RESEARCH SEMINARS

Topic: Performance of machine learning approaches in predicting loan delinquencies: a case study of a microfinance institution in Uzbekistan
Presenter: Olmas Isakov
Abstract: Credit risk assessment is essential for financial institutions to protect themselves from losses and maintain financial stability. Machine learning algorithms have been extensively used to analyze borrower data and identify patterns and trends that would be difficult or impossible for humans to detect. By incorporating a wider range of data compared to traditional credit scoring models, modern machine learning can reduce the prediction bias and improve accuracy. Client data from Microfinance Institution in Uzbekistan, composed of 12,882 observations have been used to predict loan delinquency considering various machine learning methods and their performances were evaluated based on accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, negative (npv) and positive predictive value (ppv). While the accuracy level, specificity and npv were among the highest for the logistic regression model, this method underperformed in the sensitivity ratio and positive predictive value. The sensitivity ratio was the highest for k-nearest neighbors (0.57) and the positive predictive value was the highest for Extreme Gradient Boosting (0.56). These findings suggest that implementing hybrid models by including traditional credit scoring models along with modern machine learning can help policymakers and financial professionals reduce credit costs to borrowers and minimize the bias in credit scoring decisions.
Date: 15 May 2024

Topic: Improving a personnel motivation mechanism in the quality management system in food industry   
Presenter:  Dilyafruz Kurbonova
Abstract: Employee motivation plays a pivotal role in ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of quality management systems within the food industry. Today, there are more than 12,000 enterprises specializing in the food industry in the country[1]. It is known that in the territory of our country, mainly small and medium-sized businesses are engaged in food production. For this reason, various means of staff motivation are almost not used in these enterprises
Date: 01 May 2024

Topic: HR Practices in Uzbekistan using CRANET network methodology
Presenters:  Sitora Inoyatova and Olesya Smagina
Abstract: The purpose of the research is to collect information pertaining the best HRM practices in Uzbekistan and then in long run, in future similar researches to compare patterns of HRM practices and policies within and across countries and to explore how HRM changes over time. The obtained results demonstrate valuable information and can be used by HRM practitioners, academics and policymakers. Similarly, the research helps to explore the HRM practices in Uzbekistan that will contribute to the knowledge and put Uzbekistan on the map of the CRANET research and its dashboard.
Date: 24 April 2024

Topic: Alternative Perspective of Mentoring in Higher Education

Presenter: Shakhnoza Asadova

Abstract: Within the intensely competitive academic landscape, it is imperative for higher education institutions to cultivate both staff development and career aspirations. Effective faculty mentoring practices can help to address prevailing challenges of the academic environment, resulting in enhanced professional growth and an improved sense of collegiality and involvement among academic staff members.
Date: 24 April 2024

Topic: Destination branding and its importance for heritage preservation as well as tourism sector of Uzbekistan
Presenter: Yulduz Yakubova
Abstract: The research discusses authentic destination branding of heritage items and its importance for heritage tourism in Uzbekistan. This is especially actual at the time of rapid growth of tourism sector in Uzbekistan in the last two years. The study also aims at emphasizing the importance of heritage preservation among population in Uzbekistan.
Date: 17 April 2024

Topic: "Organizational capabilities configuration to unlocking SMES’ innovation potential in emerging economies: from internal exploitation to collaborative exploration"
Presenter:  Dr. Julian Pineres
Abstract: Contrary to the conventional view on SMEs' innovation capabilities in emerging economies that advocates catching up with the technological frontier, this paper provides evidence of the rather significant nature of indigenous innovation. Through a longitudinal empirical analysis of recollection of 30 years of learning events in two exceptional and pioneer Colombian SMEs, the paper reveals that building innovation through internal exploitation is fundamental to paving the path for collaborative exploration. Moreover, it shows that to enable the conditions for such ambidextrous behaviour, changes in organisational capabilities are central to prompting knowledge integration and learning, allowing the transition from vintage to advanced and emergent technologies. Despite the institutional voids and the liability of smallness common to emerging economies and SMEs, the evidence in this paper suggests that an integral and systematic managerial approach in the coevolution of organisational capabilities leads to the building of SME ambidextrous indigenous innovation capabilities.
Date: 03 April 2024

Topic:  "Tourism Sector Development through Smart Tourism Management".
Presenter: Nasiba Mukhtorova
Abstract: This study aims to explore the potential of smart tourism management in enhancing the development of the tourism sector, with a focus on evaluating the experiences of both tourists and residents. Through an empirical study of several countries, this study will examine the impact of smart tourism management on various aspects of the tourism industry, including infrastructure, marketing, and sustainability, to a better understanding of how smart tourism management can be leveraged for tourism development and improve the overall tourism experience.
Date: 20 March 2024

Topic: Simulation study on bootstrap confidence intervals in linear models: case of heteroscedasticity
Presenter: Zarrukh Rahimov
Abstract: OLS models have several of assumptions for its interval estimations to be unbiased and efficient. Non-constant variance of residuals can cause serious issues in making inferences on coefficients as well as interval estimations. In this paper, we discuss presence of heteroscedasticity in linear model and suggest paired bootstrap approach as assumption free approach on constructing confidence intervals. We carry a simulation study to compare bootstrap confidence intervals to traditional intervals. We conclude bootstrap intervals, though not perfect, can give better interval estimates when heteroscedasticity is observed and no remedy is applied.
Date: 28 February 2024

