Research & Innovation Initiative Journals
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The Effect of Teachers’ Commitment on School Violence Reduction in Secondary Schools in Cameroon
Get PDFA learning environment that fosters creativity among students, educators, parents, and other stakeholders to overcome obstacles to better decision-making and teamwork. This paper was set forth to examine the effect of teachers\u27 commitment on school violence reduction in secondary schools in Cameroon. This study employed a quantitative research paradigm using a descriptive survey design to gather data through a structured questionnaire comprising 52 closed-ended items. The target population included secondary school students in Cameroon, with a sample size of 301 students selected via simple random sampling from four regions. Data analysis involved descriptive and inferential statistics, utilizing the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) estimation technique. The findings revealed that teachers’ commitment exerts a significant negative influence on school violence reduction in sampled secondary schools in Cameroon. Specifically, increased teachers’ commitment significantly reduces physical and psychological violence among students of secondary schools in the country. Based on the findings, it is observed that educational authorities must prioritize comprehensive teacher training programs focused on violence prevention and intervention strategies, supported by adequate resources, clear guidelines, and a supportive work environment that enhances teacher commitment and effectiveness in addressing school violence
Cross Country Study of Human Capital Formation and USFDI Inflows: Do Institutions Matter?
Get PDFPurpose: The neo-classical theory of economic growth features the positive impact of the human capital of an economy on its growth. The inflow of foreign direct investment is one of the main components to carry forward the growth effect, this study investigates the impact of country-specific institutional quality and human capital on the cross-country variations of US-Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows. Our core hypothesis is that Countries with better Human capital will attract more FDI if they have good quality institutions in terms of less risk in investment opportunities.
Method: Using a set of panel data of US-Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows for both developed and developing countries over the period 1984-2021.
Result: The country-specific quality of institutions reinforces the impact of human capital on the inflow of US foreign direct investment in this study. Using two-dimensional panel data we find strong support for our hypothesis using a two-way fixed effects model. Our results are robust to the alternative measures of institutional quality.
Implications: The strength of our approach is that in contrast to the previous works (1) we have used the USFDI inflow across countries that have been widely neglected in the related literature and (2) emphasis has been given to the conditional or joint impact of human capital and country-specific institutional quality in determining the cross-country variations in USFDI inflows
Nexus Between In-Store Design Cues and Impulse Purchasing Behavior at Supermarkets in Yaoundé, Cameroon: Do Gender and Age Matter?
Get PDFPurpose: This study seeks to assess the relationship between in-store design cues (store layout, product placement, signage, and point of sales display) and impulse purchase behavior at supermarkets in Yaoundé, Cameroon. It also explores the moderating effects of age and gender on this relationship.
Methods: The study adopted a quantitative design with the help of a model with four exogenous variables, two moderating variables, and one endogenous variable adapted from the stimulus organism response (S-O-R) model of Zajonc (1980). The questionnaires were administered both physically and online to 429 shoppers from four selected supermarkets. The multiple correspondence analysis was used to construct indexes for store layout, product placement, signage, and point of sales display. The ordinary least square estimation technique was used to test the hypotheses of the study. The moderating effects of gender and age were done by interacting the two moderating variables with the components of in-store design cues.
Results: Results revealed that layout quality and point of sales display exerted significantly positive effects on shoppers\u27 impulse purchasing behavior while signage and product placement had a positive but insignificant effect on customers\u27 impulse purchasing behavior. The results also revealed a negative but insignificant moderating effect of gender while the moderating effect of age was positive and significant. An overall significant effect of design cues implies that the in-store design cues were found to be attractive and stimulating by the customers.
Implications: The study therefore concluded that an improvement in the store design features will act as a significant stimulus for customers\u27 increased impulse purchases. This study has significant practical and theoretical implications in the area of consumer behavior in the context of developing countries, like Cameroon
Financial Ratios and Stock Price Predictability: A Study on Mobile Telecommunication Companies in Kuwait
Get PDFPurpose: This paper aims to investigate the applicability of financial ratios derived from financial statements to predict the stock prices of mobile telecommunication companies in Kuwait.
