International Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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The Integration of Industry 4.0 Technologies in the Hospitality Sector
Get PDFPurpose: The hospitality sector is also experiencing significant digital change by embracing such Industry 4.0 technologies as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data analytics, and robotics. The research aims to determine how these technologies are transforming hotel operations, customer experience, and the labor force, and identify gaps and challenges that inhibit effective implementation.
Methodology: The paper uses the qualitative literature review of scholarly articles and industry reports published recently to generalize the current knowledge, identify gaps, and suggest future areas of research.
Findings: The results indicate that AI and chatbots can improve personalization and overall efficiency of staff, yet provoke some ethical issues concerning bias, transparency, and multilingual dialog. IoT facilitates smart rooms, predictive maintenance, and energy efficiency, but it also presents serious security and privacy concerns. Big Data allows better revenue management and optimal services, although it comes at the cost of regulatory compliance (GDPR). The adoption of robotics can reduce or eliminate labor shortages and promote consistency in services. Still, it differs depending on the cultural context, with Japan having adopted automation to a larger degree compared to the United States. Nevertheless, some challenges remain, including the cost of implementation, uncertainty over ROI, loss of jobs, and the limited ability of SMEs to scale.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study suggests a balanced approach to the implementation of Industry 4.0 in the hospitality sector, which will focus on the cost-benefit justification in terms of ROI case studies, data governance, ethical protection measures, and reskilling as part of the workforce adjustment process. Future studies need to look at longitudinal studies of technology outcomes, cross-cultural adoption strategies, and workforce integration frameworks
Evaluation of the Efficiency of the Prison Programs for Ex-Prison Convicts to Integrate in Society upon Their Release in Zanzibar
Get PDFPurpose: This study explores the efficiency of the prison programs for ex-prison convicts to integrate into society upon their release in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The target population was the ex-offenders, prison officials and community.
Methodology: The study employed questionnaires and interview which were conducted to ex-prisoners, prison officials, member of the community, focal group discussions and observations and data were analyzed thematically. A sample size of 104 participants and respondents were involved in the study.
Findings: The study Findings showed that that majority of the people agreed that, the authority have capacity to change the behavior of the prisoners in Zanzibar. This has been revealed to the study findings which show that 81 respondents out of 104 which is equal to 77.9% of the total study respondents agreed and twenty three (22.1%) respondents who did react by saying disagreed. This means to say that capacity of the authority had nothing to contribute on the behavior change of the prisoners in Zanzibar. Also, the study findings disclosed that majority of the people agreed that, there are some challenges face the prison authority in dealing with the behaviour of the prisoners to be law abiding citizens and avoid re-offending tendency in Zanzibar. This has been discovered by the study findings which indicates that sixty six respondents out of 104 which is equal to 58.7% from the total study respondents and forty three (41.3%) respondents disagree. The study recommends that the government should solve the challenges facing prison authority to perform its activities effectively. Also the government should continue with its effort by making collaboration with national and international stakeholders to be able to provide more effective rehabilitation programs.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that the government should solve the challenges facing prison authority to perform its activities effectively, also the government should continue with its effort by making collaboration with national and international stakeholders to be able to provide more effective rehabilitation programs on other hand the community has to support government in fighting against crime, receiving and educating the ex-prisoners, teaching the children good behavior and maintaining cultural identity, call for the legal reforms to address the issues of rehabilitation and reintegration in generally
ActionAid International Kenya’s Initiatives in Fostering Good Governance in Garissa County, Kenya
Get PDFPurpose: The study sought to assess the effectiveness of ActionAid International Kenya’s initiatives in fostering good governance in Garissa County. Specifically, it examined the influence of grassroots advocacy, legal support, and community mobilization on governance outcomes.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to evaluate how selected governance strategies affect local public participation and transparency. The sample comprised 177 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed through descriptive statistics and Pearson product-moment correlation using SPSS version 26.
Findings: Results revealed that grassroots advocacy had a mean of 3.40 (r = 0.507, p < 0.001), legal support had a mean of 3.26 (r = 0.548, p < 0.001), and community mobilization had a mean of 3.33 (r = 0.614, p < 0.001), indicating strong positive relationships with good governance outcomes.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study supports Participatory Governance Theory and Accountability Theory by emphasizing the importance of civic involvement and institutional transparency. Practically, it recommends strengthening grassroots forums, legal aid accessibility, and community mobilization efforts
Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs in Nairobi County: The Role of Microcredit Access Channels
Get PDFPurpose: Promoting women’s empowerment remains a central development priority across Africa and other regions of the Global South, where persistent gender disparities constrain women’s participation in economic activities. While global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 emphasize gender equality and equitable access to financial resources, the practical realization of these commitments often depends on how financial services are delivered. Although microcredit is widely recognized as a tool for fostering financial inclusion, many women entrepreneurs still face barriers linked to the channels through which credit is accessed. This study therefore examined the influence of microcredit access channels on the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Nairobi County, drawing on Feminist Theory to guide its conceptual framing.
Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional design and employed a quantitative approach to ensure objectivity and accuracy of findings. The target population comprised 921 women entrepreneurs operating licensed microenterprises within 12 rental markets in Nairobi County. Using systematic sampling, 279 respondents were selected and primary data was collected through structured questionnaires. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, with coefficients above 0.6 considered acceptable. Data analysis entailed both descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and inferential techniques, that is linear regression, to test the study hypothesis.
Findings: Results revealed that the channel used to access microcredit significantly influences the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Nairobi County (β = 0.643, p = .000). Specifically, flexible and inclusive channels-particularly digital platforms-were associated with improved access and utilization of microcredit, thereby enhancing empowerment outcomes.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that microcredit providers, including commercial banks, microfinance institutions and digital lenders, strengthen digital platforms by investing in user-friendly applications, multilingual support and customized services tailored to women entrepreneurs. Capacity-building initiatives should equip women with the necessary skills to effectively use digital tools, while policymakers should develop supportive fintech infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that promote innovation, consumer protection and inclusion for underserved women borrowers
The Role of Corporate Communications in Enhancing Employee Engagement: A Structured Communications Approach for Various Use Cases
Get PDFPurpose: The purpose of this research is to fill the gap in existing literature by examining employee engagement needs and how those needs can be addressed through corporate communication practices.
Methodology: The research will examine a Gallup Q12 survey report and analyse the employee engagement needs and how those needs relate to other aspects of the workplace culture. By synthesizing the findings from the literature and extracting insights from the secondary data, the study aim is to suggest a simple corporate communications model that can be implemented in the workplace to enhance employee engagement.
Findings: The study showed that the collective impact of the opportunity to do what can be done best, the commitment to the company’s purpose while having less close friends at work, has a positive impact on employee engagement – which draws attention to the need of balancing social connections with the needs of employee performance and commitment.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The research will suggest a corporate communications model that can be implemented in the workplace to enhance employee engagement. Recommendations may include effective use of the different communication channels, employee interactions, as well as understanding the impact of job satisfaction, commitment, and performance on employee engagement and how this relates to communication practices
Virtual Empathy: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Digital Communication on Interpersonal Relationships and Social Dynamics
Get PDFPurpose: The aim of this systematic review is to determine how virtual empathy, as a multidimensional psychological construct, manifests within digitally mediated interactions and to examine its impact on emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, and patterns of social connectedness. The analysis encompasses both cognitive and affective components of empathy, their variations depending on communication modalities, as well as empathy-related dysfunctions conditioned by technological factors. The review also includes studies that investigate the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) in the modulation of emotional processes, moral evaluation, and neurocognitive sensitivity within digital contexts.
Methodology: This systematic review includes the analysis of 42 empirical studies published between 2013 and 2024, identified through a structured search of major scientific databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar. A qualitative content analysis was used to synthesize key findings, with a focus on psychological and neurocognitive mechanisms relevant to the phenomenon of virtual empathy. The selected studies span various research designs, experimental, longitudinal, survey-based, and meta-analytic, and examine digital mechanisms such as emojis, avatars, algorithmic content personalization, and interactive AI-based systems. The analytical approach is oriented toward identifying how digital environments compensate for the absence of nonverbal cues and mediate empathic processes through symbolic and immersive technologies.
