bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identity Does Matter: A Comparative Study of Turkey�Bulgaria's Accession into the European Union
Authors: Maulana Zain , Pangestika Meitha Azzahra
Published: December 2024

The European Union�s enlargement process, guided by the Copenhagen Criteria, is a multi-faceted exercise influenced by both technical and socio-cultural factors. While the Criteria set standards in political, economic, and legal spheres, the accession of nations often hinges on deep-rooted perceptions of identity and cultural congruence. using the contrasting cases of Bulgaria and Turkey, this article explores the nuances of EU accession. Bulgaria�s relatively smooth accession, despite its initial economic and political challenges, stands in stark contrast to Turkey�s prolonged and complex negotiation process. Although Turkey has made significant reforms aligning with EU standards and showcased impressive economic growth, underlying factors such as historical tensions, cultural differences, geographical concerns, and human rights issues have impeded its membership. This comparative analysis underscores the interplay of objective criteria and subjective notions of European identity in the EU enlargement process.
PERSEPSI MAHASISWA PENDIDIKAN MATEMATIKA TERHADAP MANFAAT APLIKASI PHOTOMATH DALAM MENYELESAIKAN PERSOALAN MATEMATIKA
Authors: Wirda Jamiatul Sholeha  , Granita
Published: December 2024

This research explores how mathematics education students view the benefits of using the Photomath application in solving mathematics problems. The method applied is a qualitative research approach. Information was collected by distributing questionnaires to mathematics education students at the Sultan Syarif Kasim State Islamic University of Riau who had experience using Photomath to help them solve mathematical problems. A total of 30 subjek penetrants were the sample in this research. The collected data was analyzed based on perception themes related to the use of the Photomath application that had been determined by the researcher. The research results show that using the Photomath application is indeed suitable for making it easier for users to understand mathematical solving procedures both in terms of features and performance.
PENGARUH MODEL DISCOVERY LEARNING TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN LITERASI SAINS PESERTA DIDIK KELAS VII MTs NEGERI 3 PALU
Authors: Masna Masna , Arda  , Mirnawati
Published: December 2024

This study seeks to investigate the impact of the discovery learning model on students' scientific literacy skills concerning the topics of temperature and heat expansion in the seventh grade at MTs Negeri 3 Palu. The research employs a quantitative methodology featuring a quasi-experimental design that utilizes pretest and posttest measures in non-equivalent control group design. Class VII A serves as the experimental group, while class VII C acts as the control group, with participants selected through purposive sampling. The assessment tools consist of a multiple-choice pretest and posttest, comprising a total of 15 items. Data were analyzed utilizing a paired samples t-test. The results indicate that the significance value for students' scientific literacy skills is 0.00 (2-tailed), which is lower than the 0.05 threshold. This suggests that the null hypothesis (Ho) is rejected, and the alternative hypothesis (Ha) is accepted. Therefore, it can be concluded that the discovery learning model significantly impacts seventh-grade students' scientific literacy skills on the topics of temperature and heat expansion at MTs Negeri 3 Palu.
Practical path for developing “new quality productive forces” driven by the digital economy in China
Authors: Zhao Qing , Chen Bing
Published: December 2024

Developing “New Quality Productive Forces” (NQPFs) has been accepted as a new theory to accelerate the high-quality development in China. In current, China’s high-quality development mainly relies on the traction of the digital economy. In view of this, developing NQPFs in China’s digital economy sector requires locate and remove some obstacles, such as the insufficient utilization of data, inadequate algorithm regulation, the mismatched supply and demand of regional computing power and the immature market environment. As a solution, it is necessary to allocating data property rights in a market-oriented way, establishing a user-centered algorithm governance system, accelerating the establishment of the national integrated computing network, and maintaining fair competition to optimize the market environment.
Capillary Electrophoresis with Diode Array Detection for the Quantification of Triptorelin and Lanreotide in Pharmaceutical Quality Control: Development, Validation, Greenness and Practicality Evaluation
Authors: Stefanik O. , Mikus P. , Piestansky J.
Published: December 2024

Aim

Capillary electrophoresis (CE)-based methods hold significant potential for routine use in pharmaceutical quality control (QC) laboratories. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel, green, and simple hydrodynamically open-system capillary zone electrophoresis method with diode-array detection (CZE-DAD) for the simultaneous analysis of lanreotide and triptorelin in a single electrophoretic run and to objectively evaluate the analytical technique’s greenness and practicality for application in the pharmaceutical QC settings.

