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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate gender differences in mathematics performance and in self‐regulated learning (SRL) in Malta.Design/methodology/approachA representative sample of 400 Grade 11 students (aged 14‐15) attending Maltese mixed‐ability schools undertook a mathematics test and responded to a questionnaire. The resulting performance and SRL measures were used to answer four questions empirically.FindingsGirls performed significantly better than boys (r = 0.2) and this difference is mainly owing to the weaker performance of low‐achieving boys. While all SRL components identified by factor analysis (self‐efficacy, intrinsic value, test anxiety and SRL strategy use) produced a significant main effect on performance, girls reported greater use of SRL strategies, boys claimed to be more self‐efficacious and intrinsically motivated while no significant gender difference was reported for test anxiety. Finally, the students' use of SRL strategies accounts for the differential performance in mathematics of Maltese boys and girls.Originality/valueThis empirical study confirms that gender differences constitute a potentially important source of variation in students' mathematics performance and in their SRL. The issue of increasing the students' use of SRL strategies emerges as a possible strategy aimed at combating gender differences in mathematics performance as well as the underachievement of students, particularly that of the low‐achieving boys in Maltese secondary schools.

Contemporary studies in economic and financial analysis special edition - volume 97 contemporary issues in bank financial management -- Active versus passive investing: an empirical study on the US and European mutual funds and ETFS -- FX hedging using forwards and "premium-free" options -- Director trading in Malta: an analysis of returns -- Equity mutual fund performance evaluation: an emerging market perspective -- Recent annual report weaknesses by a supreme audit institution: an analysis -- Analysis of risk parity approach for sovereign fixed-income portfolios in Eurozone countries -- The evolution of the retail payment market - a focus on Malta

The paper focuses on the key attributes that underpin demand for social housing in Malta (an EU member state) during the 2000s and the extent to which the demand for social housing is addressed by the stock of units that were offered for sale by the Maltese Housing Authority. The analysis carried out focuses on the eight sales issues that were launched by the Housing Authority between October 2002 and November 2008. The paper presents nine stylized facts that underpin underlying demand. In this regard, key attributes of demand include the fact that the group of individuals eligible to apply for units from the housing authority has been implicitly increasing steadily during the period under review. Furthermore, the major part of applicants across the different categories seem to prefer larger three-bedroom apartments even though smaller units may be adequate given the number of children and the number of persons in the household. Another key stylized fact pertains to the fact that although the volume of applicants is quite large giving rise to excess demand, paradoxically a sizeable stock of units ends up unsold. The implications of the findings are discussed. The study goes on to provides recommendations and suggestions for further research that could better guide future buyers, as well as Maltese housing policy makers in their quest to offer affordable quality housing for persons with low income, persons with disabilities, and for vulnerable persons with social and housing difficulties. ; peer-reviewed

The paper focuses on the key attributes that underpin demand for social housing in Malta (an EU member state) during the 2000s and the extent to which the demand for social housing is addressed by the stock of units that were offered for sale by the Maltese Housing Authority. The analysis carried out focuses on the eight sales issues that were launched by the Housing Authority between October 2002 and November 2008. The paper presents nine stylized facts that underpin underlying demand. In this regard, key attributes of demand include the fact that the group of individuals eligible to apply for units from the housing authority has been implicitly increasing steadily during the period under review. Furthermore, the major part of applicants across the different categories seem to prefer larger three-bedroom apartments even though smaller units may be adequate given the number of children and the number of persons in the household. Another key stylized fact pertains to the fact that although the volume of applicants is quite large giving rise to excess demand, paradoxically a sizeable stock of units ends up unsold. The implications of the findings are discussed. The study goes on to provides recommendations and suggestions for further research that could better guide future buyers, as well as Maltese housing policy makers in their quest to offer affordable quality housing for persons with low income, persons with disabilities, and for vulnerable persons with social and housing difficulties.

Part I: Public Service Reform Historical Background -- Chapter 1. Historical Background of the Maltese Public Service Administration and Management (The Beginning) -- Chapter 2. Historical Background of the Maltese Public Service Administration and Management (The Turning Point) -- Part II: Public Service Reform: "The Best of Times" -- Chapter 3. Transparency and Accountability Public Service Reforms -- Chapter 4. Civil Service Systems and HRM Public Service Reforms -- Chapter 5. Service Delivery and Digitalisation Reforms -- Chapter 6. Organisation and Management Government Reforms -- Chapter 7. Policy Making, Coordination and Implementation Government Reforms -- Part III: Public Service Reform: The Research -- Chapter 8. Organisational Impact of Public Service Reforms: Assessing the Internal Impact -- Chapter 9. Societal Impact of Public Service Reforms -- Chapter 10. Fair Deals in the Maltese Public Service: Linking Psychological Contract Breach to Attitudinal Outcomes -- Chapter 11. Societal Impact of Public Service Reforms: Cross-Sectional Surveys and the Media -- Part IV: Public Service Reform: The Future -- Chapter 12. Public Service Reform: The Future (A New Beginning).