Methods: The pooled OLS regression method is used to examine the relationship between share prices (SP), as a dependent variable, against earnings per share (EPS), liquidity ratio (Liq), price to earnings (P/E) ratio, debt to equity (D/E) ratio, dividend yield (DY), and market to book value (M/B) ratio as independent variables.
Results: Pooled OLS regression revealed that EPS and Liq have a statistically significant positive relationship with share prices, while the debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio shows a significant inverse relationship with share prices. Other factors under study did not show any significant relationship with share prices.
Implications: The research results would help both investors and companies\u27 top management identify the ratios that affect share price most. The results would help investors detect the factors that they should consider when making their investment decisions to improve their investment profitability and for the company\u27s management to focus their efforts on improving these ratios to enhance shareholders\u27 wealth.
Originality: This study is a pioneering attempt to address the effect of financial ratios on the share prices of mobile telecommunication companies in Kuwait.
Limitations: The relationship between financial ratios and share prices has been extensively researched and the results were very inconsistent which indicates that the effect of financial ratios on share price may vary from market to market
Instilling and Fostering a Sense of Community through Inclusive Security and Development
Get PDFCommunity security and development face significant challenges because of many factors like corruption, social divisions, and economic inequality. Such factors impede the building of a cohesive and resilient community through weakening social bonds and mutual trust. This study examines how inclusive security and development can foster a sense of community by enhancing shared interests, peace, and identity. It employs a qualitative research approach depending solely on secondary data. This descriptive research collects data from secondary sources like books, journal articles, newspaper articles, blog writings, and websites. The findings of this study suggest that addressing inclusive security and development together contributes significantly to building stronger community ties, enhanced social cohesion, and a sense of belongingness. It also argues that a safe and cohesive community environment promotes social collaboration and harmony. This paper recommends emphasizing inclusive approaches in the security and development process to ensure equal access to resources and a favorable climate for peaceful coexistence
Significance of Transformational Leadership on Project Portfolio Success within the Micro Financial Sector in Cameroon
Get PDFPurpose: This research investigates the effect of transformational leadership on project portfolio success in the micro-financial sector in Cameroon.
Method: A quantitative research approach was used for this study. Data were collected from 205 managers of Microfinance institutions in Cameroon and analyzed with the help of the SPSS, version 25. AMOS 23 was used to conduct Confirmatory Factor Analyses to examine convergent and discriminant validity.
Results: The result showed that less than 60% of current microfinance institutions have adopted key aspects of transformational leadership (idealized influence; intellectual stimulation; inspirational motivation; and individualized consideration). It was observed that transformational leadership has a significant and positive effect on project portfolio success. The effect of such leadership is mediated by team building practices and teamwork quality.
Implication: Transformational leadership is not well recognized in the micro-financial sector of Cameroon irrespective of its effect on project portfolio success. Microfinance institution managers should adopt and apply such leadership for higher performance of their project portfolios
Navigating the Bangladeshi Market: Unlocking Market Entry Opportunities for STARBUCKS
Get PDFPurpose: This study aims to analyze Starbucks\u27 potential entry into the Bangladeshi market, considering its potential for growth and alignment with the company\u27s business model. It evaluates market characteristics and examines Starbucks\u27 strategies for suitability.
Method: The study utilizes market research, industry reports, demographic analysis, and comparative studies of Starbucks\u27 success in similar markets. Key factors including market dynamics, consumer behavior, competition, and strategic partnerships inform the analysis.
Results: Bangladesh presents a promising market for Starbucks, with a growing coffee consumer base, favorable economic conditions, and low labor costs. Millennials and Gen Zs, a significant demographic, show a strong affinity for coffee, offering a sizable target audience. Lower operating costs enable investment in promotional activities and market research, while government initiatives to boost coffee production provide additional opportunities.
Implications: Entering the Bangladeshi market requires Starbucks to tailor its business model to align with local preferences and market dynamics. Strategic considerations include investing in automated systems, understanding local culture, developing customized products and marketing strategies, and fostering strategic alliances with local partners.
