International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478)
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The relationship between ease of doing business and FDI attraction in South-Eastern Asia
Get PDFDespite extensive research on foreign direct investment (FDI), the specific dynamics and determinants affecting FDI inflows to South-Eastern Asia remain largely unexplored. This study using Dunning\u27s OLI theory to identify the economic determinants of foreign direct investment (FDI) and examines the correlation between FDI inflows and the ease of doing business (EODB). This study aims to examine the effect of ease of doing business indicators on foreign direct investment inflows and the degree to which they affect the volume of FDI inflows in South-Eastern Asia. Interest in the determinants of foreign direct investment has surged, as it is regarded as essential for capital inflows to poor countries. This research utilises a Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) panel regression to analyse FDI flow variations among seven countries—Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam—during the period from 2006 to 2019. The results indicated a substantial and enduring correlation between foreign direct investment (FDI) and the enforcement of contracts, investor protection, tax compliance, and GDP per capita. The research underscores the significance of EODB variables in attracting FDI to South-East Asia. Policymakers must prioritise enhancing the business environment by streamlining processes, including investor protection and tax system simplification. By prioritising certain sectors, governments can cultivate a more conducive environment for foreign investors, leading to heightened FDI inflows. The results suggest that targeted reforms in these critical sectors can significantly enhance South-East Asia\u27s appeal as a foreign direct investment destination
Addressing nurse turnover in Ghana: the interplay of stress factors, job satisfaction, and transformational leadership
Get PDFWorkplace stress and nurse retention are critical challenges in healthcare, affecting organizational stability and public health outcomes. Therefore, this study investigates the impact of stressors and job satisfaction on nurses’ turnover intentions in the western region of Ghana, with a focus on the moderating role of transformational leadership. Methodologically, a descriptive cross-sectional design was employed to collect data from 364 registered nurses working in four hospitals. Participants completed an online questionnaire measuring stress factors, job satisfaction, turnover intentions, and transformational leadership. Structural equation modelling was employed to analyze the data using Mplus 8.3. The results revealed stressors (stress from workload, superiors, and coworkers and daily life) significantly increased nurses’ turnover intentions while negatively influencing job satisfaction. Job satisfaction was inversely associated with turnover intentions, and transformational leadership moderated this relationship, reducing the likelihood of such intentions. The findings highlight the importance of fostering job satisfaction and implementing transformational leadership strategies, such as mentorship and effective stress management, to alleviate workplace stress and enhance nurse retention. These insights offer valuable guidance for hospital administrators and policymakers in designing interventions to improve nurse retention and overall organizational performance
Financial inclusion through agent banking in Bangladesh: opportunities and challenges
Get PDFFinancial inclusion aims to include the unbanked population in the official financial system. To quickly serve the unbanked population, this study aims to investigate the concept of agent banking as a means of financial inclusion and to assess the elements that influence the acceptance of agent banking in Bangladesh. The study also covered the main advantages of agent banking and pertinent barriers to its adoption. Using a basic judgmental sampling technique, 195 respondents from the Chittagong region made up the study\u27s sample. Face-to-face interviews and a structured questionnaire were used to collect the data. The impact was investigated using statistical measures such as mean, standard deviation, correlation, and regression. Kendall\u27s W test, also known as Kendall\u27s coefficient of concordance, was utilized to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of accepting agent banking in this study. According to the result, there is a significant positive correlation between acceptance of agent banking and independent variables - perceived trust, convenience, perceived risk, awareness, and service quality. The study also found that easy banking is the key reason for agent banking, marked by the respondents, followed by the nearest location and adding new customers. Lack of training is the major challenge, followed by a lack of logistic support and cyber security risk in implementing agent banking in Bangladesh