Materials and Methods

The two therapeutic peptides were analysed using a commercially available CZE-DAD analytical system. The separation process was optimised by changing the composition and concentration of the background electrolyte (BGE). The developed method was validated in accordance with the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) Q2(R1) guidelines, and Diphereline® (powdered form for injection, 0.1 mg of triptorelin acetate) was used as a real dosage form of triptorelin. Greenness and practicality were evaluated using Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), Analytical GREEnness (AGREE), and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI) metrics.

Results

The optimised method utilised 250 mmol/L formic acid as the BGE, achieving high separation efficiency and short migration times, where both the peptides were analysed in <5 min. The method showed excellent linearity (r
2 > 0.99), precision (relative standard deviation [RSD] <7.1%), and accuracy (92.7%–113.6%). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were determined to be 0.5 μg/mL and 2 μg/mL, respectively. The method was also found to be environmentally friendly, with high scores achieved in both the GAPI and AGREE assessments, while also being practical, with a BAGI score of >60.

Conclusions

The newly developed CZE-DAD method proved to be a reliable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable alternative to liquid chromatography (LC)-based methods for the analysis of lanreotide and triptorelin. The method’s acceptable validation parameters and favourable greenness and practicality scores support its high application potential in pharmaceutical QC laboratories.
Multi-criteria assessment of ICT development in public administration in Poland
Authors: ŁUKOMSKA-SZAREK Justyna , KRAWCZYK Patrycja , MARTYNKO Anna , KITA Rafał
Published: December 2024

Information and communications technology (ICT) has become a stimulus for
socioeconomic change and created new prospects for the development of e-government,
thereby ushering in a new era in the provision of public services. With the development of
ICTs, new ways of delivering public services are increasingly popular, and new opportunities
that offer a chance to improve the professional position of public officials are emerging.
Therefore, the main aim of this study is to assess the development of ICT technologies in
state and local government entities in Poland. A review of the literature on the subject using
the triangulation method allowed one to bring closer the considerations on the development
of e-government services in Poland and the world, and the implementation of ICT tools in
public administration entities. Based on an index analysis, the access of public administration
entities and their employees to the Internet and ICTs and the development of public services
provided electronically were assessed. The results of the study showed that the COVID-19
pandemic has accelerated changes in access to e-government services and the growth of
remote work. It has highlighted the need to equip workers and train them properly. The
analysis of the EGDI index places Poland in 34th place among UN countries in 2022.
Concerning EU countries, Poland was ranked 17th for OSI and 16th for HCI and TII. In turn,
our research using multicriteria analysis methods allows us to conclude that public
administration activities in Poland should be directed at local units. The use of linear ordering
measures in the research (TOPSIS, VIKOR, and Hellwig) allowed us to establish a ranking
of individual levels of public administration in Poland for the development of ICT
technologies. The leader in the ranking according to all three methods is the marshal offices.
The last position in the ranking according to the VIKOR method is shown by municipal
offices, according to the TOPSIS and Hellwig methods, they are in the penultimate position.
Keywords: ICT; TOPSIS; Hellwig, VIKOR, public administration units, Poland
Organisational justice, organisational values and gender-based equity of leadership opportunities: a case study in a Brazilian public security organisation
Authors: SOUSA Joselito Araújo , COELHO JUNIOR Francisco Antonio , NASCIMENTO Thiago Gomes , VIEIRA Diego Mota
Published: December 2024

The work environment is a diverse place, where people interact daily to obtain
results for organisations. Organisations have been providing gender-based equity actions to
promote meritocracy. The situation worsens when criteria for ascension to leadership
positions are discussed, most of the time intentionally occupied by men, violating the premise
of impersonality. Diversity management and social inclusion have been intensively
developed, generating engagement and psychological safety for the social actors involved.
The main of this paper is to test two predictive models, in a Brazilian public security
organisation, that include variables related to the perception of organisational justice,
organisational values, and the perception of equality in professional advancement criteria.
The sample was composed of 988 Brazilian police officers, chosen through stratified random
sampling. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression.
The results suggest that there is a strong and positive relationship between perceived
organisational justice and perception of gender-based equity of opportunities. None of the
organisational values predicted the two criteria variables. As limitations, the collected data
were anonymous, a reason that did not allow the comparison between means due to some
clustering variable. The equity suggested that organisational values need to be, in fact,
operationalised in terms of formal practices that promote them. Limitations and suggestions
were made.
The role of wise leadership in managing strategic ignorance in the public sector
Authors: AL KHAZRAJE Mohammed , SIDEEQ Suhaer
Published: December 2024

