https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/37400 2026-04-15T11:36:13Z 2026-04-15T11:36:13Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121001 2024-04-18T13:34:09Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Enhancing Malta customs intelligence unit effectiveness to combat fraud and contraband : a case study Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to enhance the effectiveness of the Customs Intelligence Services through the application of knowledge management processes and routines. Design/Methodology/approach: For the purpose of this study, a qualitative approach for the collection of primary data was adopted. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group sessions. For data analysis, grounded theory was used. The grounded theory approach provides a systematic procedure for data collection. Findings: The findings suggest that the intelligence process adopted by the Customs Intelligence Services for risk analysis has enabled it to become more effective in its operations. Results attained are encouraging but can be improved. The Department must work harder to achieve even better results. This may be achieved through enhancing its human resources capabilities, especially at the Customs Intelligence Services and strategically capitalise on knowledge owned. Research limitations/implications: A research limitation is that the author as a former member of the Customs Intelligence Services, tends to view things from the employee perspective. Though this is a constraint, the utmost was done to eliminate such bias in this research. Practical implications: The recommendations, based on data collected and the literature review can assist management address the shortcomings identified. Originality/Value: Although knowledge management is a highly topical issue in business and related fields, there remains much ambiguity as to its nature and its theoretical basis, when it comes to the Customs operations. This is due to the lack of empirical studies on the relationship between knowledge management and Customs procedures. Description: B.A.(HONS)PUBLIC ADMIN.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/103751 2022-11-18T05:41:02Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Atmospheric pollution and economic development in small states : the role of governance Abstract: This dissertation examines the relationship between carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and economic development for small states worldwide, focusing in particular on the role played by governance in this regard. More specifically, this dissertation considers an extended Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) framework that incorporates various facets of good governance, with the purpose of capturing the extent to which such considerations can assist or hinder environmental protection within the context of small states. Panel data analysis is employed for a sample of 34 small states over the period 2002-2015, incorporating Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita levels together with six key governance measures, as set out by the World Bank, using both Random and Fixed Effects models. Preliminary results of the conventional EKC model confirm the existence and validity of the hypothesised inverted U-shape relationship between emissions and income for the sample of small states under review. Additionally, results also showed that the rule of law within a country, including protection of property rights and the perceived quality of public institutions, is a key player in environmental protection, manifesting a statistically-significant and negative relationship with CO2 emissions across different econometric specifications. This study also looks at the turning point level of income, which is the average level of GDP per capita beyond which CO2 emissions start to decline in the EKC setting. Results show that while in the traditional EKC regression model the turning point level is around $45,000, which is already beyond the income level of the majority of small states in the sample, the inclusion of the governance indicators increases this turning point to around $115,133, an almost two-fold increase, thus effectively shifting the traditional EKC. The results suggest that governance, and in particular rule of law, is crucial to environmental improvements in small states, as it reduces the level of economic development required to bring about decreases in CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the findings also emphasise the importance of private and voluntary initiatives to complement regulation and enforcement, given small states’ well-documented issues with prohibitively-high implementation costs due to indivisibilities and lack of economies of scale. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/57112 2020-06-07T05:17:45Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Currency demand approach : is it adequate to estimate the size of the Maltese shadow economy? Abstract: This dissertation looks at various approaches used to estimate the shadow economy, while focusing on the Currency Demand Approach (CDA) and its appropriateness to estimate the Maltese shadow economy. The assessment of the CDA unearthed some key insights. First, the approach gives results that, overall, do not follow with a priori. Second, the majority of CDA estimates differed significantly from MIMIC estimates for Malta. Third, various reasons are identified as to why the CDA is not appropriate to measure the Maltese shadow economy, including the lack of data, and the fact that CDA fails to include variables that capture technological advancement and changes in behaviour. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/57111 2020-06-07T05:17:48Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessing sectoral price effect of wage increases in the Maltese economy via the Leontief price model Abstract: The objective of this study is to assess the impact of an increase in compensation of employees within various economic sectors and the consequent effects on prices. Within the context of the Maltese economy, the dissertation provides estimates for the input (supply) multipliers and utilises the Leontief Cost-Push Price Input-Output Model for the first time. Description: B.COM.(HONS)ECONOMICS

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z