Financial literacy in SMEs: a study of knowledge and practices in Umgungundlovu District, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Get PDFFinancial literacy is a critical factor that significantly impacts the success and achievement of small and medium enterprises\u27 (SMEs) objectives. Unfortunately, many SMEs struggle with inadequate financial literacy, which hinders their ability to make informed decisions, manage resources effectively and drive growth. This knowledge gap can lead to poor financial planning, inefficient resource allocation and a lack of resilience, ultimately threatening the long-term sustainability of these businesses. By prioritising financial literacy, SMEs can enhance their capacity to develop realistic financial projections and budgets. This study investigated the level of financial literacy among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), examining both their knowledge and practical applications of financial concepts. Additionally, the research explored the correlation between SMEs\u27 financial literacy and their socio-demographic characteristics, such as business size, industry, owner\u27s age, education, and experience. A quantitative research approach was employed to achieve the study\u27s objectives and primary data was collected through a questionnaire survey administered to a sample of 105 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) located in the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23, leveraging both descriptive and inferential statistics to extract insights and meaning from the data. The findings of this study indicate that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the uMgungundlovu District exhibit low levels of financial knowledge and practice. Notably, the research revealed significant positive correlations between financial knowledge and various factors, including: age, qualifications, number of employees and annual turnover. A positive relationship was also established between financial practice and annual turnover. This study recommends that stakeholders, for instance, government agencies and banks should organise financial education programmes that invest in improving financial practices of small and medium enterprises. It is also recommended that small and medium enterprises pursue short courses in basic accounting to improve their knowledge base
An empirical assessment of financial prudence among South African individuals: investigating savings and investment behaviour
Get PDFThis study provides an empirical assessment of financial prudence among South African individuals, focusing on savings and investment behaviour. Prior research highlights a positive correlation between national savings rates and economic growth, with countries exhibiting high saving rates often experiencing stronger economic prosperity. However, as of 2023, South Africa\u27s gross saving rate remains around 17%, ranking the lowest among BRICS nations. In contrast, countries like China and India boast saving rates above 40% and 30% respectively, underscoring South Africa\u27s persistent challenge in fostering a robust savings culture. Despite various initiatives aimed at increasing the national savings rate, these efforts have yet to yield significant improvements. This research explores whether financial prudence characterised by conservative spending and careful planning in the face of future income uncertainty—could contribute to higher personal savings rates. To investigate this, an experimental design was employed where participants were presented with a hypothetical lottery payout scenario to gauge their prudence and its effect on saving behaviour. Analysis of the data indicated that while individuals generally displayed a lack of prudence, prudence itself has a notable influence on savings. Based on these findings, the study recommends that financial products and services in South Africa be designed to be affordable, accessible, and suited to the needs of the population. Additionally, it advocates for government investment in small businesses, job creation, and efforts to attract foreign investment to support a more robust savings culture
Contribution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices to the wellbeing of communities around the North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania
Get PDFCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices of privately owned mining companies have been argued to create benefits to communities’ wellbeing in areas of their operation. However, little is known on the CSR of partly owned government mining companies. Therefore, this paper ought to: examined the contribution of CSR practices of the North Mara Gold Mine in Tanzania to the wellbeing of communities living around the mine. Specifically, it examined and compared levels of household wellbeing before and after the implementation of CSR practices. The study used cross sectional research design and involved 358 households which were selected using systematic random sampling method. The wellbeing index was used to measure levels of wellbeing. Besides, the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to compare wellbeing levels before and after the implementation of the CSR practices. The results revealed that the CSR practices of the North Mara Gold Mine company enabled people to own improved quality housing and valuable assets. Also, the household wellbeing index score was significantly higher after the implementation of the CSR practices. There was a significant difference in wellbeing levels (p<0.001) before and after the implementation of CSR practices. It is recommended that CSR plans to be integrated into company business operations and carefully monitored, evaluated and strictly audited regularly for effective community development
Impact of rewards and benefits on motivation among Allied health professionals in a Public Hospital