This research aims to test and verify the validity of the relationship between wise
leadership and the management of strategic ignorance in the public sector. This research
seeks to answer the following question: Does the senior leadership in the Iraqi Ministry of
Labour and Social Affairs rely on the philosophy of wise leadership in managing and leading
the institution, dealing with employees, and making decisions? This study seeks to bridge the
research gap between wise leadership and managing strategic ignorance, testing it in the
Iraqi Public Environment Sector for the first time and explaining how strategic ignorance
can be handled by applying the philosophy of wise leadership. The results of this study help
to provide managers in the public sector, the ministry, and the study community with the
necessary information that contributes to improving their leadership skills and reducing the
level of cognitive ignorance among ministry employees. The descriptive analytical approach
was adopted and a random sample of senior leaders in the ministry, who held the rank of
general manager, department director, division official, and unit official, was chosen. The
research sample consisted of 125 managers. The questionnaire was used as a tool for
collecting data and the statistical analysis programme SPSS V.26 was relied upon to analyse
data and test the validity of hypotheses. The research found that there is an impact and
correlation between wise leadership and Strategic Ignorance Management for Government
Institutions. In contrast, the research did not discover a relationship for the variable of
understanding the essence in the management of strategic ignorance, as the senior leadership
in the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs relies on the philosophy of wise leadership in
managing strategic ignorance in the ministry.
Gender differences of public service employees’ work motivation
Authors: DAVIDOV Pini
Published: December 2024

This article addresses the issue of gender differences in labour motivation within
public sector institutions in Israel. Labour motivation has been examined from various
perspectives, and key factors contributing to these differences have been identified. The
motivational structures of men and women working in different areas of the public sector
were analysed using the 12-factor motivation theory developed by Sh. Ritchie and P. Martin.
A statistical analysis of 756 participants revealed significant differences in motivational
factors between male and female personnel.
Paradoxes in the operation of public administration: opportunity or barrier to the sustainable development of organisations?
Authors: ROSIAK Tomasz , PASIECZNY Jacek , POSTUŁA Agnieszka
Published: December 2024

The Sustainable Development Goals formulated within the framework of the UN
resolution “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” are a
challenge for both businesses and public administrations. The authors of this article focused
on the social dimension and attempted to identify the challenges and paradoxes associated
with building a sustainable workplace at the State Plant Health and Seed Inspection Service.
An in-depth analysis of 31 interviews with inspection employees revealed that despite the
positive attitude of managers and employees toward building a sustainable work
environment, the organisation faces many challenges and paradoxes along the way,
including, among others, the need for sustainable development vs. limited funding or high
job requirements vs. unattractive working conditions. These are largely due to its profound
underfunding, which lowers the prestige of the workplace, hinders recruitment, and
negatively affects working conditions and thus employee engagement.
Elemen-Elemen Black Comedy dalam Film The Menu
Authors: Surur Misbahus -
Published: December 2024

In the film The Menu, culinary dishes are used to peel off the social disgrace and sins of the elite without them ever suspecting before. This research aims to find out how culinary offerings and the arrogance of elite class dining wrapped in black comedy are represented in the film The Menu. The research method used is qualitative-descriptive using watch-listen-note data collection techniques. The researcher watched the film, paid attention to the details of each scene, transcribed the dialogue, and recorded every conversation and scene related to important culinary topics wrapped in black comedy in the film. Meanwhile, data analysis techniques use the Miles and Huberman model, namely data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. In the analysis, the researcher identified the data, sorted and classified the data, and finally interpreted it using gastronomic theory as a guide. Data sources include words, phrases and sentences in the film The Menu. From this research it was found that the culinary delights in the film The Menu are presented in 7 culinary stages: The Island, Breadless Bread Plate, Memory, The Mess, Palate Cleanser, Man's Folly and the dessert S'mur. And the arrogance of elite class dining wrapped in black comedy is depicted in several scenes of their teasing questions, both to the chef and his assistants and to the culinary offerings, as well as the answers of the chef and the crew themselves, from the time the customers entered Hawthorn Island until the time the seven dishes were served.
СЕКРЕТ УСПІХУ: СТИЛІСТИЧНИЙ ДИСОНАНС В КЛАРНЕТОВОМУ РЕПЕРТУАРІ ОСТАННЬОЇ ТРЕТИНИ ХХ СТ. (НА ПРИКЛАДІ “ТЕМИ ІЗ ВАРІАЦІЯМИ” ЖАНА ФРАНСЕ)
Authors: Назарій Максим
Published: December 2024

Чимала кількість менш відомих широкому загалу композиторів залишається інформаційно недоступними в україномовному музикознавчому дискурсі. Як наприклад, постать французького неокласика Жана Франсе (1912–1997), чия “Тема з варіаціями” для кларнета з оркестром стала класикою жанру ще при житті автора. У статті вперше запропоновано музично-стилістичний аналіз варіаційного циклу, що є обов’язковою складовою навчального репертуару кларнетистів у європейскій системі вищої музичної освіти.
Penggunaan Rokok Elektrik terhadap Lung Impairment (Gangguan Fungsi Paru)
Authors: Farhaeni Annisa , Wiarfa Nisrina Ananda , Tania Lutfi Zahra , Iqbal Muhamad , Herbawani Chahya Kharin
Published: December 2024

