and 2) higher satisfaction and commitment would lead to lower switching propensity among customers.
Keywords: Brand credibility, Commitment, Satisfaction, Switching propensity

[1.] Aaker, D.A., Managing Brand Equity1991, New York, NY: Free Press.
[2.] Aaker, D.A., Leveraging the Corporate Brand. California Management Review, 2004. 46(3): p. 1-6.
[3.] Keller, K.L., Conceptualizing measuring and managing customer-based brand equity. The Journal of Marketing, 1993. 57(1): p. 1-22
[4.] Buil, I., L. de Chernatony, and E. Martinez, Examining the role of advertising and sales promotions in brand equity creation. Journal of Business Research, 2011(0).
[5.] Doyle, P., Building successful brands: the strategic options. Journal of Marketing Management, 1989. 5(1): p. 77-95.
[6.] Keller, K.L. and D.R. Lehmann, Brands and branding: research findings and future priorities. Marketing Science, 2006. 25(6): p. 740–59.
[7.] Erdem, T. and J. Swait, Brand Equity as a Signaling Phenomenon. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 1998. 7(2): p. 131-157.
[8.] Baek, T.H., J. Kim, and J.H. Yu, The differential roles of brand credibility and brand prestige in consumer brand choice. Psychology and Marketing, 2010. 27(7): p. 662-678.
[9.] Baek, T.H. and K.W. King, Exploring the consequences of brand credibility in services. Journal of Services Marketing, 2011. 25(4): p. 260 - 272.
[10.] Sweeney, J. and J. Swait, The effects of brand credibility on customer loyalty. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 2008. 15(3): p. 179-193.

Abstract : In the globalization era, Malaysian automotive industry is facing greater challenges due to the general quest for high quality, the requirement and regulation of ASEAN Trade Area (AFTA) and the increasing competition between local car and foreign car manufactures. Therefore, to increase the competitiveness, firms apply many quality program and initiatives such as balanced scorecard. The Balanced scorecard strategy helps managers to manage strategic plan, monitor and control the performance result, encourages effective communication and discussion, provides reward based system, and feedback with quick action approach that aligns with organization goal. Managers need to focus on both financial and non-financial measures (customer, internal business process, and innovation and learning) to achieve organizational goals. The aim of this paper is to review the relationship between the strategic control system and organizational performance for Malaysian Automotive industry.
Keywords - Strategic control system, organizational performance, balanced scorecard, automotive.

[1] Zadry, H. R. The integration of total quality management (TQM) and theory of constraints (TOC) implementation in Malaysian automotive suppliers. Master Thesis, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University Technology Malaysia, Malaysia, 2005.
[2] Kaplan, R. S., and Norton, D. P. The balanced scorecard-measure that drive performance. Harvard Business Review, January- February, 1992, 71-79.
[3] Kaplan, R. S., and Norton, D. P. The balanced scorecard-translating strategy into action, (Boston: Harvard Business Scholl Press,1996a).
[4] Kaplan, R. S., and Norton, D. P. Using the balanced scorecard as a strategic management system. Harvard Business Review, January-February, 71 (1), 1992, 75-85.
[5] Rooriquez, A. B. A framework to align strategy, improvement performance, and customer satisfaction using an integration of six sigma and balanced scorecard. Dissertation of Doctor Philosophy, Department, of Industrial Engineering and Management System, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, 2008.
[6] Andersen, H. V., Lawrie, G. and Savic, N. Effective quality management through third generation balanced scorecard. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 53 (7), 2004, 634-645.
[7] Flamholtz, E. G., Das, T. K., and Tsui, A. N. Toward an integrative framework oforganizational control. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 11 (1), 1985, 35-50.
[8] Goold, M. & Quinn, J. J. Strategic control: Milestones for long-term performance. London: Pitman Publishing, 1993.
[9] Ittner, C. D. & Larcker, D. F. Quality strategy, strategic control systems and organizational performance. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 22 (3/4), 1997, 295-314.
[10] Picken, J. C. & Dess, G. G. Out of (strategic) control. Organizational Dynamics, 26 (1), 1997, 35-48.

Abstract : Since its revival post-1991, commodity derivatives trade in India had experienced explosive growth, both in volumes and value over the years across all contracts that were in operation for major agricultural commodities, metal and energy. However derivatives trade in agricultural commodities was confronted by a major crisis when the Government of India imposed a temporary ban on futures trading of selected items in 2007-08 as part of its anti- inflationary measures. But given the insignificant volumes of trading in commodity futures of all the recently banned commodities it is often argued that futures trading cannot and do not have any direct impact on price rise of these commodities. However test on existing data reveals that the effect of futures prices on spot prices for different commodities differs which implies that there is no uniform impact of commodity derivatives trading on the spot prices of the wide assortment of commodities that are traded. This actual unfolding of events vindicate the position that inflationary pressures stems from a number of factors, including supply side constraint, the global rise in prices of food and oil, the diversion of land for bio-fuel production, loose monetary policy in emerging economies, and the adoption of an expansionary fiscal policy. Hence the policy of across-the-board restriction of derivatives trading in agricultural commodities appears to be unjustifiable, inequitable, and counter-productive.

[1.] Chopra S. (2008) 'Did agri futures have a premature start'? [online] Available:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Opinion/Debate/Did_agri_futures_have_a_premature_start/articleshow/3037768.cms Accessed on 05.06.2011
[2.] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (2006) 'Report of the Standing Committee on Food, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution', Government of India.
[3.] Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (2008) 'Report of the Expert Committee to study the impact of future trading on agricultural commodity price', Government of India.
[4.] Ministry of Finance (2007-08) 'Prices and Monetary Management',[online]
Available:http://indiabudget.nic.in/es2007‐08/chapt2008/chap42.pdf Accessed on 10.07.2011
[5.] Newbery D.M. (1990) 'Cartels, Storage, and the Suppression of Future Markets', European Economic Review, 34 (7), pp 1041-1060.
[6.] Turnovsky S.J. and Campbell R.B. (1985) 'The Stabilizing and Welfare Properties of Futures Markets: A Simulation Approach', International Economic Review, 26: pp 277–303