It is well-known that bank lending and bank performance have been strongly affected on frequent occasions by asset price fluctuations, at times culminating in banking crises. Among various key assets, commercial real estate is of special interest, not only because commercial property loans are an important component of bank assets, but also because of the widespread use of commercial property as collateral of other types of loans. Whereas there is a fairly extensive literature on the relation between bank lending and commercial property prices at a macro level (see recent work and a literature survey in a companion paper by Davis and Zhu (2004)), there is much less extant work on the impact of commercial property prices on the lending decisions, risk and profitability of individual banks. Evidence of a clear and consistent link to bank performance would underline the importance of commercial property prices as a key macroprudential indicator, as well as being relevant to the monetary transmission process.
International students have diverse needs when undertaking education in Australian universities. It is in the interest of both international students and the host institution to ensure these students achieve success in their studies. This study builds on previous research and explores, from the students’ perspective, the academic adjustment experiences of undergraduate international Business students from Chinese Confucian heritage cultural backgrounds at Victoria University, Australia. A qualitative methodology, using principles of grounded theory, was used for the study. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted for data collection. The transcribed data was analysed under focus questions and themes identified in the literature review using open and fixed grids.
The dissertation documents the academic experiences of the cohort of students studied, focusing on the significant cultural factors which impinged on their adjustment; and discusses the emerging patterns, processes of the adjustment, strategies for future students to adjust well, and implications for curriculum development and delivery. The results of this study have suggested that cultural and educational backgrounds play a significant role in students’ adjustment. The systematic building by academics and administrators of formal and informal mechanisms in Australian universities, which value students’ cultural diversity and develop inclusive curricula, is to enrich the learning experiences of all students.
Against the backdrop of heightened realization that economic development and the fight against poverty can effectively be enhanced under an environment of good governance, and that fiscal (inclusive of budget) transparency is one of the key instruments for achieving good governance, a sharp focus is now on fiscal transparency. For poorer countries, donors, international financial institutions and civil society organizations (CSOs) are demanding transparency in the budgeting processes of recipient countries, emphasizing their right to know and, to some extent, determine how public and donated funds are collected and spent.
Impassioned calls for fiscal transparency are also increasingly being directed to countries richly endowed with natural resources, encouraging both governments and companies to detail sources of revenues, the exact amounts, how these revenues are spent, and the policies underpinning budget allocations.