E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that are considered a less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 2021, the prevalence of e-cigarette use in Indonesia increased from 0.3% in 2011 to 3.0% in 2021, with 5.8% of men and 0.1% of women. E-cigarette use increases health risks such as addiction, poisoning, inhalation toxicity, and lung injury or EVALI (e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury). The purpose of this study is to describe the impact of e-cigarette use on lung impairment. This study is a literature review. Literature selection was conducted through ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases, with the keywords “e-cigarette” AND “lung impairment” AND “EVALI”. A total of 8 articles were selected in accordance with the research objectives and inclusion criteria set. The 8 selected articles showed the impact of e-cigarette use on lung impairment, causing alveolar injury, exogenous pneumonia, and bronchiolitis obliterans. E-cigarette use was also associated with reduced lung function, as indicated by bilateral Ground-Glass Opacities (GGO) on chest CT of EVALI patients. The previous studies presented in this article comprehensively illustrate the impact of e-cigarette use on lung impairment
Factors Hindering the Admission of Learners with Learning Barriers in Special Schools in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District, South Africa
Authors: Mokwena Morelle  , Sindisa Bhila  , Maria Glory Morelle
Published: December 2024

The study aimed to examine the factors hindering the admission of learners with learning barriers in selected inclusive special schools in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda district. The researcher adopted a descriptive case study approach with a qualitative perspective. The study found that the views of most school stakeholders were predominantly positive, reflecting an acceptance of the inclusive status of the schools. The absence of significant negative attitudinal barriers, improvements in school accessibility, progress in teacher training and the production of locally made Inclusive Education (IE) modules are noticeable areas of achievement. The study concludes that despite the presence of various exclusionary factors, the two schools have made some observable headway towards the improvement of inclusive learning for children with disabilities.
Empowering Futures through Life Skills Education: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities for Teachers in High Schools of the Shiselweni Region, Eswatini
Authors: Racheal Mafumbate
Published: December 2024

This qualitative study explores the role of teachers in enhancing Life Skills Education (LSE) in high schools of the Shiselweni Region, Eswatini. Using purposive sampling, 30 teachers were selected to provide in-depth insights into their experiences, perceptions, and LSE-related strategies. Guided by the Targeting Life Skills Model by Hendricks (1998), this research examines how educators navigate the challenges and opportunities inherent in teaching life skills. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were employed to gather rich, qualitative data. The thematic analysis revealed four key opportunities and three significant challenges faced by teachers in this context. The study identified professional development programs, community engagement, curriculum integration, and government support as major opportunities for enhancing LSE. Conversely, resource limitations, training gaps, and cultural barriers emerged as significant challenges. Teachers emphasized the need for targeted training programs and better resource allocation to effectively teach life skills. The study concludes with recommendations to develop comprehensive training programs and increase resource allocation to schools. By addressing these challenges and leveraging the identified opportunities, life skills education can be significantly enhanced, ultimately empowering students in the Shiselweni Region to navigate their futures more effectively.
The Use of Social Media in Public Diplomacy in US and China
Authors: Jennifer Offeibea Dodoo
Published: December 2024

This paper examines the different social media strategies adopted by the US and China’s use of public diplomacy in-depth, shedding light on how cultural, political and technological factors influence their strategies. The US prioritizes communication and transparency, reflecting its democratic values, while China emphasizes narrative control and image control. Through comparative analysis, the study highlights the importance of domestic factors in social media communication and emphasizes and reflects the evolving global transnational environment in the digital age. Both countries actively fight misinformation, albeit with different objectives. The study recommends conducting further comparative analysis, adapting to emerging trends, and developing strategies to combat disinformation in digital communication. Understanding the nuances of social media in today’s digital age is essential for enhancing research, policy, and diplomatic practices.
The Relationship between Communication Technologies and Performance of Shipping Lines in Kenya: The Moderating Effect of International Maritime Regulations
Authors: Nancy Muthoni Njeri  , Enock Musau  , Christopher Ngacho  , Richard Nyaoga
Published: December 2024

