M.Com. (Economics) / The objective of the thesis is to examine the fiscal importance' of indirect taxation with specific reference to value added taxation. The investigation takes cognisance of the unique characteristics of the South African economy, especially its strong dualistic characteristics, very unequal distributlon of income and extensive backlogs in the areas of social services and infrastructure. The South African tax system has undergone a rather fundamental shift in the early 1970s when the sales duty was replaced by a general sales tax. This tax, implemented in July 1978 at the rate of 4 per cent provided for the exemption of basic foodstuffs and the issuing of exemption certificates mandating the non-taxation of certain goods. These certificates led to abuse and fraud. The tax was a cascading tax and double taxation was an inherent characteristic of it. Within 13 years of its existence the rate of the tax soured to 13 per cent. An European-styled value added tax, engineered on the New Zealand model, was implemented in September 1991. Value added tax has in the past been criticised on account of its regressive properties. Unions have depicted value added tax as an unfair tax because of its skewed income and wealth effects. Providing relief for the perceived regressivity of valued added tax is not an easy decision. The regressivity of value added tax can be reduced by zero ratings, differential rates and exemptions, but it was found that there are convincing reasons why the value added tax base should be kept as broad as possible. Internationally it is accepted that economic distortions are kept to a minimum when value added tax is levied on a broad base with a minimum number of zero ratings and differential rates. A broadly based tax effects current and future consumption to the same degree and is therefore neutral as to consumption and saving. Irrespective of this best-policy-advice, various countries still make considerable use of zero ratings and differential rates to lessen the regressivity of the tax system. Theoretically value added tax does not add to inflationary pressures. Notwithstanding this theoretical view there is some evidence that value added tax could sometimes lead to cost push inflation should compensating salary increases follow after a broadening of the base. The dissertation agrees with South African studies indicating that the cascading effects of value added tax is negligible. Although the rate of inflation increased during the twelve month period following the introduction of the tax in South Africa, it had an once-off impact on the general level of prices and could thus not be typified as inflation. Financial services are by and large exempted from value added tax due to its many definitional problems. In this connection, the Poddar-English model is regarded by some observers as a means of addressing this problem. The model does not provide solutions for all the problems and remains to a large extent impractical. Notwithstanding this, the extension of the tax base to include financial services will enhance the efficiency of the tax.

Many academic studies in the past have focussed on how to create value for businesses in terms of adding profit to the bottom line through performance, and many argue that adding value for the client is also viewed as a profitable business strategy. This strategy translates as a win-win business relationship since long-term relationships ensure customer loyalty, customer retention and repeat business. In the services sector, it is difficult to quantify the worth or value that a particular service has since services are intangible products. The perception of value of such a service is known as “perceived value” since value recognition rests with the consumer who attempts to quantify the worth of that service. It is generally accepted in the services sector that establishing long-term, mutually beneficial, meaningful business relationships add value for the client and helps them to attach a value to the services that company provides. A company cannot establish such relationships without the help of its employees who represents the face of the organisation and implements the value adding strategy on the organisation’s behalf. Recent studies have begun to address this, examining value creation in business relationships in the context of the sale of tangible goods. The process of value creation for customers in services relationships remains underresearched. Perceived value explains why customers choose one particular service over another, why service companies gain competitive advantage by maintaining genuine longterm customer relationships, and why “the personal touch”, created through emotional attributes such as trust, caring and empathy, adds value from customers’ perspective. This dissertation presents a study of perceived value from the perspective of the customer within the context of the delivery of a credence product in a services relationship model. Using grounded theory methodology; following in-depth interviews with consumers of general insurance, a number of customer-value creation dimensions for businesses have been identified. Parallel interviews with members of staff from the supplier company add a further perspective. This research demonstrates how organisations or suppliers in the services industry can add value when delivering a credence product in a services relationship context. It is believed that an understanding of the value-adding dimensions can be implemented to create opportunities to build value for customers, with commensurate benefits for suppliers. Following analysis of the interviews held with each buyer, a total of six value dimensions are identified in the findings chapter. Each dimension is individually described, discussed, and illustrated with quotations from customers and supplier’s staff. Other issues relating to value arising from the interviews are examined in the discussion chapter. Three areas for further research are proposed in the conclusion.

