3127 research outputs found
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Macroeconomic Dynamics in Uganda: Investigating the Relationships among GDP Growth, Gross Capital Formation, Population Growth and FDI
Full text linkThis paper sought to investigate Uganda's macroeconomic dynamics, informed by the objective of studying relationships among GDP growth, Gross Capital Formation (GCF), population growth, and net inflows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by applying the endogenous growth theory. These key variables include GDP growth, GCF, population growth, and FDI net inflows; secondary data from national databases and international organizations were collected from 2000 to 2022. In this regard, the study follows a quantitative approach by adopting a descriptive and econometric design to investigate the relationship among the aforementioned variables. The methodological tools were Descriptive statistics, stationarity tests, multicollinearity testing, cointegration testing, and ARDL model estimation. These range from relative stability in GDP growth to the highly volatile GCF growth and smooth population growth trends to negative net inflows indicated by FDI. This confirms the long-run cointegration between the variables, whereby GCF proves to be firmly and positively related to GDP through an ARDL model. In contrast, variables FDI and population growth become influential after due lags. The results show that Uganda needs domestic and foreign investment to maintain economic growth; however, it has to deal with disinvestment challenges and an increasing population for long-term stability. This study finds that capital formation and foreign investment are integral to the Ugandan economy and can, if managed appropriately, ensure continued growth by overcoming these challenges in demography and investment
Exploring Climate-Resilient Infrastructure and Sustainable Urban Development in Ghana
Full text linkThe purpose of this study is to examine how climate-resilient infrastructure might support sustainable urban growth in Ghana. Rapid urbanization and climate change have posed substantial problems to Ghana's urban planning systems, resulting in frequent flooding, rising temperatures, and stressed infrastructure. This study used a mixed-methods approach, with 500 participants comprising urban planners, engineers, policymakers, and residents from various urban locations. Descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and correlation were employed to analyze quantitative data using SPSS, while thematic coding was utilized to examine qualitative insights. The findings reveal that 85% of respondents are aware of climate-resilient infrastructure, but only 16% believe that present projects adequately integrate resilience measures. Key barriers identified include weak policy enforcement, limited financial resources and a lack of technical expertise. According to regression and correlation analyses, policy efficacy, urbanization rate, and stakeholder participation are key determinants of infrastructure integration. The study emphasizes the value of targeted investments, capacity development, inclusive governance, and improved institutional frameworks. Ghana's distinct socioeconomic and environmental vulnerabilities make it an ideal case study for researching climate-resilient urban infrastructure. The findings provide empirical insights to help Sub-Saharan Africa transition from reactive to proactive planning, as well as to inspire measures for enhancing urban resilience
The Influence of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction: An Empirical Study in the Fast-Food Industry
Full text linkService quality (SERVQUAL) is crucial in knowing whether customers receive the level of services they expect and whether such services affect their satisfaction. This study examines the relationship between customer satisfaction and SERVQUAL dimensions of the A&W outlet at Aeon Bandaraya Melaka. 300 respondents were involved in this study, and the data were collected from the distribution of questionnaires. It was found that there was a significant relationship between customer satisfaction and SERVQUAL dimensions of A&W outlet Aeon Bandaraya Melaka, and SERVQUAL remains a critical factor for A&W. Thus, this study suggests that future research could be carried out in diverse cultural or regional settings to evaluate the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction across international marketplaces. This will assist the other fast-food industry to overcome the SERVQUAL issues and maintain the sustainability of the fast-food economy
The Influence of Basic Psychological Needs on Insurance Agencies Performance
Full text linkThe fulfilment of Basic Psychological Needs (BPNS)—autonomy, competence, and relatedness—has become a crucial factor influencing employee well-being and corporate performance across all sectors. This study examines the influence of Basic Psychological Needs (BPNS) on employee motivation and performance in insurance companies based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Despite substantial research on BPNs in sectors including education and healthcare, their influence on the insurance industry, especially in Malaysia, remains inadequately investigated. The findings indicate that meeting these needs can cultivate a supportive work environment, alleviate workplace difficulties, and enhance employee engagement and organizational efficiency. This research fills the literature gap by contextualizing the significance of BPNS concerning the performance of insurance agencies, highlighting the relationship between psychological well-being and firm performance. This study systematically reviews current studies to highlight the possibility of utilizing BPNS satisfaction to improve staff retention, satisfaction, and productivity, fostering insurance companies' competitive growth
Flexible Work Revolution among Accountants in Malaysia: Challenges and Benefits
Full text linkThe importance of flexible work arrangements is growing due to its numerous benefits to employees and organizations. However, the accounting profession faces challenges in implementing this innovative working environment. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to theoretically review various factors that influence the effectiveness of flexible work arrangements among accountants in Malaysia. Drawing on a comprehensive analysis of prior literature, this paper provides valuable insights into the relevance of work flexibility in the accounting profession and the internal and external organizational factors that play a crucial role in enhancing work-life balance, job satisfaction, technology integration and employee performance. The extant literature highlights that organizational culture, top management support, organizational policies, and competitive pressure are among the factors that significantly impact the successful implementation of flexible work arrangements. Despite the thorough review conducted, this paper lacks empirical data to substantiate the previous findings documented in the literature. A survey can be employed to secure valuable data that can establish the relationships between the factors discussed in the paper. While still in the realm of theory, the paper has explored several important determinants that could help organizations in any policy changes in implementing flexible work arrangements effectively
Adoption of Self-Service Kiosk Technology in Quick Service Restaurants: An Application of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)
No full textThe study aims to examine factors influencing customers' adoption of self-service kiosk technology, focusing on performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions in quick service restaurants. Guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework, the research employed a quantitative approach, utilizing a self-administered questionnaire for data collection. This cross-sectional study gathered data from 149 respondents. Findings indicate that performance expectancy and facilitating conditions significantly influence customer adoption, whereas effort expectancy and social influence do not. These results have valuable implications for fast food restaurants, particularly those integrating technology into their service models, especially in Kuantan, Pahang.  