Proper implementation and use of technology are reputed to offer a major capability in enhancing a firm’s achievement of its goals. The maritime sector in Kenya, more so shipping, has been experiencing low logistics efficiency, which is usually characterized by poor track and trace, high transportation costs, customs clearance, and delayed delivery.  The performance of these firms, much as the rest of organizations’ performance, is greatly dependent on the adoption and use of the requisite technology. The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between communication technologies and the performance of shipping lines in Kenya as moderated by international maritime regulations. The study was anchored on Technology Acceptance Model, Institutional Theory and Task Technology Fit Theory. The explanatory survey research design was utilized. Positivist research philosophy was employed in this study to create a practical solution to the problem bedevilling this sector, such as dismal performance. 2835 respondents formed the target population for this study and were drawn from the Sales and Marketing, Logistics, Finance and IT staff of the 53 shipping lines listed in Kenya business directory 2021. 438 respondents formed the appropriate sample size for the research study, which included: 103 Finance staff, 109 logistics staff, 130 sales and marketing staff, and 96 IT staff. In order to arrive at a specific respondent, a random stratified sampling design was used. The required data for research was gathered through self-administered structured questionnaires. In order to check the reliability and validity of the research instrument, a pilot study was done in 6 shipping lines from Mombasa, and 44 questionnaires, which formed 10% of the target population, were administered. Reliability was ascertained by the use of Cronbach’s alpha index at 0.7, while validity was checked through KMO Bartlett’s test and factor analysis. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 after being well-coded. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression and hierarchical regression model) were generated and presented in tables and graphs. The research findings indicated the existence of a direct and positive association between the use of Communication technologies and shipping lines’ performance. The study further indicated that the moderating variable positively influenced the relationship between Communication technologies. The study concluded that shipping lines should invest more in communication technologies to improve their performance.
Taxes from International Transactions: Impact of Industrialization in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Busari, Tajudeen Abimbola  , Dada, Samuel Olajide  , Adegbie, Festus Folajimi  , Ogundajo, Grace Oyeyemi
Published: December 2024

Despite the overreliance on the oil sector and huge revenue generated from oil-related taxes in the majority of sub-Saharan African countries, the tax-to-GDP ratio is still below the global index as measured by the World Bank. Africa needs to unveil the hidden natural resources to improve the export of raw commodities and thus generate more taxes from exportation. Although industrialization is growing, Africa's share of global manufacturing is less than 1%, putting the continent at the bottom of the global value chain. Africa has many of the ingredients of industrial success to unleash. This paper examined the impact of industrial performance on customs, import duties, and export taxes using the SGMM analytical technique. The findings showed that improvements in industrial performance negatively and significantly affected customs and import duties and exerted a significant positive effect on export taxes.
The Influence of Tax Knowledge on Tax Payment Compliance in the Informal SME Sector of Ghana
Authors: Fatimah Jibril Bawa
Published: December 2024

The study investigated the influence of tax knowledge on tax payment compliance in the informal SME sector of Ghana. Specifically, the study looked at the statistically significance effect between (1) Procedural Tax Knowledge and payment tax compliance among SMEs in the informal sector in Ghana, (2) legal Tax Knowledge and payment tax compliance among SMEs in the informal sector in Ghana and (3) general Tax Knowledge and payment tax compliance among SMEs in the informal sector in Ghana. To achieve the objectives, the study collected data from 584 informal SMEs operating in the Greater Accra Region. The study employed correlation and multiple regression analyses to establish the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variables. The study found a statistically significant positive effect between Procedural Tax Knowledge and Payment Tax Compliance among SMEs in the informal sector in Ghana (B=0.377, P=0.000). The study also found a statistically significant positive effect between legal Tax Knowledge and Payment Tax Compliance among SMEs in the informal sector in Ghana (B=0.169, P=0.000). The study finally found a statistically significant positive effect between general Tax Knowledge and Payment Tax Compliance among SMEs in the informal sector in Ghana (B=0.273, P=0.000). The study provided tailored recommendations for policy directions in the informal SME sector.
Effects of Household Revenue Level Due to Rural Electrification on Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Coastal Region, Kenya
Authors: Stanley Vincent Omondi Onyango  , Dr. Earnest Saina  , Dr. Simeon Kiptarus Nganai
Published: December 2024