EVA is the difference between a firm¡¦s net operating profit after taxes and its cost of invested capital. While in EVA calculation, some adjustments on GAAP are made to avoid potential information distortion. This study is to calculate CSC¡¦s EVA using Stern Stewart & Co.¡¦s approach and to discuss its information contents. The conclusions of this study are presented as follows¡G 1.For CSC, EVA is better than RI and traditional accounting measures of EPS and ROE in explaining stock prices and MVA. 2.The superiority of EVA to RI in explaining stock prices and MVA means that equity equivalent reserve adjustments are needed for calculating EVA. 3.EVA explains share prices and MVA better after CSC privatized, but the sensitivity of share prices and MVA response to EVA has decreased. 4.By stepwise regression tests, contemporary share prices are best explained by lagged EVA. Contemporary EVA cannot predict future share prices. Implication of this study: CSC¡¦s EVA measure has higher correlation with its share prices and MVA, EVA results would be reflected to share prices and MVA. Therefore, investment evaluation, performance appraisal and bonus plan by EVA-based are suitable for CSC and its subsidiaries. Using plenty surplus cash to purchase back shares for reducing capital stocks is the most efficient way for CSC to increase EVA. Disclosing EVA related information may improve company transparence and therefore enhance share prices and shareholders¡¦ wealth.

No description available.

<p>Alla företag strävar efter att göra en vinst, men frågan är när ett företag faktiskt uppnått detta. </p><p>Stern Stewart & Co är ett amerikanskt konsultbolag som har arbetat fram ett koncept som de kallar Economic Value Added (EVA). Den stora skillnaden mellan detta och övriga vinstmått är att EVA visar att ingen vinst har uppnåtts förrän även kostnaderna för det egna kapitalet, d.v.s. den avkastning som aktieägarna förväntar sig, är täckta. Stern Stewart & Co har marknadsfört EVA som ett helhetskoncept som ska användas för styrning i hela företaget. Den fråga som vi har ställt oss är hur EVA-konceptet ser ut i svenska företag. Syftet med studien är att beskriva EVA-konceptets användningsområden och förklara hur svenska företag arbetar med måttet. För att besvara frågan och uppfylla syftet krävdes en helhetsförståelse över företagens situation, därför har en kvalitativ ansats använts. Undersökningen består av intervjuer som genomförts med fyra företag som använder sig av EVA-konceptet. De resultat vi har fått fram visar att företag anpassar modellen efter sina behov och förutsättningar samt att den används som ett komplement eller kompletteras av andra mått. Vidare har införandet av EVA-konceptet inte någon förankring i att företag vill arbeta mer mot aktieägarnas intressen, utan att syftet med att använda EVA-konceptet har andra skäl.</p>

This study examined the validity evidence of a standards-based teacher evaluation system implemented at seven Title I schools in a central Texas school district with financial support from the federal Teacher Incentive Fund. The researcher attempted to determine whether the evaluation system accurately identified the level of teacher performance by correlating the system’s metrics with a criterion, which was a value added estimation of student achievement. Teacher data included 2012-2013 classroom observation scores, multiple portfolio ratings, and demographic characteristics. Student level data included 2012-2013 mathematics and reading scale scores on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Prior achievement from 2011-2012 and student demographic data from 2012-2013 were also used during the calculation of the value added estimations. When the correlations were combined by subject across grade levels, several metrics showed positive and statistically significant relationships in mathematics. These correlations suggest that these measures are valid. At the same time, the study identified a number of statistically significant negative correlations that call for further research on the evaluation system. The relationships identified in reading are especially concerning because almost all of the evaluation metrics were negatively correlated with student achievement. / text

Alla företag strävar efter att göra en vinst, men frågan är när ett företag faktiskt uppnått detta. Stern Stewart & Co är ett amerikanskt konsultbolag som har arbetat fram ett koncept som de kallar Economic Value Added (EVA). Den stora skillnaden mellan detta och övriga vinstmått är att EVA visar att ingen vinst har uppnåtts förrän även kostnaderna för det egna kapitalet, d.v.s. den avkastning som aktieägarna förväntar sig, är täckta. Stern Stewart & Co har marknadsfört EVA som ett helhetskoncept som ska användas för styrning i hela företaget. Den fråga som vi har ställt oss är hur EVA-konceptet ser ut i svenska företag. Syftet med studien är att beskriva EVA-konceptets användningsområden och förklara hur svenska företag arbetar med måttet. För att besvara frågan och uppfylla syftet krävdes en helhetsförståelse över företagens situation, därför har en kvalitativ ansats använts. Undersökningen består av intervjuer som genomförts med fyra företag som använder sig av EVA-konceptet. De resultat vi har fått fram visar att företag anpassar modellen efter sina behov och förutsättningar samt att den används som ett komplement eller kompletteras av andra mått. Vidare har införandet av EVA-konceptet inte någon förankring i att företag vill arbeta mer mot aktieägarnas intressen, utan att syftet med att använda EVA-konceptet har andra skäl.

Assignment (MRek)--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (D. Comm.)--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 160-168).

Master-Arbeit Univ. St. Gallen, 2008.