The purpose of this paper is to determine whether experience with derivatives, level of education, anomic behaviour, introversion, environmental influence and competitiveness can predict derivative mishandling. A study was conducted amongst 268 users of derivatives. Respondents were asked to indicate their level of education, and the experience (in years) using derivatives. Additionally, they were requested to rate their level of agreement with each of 12 statements on a four-point scale ranging from strongly disagree (coded as 1) to strongly agree (coded as 4). Derivative mishandling increases with lack of experience, higher levels of anomic behaviour, competitiveness and environmental influence. Education and introversion did not emerge as a significant predictor of derivative mishandling. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the importance of understanding whether derivative users show signs of Organization Anomie, since this can help in predicting mishandling. ; peer-reviewed

As Malta's term to lead the EU Presidency between January and June 2017 is under way, the main political issues that are on the political agenda and that are ultimately discussed by the EU citizens are the immigration crisis and Brexit. Both issues are undermining the foundations of the European Union and had stalled the EU project of becoming stronger and more unified, at least for the foreseeable future. There is another fundamental issue that is a growing concern amongst the EU member states, that of detachment between the political class, the public administrations and the citizens. Although this issue is now defined as a major challenge to the EU, there is no clear focus on how to overcome this problem. Dealing with such a massive task is not easy especially when considering the long list of factors and the continuum of stakeholders at play. One silent reform that could bring a real change in the day-to-day lives of EU citizens is the way public services are offered and managed. Public services are expected to meet the aspirations and the needs of the various spectra of groups within a society in a timely manner. Red tape and bureaucracy have become commonly used 'buzz words' and such a perception is weakening the good work done by the respective public administrations of the EU member states. A holistic performance management approach incorporating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) could be the answer to streamline and improve the quality of public services while strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness in the way the services are offered to the citizens. This document was prepared between September 2016 and March 2017. It includes a literature review (Section 1) and an analysis of a survey conducted with all the European Commission and EU member states (Section 2) regarding the implementation and use of KPIs. The questions asked are detailed in the Appendix. The aspiration of the authors is that the theoretical and practical underpinnings outlined in this document be a channel to bring the citizens closer to the public administrations, the political class and ultimately the European Union. ; peer-reviewed

The global financial and macroeconomic crisis of 2008/2009 and the ensuing recessions obliged policy makers to maximize use of resources and cut down on waste. Specifically, in health care, governments started to explore ways of establishing collaborations between the public and private health-care sectors. This is essential so as to ensure the best use of available resources, while securing quality of delivery of care as well as health systems sustainability and resilience. This qualitative study explores complementary and mutual attributes in the value creation process to patients by the public and private health-care systems in Malta, a small European Union island state. A workshop was conducted with 28 professionals from both sectors to generate two separate value chains, and this was followed by an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). The latter revealed several strengths and opportunities, which can better equip health-policy makers in the quest to maximize provision of health-care services. Moreover, the analysis also highlighted areas of weaknesses in both sectors as well as current threats of the external environment that, unless addressed, may threaten the state's health-care system sustainability and resilience to macroeconomic shocks. The study goes on to provide feasible recommendations aimed at maximizing provision of health-care services in Malta.

The global financial and macroeconomic crisis of 2008/2009 and the ensuing recessions obliged policy makers to maximize use of resources and cut down on waste. Specifically, in health care, governments started to explore ways of establishing collaborations between the public and private health-care sectors. This is essential so as to ensure the best use of available resources, while securing quality of delivery of care as well as health systems sustainability and resilience. This qualitative study explores complementary and mutual attributes in the value creation process to patients by the public and private health-care systems in Malta, a small European Union island state. A workshop was conducted with 28 professionals from both sectors to generate two separate value chains, and this was followed by an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). The latter revealed several strengths and opportunities, which can better equip health-policy makers in the quest to maximize provision of health-care services. Moreover, the analysis also highlighted areas of weaknesses in both sectors as well as current threats of the external environment that, unless addressed, may threaten the state's health-care system sustainability and resilience to macroeconomic shocks. The study goes on to provide feasible recommendations aimed at maximizing provision of health-care services in Malta. ; peer-reviewed

The disqualification of directors or members of the management of a company, expressed as a prohibition for these persons to manage or take part in the management of the companies, is a highly significant Act of Company Law, which is implemented in many legislatures around the world. Utterly restrictive in its nature, it applies to the directors and members of the management team, and in some legislation systems even to the capital owners of the companies whose illegal actions initiate its application. The activation of this institution in precisely determined situations most often results in the prohibition of a particular person to manage a company for a definite period of time.These restrictive measures are effected with the purpose of establishing certain control in trading, while imposing limitations to a certain focus group. In its nature, these measures differ from those brought into effect in order to instigate entrepreneurship. For entrepreneurship in a given country to flourish would necessitate the realization of a liberalized regulation of the market.This paper focuses on the impact that this restrictive institution has in practice, and whether it is in fact achieving the objective(s) for which it was legally established. Particular attention is given to the adverse consequences that directors' disqualification may bring on entrepreneurial freedom and innovation, and how this in turn could influence directly or indirectly economic growth or in weathering the recessional storm(s).

Includes studies on different topical issues in finance by the participants of the 8th international scientific conference "New Challenges of Economic and Business Development - 2016" this new work contains research from various European countries, specifically Germany, Italy, Latvia, Malta, and Poland.

This study examines how human resources in the Maltese Public Service adopt new work practices in response to COVID-19 public health measures during the first wave of the pandemic. We analyze the data we collected through seven focus group discussions and ten in-depth interviews with Public Service employees and managers in a diversity of ministries and roles. Our study reveals that Public Service policies promoting remote working relied exclusively on the service's IT infrastructure. However, the ability to respond to customer needs effectively in a time of surging demand relied entirely on effective employees' access to responsive and efficient ICT support as well as employees' prior experience with remote work modes and their predisposition to change to remote working. Adopting remote working modes uncovered inherent weaknesses in the Public Service IT infrastructure that put additional strain on the Government's centralized IT support function, especially when Public Service employees adopted tools not supported by the centralized IT support. In circumstances where centralized IT support was ineffective, Public Service employees relied on their own knowledge resources which they informally shared in groups of practice or employed operant resources (or tacit knowledge) to achieve service level objectives. These observations suggest that in times when organizations respond to immediate and unprecedented change, human resources seek to adapt by relying on tacit knowledge that is shared among people in known (often informal) groups of people with a common interest or role. ; peer-reviewed