Major Research Projects
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/23792
2024-03-29T07:17:15ZExamining environmental performance : cross-country analysis of Canada and the United States
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/31820
Examining environmental performance : cross-country analysis of Canada and the United States
The purpose of this Masters’ Research Paper is to compare Canada and the United States’ (U.S.) contributions to pollution and carbon emissions. This paper considers the
Environmental portion of the Environmental, Social and Governance metric (ESG) and,
in particular, a review of seven industries that are known to cause pollution. The study
uses ESG data from Refinitiv with a sample of 35,678 observations over the period of
2017 to 2021. The specific industries used are Financials, Energy, Transportation,
Manufacturing, Construction, Fashion, and Technology. The findings show that overall,
Canada has a higher Environmental Score, with a mean environmental score of 29.301
compared with a U.S. score of 19.36. When comparing specific industries, the financial
industry results suggest that Canada exhibits a statistically significant advantage
compared to the U.S. in terms of environmental score. For the energy, transportation, and
construction industries, Canada has significantly higher scores then the U.S. However, no
significant difference was found in the mean environmental scores for the manufacturing
industry. Additionally, the mean environmental scores in the fashion and technology
industries were both significantly higher in Canada compared to the U.S.
1 online resource (v, 37 pages) : colour graphs; Includes abstract and appendix.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 34-36).
2023-08-16T00:00:00ZEarly signs of organizational cynicism : an exploratory case study to understand the connection between burnout and cynicism
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/31348
Early signs of organizational cynicism : an exploratory case study to understand the connection between burnout and cynicism
This major research paper explores if understanding the symptoms of burnout can help in the explanation of the perceived behaviours of organizational cynicism. Using a qualitative quasi-archival research approach, this case study uses Maslach’s (1996) theoretical burnout framework and Maslach, Schaufeli, and Leiter (2001) six areas of worklife as an a priori guide for the thematic analysis of organizational open documents. Based on the findings, it is clear that the case study organization has warning signs of burnout. Several recommendations are discussed as practical applications for the mitigation of burnout and the gradual dilution of feelings of organizational cynicism.
1 online resource (76 pages) : colour maps, charts; Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 71-75).
2015-12-01T00:00:00ZBrendan Langille : a case study in selection, turnover and company culture in a small business
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/31316
Brendan Langille : a case study in selection, turnover and company culture in a small business
The purpose of this project was to produce a case study and accompanying teaching note that would allow students to discuss various aspects of selection and hiring in a small family business. This case study follows a young protagonist who is transitioning into his parent’s fast food company. He notices some troubling trends in the business such as informal hiring processes, high turnover and a poor company culture. He is essentially
faced with the decision to either take the business in a new direction or continue using his parents’ methods. The accompanying teaching note details elements of the case likely to
emerge in classroom discussion, and offers guiding research on these topics. The note considers the implications of the protagonist’s decision and provides information on applicable industry trends. In addition, it explains the value and the process of standardizing selection and hiring in a small business. Finally, the teaching note covers different factors that affect employee engagement and reducing turnover.
1 online resource (iv, 31 pages); Includes abstract.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 27-31).
2015-04-24T00:00:00ZAnalysis of contract manufacturing organizations servicing the North American market in the manufacturing & packaging of prescription & over-the-counter drugs
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/31315
Analysis of contract manufacturing organizations servicing the North American market in the manufacturing & packaging of prescription & over-the-counter drugs
Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Organizations that serve the North American market are plentiful; however, determining which contract manufacturers provide the appropriate services for a specific drug type is difficult to determine. This document defines and provides a high level overview of the pharmaceutical industry, an overview of the pharmaceutical contract manufacturing industry, and details the capabilities of contract manufacturers focused on the non-sterile manufacturing of solid, semi-solid, and liquid dosage forms. The paper examines five companies in particular that are located in North America and service the market and analyzes the services that each company offers and how the companies are differentiated from each other.
1 online resource (38, 3 unnumbered pages) : colour graphs; Includes abstract.; Includes bibliographical references (page 34).
2015-04-13T00:00:00ZFairtrade and child labour in Ghana's cocoa sector : challenges, gaps and recommendations
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/30863
Fairtrade and child labour in Ghana's cocoa sector : challenges, gaps and recommendations
In spite of the numerous interventions put in place by the Government of Ghana,
international development agencies and other relevant bodies such as Fairtrade to
eradicate child labour in Ghana’s cocoa sector, it continues to be a significant problem in
cocoa production. This research paper aims to explore the main reasons for the persistent
occurrences of child labour in cocoa and the role of Fairtrade in ensuring the eradication
of child labour in Ghana’s cocoa sector. The research identifies explicitly various causes
of child labour in Ghana’s cocoa by reviewing relevant academic and grey literature in
the area. It provides a critical assessment of the role of Fairtrade in eradicating child
labour. The research paper also relied on data from fifteen (15) key informant interview
respondents comprising five (5) officials from Fairtrade West Africa and International
Cocoa Initiative, and ten (10) Fairtrade certified cocoa farmers from three selected cocoa
growing areas in the Western, Eastern and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana. The paper
concludes that poverty, the lack of awareness among cocoa farmers and cocoa-growing
communities about child labour policies, inadequate educational infrastructure in cocoa growing communities, and other socio-cultural factors are the leading causes of child
labour in Ghana’s cocoa sector. It examines how Fairtrade interventions, namely
technical training and support for farmers, provision of educational infrastructure in
cocoa-growing areas, and the sensitization of farmers and community members about
child labour policies, are helping fight child labour in Ghana’s cocoa sector. It concludes
by recommending an increase in Fairtrade premiums and prices, technical training and
support for cocoa farmers, educational infrastructure and scholarships in cocoa-growing
areas and the sensitization of cocoa farmers and communities.
