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The Impact and Resilience of Mauritian SMEs: Sales Dynamics during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on the global economy, significantly impacting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mauritius. This study investigates the sales dynamics of local SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a quantitative survey, data was collected data on sales performance during the pandemic to gain comprehensive insights into the challenges faced and the adaptive strategies employed by these businesses. The findings underscore the challenges that the majority of participants encountered during the pandemic, with a notable decline in sales emerging as a central concern. The study reveals the diverse measures adopted by these enterprises to navigate the unprecedented economic turbulence. Notably, many turned to online sales channels, implemented cost-cutting measures, and adjusted their workforce. Furthermore, our research sheds light on the perceptions of government intervention among these businesses. A significant proportion expressed satisfaction with the government\u27s response, believing in its effectiveness. This study offers valuable insights into the multifaceted impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local SMEs in Mauritius and identifies the strategies adopted by these enterprises to adapt to the continually evolving economic landscape. These findings hold significance for policymakers, business proprietors, and other stakeholders as they craft and implement strategies to support and rejuvenate local businesses in the post-pandemic era.  
Digital transformation: A roadmap to leverage businesses for SMEs
Get PDFCOVID-19 has been a critical turning point for businesses worldwide, compelling them to adopt digital technologies to sustain their economic activity. However, with limited resources such as budget constraints, transforming business strategies to integrate digital technologies is tedious. As the global market continues to evolve into a dynamic digitalised landscape, adopting digital transformation has become essential for businesses, especially start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to remain competitive. Consequently, this study presents a roadmap for start-ups and SMEs to guide them in looking for support in digital technologies to leverage their businesses. The methodology includes a review of the industry’s best practices and case studies based on successful implementation, while fostering a customer-centric approach. Visits to trade fairs and interviews with small business owners were conducted (1) to understand the challenges faced by SMEs and (2) to identify their need to use digital technologies. The results show that one of the main challenges SMEs face is that apart from the lack of proper infrastructure, they lack confidence in adopting technology in their business. They require knowledge of digital technologies to properly define their requirements and use digital platforms. A framework mapped on the hierarchy of effects model is proposed to assist SMEs embarking on digital transformation systematically to learn, adapt, evolve, and sustain their businesses based on their needs and pace. This research contributes to the strategic roadmap, which provides step-by-step guidelines to support SMEs that could be part of their respective countries’ economic growth.
CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION OF WATER-BASED ECOTOURISM: THE PERSPECTIVE OF MANAGEMENT OF THE PAGA CROCODILES’ PONDS IN NORTHERN GHANA
Get PDFGhana boasts of several ecotourist sites such as the Paga crocodile ponds which are contributing to the development of local communities. However, ecotourism is climate sensitive thus any changes in climate consequently affect it. It is therefore, not surprising that climate change is affecting ecotourism. Evidence abounds in Ghana of an increase in temperature and a decrease in mean annual rainfall in all the country’s ecological zones with this having an impact on ecotourism such as the Paga Crocodiles ponds. To promote ecotourism under this changing climate, local communities in the country have put in place some measures to adapt. This article, therefore, interrogates the management of the Paga crocodiles’ pond of the existing practices, perceptions and impacts of climate change, and the nature of the current institutional arrangements to promote adaptation. It specifically addresses these objectives: (i) the practices of the Crocodile ponds as tourist sites (ii) climate change perceptions of and impacts on crocodiles’ ponds and (ii) the nature of current institutions in promoting adaptation. Considered the first study, an exploratory design that used in-depth interviews, observation and desk review was applied to generate primary and secondary data for analysis. Tourist guards, the earth priest, local tourist committee members, elders and other opinion leaders of the two tourist sites were contacted. The results revealed that climate change manifestations in the form of an increase in temperature and a decrease in temperature have significant impacts on the ponds and their tourist activities. Water levels in the ponds decreased while water temperature increased causing the crocodiles out of their habitats which sometimes resulted in their death. The ponds have also been invaded by alien crocodile species that sometimes attack the local reptiles. To adapt, management recombines informal practices and institutions with formal institutions resulting in what is called institutional bricolage. 
