Research & Innovation Initiative Journals
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Digital Diplomacy in Kenya: A Study on X (Twitter) Analysis and Communication Strategies of A Few Selected Diplomatic Actors
Get PDFThe study examined the digital diplomacy practices of three diplomatic actors, namely the US, the UK, and China, in Kenya. To understand how these actors communicate their messages digitally, the study conducted a content analysis of their X tweets, hashtags, hyperlinks, and visuals. Additionally, the study analyzed the tweet impressions section of the posts to gain insight into individual tweet performance, engagement, followers, and following details. These components are crucial in understanding the digital diplomacy practices of the actors. The results showed that the diplomatic actors prioritized following other diplomatic actors, heads of state, online influencers, organizations, projects, and companies of interest, rather than the local Kenyan digital public. The study also found that the preferred topics of the diplomatic actors were tourism, politics, culture, education, and economic development, among others. The reasons for prioritizing certain actors and topics were to monitor activities, protect interests, push foreign policies, expand networks, counter misinformation, and protect image abroad. The findings are presented in the form of a network analysis of tweets to show the communication strategies adopted by the diplomatic actors to influence or exert power over their followers on X
Economic Development and Renewable Energy Nexus in Morocco: Co-Integration and Causality
Get PDFPurpose The present study explores the causal relationships between economic development, renewable energy consumption, nonrenewable energy consumption, and CO2 emissions in the context of Morocco.
Methods The panel unit root test, Auto Regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL), and bounds test were used to assess the co-integration of the variables in the study and the long-run relationship between them. It employs the Granger causality test using a vector error correction model to determine the existence and direction of causality among the variables. It uses Morocco\u27s annual statistical data from 1990 through 2019.
Results The co-integration of the variables in the study was confirmed, implying that a long-run relationship exists between them. The causality test results suggest that a bidirectional causality exists between renewable energy consumption and economic development, which validates the feedback hypothesis of the mutual link between renewable energy consumption and economic development.
Implications These findings suggest that Morocco\u27s economic development is critical in providing the required resources for sustainable development. It also implies that boosting renewable energy utilization would enhance Morocco\u27s economic development and limit environmental degradation
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Learning: Assessing Cognitive, Affective, and Psychomotor Skills
Get PDFThe acquisition of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills is highly important for successful learning outcomes. This article aims to evaluate the Three-Domain Model (TDM) of learning (cognitive, affective, and psychomotor) during the COVID-19 online classes for tertiary students in Bangladesh. This current study aims at the psychometric evaluation and validation of tertiary students\u27 learning loss during the pandemic. A survey questionnaire is administered using the Likert scale. The components of the questionnaire are based on the Three-Domain Model reflecting the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills of the students. The article informs of the learning loss due to the pandemic while suggesting the benefits of online classes. The major finding of the article is that learners lost their skills mainly related to the cognitive domain during the pandemic due to online classes. However, at the same time, their skills related to affective and psychomotor domains increased. Therefore, recommendations for minimizing learning loss are also provided to guide future empirical work in the post-pandemic era
Tax Compliance in Indonesia: A Meta-Analysis
Get PDFPurpose: This study aims to summarize existing research findings regarding the determinants of tax compliance in Indonesia by using Meta-analysis.
Methods International databases (Scopus) and Indonesian-accredited journals (Sinta 2) are employed to collect data. A targeted search is conducted using the keyword “compliance” in connection with tax compliance, tax avoidance, tax evasion, and related terms. We used Harzing’s Publish application in searching for related papers. We begin with an initial sample of 71 meta-analyses and finally have 39 studies as the final sample of our literature review.
Results: We found that a penalty is not the best way to solve compliance issues. In contrast to the traditional (enforcement) paradigm, our investigation revealed that sanctions could not fully explain compliance. Taxpayers should not feel heavily penalized when there is a delay in reporting. Sanctions that are low and less tangible make taxpayers underestimate existing sanctions. Furthermore, tax reform policies such as the Sunset policy (SP), are not regular provisions that are used consistently. SP is a particular tax policy that eliminates tax penalties for individual taxpayers who have recently registered and amended their tax returns.
Implications: This study has substantial implications for the Directorate General of Taxes (GDT) concerning the policy approaches in dealing with tax non-compliance. The Indonesian tax authority needs to shift from sanction to voluntary compliance by framing a friendly approach in dealings with taxpayers.
Originality: To our knowledge, this is the first study to review the determinants that influence tax compliance specifically in Indonesia using a meta-analysis lens.
Limitations: Some important studies are not accessed because of budget limitations
Self-Employment in Cameroon: Do Technical Education and Credit Availability Matter?
Get PDFPurpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of self-employment in the Ndop Central sub-division in the North West Region of Cameroon. Specifically, the study aimed to examine the usefulness of technical education and finance in the creation of self-employment in the sub-division.
Methods: Using a survey research design, data were collected from primary sources with the help of a questionnaire. The convenience sampling technique was used to collect the needed data from a sample of 384 people from three villages of the sub-division. Binary logistics was used to analyze the data.
Results: Results revealed that the coefficient of technical education was significant and negative (-2.6581). This finding signifies that graduates from the technical system of education are less likely to join self-employment as compared to graduates of general education background. Also, the availability of finance was seen to have a negative effect on the probability of being self-employed (-0.0632). It implies that individuals who have easy access to loans are less likely to be self-employed.
