Society for the Study of Business & Finance- SSBFNET: E-Journals
Society for the Study of Business & Finance- SSBFNET: E-JournalsNot a member yet
3089 research outputs found
Sort by
Rehabilitation versus retribution: How international inspectorates influence prison philosophy and practice?
No full textThis study examines the ideological impact of international prison inspectorates on national correctional systems, concentrating on how these bodies influence the balance between rehabilitative and retributive penological philosophies. While their primary mandate is to monitor prison conditions and prevent ill-treatment, inspectorates such as the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) National Preventive Mechanisms (NPMs), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) subtly shape penal ideologies through their engagement and recommendations. The research sets out three objectives: to identify the penological philosophies promoted by selected international inspectorates, to analyse their rhetorical and strategic approaches in influencing prison systems, and to assess the tangible impact of these efforts on national policies and prison practices. A qualitative, comparative case study method is used, incorporating content analysis of inspectorate reports and communications, national legislation, and interviews with key stakeholders. Preliminary findings reveal a consistent promotion of rehabilitative and human rights-based approaches by these bodies. The CPT emphasizes normalization and reintegration, OPCAT NPMs focus increasingly on conditions supporting rehabilitation, and the ICRC advocates humane treatment, which underpins rehabilitative ideals. Impacts include legislative reforms, the introduction of rehabilitation programs, and shifts in official discourse. However, these changes vary across countries and are often limited by political, economic, and cultural barriers. The study concludes that international inspectorates, though often operating subtly, contribute significantly to shifting correctional ideologies toward more balanced, rehabilitative models. It adds to penological scholarship by illuminating the mechanisms through which global oversight fosters internal penal reform
Market culture’s role in enhancing sustainable performance of African civil aviation authorities: Corporate governance as a mediator
No full textThis study examines the correlation between market culture and the dimensions of sustainability performance—economic, environmental, and social—within African Civil Aviation Authorities (ACAAs), while also exploring the mediating influence of corporate governance. A quantitative, cross-sectional methodology was utilised, incorporating data from 371 managers across 54 ACAAs. Data were evaluated with Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that market culture exerts a substantial beneficial impact on all three aspects of sustainability performance: economic, environmental, and social. Corporate governance did not act as a mediator in the interaction between market culture and economic sustainability. Furthermore, corporate governance substantially mediated the links between market culture and both environmental and social sustainability performance among ACAAs. The findings underscore the necessity of synchronising organisational culture with governance frameworks to attain holistic sustainability results in the civil aviation sector. This study advances institutional theory by highlighting the interaction between internal cultural and governance structures and institutional forces, hence improving legitimacy and performance in the civil aviation sector
Views of teenage mothers on abortion of unexpected pregnancies: A study conducted at Elim village, Makhado municipality in Limpopo province, South Africa
No full textThis study explores the views of teenage mothers regarding abortions of unexpected pregnancies at the village of Elim, Makhado Municipality in Limpopo Province. The study employed a qualitative approach, which recognizes the need for an in-depth exploration of these views using semi-structured, open-ended interviews. Snowball sampling was used to recruit five female participants between the ages of 15 and 19 years old. Furthermore, the researcher utilized the ecological systems framework to evaluate the context in which these teenage mothers’ function and how their perceptions regarding abortions are constructed over time based on their systems. The data was analyzed thematically, and interpretations were made based on the themes of the collected data. The study found that teenagers shared mixed feelings associated with considering abortion. Others consider having an abortion to be bad and good, while others say they will consider abortion if they become pregnant while not ready. Regarding the influences of either having an abortion or not, they cited that they will consider abortion if their parents, especially fathers and boyfriends, do not accept the pregnancy. The study also found that financial situation and age of a teenager may compel one to consider abortion. The study also found that teenagers are aware of the consequences of abortion. They cited the risk to life during and after pregnancy, while others believe the consequences are less severe as opposed to giving birth. Finally, the study also found the following barriers to abortion, peer pressure, lack of support for raising a child, and the cost of abortion can be a barrier. The study recommends that educating society about reproductive rights and offering platforms for open discussions about abortion can help reduce the moral pressure that often leads to feelings of moral conflicts and cognitive dissonance. Furthermore, social workers should advocate for broader access to reproductive health services and collaborate with healthcare providers to ensure teenage mothers receive accurate information and emotional support. Additionally, social workers can play a role in facilitating open communications within families and communities to lessen the stigma associated with abortio
Financial literacy and digital finance: Understanding personal finance dynamics in an emerging economy financial literacy