J. J. Rawlings and religious pluralism: A historical analysis of the man and his religious space in Ghana, 1981-2001: J. J. Rawlings and religious pluralism: A historical analysis of the man and his religious space in Ghana, 1981-2001
No full textJerry John Rawlings came to the national limelight when he attempted a coup in May 1979. On the 4th of June 1979, he was released from prison by some Junior Officers of the Ghana Armed Forces and became the Head of State after a successful coup de ’tat, by the Junior Ranks of the Ghana Armed Forces. After a short stint in what he called house cleaning, J.J. Rawlings handed over power to the People’s National Party led by Dr. Hilla Liman. On the 31st of December 1981, J.J. Rawlings staged another coup to overthrow the government of Dr. Hilla Liman. This coup led to the establishment of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC). J.J. Rawlings ruled for 11 years as a military dictator and later 8 years as a civilian democratic leader. This article discusses the Man, J.J. Rawlings and the country\u27s religious situation during 1981-2001. The article historicizes the space that J.J. Rawlings gave to the various religions to operate in the country. It also examines how the three main religions of Ghana, namely, Indigenous African Religion, Christianity and Islam all co-existed and found space in national affairs under him. Our position is that even though J.J. Rawlings introduced the PNDCL221, which to some extent, outlawed some religious denominations on the grounds of not meeting the standards, such intervention largely brought sanity to the religious space in the country. Again, the fact that the three main religions found space in national affairs during the regime of J.J. Rawlings underscored how religious pluralism reached its crescendo in the country from 1982 to 2001
ADOPTING A STRICT LIABILITY APPROACH TOWARD GENOCIDE
Get PDFThe Genocide Convention lists intent as a critical element that must be proven to secure convictions for genocide. Many defendants have been acquitted or convicted of lesser crimes due to the difficulty in proving genocidal intent. The argument presented in this paper is that the large-scale negative impact of genocide on humanity should be considered when defining its scope in penal legislation. A fortiori, the crime of genocide should be given similar consideration to other crimes that have been classified as strict liability crimes due to their severity and cost to society. Intent as an element should, therefore, be deduced from the general purpose of the perpetrator’s acts. Although the strict legality principle is not perfect and has some flaws, it is still the most just, effective, coherent, persuasive, and proper reading of the genocide convention. The goal here is to contribute to the conversation on the limitations of genocidal intent to the effectiveness of the enforcement of the crime of genocide in international criminal law
Study Habit and Mathematics Anxiety of Secondary School Students in Ogun West Senatorial District, Nigeria: Study Habit and Mathematics Anxiety of Secondary School Students in Ogun West Senatorial District, Nigeria
No full textMathematics is a core subject in Nigeria and most countries of the world. However, one of the attributed causes of poor performance in mathematics is mathematics anxiety. Hence, this study focused on the influence of study habit on the mathematics anxiety of senior secondary school students in Ogun West Senatorial District, Nigeria. The Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale-revised (MARS-R) of Plake and Perker (1982) and the Study Habit Inventory of Bakare (1977) were used as instruments for the study. Data collected were statistically tested at 0.05 level of significance. The analysis of covariance and t-test were used to analyse data. Results revealed that although there was no significant difference in the effect of different categories of study habit (low moderate and high) on students’ mathematics anxiety, a significant relationship exists between study habit and mathematics anxiety of students in Ogun West Senatorial District.. The study also revealed that students with high study habit had more mathematics anxiety than those with medium and low study habits respectively. In this regard, the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) should include study habit techniques in the secondary school curriculum. Teachers and counselors should also be more proactive in guiding students to cultivate effective study habits so that their mathematical abilities can be enhance
Innovative Utilization of Information and Communication Technology in Hotels: Perspectives of Managers of Star-Rated Hotels in the Kumasi Metropolitan Area