Rural electrification is a very important process to provide access to modern energy, especially to the poor people in developing countries like Kenya. Rural electrification programs in Kenya focus on providing development assistance through the supply of electricity services to stimulate economic productivity and enhance the quality of life in rural areas. These projects do not start with an assessment of the needs of the people that they are meant to serve. The rural electricity evaluation programs at present are confined to measuring only quantifiable variables, such as the number of households electrified. Moreover, the impact of electrification on rural SME operations is also seldom evaluated. The objective of this research study was to establish the effects of household revenue levels due to rural electrification on the growth of small and medium enterprises in the coastal region of Kenya. The study area was the Coast region. This study adopted an exploratory research design. The target population for this study comprised 172,556 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) registered in the coastal region by 2023. The study adopted multi-stage sampling, systematic and simple random sampling techniques due to the large target population involved. A total of 381 responses were received out of a target population of 399 respondents. This represented a 95.5% response rate from these study results. The majority of the respondents agreed that there was an extent of revenue level growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya, and the majority of the respondents agreed that there was an extent of revenue level growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the coastal region, Kenya. The results show a strong positive correlation coefficient of 0.944, which is statistically significant (p<0.05), showing that there is a significant effect of the revenue level of the household due to electrification on the growth of small and medium enterprises in the coastal region of Kenya. Further, the overall revenue level is positively affecting the growth of small and medium enterprises in the coastal region of Kenya. The study recommends that SMEs emphasize the use of machines as it enhances income due to improved quality products and services.
Household Skill Utilization, Rural-Electrification and Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Authors: Stanley Vincent Omondi Onyango  , Dr. Earnest Saina  , Dr. Simeon Kiptarus Nganai
Published: December 2024

According to the Government of Kenya (2004), the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) sector generated over 90% (or roughly 500,000) of all new jobs created outside of agriculture in 2003, accounting for 30% of the country's GDP. The majority of Kenyans still live in rural areas, which also serve as the centre for micro and small businesses. In order to take advantage of this chance, Kenya has created a national policy through rural electrification programmes that aims to strengthen the capacities of micro and small businesses (Abdullah & Markandyab, 2012). The objective of this research study was to establish the effects of household skills utilization due to rural electrification on the growth of small and medium enterprises in the coastal region of Kenya. The study area was the coastal region. This study adopted an exploratory research design. The target population for this study was small and medium enterprises (SMEs) registered in Kenya. Multi-stage sampling, systematic and simple random sampling techniques were applied, and the 95.5% response rate was 95.5%. This study found that there was an extent of revenue level on growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the coastal region of Kenya. Further, the study found that there is a strong positive correlation coefficient of 90.4% (0.904), which is statistically significant (p<0.05), meaning that for every one unit of household skills utilization applied on SME's economic environment, there is a significant effect of household skills utilization due to electrification on the growth of small and medium enterprises in coastal region of Kenya. This also implies that household skills utilization is positively affecting the growth of small and medium enterprises in the coastal region of Kenya. The study recommends that SME stakeholders institute their economic operationalization more on household skill utilization since knowledge and skills acquired through electronic media are necessary for business record keeping.
Asset Quality and Its Effect on Operational Efficiency of Commercial Banks in Kenya
Authors: Jedidah Wanjagi  , Tabitha Nasieku  , Olanrewaju Fatoki
Published: December 2024

In the dynamic landscape of banking, the quality of assets held by financial institutions plays a pivotal role in determining their operational efficiency and overall stability. Deterioration in asset quality not only poses immediate challenges to a bank's financial performance but also reverberates through the broader financial system. Utilizing secondary data from 2008 to 2022, a period marked by notable financial reforms and challenges, this research examines the relationship between asset quality and operational efficiency in Kenya's banking sector. The study employed a two-step approach analysis. First, Stochastic Frontier Analysis was utilized to determine operational efficiency scores for each cross-section. Second, the panel Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) was applied to regress efficiency scores on independent variables. The findings indicated a significant positive association between asset quality and operational efficiency in Kenya's banking sector, with significance levels observed at 1%, 5%, and 10%, a unit improvement in asset quality corresponds to a 1.2% increase in operational efficiency. These results highlighted the symbiotic relationship between asset quality and operational efficiency in Kenya's banking landscape. In light of these findings, policymakers are urged to adopt a multifaceted policy framework aimed at nurturing and strengthening the interplay between asset quality and operational efficiency within Kenya's banking sector.
Influence of Adopting Electronic Procurement Practices on Performance of Supply Chain Management for Hospitals in Kenya
Authors: Ibrahim Mohamed Adawe  , Duncan Nderui Ndengui
Published: December 2024