Topic: Determinants of Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from the Silk Road Region
Presenter: Farrukh Ataev
Abstract: In the paper the impact of health, human capital, export, import and energy on total factor productivity (TFP) is investigated for the panel data of 86 countries located in the ancient Great Silk Road region for the period of 1991-2019. The analysis is carried out in two steps: 1) TFP is estimated from regressing Cobb-Douglas function, 2) the determinants of TFP are estimated with special focus on health and human capital. The findings are: both health and human capital have significant positive impact on TFP
Date: 07 February 2024

Topic: Perceived Instructional Quality and Digital Reading Performance among 15-year-old students in CIS nations: A Multilevel analysis
Presenter: Indira Khadjieva
Abstract: In the realm of secondary education, students’ perceptions on instructional quality play a pivotal role in determining the quality of learning outcomes. Indeed, high quality instruction has been considerably viewed as a motivating factor for school students, particularly in the context of reading performance, a critical skill in the era of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Hence, this study delves into the nexus between students’ perception of instructional quality features and their digital reading performance, with a specific focus on perceived instructional approaches, classroom management, and supportive learning environments. Data collected from more than 60,000 15-year-old students across CIS nations, sourced by the latest Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 database. To estimate multifaceted dataset, research undertook a three-level hierarchical linear modelling (HLM) approach. Estimation outcomes underscore the significant positive impact of several factors on digital reading achievement, including students’ perceptions on instructional adaptation, the ability to stimulate reading engagement, the presence of a conducive disciplinary climate, teacher enthusiasm, and teacher support. Yet, students’ perceptions on teacher-directed instruction, reading skills exercises, instruction of digital skills, allocated language instruction time and teacher feedback were negatively correlated with their digital reading achievements. Finally, this study contributes valuable insights into the nexus between students’ perception of instructional quality and their digital reading outcomes, in turn, these findings give a way to derive policy recommendations for enhancing the quality of reading instruction in educational settings.
Date: 31 January 2024

Topic: Comparative Analysis of E-Commerce Adoption at Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in the Era of Post COVID-19
Presenter: MD Bilal Hossain
Abstract: The upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has reverberated across small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan and Bangladesh, underscoring the imperative of embracing e-commerce solutions. This research delves into the realm of “Comparative Analysis of E-Commerce Adoption in SMEs of Pakistan and Bangladesh Post COVID-19”. The study underscores the pivotal significance of e-commerce adoption for SMEs, not only to preserve their competitiveness but also to effectively navigate the evolving contours of consumer preferences. The exploration encompasses a thorough dissection of the challenges and obstacles that beset e-commerce uptake within the unique contexts of Pakistan and Bangladesh. The pivotal emphasis rests on evaluating how digitization, as a dynamic moderator, has the potential to surmount the intricate barricades and challenges that deter e-commerce adoption. This multifaceted analysis traverses a terrain wherein digitization emerges as the pivot around which the viability and feasibility of e-commerce adoption pivot for SMEs in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Within this analytical framework, the paper concludes that digitization occupies a pivotal nexus, engendering a symbiotic relationship with e-commerce adoption. This synergy equips SMEs in Pakistan and Bangladesh to harness e-commerce platforms with efficacy, transcending hurdles and limitations. Insights gleaned from this comparative study underscore the decisive role played by technological factors during the COVID-19 era in Bangladesh. This is a quantitative study based on a questionnaire. The data of the study has been collected from Pakistan and Bangladesh’s small and medium-sized enterprises. The results of the study have been drawn through SmartPLS.
Date: 21 February 2024

Topic: Earnings Management at Target Firms and the Acquirers’ Performance
Presenter: Azhar Mughal
Abstract: This study examines earnings management (EM) at target firms before and after the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002 (SOX) was implemented and explains the post-merger underperformance of the acquirers. Using a sample of US listed firms that are targets of successful acquisitions over the period 1987–2019, the study finds evidence of real and accrual EM in the eight quarters leading up to the date when the merger is announced. Through a careful examination of the two forms of EM, the study finds that the target firms manage real activities both before and after SOX went into effect. However, accrual EM is significant among target firms in stock-based acquisitions before SOX took effect. The findings further suggest that the target firms’ pre-merger EM is negatively associated with the short-term returns of the targets and the long-run performance of the acquirers. More specifically, the study shows that the target firms’ pre-merger real EM is a significant determinant of the acquirers’ negative long-run performance. The findings are robust after controlling for acquirers’ EM, deal-level, and firm-level characteristics.
Date: 24 January 2024

Topic: Does ESG performance promote green innovation?
Presenter: Gulhayo Nusratova
Abstract: Green innovation serves as a pivotal strategy for companies to simultaneously gain economic benefits and contribute to environmental preservation over the long term. Thus, this study tests the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance on corporate green innovation. The analyses are conducted using a two-way fixed effects model based on ESG scores and green patents data on the large market cap US public firms between 2013 and 2021. The findings show that ESG performance is positively associated with green innovation. Moreover, this relationship is mediated by the lower level of financing constraints and is even more pronounced among firms with higher cash ratios. The robustness of the findings is analysed by Heckman’s two-step method and system GMM model. This work contributes to the literature as the first study to provide evidence on ESG performance and green innovation relationship in the context of US public firms.
Date: 17 January 2024