Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal
Title of Article: Bank Specific and Macroeconomic Determinants of Commercial Bank Profitability: Empirical Evidence from Turkey
Author(s): Deger Alper, Adem Anbar
Volume: 2
Number: 2
Year: 2011
Page: 139 – 152
ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the bank-specific and macroeconomic determinants of the banks profitability in Turkey over the time period from 2002 to 2010. The bank profitability is measured by return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) as a function of bank-specific and macroeconomic determinants. Using a balanced panel data set, the results show that asset size and non-interest income have a positive and significant effect on bank profitability. However, size of credit portfolio and loans under follow-up have a negative and significant impact on bank profitability. With regard to macroeconomic variables, only the real interest rate affects the performance of banks positively. These results suggest that banks can improve their profitability through increasing bank size and non-interest income, decreasing credit/asset ratio. In addition, higher real interest rate can lead to higher bank profitability.

Keywords: Bank profitability, Commercial banks, Turkish banking sector

JEL Classification: G21, M20

Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal
Title of Article: Çevreci Bir Yaklaşım: Yeşil Tasarım
[An Environmentalist Approach: Green Design]
Author(s): Gulay Coskun Kasap, Deniz Peker
Volume: 2
Number: 2
Year: 2011
Page: 101 – 116
ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

A product interacts with the environment throughout the entire life cycle- from the design phase to disposal phase- and every product makes different environmental impacts in different life cycle stages. Thus, reducing the environmental impact of a product by just focusing on the waste that is produced after the production process, is not possible. For this, a holistic and proactive approach adoption is required which considers the entire life of a product from raw materials that will be used in production to wastes occurred in production process, from packages to recovery of end of life products. This will be possible by “Green Design” which integrates the product and process design with environmental issues.

Keywords: Design for life cycle, Green design, Design for environment, Eco-design

JEL Classification: L60, M11

Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal
Title of Article: Bulanık TOPSIS ile Satış Elemanı Adaylarının Değerlemesi
[Evaluation of Salesperson Candidate’s with Fuzzy TOPSIS]
Author(s): Zehra Baskaya, Burcu Ozturk
Volume: 2
Number: 2
Year: 2011
Page: 77 – 100
ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

Because of the heavy competition and uncertainty in market conditions, attainment of complete and certain information flow becomes harder for businesses. In such environments, decision making with fuzzy data is rather important. Problems’ structures in practice are usually complicated and they include more than one criterias and alternatives. The aim of this study is to investigate the applicability of Fuzzy TOPSIS (Technique For Order Performance By Similarity To Ideal Solution) Algorithm for salesperson selection in fuzzy environments where linguistic uncertainty exists. In fuzzy environments, operations with imprecise data are so important in terms of decision making. Fuzzy TOPSIS Algorithm is a multiple criteria decision making tool. This method supports group decision making and evaluation of quantitative and qualitative criterias simultaneously. In the study, a firm’s salesperson selection process is analyzed. This firm has 17 sale stores with high, medium and low concept levels in Turkey’s various regions. Trapezoidal fuzzy numbers used for more sensitive decision making. This study represented that Fuzzy TOPSIS Algorithm is efficiently applicable for salesperson selection in a Fuzzy Multiple Criteria Decision Making Problem.

Keywords: Fuzzy sets, Trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, Fuzzy multiple criteria decision making, Fuzzy TOPSIS, Salesperson selection in fuzzy environment

JEL Classification: C61, M31

Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal
Title of Article: Kamu Alacağı: Hukuki Bir Değerlendirme
[Public Claims: A Legal Evaluation]
Author(s): Tamer Budak, Serkan Benk
Volume: 2
Number: 2
Year: 2011
Page: 61 – 76
ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

In order for a claim to exist, the host there has to be two parties. In case of public claims one of the parties is the state, special provincial administration and municipalities; while the debtor consists of the natural and legal persons. The definition of public claims is provided by The Procedure Law of Collection of Public Claims. One claims, the quality of the public claims not cause any, may be excluded from the scope of Law No. 6183. All the claims of public administration are not public claims. However, any private claim can have the security of a public claim. For this reason the criteria used to define a public claim differ. Arrangements, which can render a public claim a privileged claim, exist in the relevant Code. The aim of this study is to define the concept of public claim expressed in the relevant code and to determine the conditions under which a claim not stated in the Code can be considered a public claim in the light of court decisions.

Keywords: Public Claims, Public Service, Damages for Unlawful Occupation, Private Claims, Public Administration

JEL Classification: K34, H20, E62

Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal
Title of Article: Young Consumers’ Perspectives of Website Visualization: A Gender Perspective
Author(s): Erkan Ozdemir, Serkan Kilic
Volume: 2
Number: 2
Year: 2011
Page: 41 – 60
ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether there exist differences in website visualization according to the gender of the respondents as young consumers. For the main purpose, a questionnaire was designed from the literature review, and data were collected from 252 undergraduate students. Analyses of chi-square and t-tests were conducted for hypotheses testing. The results show that six website visualization characteristics are different by young consumers’ gender. These gender-based differences include different color preferences, not using a derogatory statement about rivals, using rounded lines and shapes, 4-6 colors in typeface, female figures in photos and expert language in the websites. The findings of this study reveal how e-marketing executives can harmonize the visualization of websites based on the gender of the targeted young consumers. The main value of this paper is the empirical analysis of the website visualization from a gender perspective. The study explicates to what extent website visualization is important in online purchasing decisions of the young consumers by gender and provides useful information for e-marketing executives. Better understanding of young consumers’ perspectives of website visualization by gender is critical for designing and managing effective websites that can help businesses attract and retain online young customers.