Technology has become an integral part of modern business, facilitating transactions and operations in many areas, including procurement. Businesses, clinics, and hospitals in Kenya have been quick to embrace E-Procurement strategies. In Kenyan hospitals, where e-procurement accounts for as much as 30% of operational expenses, this study seeks to evaluate the effect of this trend on supply chain management success. Companies that want to survive in today's cutthroat healthcare market must embrace e-procurement strategies if they want to keep up with the ever-changing industry. By facilitating more efficient inventory management, faster purchasing cycles, increased transparency, and higher quality services, e-procurement practices are essential for improving performance and competitiveness in the market. The health industry is facing severe competition and financing constraints, making it imperative that it reorganizes its service delivery system to adapt to the complicated business climate. The purpose of this empirical study is to investigate how hospitals in Kenya are using electronic tendering and electronic invoicing to improve their supply chain management. The study found that Kenyan hospital administrators have a highly positive perception of electronic procurement practices, with e-tendering scoring an average mean of 4.75, significantly enhancing SCM performance through efficiency and cost savings. The findings concluded that e-invoicing also positively impacts procurement processes, promoting transparency and operational effectiveness. The study further recommended that legislators integrate these electronic procurement practices into healthcare policies, provide financial assistance and training, and encourage hospitals to invest in robust systems and strategic partnerships to improve patient care and system efficiency.
Influence of Innovative Banking on Financial Inclusion among Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Homa-Bay County, Kenya
Authors: Odhiambo Ogolla Kennedy  , Dr. Mary Kiveu  , Dr. Charles Weda
Published: December 2024

Recent changes in finance have affected the global economy significantly; banks worldwide have implemented changes involving new and advanced financial technology to ensure their longevity. Technologically progressive regions exhibit an adjusted banking industry that meets its shareholders' expectations, while survival depends on adaptation and change within the local Kenyan banking industry. Technological progress and economic alterations have been a major cause of this transformation. Moreover, innovation in service delivery is on the rise among Kenyan banks. Most people use ATMs for transactions, followed by Internet banking, while EFTs and POS devices are also popularly used in addition to mobile banking. The researcher analyzed how innovative banking influences financial inclusion in savings and credit cooperative societies within Homa-Bay County. The study evaluated how access to innovative banking such as Internet, mobile, agency and ATM banking influences Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Homa-Bay County. The study was anchored upon three theories: the agency theory, the stakeholder theory, and the financial intermediation theory. The researcher used a descriptive research design and collected data from two managers and two insubordinate employees of the 44 SACCOs operating in Homa-Bay County. The total number of respondents for the study was 122. The data was collected using the questionnaires, and the SPSS software was used for data analysis. Graphs and tables were used to present the analyzed data and findings. This led to relevant policy recommendations based on the conclusions drawn from the findings of this study. Future investigations will likely focus on identifying areas requiring further examination. The study found that mobile banking, agency and ATM banking positively and significantly influence financial inclusion. However, internet banking does not statistically influence financial inclusion in the study area. The overall regression model of the study shows that innovative banking practices formed a good predictor of financial inclusion by 85.8% at a 5% significance level. The research recommends that SACCOs adopt innovative banking practices to improve financial inclusion in rural areas.
Correlation between Funds Allocation and Performance of County Forest Conservancies Against Their Performance Contracts Targets as Indicated in Their AWP&B Using Feasible Model in the Optimization in Kenya
Authors: Maurice Charles Ouma Ogilo
Published: December 2024

Annual Workplan and Budget (AWP&B) are prepared annually by public organization as required by the government policy for funds allocation by the treasury which presents a focused role and a determined direction that estimates organization finances against her activities in a financial year. This study analyzed the effect of AWP&B on the performance of County Forest Conservancies (CFCs) in Kenya. Specifically, the study derived a correlation between funds allocation and the performance of CFCs. A descriptive research design was employed to analyze the AWP&B on the performance of CFCs. The result of the correlation between funds allocation and performance of CFCs with the application of the Linear Programming (LP) model of optimization provided optimal solution on performance that will lead to lasting output, especially the allocation of enough funds for better implementation of the activities towards the achievement of planned targets. In conclusion, funds allocation and performance of CFCs correlated with established constraints of budget, raw materials cost, labour cost, and machine operation cost due to limited fund allocation, which had a negative effect on performance in terms of the level of activities done. LP model clearly provided optimal solutions to the viability of carrying out seedling production and other activities in the counties. To this effect, the LP model is to be enhanced to help the organizations optimize decisions on variables to solve problems of limited resources and multiple objectives incurred when implementing AWP&B.
Content Marketing and Performance of Domestic Tourism in Nairobi City County Wildlife Parks
Authors: Esther Wanjiru Gicharu  , Dr. Mary Mugo  , Dr. Florence Kamau
Published: December 2024