1 online resource (vii, 5 pages); Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 69-72).
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZImmigrant settlement patterns in Canada : does elasticity of substitution between immigrants and native-born workers matter?
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/29868
Immigrant settlement patterns in Canada : does elasticity of substitution between immigrants and native-born workers matter?
Although the number of immigrants coming to Canada has been steady in
the past two decades, their location distribution is uneven across provinces.
The proportion of immigrants in each province varies from 29 percent of the
total population to as low as 2.4 percent. This paper will explore the effects that
elasticity of substitution has on immigrant settlement patterns. This paper adds
an alternative approach to the reasoning behind the disproportionate
immigrant settlement. Using a constant elasticity of substitution model and
information from the 2016 Census we find that the elasticity of substitution
does show similar trends to the proportion of immigrants in a population.
1 online resource (40 pages); Includes abstract and appendix.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 34, 40).
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZESG transparency on firm performance : an empirical research of Covid-19 in global logistics firms
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/29851
ESG transparency on firm performance : an empirical research of Covid-19 in global logistics firms
Supply chain management (SCM) facilitated by the forces of globalization
and technology evolution was playing an unassailable role in serving the
world. The impact of Covid-19 caused disruption to these supply chains.
The objective of this paper is to investigate the quasi-potential impact of the
environment, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure on the firms’
performance in the transportation and logistics industry and the influence of
the pandemic.
The empirical analysis, conducted on a sample of worldwide publicly traded
companies, shows that the ESG disclosure score (ESGD) especially ESGD
at higher level significantly contributes to firm value despite a relatively
lower level of ESGD increases with a drop in firm value at the onset of the
Covid-19 pandemic. As expected, the results also indicate that the effect of
ESGD is significantly associated with a positive change in firm value during
the pandemic and post-pandemic period.
1 online resource (v, 60 pages); Includes abstract and appendix.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 59-60).
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZThe role of international cooperation in improving aid effectiveness : the case of the high-level forums of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/29508
The role of international cooperation in improving aid effectiveness : the case of the high-level forums of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Historically, development aid dates back to the aftermath of World War II and its principles and practices are still much in action today. Although the idea of development aid is seen to be crucial and beneficial, in reality, there have been mixed outcomes. There is an equal measure of voices arguing for and against aid being effective in contributing to the economic growth of recipient countries. Generally, there have been efforts at the global level to consolidate development aid to bring about the needed impact. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) assumed the role of rallying action around aid effectiveness through its Working Party on Aid Effectiveness (WP-EFF, 2003) forum. This study analyses the contributions of the OECD interventions in making development aid effective. The study uses secondary data predominantly on the OECD archives and current research on the aid effectiveness agenda. Using content and grounded theory analysis, the study finds that the OECD
interventions have been limited in guiding development aid towards adding economic prosperity to recipient countries. In particular, these OECD strategies have not managed to reduce donor transaction costs and coordinate the highly fragmented aid delivery system. The study further finds that aid effectiveness to some extent is conditional to a favourable policy environment. This research concludes by suggesting a strict commitment to aid reform by partners, development beyond aid, and alternatives sources of development financing.
1 online resource (iv, 53 pages); A Major Research Paper submitted ... in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in International Development Studies.; Includes abstract.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 48-53).
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZThe effect of minimum wage increase on employment : panel data evidence from Canadian provinces
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/29504
The effect of minimum wage increase on employment : panel data evidence from Canadian provinces
This paper studies the effects of a minimum wage increase on the employment rates of immigrants and non-immigrants in Canada's Atlantic region, particularly those with high school or more education. In estimating the effects, we used a balanced panel data across four Canadian provinces from 2008 to 2018. Ordinary least squares estimates suggest that a 1% increase in minimum wage will result in a 1.022% decline in the employment rates of immigrants and a 1.239% decline in the employment rates of non-
immigrants. The increase in the minimum wage from 2008-2018 for both groups shows that the employment rate of non-immigrants is more affected than immigrants. Furthermore, more attention should be paid to understand why minimum wage affects non-immigrants more. Our results are statistically significant, and the findings are consistent with the predictions of conventional economic theory.
1 online resource (iii, 27 pages); Includes abstract.; Includes bibliographical references (pages 24-27).
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZDoes the place of education matter in reducing the difference in earnings between immigrants and native-born in Canada?
http://library2.smu.ca/xmlui/handle/01/29426
Does the place of education matter in reducing the difference in earnings between immigrants and native-born in Canada?
Using the 2016 Canadian Census, this paper examines whether the place of education matters in reducing the wage difference between immigrants and native-born Canadians. The Mincerian equation has been utilized to show the effect of education on earnings. The result shows that the returns to education for immigrants is less than the Canadian born by 1.14% for males and 0.46% for females. A wage difference between immigrants and native-born was found to be 42% for males and 43% for females. Our findings suggest that a lack of foreign credentials recognition is the cause for the difference in earnings.
1 online resource (27 pages) : illustrations; Includes abstract and appendices.; Includes bibliographical references (page 19).
2020-01-01T00:00:00Z