Keywords: Website Visualization, Gender, Young Consumers, E-marketing, Turkey, Internet

JEL Classification: M31, M37

Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal
Title of Article: Sanal Topluluklar Bağlamında Tüketicilerin Tüketim, Yaşam Tarzı ve Kimlik Yönünden Değerlendirilmesi
[Consumers’ Life Style, Social Identity and Consumption Practices in the Context of Communities of Practice]
Author(s): Ayla Ozhan Dedeoglu, Elif Ustundagli
Volume: 2
Number: 2
Year: 2011
Page: 23-40
ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

Social networks on Internet cannot be regarded as media environments simply; they are discursive environments, where individuals actively commune and construct their identities. The present study represents an attempt to analyze the role of virtual communities of practice play in members’ identity, lifestyle and consumption practices. It is also aimed to find out how member types differ from each other in terms of their commitment to the community, identity, lifestyle and consumption. A survey was conducted with members Bilincli Hippiler Toplulugu, a virtual “community of practice”. The findings reveal that life projects, meanings and practices that are produced and consumed in the context of the researched virtual community are sited in central consumption context of, specifically, core and active members, and have identity construction and authorization functions in members’ life trajectories. These findings poses that although virtual communities did not take attention in Turkey, they get importance in analyzing consumer behavior with its effects on consumption practices.

Keywords: Virtual community, Communities of practice, Identity, Lifestyle, Consumption

JEL Classification: M31, M39

Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal
Title of Article: The Relevance of Theoretical Concepts in Practice: A Study of Management Accounting Concepts in 130 Large Swedish Companies

Author(s): Krister Bredmar

Volume: 2

Number: 2

Year: 2011

Page: 1-22

ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

Management concepts in general and management accounting in particular may be studied in three contexts: practical, textbook and research. This paper shows that the three contexts are connected and a common image of management accounting is presented. Drawing from twelve American management accounting textbooks and one research article (Luft and Shields, 2003) that analyzed research within management accounting; 24 questions were asked to 130 out of the 200 largest Swedish companies. Results indicate that the major focus of textbooks is calculation. This focus is missing in management accounting research, but interestingly companies do not put a high value on it. It is also possible to identify several relationships showing organizations that encourage employee’s participation and commitment can attain a higher level of satisfaction and performance in relation to budget.

Keywords: Management Accounting, Practice, Survey, Textbooks, Swedish Companies

JEL Classification: M16, M40

Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal

Title of Article: Gıda Perakendecilerinin Özel Markalı Ürünleri Geliştirme Amaçları ve Özel Markalı Ürünlere Bakış Açıları
[Food Retailers’ Objectives of Developing Private Label Products and Their Perspectives to Private Label Products]

Author(s): Serkan Kilic

Volume: 2

Number: 1

Year: 2011

Page: 173 – 188

ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

In the intensive competitive environment, retailers incline to develop their own branded products (private label products) to make a differentiation over their rivals and to gain a market share. On the other side, retailers’ have some objectives in developing private label products. At this point, this study put forwards the differences between retailers’ some characteristics and objectives of developing private label products and investigates the tendencies and expectations towards private label products. The results of the research present that there are no differences in the objectives of developing private label products according to the food retailers’ ownership of private label. However, it is found that there are some differences in the objectives of developing private label products according to the food retailers’ level of activity, number of branches and scale. In the study, it is also put forward that food retailers expect an increase in the demand of private label products at nearly terms and inclining to develop private labels more than before.

Keywords: Retailing, Food retailing, Brand, Private label

JEL Classification: L66, L81, M31

Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal

Title of Article: Patent Değerlemesi ve Reel Opsiyonlar

[Patent Valuation and Real Options]

Author(s): Deger Alper

Volume: 2

Number: 1

Year: 2011

Page: 153 – 172

ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

As the knowledge economics grows rapidly, businesses increasingly invest intellectual property and the value of intellectual property; patent, trademark, copyright etc., more emphasized in business nowadays. Thus, the valuation of intellectual property, specifically patents, has been one of the most difficult investment problems both for practitioners and academics. Traditional valuation methods fail to account for the unique characteristics of patents; uncertainty and management flexibility. Patents are option-like assets that give the owner a bundle of options; to commercialize the products, to file foreign application, to license the innovation etc. Real options represent the application of options methodology to strategic business decisions, and real option method provides a richer framework to analyse the issues that confront the valuation of patent. This paper uses real option model as a framework to correctly evaluate patent and contains real option model application to patent valuation.

Keywords: Patent valuation, Intellectual property, Real options

JEL Classification: G13, O34

Article Information

Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal

Title of Article: Türkiye’de Bölgeler Arası Gelir Yakınsaması: Rassal Katsayılı Panel Veri Analizi Uygulaması

[Convergence among the Regions of Turkey: An Evidence from Random Coefficient Models]

Author(s): Fatma Zeren, Veli Yilanci

Volume: 2

Number: 1

Year: 2011

Page: 143 – 151

ISSN: 1309-2448

Abstract

In this study, we test whether there is income convergence among the regions of Turkey at the NUTS-2 level over the period 1991-2000. We use the random coefficient model for this purpose, which have been developed instead of fixed coefficient models and assumes economical relationships varies among the regions. We investigated whether there is absolute and conditional convergence or not for both among the regions and average of the regions. We used the rate of deposits in gross domestic product as a proxy for financial development to represent possible disparities among the regions and concluded that there is both absolute and conditional convergence for the average of the regions. On the other hand, at the regional level, there is absolute convergence for 17 regions and conditional convergence for 25 regions. Also, we found that the deposits have positive effect on per capita income as we expected.

Keywords: Convergence, Conditional convergence, Absolute convergence, Random coefficient models, Panel data models

JEL Classification: O47, C33