Vol. 2 No. 3 (2011)

Irlen Syndrome was identified in the 1980s as a condition that affects people who cannot see written text on a page properly. Consequently, their ability to learn in a standard educational setting is significantly limited and their future lives constrained. Further, affected people, in common with people with dyslexia, are often accused of lack of intellect or interest in studies and this can be a source of stress and relationship breakdown. The eponymous Irlen method provides a technical solution to the problem involving coloured lenses, which helps some people. Nevertheless, the approach falls between the educational and medical worlds and this provides some credibility issues. This paper examines the possibility of establishing an effective and profitable Irlen Centre in Thailand through personal, in-depth interviews with relevant professionals in a variety of fields. The findings are considered in the light of contemporary Thai culture and the pressure on young people to take an active part in a market-oriented society.

The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the impact of corruption on foreign direct investment revenues in OIC countries. To do so, we have concentrated on a sample of 16 countries for which the necessary data were available for the period 2002-2008. We have used panel regression analysis. Our empirical results support that openness and Gross domestic product (GDP) have positive impact and inflation and corruption have negative impact on FDI in OIC countries.

Indian retail sector is poised for growth and in-store is going to be the place where customers will take decision to spend or not to spend their money. As for apparel purchase, multiple factors influence the final decision on buying. Through this study, an attempt is made to find out the effect of in-store promotions and its influence on purchase of apparel by customers. Hence, the objectives of the study are set: to find out the customer’s purchase intentions and actual purchase in the context of apparel buying; to find out the most effective in-store promotions that induces purchase of apparel. The study was conducted in two Reliance Trend outlets in Bangalore City, India. 750 customers were intercepted after their shopping with questionnaires. Analyses of data reveal that in-store promotions results in 87 percent of unplanned purchase in apparel buying. 80 per cent of the customers seek to visit the “Best buy” section within the store and instore display of large photographs induce trials of the same design to the tune of 72 per cent. When translated to money terms a customer spends Rs 400 to Rs 1200 on apparel, which was not in the planned list prepared before visiting the store. Hence, in-store promotions are effective means to induce on the spot buying decisions amongst customers especially in apparel purchase.

The present study is concerned with the problems and prospects of e-banks in India. The present paper suggests some policies on the basis of perceptions of 60 selected e-bank employees regarding the various issues related to e-banking services. The paper concluded that not more then 50% of Indian bank customers are using e-channels, these channels are not much popular among old age and middle age persons as much as among youngsters and finally the paper concludes that the most of the customers are shifting from public sector banks to new private sector banks or foreign banks to avail innovative and attractive services. On the basis of these conclusions, paper suggests some strategies to make the public sector banks more competitive in the era of IT.

This study assesses the impact of quoted companies’ assets size and profitability on employee retirement benefits in Nigeria. In line with the objective, a hypothesis was formulated. The population of the study is 182 firms quoted on the first- tier market of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and ten (10) quoted firms selected as sample size based on judgmental sampling. The study utilized data from secondary source. Data were obtained from the annual accounts and reports of the (10) quoted firms that made up the sample of the study. The time frame for the study is ten years, covering the period of 1998 to 2007. The technique of analysis used in the study was Multiple Regression Analysis. The study established that the ability of quoted firms to fund their pension costs has direct relationship with their assets sizes and respective profitability. The study recommended an effective monitoring/supervision and enforcement of the provisions of the Pension Reform Act, 2004, in addition to effective implementation of the penalties provided by the Act on non-compliers regardless of their status or origin. The study calls the Government to create conducive and enabling environment for smooth implementation, compliance and application of the Pension Reform Act, 2004 by firms and other players in pension administration. While, regulatory authorities must encouraged research and activities geared towards developing not only accounting policies that would ensure full compliance with Statement of Accounting Standards 8 (SAS 8) but strategies that would ensure optimum investments that enhance net worth and earnings of firms.