No full textIn the context of rapid technological advancement and evolving financial ecosystems, this study investigates the interplay between financial literacy, digital finance, and financial behaviour among high school teachers in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Structural equation modelling (SEM) approach was used to describe intricate relationships between latent constructs, namely, financial literacy, financial Behaviour and, digital finance Knowledge as well as observed variables (B7 to B22, C23 to C44, D45 to D56, demographics). Demographic variables include Gender, Age Category, Qualification Type, Teaching Duration, Financial Literacy Course and Field Employed. The model defined each construct as a linear combination of its observed variables as well as demographic variables under its measurement component, and hypothetical relationships among three latent variables under its structural component. We used Python software and machine learning code to create and estimate the model using observed data. The missing values in each observed variable were imputed with averages of the variables’ data. The tests of normality assumption for SEM were performed using histogram and q-q plots, Shapiro-Wilk test D\u27Agostino and Pearson\u27s test. Most data vectors violated the normality assumption. Diagonally Weighted Least Squares (DWLS) was used for parameter estimation as a suitable method that can provide better estimation for more complex models with many parameters. This method has an additional advantage of being less sensitive to outliers. The DWLS parameter estimation results, based on p-values, suggest that financial literacy and financial behaviour have a negative association which means that lacking financial behaviour results in financial literacy. A positive association between has been identified between financial behaviour and digital finance knowledge. Financial literacy and digital finance knowledge have a weak or no relationship. Thus, having or not having digital finance knowledge does not necessarily determine the possibility of experiencing financial literacy. Furthermore, among demographic variables, the financial literacy Course is the only demographic variable that has a significant impact, and only on Financial Behaviour and Financial literacy. The rest of the variables do not significantly influence the latent constructs. This study uniquely applies SEM using the DWLS estimator to explore personal finance dynamics in an emerging economy, offering concise insights into key relationships
Determining relationship between business size, turnover and longevity among South African Small-to-Medium Enterprises
No full textSmall to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are a key part of socio-economic development in South Africa by providing employment, generating incomes, and alleviating poverty. Despite their significance, South African SMEs continue to register high failure rates, low growth rates, and short lifespan, particularly in unstable industries. Existing research has consistently cantered on the determinants of firm performance but has been remiss in considering the combined effect of firm size, financial turnover, and performance on lifespan in SMEs—specifically in diversified industrial settings. Bridging the research gap in extant research, the present research considered the interrelationship between the aforementioned variables in the best-performing and poorest-performing industries in South Africa, Manufacturing and Construction industries. The study used a correlational research design and collected data from 204 SMEs using structured questionnaires to gauge the number of employees, turnover per year, and operation period in years. Pearson correlation analysis established that in the Manufacturing industry, longevity was weakly and significantly interrelated with turnover and size but in the Construction industry was weak or statistically non-significant. Contrastingingly, when both industries were combined together, weak but statistically significant interrelationship was established between longevity and both turnover and size, but a strongly positive interrelationship was established between turnover and size. The results conclude that firm size and financial performance are key drivers of the lifespan of SMEs, especially in more stable industries
Investigating the current challenges of cultural tourism for sustainable local economic development in KZN province, South Africa
No full textThis study investigates the prevailing barriers to the development of cultural tourism to become an inclusive and participatory agent of local economic growth in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa. Using a mixed methods study approach, researchers collected data by giving structured questionnaires and conducting semi-structured interviews in eleven culturally rich areas of the province. Quantitative findings indicate the COVID-19 pandemic significantly eroded tourism growth, followed closely by the lack of local engagement, primarily among the youth and women, largely resulting from the unavailability of information and the lack of support for small businesses. Qualitative findings endorse the stated barriers, indicating the lack of sufficient strategic planning, under-marketing of the culture of tourism, and the lack of integration of such aspects of culture, such as traditional foods and arts, into the touristic products. The study calls for inclusive policies to empower the marginalised communities, the widening of community engagement, and the utilisation of KZN’s cultural resources to drive economic transformation. The study concludes by providing recommendations for responsive governance, strategic marketing, and development paradigms that can reposition the culture of tourism as a viable path for inclusive development in the province
All that Glitters Attracts