Nature’s Value: Unveiling How Perceive Value Drives Tourist Satisfaction and Social Media Recommendations
No full textNature-based tourism has gained significant popularity, prompting the tourism industry and local authorities to transform natural areas into major attractions. This type of tourism encompasses eco-tourism, conservation efforts, adventure activities, and island tourism, which aim to balance environmental, social, and economic development. Social media plays a vital role in promoting these destinations, as tourist often share their experiences and generate electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) through posts, comments, blogs, and travel journals. Despite its importance, there is limited research on how the perceived value of nature-based tourism impacts tourist satisfaction and their intention to recommend vie eWOM through social media, particularly in Pangkor Island. This study employs a quantitative approach, analyzing 160 survey responses using SPS and PLS-SEM with SmartPLS software. Results reveal that emotional and social value significantly influence both tourist satisfaction and the intention to recommend Pangkor Island through social media. Furthermore, tourist satisfaction mediates this relationship. However, perceived quality and price do not play a notable role in determining satisfaction or intention to recommend through social media. These findings provide useful insights for the tourism industry, aiding destination management in developing strategies to enhance and preserve Pangkor Island’s appeal as a tourist destination
Digital Technologies and Youth Democracy: A Narrative Review of Civic Participation, Digital Citizenship and Emerging Challenges
No full textThe integration of digital technologies into everyday life has significantly influenced how young people engage with democratic processes, though the implications remain uneven and contested. Digital platforms offer opportunities for civic participation, activism, and political education; however, they also pose risks, including misinformation, polarization, and digital access inequalities, which raise concerns about the inclusivity of youth democracy. This study examines the role of digital technologies in shaping youth democratic engagement, with particular attention to civic participation, digital citizenship, and the challenges of digital environments. Using Scopus AI (search conducted on 11 September 2025), the review applied a narrative review approach combining a structured search string, summary and expanded summary analysis, concept mapping, topic expert profiling, and identification of emerging themes to synthesize literature across disciplines. The findings show that digital culture fosters new forms of engagement through online activism, global networks, while digital citizenship predicts both local and global participation. Nonetheless, challenges including misinformation, online harassment, and ethical concerns about technological determinism limit the democratizing potential of these tools. Emerging themes emphasize the importance of digital competence, innovations in digital democracy, youth-led digital activism, and the transformation of the public sphere. The study concludes that digital technologies present both opportunities and challenges for youth democracy, highlighting the need for educational reforms to strengthen digital literacy, policy interventions to ensure equitable access, and safeguards to protect democratic quality. These provide theoretical contributions to understanding democracy in the digital age and practical guidance for policymakers, educators, and civic organizations
Validation of the Educator-Targeted Bullying Measurement
No full textPrevious research and practitioners typically concentrate on a limited operational definition of bullying when examining educators’ experiences with bullying in higher educational institutions (HEIs). This study employs the term Educator-Targeted Bullying (ETB) to denote a more precise variable, owing to the narrow definition of academic bullying. This study aims to validate a 47-item instrument that assesses three forms of bullying-related stress among academics in higher education institutions. Upon reviewing previous literature on educator bullying, three prevalent forms are identified: workplace bullying, cyberbullying, and teacher-targeted bullying. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to evaluate factorial structures based on a total of 210 survey responses. This study categorises seven dimensions of ETB: student direct bullying, devaluation bullying, indirect private bullying, pictorial cyberbullying, task bullying, relational cyberbullying, and student physical bullying. Consequently, the factors significantly influence the operational definitions of educator bullying
Social Innovation and Sustainable Value Creation: Lessons from Indonesia’s Community-Based Enterprises
No full textThis study explores how social innovation drives sustainable value creation within community-based social enterprises in Indonesia. This study employs a qualitative research design, drawing on five in-depth interviews with social enterprise leaders operating across renewable energy, digital education, waste recycling, microfinance, and community health sectors. The findings reveal that social innovation is shaped by a paradoxical interaction between constraints and enablers: while limited access to finance, regulatory ambiguity, and organizational fatigue hinder scalability, community trust, cross-sector collaboration, digital transformation, and learning orientation act as powerful countervailing forces. The study develops an integrative framework that links resource-based, institutional, and dynamic capability perspectives to explain how social enterprises convert social purpose into sustainable performance. It concludes that in resource-constrained environments, innovation flourishes not despite adversity but because of it when communities reconfigure scarcity into opportunity. The paper contributes to management theory by conceptualizing social innovation as an ecosystemic capability that fuses moral purpose, entrepreneurial logic, and adaptive learning, offering both theoretical and policy implications for strengthening social enterprise ecosystems in developing economies