/library/oar/handle/123456789/3063 2025-12-21T21:50:05Z 2025-12-21T21:50:05Z Pace, Anton /library/oar/handle/123456789/3087 2018-03-27T12:33:20Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The role of performance appraisal in further education : the case of a post-secondary college in Malta Authors: Pace, Anton Abstract: This paper is based on part of the research findings of a study conducted on the role of performance appraisal (PA) in post-secondary education that used a mixed methodology approach. The literature on PA highlights the divergence in opinion among practitioners and academics as to what the role of PA is, the form that it should take, and its effectiveness as an HRM tool. Given these conflicting viewpoints, the initial research study sought to determine the perceptions of academic staff on PA in an educational setting. This involved researching their views on the benefits and negative aspects of PA, the role of PA, the appraisal criteria and source to be used, and how the PA process is best conducted. This paper only focuses on respondents’ views on the benefits and shortfalls of PA, its role in educational institutions, and the source of appraisal; and on certain aspects of the quantitative data that was collected in the original research. The research findings confirm that PA is expected to be used concurrently for both developmental and administrative decisions. Furthermore, PA is primarily regarded as a positive process that is expected to result in a number of benefits for both the organization and the individual academics. PA is expected to result in the identification of clear work goals, improved performance, increased motivation, better feedback, increased accountability, and fairer distribution of rewards. Despite its important role and the expected benefits arising from PA’s use in education, the respondents identify a number of issues that impinge on PA’s success when put into practice. These include; an inappropriate PA model being used, PA being applied in isolation, lack of commitment to the process, inappropriate/lack of training on the conduction of appraisal, an organizational culture and management/staff relationships that do not encourage openness, and an appraisal process that focuses too much on the allocation of monetary rewards. Respondents also singled out a number of issues that need to be tackled for PA’s successful implementation; such as the identification of joint objectives, improved communication and continuous feedback, an open management approach, and for management to believe in the positive role of appraisal.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Mallia, Marie Josephine /library/oar/handle/123456789/3086 2018-03-22T14:07:33Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The provision of financial education in Malta Authors: Mallia, Marie Josephine Abstract: It is becoming evident that preparation for life requires more than developing the ability to read and write, manipulate figures, and become technologically savvy. The provision of holistic education also entails developing other forms of literacies, amongst which is the ability to empower individuals to manage personal finances and understand corporate and public financial decisions and outcomes. In the absence of such a preparation, students emerge out of compulsory schooling vulnerable to scams and untrained to manage personal wealth and plan ahead. Given that little local research has so far been undertaken to investigate this area, this paper is an attempt to stimulate discussion on financial education in Malta. It takes a close look at the local educational system and investigates access and content in this area provided by compulsory schooling. This paper employs content analysis of local and international official documentation to bring to the fore the urgent need for local research on the requisites to enhance the provisions of financial literacy. Further research into the levels of school leavers’ financial literacy and the quality of financial education is deemed crucial by this study to shed further light on the subject. This study emphasizes the lack of research in this important area, notwithstanding the fact that financial education is of direct interest to policy-makers, educators, and the business community.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Sammut, Vince /library/oar/handle/123456789/3084 2018-02-19T12:58:13Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The global food crisis : supply and demand revisited Authors: Sammut, Vince Abstract: This study aims to show that the volatility in food prices between 2008 and 2011 cannot be explained merely by the market fundamentals of demand and supply. While global changes in demand and supply are bringing about radical changes to the food equation, evidence shows that market failure in the world grain market aggravated the problem. Excess liquidity, brought about by monetary growth policies after the subprime crises and financial meltdown in 2008, has stimulated speculation and hoarding. Strong incentives for financial operators to find better returns in places like the commodities market is attested by the six-fold increase in the number of ‘derivatives’ contracts made between 2002 and 2008. Furthermore, agriculture is one of the most heavily subsidized, protected, and distorted markets in the world. This is a key reason behind a decade long lack of progress in the Doha Round of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This study investigates the hypothesis that speculative activities are a major source of volatility in the agricultural commodities market and that this has significantly contributed to price inflation. It also explores Malta’s possible involvement in food commodity speculation, albeit on a small scale.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Xuereb, Ann /library/oar/handle/123456789/3080 2018-04-04T13:24:18Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Tax avoidance or tax evasion? : the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison wall (Denis Healey) Authors: Xuereb, Ann Abstract: This article seeks to distinguish clearly between tax avoidance and tax evasion. These concepts are not new to the field of taxation as they have been contested since 1900. Tax avoidance is a means by which tax payers reduce tax liability by planning their affairs so as to attract the least tax possible but still acting within the provisions of the Income Tax Act. Tax evasion is an illegal action as it constitutes a deed where the person is breaching the provisions found in the Income Tax Act. In response to tax avoidance and evasion, the legislator has introduced a number of anti-avoidance provisions which are both specific, tailor-made for certain articles, and also general. This paper shall discuss such provisions with the help of local and UK case law.

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