Originality: This case study provides a comprehensive analysis of Starbucks\u27 potential expansion into Bangladesh, considering both market potential and strategic implications. By addressing the unique challenges and opportunities in the Bangladeshi market, the study offers insights into Starbucks\u27 ability to adapt its business model and sustain growth in diverse global markets
Cross Border Security Challenges for Bangladesh: A Thematic Analysis
Get PDFThis study aims to explore the challenges of cross-border security in Bangladesh. Employing a qualitative methodology, the study gathers insights from diverse stakeholders, including security forces, analysts, human rights activists, NGO workers, and journalists. Based on thematic analysis, the findings revealed a significant disconnect between the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and local communities, exacerbated by bureaucratic challenges and poor coordination among governmental bodies. The vulnerability of hilly border regions to illicit activities, such as insurgency and smuggling, is heightened by inadequate placement and density of Border Outposts (BOPs). Historical and cultural ties influence border dynamics, complicating security efforts. The BGB faces infrastructure and resource challenges, further hampering effective border management. Extreme poverty and lack of education in border communities drive individuals towards smuggling and make them susceptible to human trafficking. Cross-border criminal activities, including drug and arms trafficking, pose significant threats. Additionally, the influx of Rohingya refugees has led to the control of refugee camps by armed groups, creating further security concerns. This research\u27s originality lies in its thematic analysis application to systematically explore and address the multifaceted cross-border security challenges in Bangladesh
Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the Economic Viability of States in Nigeria
Get PDFPurpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the Economic Viability of States in Nigeria using State Government Debt Stock. Specifically, the study seeks to determine the effect of IGR on State government expenditure.
Methods: Secondary data were used for this study. It used an annual panel data set spanning from 1986 to 2021 for six states each from Nigeria\u27s six geopolitical zones. A Panel Vector Error Correction Model (PVECM) was used as the method of analysis.
Results: Results showed that the IGR of States in Nigeria had a positive effect on State government expenditure. The Impulse Response Function of expenditure to shocks from IGR indicates that IGR for the periods under analysis positively affected State government expenditure, increasing their expenditure profile for the majority of the period under analysis. The result of the variance decomposition test of State government total debt stock (TDS) shows that IGR had the greatest shock on the total debt stock of State governments in the country after its own shock. The findings also revealed a mixed and varied outcome, demonstrating both a positive and negative influence of IGR on the overall debt stock of the state government.
Implications: The study is expected to contribute to good economic management, such as managing the debt load at reasonable levels, as well as adequate economic planning backed by cost-effective expenditure. It will also contribute to the economic sustainability of Nigerian states. The uniqueness of this research is obvious in its ability to address the statewide problem of over-dependence on the federal government’s allocation
Mobile Internet Service Preferences of Young Customers: Evidence from Bangladesh
Get PDFPurpose: With the global wireless communication growth, the launching of commercial fourth-generation (4G) services in Bangladesh, including high transmission speed, the number of mobile internet subscribers has grown considerably during the last five years. During the same time, business models have become increasingly complex in the cellular industry because internet subscribers perceive value differently. This situation originates challenges among the mobile service operators in Bangladesh to create internet subscribers and retain the existing ones, especially the young mobile data users with more switching trends. Therefore, the objective of the study is to identify the determining factors that influence young customers to choose mobile internet services.
Methods: This study is based on primary data collected from 440 young mobile internet users below 30 years old in Bangladesh. The study investigated ten factors of customer preferences for mobile internet, comparing male and female customers using the statistical tools: mean, standard deviation, and two-tailed t-test.
Results: The study results indicate significant differences between female and male customers in mobile internet preference factors, including maximum coverage area, network quality and speed, security and privacy, and customer care. The female customers choose internet packages for security and privacy and a variety of packages, while the male customers choose mobile internet for maximum area of coverage and company image.
Implications: The study findings have critical managerial implications for mobile internet providers to tailor their network and services to create new customers and gain customer retention resulting in significant growth and substantial earnings