Implication: The study is expected to guide the government to revisit the curriculum and focus of technical education in the country, as regards its contribution to the unemployment problem of the country. The study also points to the fact that those who have access to loans are not those who deserve it
Impact of Globalization on Human Rights in Developing Countries: Connecting the Dots towards the SDGs
Get PDFThis study focuses on the complex interaction between globalization and human rights. The study uses a multifaceted approach to analyze the possible overlaps and conflicts between globalization and human rights to find ways to lessen negative effects and maximize good ones. The research intends to identify the gaps and possibilities of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by looking at the particular difficulties encountered by developing countries. The study reveals the intricate interactions between globalization and human rights using data from several case studies as well as a thorough examination of the literature. It identifies several significant impact areas, such as labor rights, access to healthcare and education, environmental sustainability, gender equality, and the defense of indigenous peoples\u27 rights. Additionally, the study evaluates how governments, civil society, international organizations, and other stakeholders are addressing the adverse effects of globalization on human rights and sustainable development. The paper unleashes mitigating factors and emphasizes the obligations of the many UN stakeholders to defend human rights and assist in the achievement of the SDGs. By resolving these issues, developing nations may more effectively take advantage of globalization\u27s potential advantages while defending human rights and pursuing sustainable development objectives within the SDG framework. One of the key limitations of this paper is the lack of access to achieving primary data and the generalization of the concept itself. The impact of globalization has a deeper and specific scope of discussion
Does Corporate Governance Matter for Bank Performance and Risk-taking? Insights from the Nepalese Banking Industry
Get PDFPurpose: This study empirically examines the linkages of corporate governance with the performance and risk-taking of Nepalese banks.
Methods: The study uses balanced panel data collected from annual reports [2010-2018] of the selected nineteen banks, including seven foreign-owned banks and twelve domestic banks. The study employs a descriptive and causal-comparative research design with the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression approach.
Results: The results reveal that a greater number of board meetings and audit committee meetings leads to better performance and lower risk. The independent sample t-test results show that foreign-owned banks significantly differ from domestic banks using corporate governance mechanisms except for board size and audit committee size. Cohen\u27s d results reveal that the number of board-level committees has a medium effect and all other corporate governance variables have a lesser effect on domestic banks than on foreign-owned banks.
Implications: The study has policy-level implications for the regulators to emphasize the provisions relating to board size, audit committee size, and their respective meetings for enhancing financial stability. Similarly, the study findings also facilitate bankers to look after and make changes to corporate governance practices prudently.
Originality: This study uses Tobin\u27s Q to measure bank performance and employs a Z-score to measure bank risk-taking behavior, which makes it one of the very few studies that explain the impact of corporate governance on bank performance and bank risk-taking
Strategic Choices of Moroccan Agri-food SME Exporters
Get PDFPurpose This study aims to ascertain whether or not there is an ultimate strategy for improving the export performance of Moroccan SMEs operating in the agri-food sector.
Methods Performance is apprehended in this research by two variables (export performance and the evolution of export turnover). At the same time, strategic choices are split into six orientations: differentiation, cost leadership, focus, marketing diversification, innovation, and alliance. Data are collected from a sample of 25 SMEs. Chi-square (Chi) and FCA (Factorial correspondence analysis) determine the relationship between two variables in a population by plotting statistical maps of the contingency table.
Results Based on the survey, the commercial performance of Moroccan SME exporters operating in the agri-food sector remains unaffected by the selection and implementation of a particular strategy.
Implications The result implies that no single strategy can be deemed superior to another. Instead, hybrid strategies are adopted and integrated based on individual companies\u27 unique requirements, objectives, and limitations
Addressing Instability in Afghani (Afghan Currency): Exploring the Strategies for Achieving Stability
Get PDFThe study aims to explore the monetary policy of the Afghanistan Bank, the instability of the Afghan currency, and the causes and strategies for achieving stability for the Afghan currency. A qualitative approach was used to gain an in-depth knowledge of the issues. By using a semi-structured interview, the professional participants were selected through the snowball sampling technique. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed through a thematic analysis framework. The study addressed instability in the Afghani currency and its causes including trade imbalance in favor of imports, smuggling of the foreign reserve, lack of foreign aid, lack of control of the natural resources, lack of foreign investment, inefficiency in monetary and fiscal policy, fluctuation in the international market, the influence of mafia groups in the currency exchange market and their fraudulent propaganda. This study also observes the need for developing strategies, and policies for achieving currency stability, like increasing the balance of exports as compared to imports, preventing the smuggling of foreign reserves, efforts to obtain foreign aid, ensuring political stability, ensuring a congenial environment for internal and external investors, efficient and effective control on monetary and fiscal policy, and preventing mafia groups and their fraudulent propaganda in the currency exchange Markets. The study findings have significant implications for the policymakers to ensure the stability of the Afghan Currency.
Absorptive Capabilities as Determinants of Economic Sustainability of Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises
Get PDFPurpose – Drawing from the Absorptive Capabilities theory, this paper examines the role played by dimensions of absorptive capabilities (i.e., knowledge acquisition, knowledge assimilation, knowledge transformation, and knowledge exploitation) on the economic sustainability of SMEs in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach – This study uses a cross-sectional research design to collect quantitative data from 343 owners/managers of SMEs in Plateau State. Structural equation modeling through the use of the Analysis of Moments of Structures (AMOS) software, version 23 was employed to test the hypotheses.
Findings – Research results indicate that all the dimensions of absorptive capabilities exert significant influence on the economic sustainability of SMEs. Thus the dimensions of absorptive capabilities serve as the antecedents of the economic sustainability of SMEs could be realized.
Limitations- The focus of this study is on SMEs in Plateau State alone. The use of a cross-sectional design may also undermine the results of the study.
Implications – This work adds to existing research on the subject of sustainability by revealing that dimensions of absorptive capabilities are necessary for the attainment of economic sustainability.
Originality – Based on current literature, studies on the dimensions of absorptive capabilities as predictor variables are limited. No study has been conducted on the influence of absorptive capabilities using four dimensions, on the economic sustainability of SMEs. Thus it is a pioneering study in terms of both content and context.