Get PDFEven though information and communication technology provide an important role in hotel service and aid service efficacy in customer satisfaction, little literature exists on it in the study area. The study assessed managers’ perception of innovative utilization of ICT in star-rated hotels in the Kumasi metropolitan area. Emphasis was laid on the relevance and reasons for the innovative use of ICT in hotels. A qualitative approach was adopted for the study and 50 hotel managers were sampled. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data solicited. Results of the study established that managers were of the view that the innovative use of ICT in hotel service was relevant and reasons for which the hotels have innovatively used ICT in their service delivery were achieved. However, the innovative use of ICT in hotels may create problems such as high cost of initial investment, cost of training employees and poor employer-employee relations. The study discovered that the hotels have made good use of ICT innovatively to sustain their business. The study unearthed that hotels must be abreast with ICT use as it has become a tool for attracting guests to hotels
Factors influencing senior staff training transfer: Evidence from the University of Cape Coast
Get PDFThis paper examined the factors influencing employee training transfer by drawing evidence from the University of Cape Coast. The study used the explanatory research design and a cross-sectional survey strategy. Primary data were gathered from 250 respondents out of 500 trained Senior Staff (SS) of the University of Cape Coast (UCC) with the aid of a questionnaire. This study adopted the partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique to test the research hypotheses. This study is limited to SS in UCC, Ghana. Hence, the results may not be generalizable to other districts and sectors. The results revealed that motivation to transfer, the opportunity to transfer, supervisory support, and training design have a significant relationship with training transfer by SS in UCC. The study identified factors influencing SS training transfer, taking evidence from UCC. Human Resource Directorates/Departments can strategize to influence SS training transfer. This paper is unique because it attempts to research training transfer from a developing country\u27s perspective. Evidence from this paper reveals a topic that is not well-researched in the Ghanaian setting. It recognizes the need to offer practical help to HRD practitioners and international consultants and provides theoretical insights to HRD scholars
Youth involvement in rice production: A panacea for youth restiveness in Anambra State, Nigeria
Get PDFThere is a great concern about youth restiveness due to growing unemployment in Nigeria, whereas agriculture is a huge business space with the potential for youth involvement and employment. The study sought to ascertain the level of youths\u27 involvement in rice production in Anambra State, Nigeria. Eighty youths were purposively selected because of the preponderance of rice production in the area. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule and were analysed using mean, standard deviation, and multiple linear regression. The study revealed that youths were into the planting of rice seedlings, buying and selling of seedlings, harvesting, and fertilizer application. Sex and level of education significantly influenced youths\u27 involvement in rice production. The youths were constrained majorly by the high cost of inputs, and lack of funds to expand production. Adequate and comprehensive training on rice production and enforcement of practical agriculture curricula in schools were identified as possible strategies for improving youths\u27 involvement in rice production. The study concluded that youth were into rice production though influenced by their level of education and sex. The government should make rice production attractive to the youth by eliminating the constraining factors associated with it
DATA PROTECTION AND PRIVACY CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA: LESSONS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS
Get PDFData protection and privacy challenges are prevailing issues in Nigeria and other developing countries in Africa. The crux of this paper is to examine the extent of the data and privacy challenges existing in Nigeria. Through a comparative analysis, this paper examined the existing provisions of data protection laws in some European countries and those of Nigeria with the aim of revealing the consequence of insufficient legislation to protect data or data users\u27 privacy, the applicability and responsiveness of existing data protection laws in Nigeria, the dearth of legal precedents, the appalling lack of awareness of data privacy rights, and how it tends to handle or manage human rights violations. The paper adopts the doctrinal research method to identify these issues and propose viable solutions by comparatively examining the protection of data in Europe, with a focus on the legal regimes of data protection in the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. The paper concludes that Nigeria requires thorough data protection legislation like that of developed nations to provide effective data protection and a robust enforcement framework