Findings: The systematic review suggests that virtual empathy has a significant impact on emotional regulation and the quality of interpersonal relationships in digital contexts. Digital platforms, especially those utilizing Virtual Reality (VR), can facilitate the development of cognitive and affective empathy, particularly when the content stimulates perspective-taking and emotional resonance. However, specific limitations of digital communication, including the absence of nonverbal cues, emotional superficiality, and the dominance of algorithmically shaped “echo chambers,” may substantially reduce the authenticity of empathic responses. Furthermore, chronic exposure to digitally mediated content may lead to gradual desensitization to others’ emotions, potentially impairing moral sensitivity and eroding social cohesion.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice, and Policy: This review advances theoretical understanding through the synthesis of classical frameworks, such as Social Presence Theory and Media Richness Theory, with emerging constructs like simulated affectivity and algorithmic mediation, offering an enhanced model of digital empathy. It provides insights into how virtual environments shape moral reasoning, emotional regulation, and prosocial behavior. It provides insights into how virtual environments shape moral reasoning, emotional regulation, and prosocial behavior. At the practical level, it offers recommendations for the design of emotionally intelligent digital tools and educational programs aimed at preventing empathic desensitization. At the policy level, it highlights the need for ethical standards to regulate algorithmic content and promote inclusive, emotionally authentic communication. It also opens avenues for interdisciplinary research into the psychological implications of contemporary technologies
Governance Implications of Leadership in Smart Cities Development
Get PDFPurpose: The general objective of this study was to explore the governance implications of leadership in smart cities development.
Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.
Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the governance implications of leadership in smart cities development. Preliminary empirical review revealed that effective leadership was essential for successful smart city governance, helping to bridge the gap between technological innovation and citizen-centered development.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended investing in leadership development, embedding citizen participation in governance, and building cross-sectoral leadership networks to strengthen smart city projects and ensure sustainable, inclusive urban growth
Impact of Digital Leadership on Organizational Resilience in the Face of Crisis: A Study of the Netherlands
Get PDFPurpose: To aim of the study was to analyze the impact of digital leadership on organizational resilience in the face of crisis: a study of the Netherlands.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: Digital leadership significantly enhances organizational resilience during crises in the Netherlands. Leaders who foster innovation, agility, and data-driven decision-making helped organizations quickly adapt, ensuring continuity through digital tools like remote working and e-commerce. The findings stress the importance of investing in digital leadership development to strengthen resilience and prepare for future disruptions.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Transformational leadership theory, dynamic capabilities theory & contingency theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of digital leadership on organizational resilience in the face of crisis: a study of the Netherlands. Organizations in the Netherlands should prioritize the development of digital leadership competencies at all levels. Leaders should be equipped with the skills to lead digital transformations, promote innovation, and manage technological shifts that are critical in ensuring organizational resilience. The government of the Netherlands can support the development of digital leadership through policy initiatives that promote the adoption of digital technologies across industries
The Effect of Perceived Pressure on Occupational Fraud among Insurance Companies in Kenya
Get PDFPurpose: Insurance companies have recurrently fallen prey to fraudulent activities, as criminals actively target them with the aim of illicitly benefiting from premium payments and other forms of payments which they do not rightfully deserve. The study assessed the effect of perceived pressure on occupational fraud in insurance companies in Kenya.
Methodology: The study adopted the explanatory research design. The target population comprised of the 58 insurance companies that are registered under the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA). The validity and reliability of the research instruments was tested before the actual data is collected. The validity and reliability of the research instruments was tested before the actual data is collected. The study adopted stratified random sampling procedure. The sample size for the study was 384 employees. The study collected primary data through Semi –structured questionnaires and interview guides. The data collected was then edited, coded and analyzed using the SPSS v27 statistical software. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to determine mean, standard deviation, frequency counts and percentages which was also be presented in output tables as results. Inferential statistics involved simple and linear regression and correlation analyses. The research findings were presented in tables and graphs.
Findings: The findings were both the correlation and regression results. (r = 0.666, R2= 0.444; β = 0.578, p < 0.05) showed there is a statistically significant relation between perceived pressure and occupational fraud.
Unique Contribution to Theory Practice and Policy: The study recommended that insurance companies should implement robust financial wellness programs and counseling services to help employees manage financial stress, especially during economic challenges
Religious Mysticism in Literature: Shaping the Integration of Philosophical Thought in Germany
Get PDFPurpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the religious mysticism in literature: Shaping the integration of philosophical thought in Germany.
Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
Findings: Religious mysticism in German literature fused transcendent spiritual experiences with emerging philosophical ideas. Works by mystic figures like Meister Eckhart challenged traditional dogmas and bridged the gap between spirituality and rational inquiry. This synthesis enriched modern German thought and fostered a legacy of reflective intellectual exploration.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Hermeneutics theory, phenomenology theory & semiotic theory may be used to anchor future studies on religious mysticism in literature: shaping the integration of philosophical thought in Germany. Educators and practitioners should integrate religious mysticism into curricula and creative programs to foster a balanced dialogue between analytical and experiential modes of thought. Policymakers are encouraged to support initiatives that fund interdisciplinary research and educational programs at the nexus of literature, mysticism, and philosophy