Domestic tourism is vital in the Kenyan economy, contributing to job creation, income generation, and sustainable growth. However, Kenya's domestic tourism industry has declined recently, with a notable drop in visitation to the wildlife parks in Nairobi City County since 2019. This decline may be attributed to low awareness levels, ineffective marketing strategies, and a lack of targeted communication. This study explored the influence of content marketing on the performance of domestic tourism. The study was conducted in four wildlife parks in Nairobi City County, Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Centre, Snake Park, and Mamba Village, with a descriptive research design. Convenience sampling was used to select a sample of 388 respondents, consisting of 384 tourists and four marketing managers from the respective animal parks. Data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to domestic tourists visiting the wildlife parks and interviews with marketing managers. Descriptive statistics provided insights into various aspects of the data, whereas correlation and regression analyses were conducted to examine deeper relationships within the data. The analysis reveals a correlation coefficient (R) of .610 between content marketing and domestic tourism performance, indicating a moderate positive relationship. The coefficient of determination (R square) of .372 suggests that content marketing accounts for 37.2% of the variation in tourism performance. The study recommends leveraging content marketing strategies to increase domestic tourism in Nairobi City County’s wildlife parks.
Successful Implementation of Aeronautical Information Management: Does Change Management and Organizational Culture Matter? Evidence from Kenya
Authors: Gloria Beth Muthoni  , Charity Jepkoech Kosgei
Published: December 2024

The study aimed to explore how change management and organizational culture influence the successful implementation of AIM within the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). It was guided by two key theoretical frameworks: Kurt Lewin’s change management theory and systems theory. An explanatory research design was utilized to achieve the research objectives. The study focused on a population of 1,630 individuals directly involved in AIM implementation at KCAA. A sample of 310 respondents was selected using a stratified random sampling technique, with the sample size determined using Krejcie and Morgan's table. Bivariate correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were employed to investigate the relationships between change management, organizational culture, and AIM implementation. The findings indicated that both change management and organizational culture have a significant positive impact on the successful implementation of AIM within KCAA. The study concludes that promoting a collaborative and innovative culture alongside dynamic change management is crucial for enhancing AIM implementation. It recommends that aeronautical organizations prioritize these aspects to improve AIM implementation and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the aviation industry.
Representation of Wangari Maathai’s Unbowed as a Metaphor for Defiance
Authors: Angela Njeri  , Selline Oketch  , Ouno V. Onyango
Published: December 2024

Contemporary writers are using literary platforms to voice socio-political concerns. Women writers are fast emerging as the strongest section of civil society. Women writers, just like their male counterparts, question institutional abuse of political latitude by persons in positions of authority. At the same time, these women writers create feedback loops that have the potential to redirect and reshape strategies of governance and administration. These women writers develop women characters that exhibit a peculiarly courageous or risky act of resistance. They defy authoritarian political leadership and stand for what they believe in, yet their works remain largely unexplored. It is in this context that this study examines the depiction of Wangari Maathai's Unbowed as a metaphor for defiance against oppressive socio-political systems. The analysis of this autobiographical text is anchored on Marxist and post-colonial literary theories, as advanced by Tyson (2002) and Spivak (2010), respectively. By unearthing defiant modes of protest, the heterogeneity of resistance is affirmed, and a new domain where art encounters the political is revealed. Maathai’s Unbowed defies conventional literary traditions, steps over the boundary into the domain of socio-political activism and uses her life stories to demonstrate that the subaltern – women’s voices that erstwhile muffled – can now speak and meaningfully contribute to clamour for social justice. The outcomes of this study serve as a key reference point for literary scholarship on social equality, governance and political dissidence.
An Analysis of Nexus of Language and Gender in Hawker Culture in Kibuye Market, Kisumu County, Kenya
Authors: Adhiambo Jackline Ouno  , Joseph Maina  , Linah Akaka
Published: December 2024

Language is part and parcel of human experience; every aspect of human life depends on communication. Language also defines a person's way of life and the transmission of social and cultural norms, attitudes, beliefs, traditions, and values. Language, by extension, facilitates the reinforcement of existing beliefs about group features and distinctions between groups. Language structures and patterns of language use are believed to be responsible for the perpetuation of stereotypes and, in some instances, reifying one group's dominance over the other. It is perceived that men and women use different expressions. Gender is one of the social constructions that have been studied in language use for quite some time now. These studies have, however, not focused on how language dynamics intersect with gender identities and roles, especially in the context of hawker culture. Against this backdrop, this study seeks to analyse the nexus of language and gender in hawker culture in Kibuye Market in Kisumu County in Kenya. This study is anchored on social constructionist theory as proposed by Searle (2007). To obtain data from a target population of one hundred (100) hawkers, we have employed a stratified purposeful sampling technique. The primary data collection methods were interviews and video recording. We have carried out thematic and inferential data analysis methods. This study concluded that patterns of language use in hawker culture revealed cultural norms, beliefs, traditions and values that were useful in the construction of gender identities. These linguistic structures not only demonstrated the persistence of social stereotypes but also group dynamism. Language use in hawker culture represented social constructs outside business operations. The results of this study will enrich academic scholarship on the gendered use of linguistic varieties.