Get PDFThe significance of efficient human resource management for organisational sustainability cannot be overstated. Essential to efficient management is the retention of skilled staff to enhance production, achieved through rewards and perks. This study investigated the impact of rewards and bonuses on the motivation of allied health professionals in a public hospital. The study aimed to evaluate the nature of rewards and benefits offered, as well as their perceived motivational impact. A quantitative cross-sectional study design was employed. The study sample, encompassing the complete target group, consisted of 91 individuals. Participants were provided with self-administered questions. The findings indicated that the chosen hospital offers rewards and advantages that comply with national standards. Furthermore, a beneficial impact of rewards and benefits on motivation was demonstrated. According to Herzberg\u27s theory, the findings indicated that the participants considered both hygiene and motivational aspects significant for motivation. Participants expressed that the absence of what they deemed essential characteristics was demoralising. The report advocates for a unified approach to elucidating policies and procedures pertaining to benefits and rewards. This study\u27s managerial consequences necessitate the implementation of policies that employees comprehend and appreciate. The research enhances understanding of employee motivation within a public sector hospital context, where personnel frequently migrate to metropolitan regions
The effect of workplace environment and compensation on employee performance with job satisfaction as an intervening variable; study on employees of Permuda Tirta Kanjuruhan Regency, Malang
Get PDFThis study analyzes the influence of work environment and compensation on employee performance with job satisfaction as an intervening variable in Perumda Tirta Kanjuruhan, Malang Regency. Using the Structural Equation Model (SEM) approach based on Partial Least Square (PLS) on 411 respondents, the results showed that the work environment had a significant positive effect on performance and job satisfaction. Compensation had a negative effect on performance but positive on job satisfaction . Job satisfaction acts as a significant mediator between the work environment and compensation on performance. The dominant factors of the work environment included leadership fairness and communication between colleagues , while compensation was influenced by performance-based appreciation. These findings indicate that compensation injustice and mismatch of employee expectations are the causes of performance declines, even though job satisfaction is able to mediate these negative effects. Research recommends improvements to a holistic work environment (physical, psychological, social) and a transparent and performance-based compensation system to improve organizational productivity. The study contributes to the literature by clarifying the crucial role of job satisfaction as a mediator in work environment relationships, compensation, and employee performance
Analyses of contemporary trends in substance use behaviour: The implication of thought patterns among undergraduate novel users in Nigeria
Get PDFThe escalating use of substances, leading to substance use disorders with numerous culminating health implications and other related consequences is an ever-growing problem in Nigeria. Also, as new psychoactive substances emerge, there seems to be a shift in what is known as the pattern of substance use among Nigerian youngsters. This study investigated the trends in substance use and the predictive impact of irrational thought patterns on substance use among undergraduates in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Participants comprised 300 undergraduates (64% male) selected across three universities in Nigeria, using a purposive sampling technique. They responded to drug abuse screening tests and shortened the general attitude and belief scale. The study hypotheses were tested with a multiple linear regression analysis. Tramadol, cannabis, and alcohol were ranked as the top three substances of first use. Most of the respondents identified that their monthly expenses on drugs outweigh their income. Sexual performance boost, peer influence, and euphoria were reported as the major reasons for the continued use of substances. Also, the results showed that dimensions of thought patterns (rationality, self-downing, need for achievement, need for approval, need for comfort, demand for fairness, and other downing) significantly predict substance use disorder among males (F (7, 283) = 24.19, p < .001, R2 = .846) and female poly-substance users (F (7, 283) = 22.48, p < .001, R2 = .611). It was recommended that more attention should be paid to the cognitive dimensions of young individuals in both preventive and curative interventions for substance use
A critical review of education system in South Africa: Prospects and challenges
Get PDFIn South Africa, education has been strengthened by granting access to everyone. Yet there are significant differences between the apartheid era and the present. However, during apartheid times the curriculum was different. For example, access was limited, instruction was taught in a language other than English, and political power was all exercised over four distinct groups in the school system during apartheid: Whites, Black people, Indians, and Coloured people. While the current South African education system has been instrumental in enhancing the quality of instruction and learning, technological integration, and government, stakeholder, and non-governmental organization intervention, (NGO). Based on writings published within the context of South Africa, we provide a first critique of the country\u27s educational system. Our main goal is to evaluate the shift in concentration to critique the educational system. This study recommends using quantitative research to investigate the outlook of the South African Education System. The South African Education System is critically outlooked in terms of enhancing in its education system, this is due to the lack of Government and Department of Education (DOE) to take initiative