No full textUsing a methodology from experimental finance based on qualitative analysis tools, this article aims at analyzing the potential existence of the ‘all that glitters attracts’ bias in order to explain the behavior of individual investors. For this purpose, we observed the investment strategies and behaviors of eight students in a continuous trading situation over three days. Using a fictional portfolio of 100,000 euros, the participants were given the opportunity to trade shares in companies from the CAC40 index (the 40 largest market capitalizations on the French market). Regarding the size of the companies in the index, we observe a high volume of information disclosed to the markets which could, to a certain extent, complicate the interpretation of the information signals sent. Based on trading journals - and more specifically the number of transactions carried out on specific stocks - we find that participants are strongly focused on companies that are closely followed by financial analysts and receive the most media coverage. To support our findings, we have also used a process of participative observation to collect first-hand experiences from participants during the experiment. The different elements collected suggest that the participants’ decision-making processes were largely influenced by the intensity of the companies’ communication and their presence in the information flows provided by the stock market websites. This conclusion leads us to believe that, in the mind of individual investors, marketing linked to the stock market life of companies seems to prevail over any informational content. In any case, in their decision-making process, the participants clearly selected shares that were in the spotlight, and so, depending on the context of analysis and the investigative tools used, we confirm the presence of an ‘anything that glitters attracts’ bias, a strong focus on available information and some herd effects. The contribution of this article is threefold: the analysis of a bias largely neglected by scientific studies in the financial field, the use of an innovative experimental protocol, and the use of methodological tools that provide an assessment of individuals\u27 personal perceptions
Evaluating the preferences of stakeholders of a comprehensive higher education institution on the modality of applying for academic records
No full textThis study focuses on evaluating the preferences of stakeholders of a comprehensive higher education institution located in Manila, Philippines, regarding the process of applying for academic records. Onsite application is the traditional process wherein the stakeholders transact personally on campus to request for needed documents. The online system enables remote application of academic records supported by technology. It is marked by the ability to make the application anywhere and anytime, at the convenience of the stakeholder. The study highlights that both the online and onsite modalities have advantages available to stakeholders. Through qualitative and quantitative methodologies, factors influencing the preference of stakeholders are identified. Though the online application is overwhelmingly preferred by the respondents, the onsite application remains relevant. Combining the advantages of both modalities promote convenience on the part of the stakeholders and empowers them to make contextual choices depending on their preferences. Determining the preferences of stakeholders allows the academic institution to tailor-fit services and fine-tune processes to meet, or even exceed, the expectations of stakeholders. The results of the study can be used as a guide by academic institutions on how to improve the various modalities used to provide efficient customer service to stakeholders
Examining Kaldor’s new war thesis: Evidence from Central and West Africa
No full textThis paper examines Kaldor’s New War Thesis and locates it in the context of Central and West Africa where a plethora of burgeoning evidence provides ground for its validation. Kaldor notes that New Wars, as she puts it, occur in the era of globalization. The core argument fronted by Kaldor is that New Wars are different from ‘Old Wars’. The paper is thus founded on this central locus and discussions advanced in here are crystalized around this distinction. Drawing evidence from countries located in West and Central Africa, the paper argues the case for the validity of this theory to the African context. It is also fair to point out that Kaldor’s New War Theory does not escape the anxious thrusts of criticism. In spite of this welcome critiques – it is quite evident that it is applicable to the African context and this also erases most of the common arguments that such theories are highly Western or foreign and thus have limited applicability to the African context. The paper provides one of the contemporary contextualization’s of this theory and aims to form a basis to build up more discussions on why Africa still reels from wars and conflicts and the new perspectives that are now applicable. Finally, it is hoped that this discussion provides more documentation and evidence that can support better policy, evidence-based decision making and advance regional peace and security in West and Central Africa and to the rest of the continent
The Impact of competitive climate on organizational deviance:: Examining the roles of moral disengagement and felt trust
No full textManagement often promotes internal competition as a means to enhance employee performance; however, the potential adverse effects are frequently neglected. This study investigates the relationships among competitive psychological climate, organizational deviance, moral disengagement, and felt trust. It explores how a competitive climate is associated with organizational deviance through the mechanism of moral disengagement and examines whether felt trust moderates this relationship. Surveys were administered in two phases to 279 full-time employees in Taiwan. Partial least square structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesized relationships. Our findings indicate that moral disengagement mediates the relationship between competitive psychological climate and organizational deviance. Furthermore, felt trust moderated both the direct and indirect relationships involving competitive psychological climate. The implication for management is that when employing internal competition to enhance performance, they should consider the potential for deviant behavior and whether it can be mitigated by moderators such as felt trust