AMU Journal System (Arba Minch University)
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The Impacts of Political Unrest, Firm Specific and Macroeconomic Factors on the Financial Performance of Insurance Industry in Ethiopia during Youth-Led Mass Anti-Government Protests (2014-2022)
Get PDFThis study investigates the impacts of political unrest; firm-specific and macroeconomic factors on the financial performance of the insurance industry in Ethiopia during youth-led mass anti-government protests. The study used, Return on Assets (ROA) and Return on Equity (ROE) as dependent variables. Eight key independent (internal and external) variables are also used. The study selected 17 out of 18 due to the availability of data for the period ranging from 2014 to 2022. The descriptive and multiple regression analyses were done. The results of the study indicate that political violence and terrorism (PV&T) have a negative and significant effect on ROA and ROE, while GDP has a positive and significant effect on ROA and ROE. The findings also show that financial risk (FR) has a negative and significant effect on ROA and ROE but a positive and significant effect on ROA and ROE. Furthermore, the study reveals that the size of company (SZ) and premium growth (PG) have a significant and positive impact on ROA but insignificant effect on ROE as well as liquidity (LQ) and asset tangibility (ATG) have a significant negative effect on ROE but insignificant effect on ROA. The inflation rate (INF) has no effect for both models on Ethiopian insurance financial performance. This study is considered one of the first pioneering studies that determined the factors affecting the financial performance of insurance companies in Ethiopia. Therefore, the study gives good insights to policymakers, regulators, and interested parties about enhancing the profitability of insurance companies in Ethiopia.
Keyword: - political unrest, firm specific factor, macroeconomic factor, financial performance, insurance industry, Ethiopia JEL Classification G22 G32 F5
Challenges Faculty Faced while Utilizing ICT Tools for Self-Directed Professional Development at Selected Public Universities
Get PDFThis study investigates the prevalent challenges faculty face when utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) for self-directed professional development (SDPD) at selected public universities in Ethiopia. To address the study's objectives, the researchers employed a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from a large sample size. We selected 205 lecturers through a systematic random sampling technique for the questionnaire survey. We applied mean ranks to identify the prevalent challenges faculty faced when utilizing ICT for SDPD. The results highlighted the multifaceted challenges faculty faced, of which slow internet connections, limited ICT training, a lack of technical support, and power interruptions are predominant. Policymakers and educational leaders are suggested to create more enabling conditions for faculty to effectively utilize technology for professional growth and development. Additionally, universities are recommended to provide comprehensive ICT training programs and technical support systems to address the challenges faculty face
Ezo_ote (ILRI_5527A): Registration of high-yielding dual purpose oat variety for Ethiopian agriculture
Get PDFThe forage dry matter, seed yield, and fodder quality were found to be far below their potential in Ethiopia. One possible reason may be the limited availability of stable, high-yielding quality forage varieties in the mid- and highlands of the country. A field study was conducted to assess and introduce stable, high-yielding, and disease-resistant oat varieties. Eleven genotypes were compared at four locations (Arba Minch, Areka, Bonga, and Hawassa) during the 2018 and 2019 cropping seasons. Then, the performance of Ezo_ote (ILRI_5527) was verified on farms and on-stations and compared with two standard checks (SRCPX80AB2806 and SRCPX80AB2291) during the 2020–2021 main cropping seasons. The Ezo_ote (ILRI_5527A) variety performed better in most agronomic traits than both standard checks. Ezo_ote (ILRI_5527A) had an average dry matter yield of 12.59 t/ha, a seed yield of 3.6 t/ha, and a crude protein yield of 1.48 t/ha. The yield advantages of dry matter yield, seed yield, and crude protein yield were 8 and 21%, 0 and 9%, and 22.12 and 77.78% over the SRCPX80AB2806 and SRCPX80AB2291 varieties, respectively. Moreover, the new variety had shorter days of flowering and forage harvesting, and was resistant to septoria net blotch and yellow rust diseases. Therefore, Ezo_ote was found to be a superior oat variety in the checks and other trial varieties. The National Variety Release Committee (NVRC) approved Ezo_ote (ILRI_5527A) as a dual-purpose crop variety for cultivation and research in mid to high altitudes of Ethiopia.
Keywords: Avena sativa L; Crude protein yield; Dual purpose; Ezo_ote; ILRI_5527
Remote sensing approach to evaluate the effect of short-term land cover change on flood inundation and impact, Lower Awash Basin, Ethiopia.
No full textFlood risk management has been severely constrained by limited information on the causes and impacts of flooding. In this study, we evaluated the contribution of short-term land cover change of Logiya catchment to flood inundation and impact on Dubti town and it’s surrounding in the Lower Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. The land cover maps were generated by applying a machine learning algorithm on the Sentinel-2 optical satellite images. Land cover and soil data were used to generate the Curve Number (CN) map of the study area for the period stretching from 2017 and 2023. Sentinel-1 based flood maps show that roads and irrigation canals were washed away by the 2020 extreme flood which led to the inundation and abandoning of the Tendaho irrigation scheme. The runoff generating potential (CN) significantly increased over 27% of the Logiya catchment between 2017 and 2023 contributing to enhance flooding. The remote sensing analysis showed that overflow of the Logiya River in 2020 was intercepted and conveyed by the main irrigation canal of the Tendaho scheme resulting in inundation of the Dubti and surrounding. Availability of earth observation data (e.g Sentinel-1 SAR on the study area every 6 days at 10m resolution for 7 years) enabled detail characterization of the cause, dynamics and impacts of the historical flood events. This study’s results can guide flood risk management in the study area and serve as a reference for future studies in flood affected area
Assessment and Upgrading of Scour Depth Estimation Equation for Bridge Piers in Kombolcha-Weldia Highway, Ethiopia
No full textFrequent scouring caused by turbulent river flow has significantly impacted bridge stability along the Kombolcha-Weldia highway in Ethiopia’s Amhara region, leading to foundation erosion over successive years. To address this, six established scour depth estimation equations—Colorado State University (CSU), Bruisers, Jain and Fischer, Froehlich, HEC-18/Muller, and Laursen’s empirical equation—were evaluated for their accuracy in predicting bridge pier scour depths. A comprehensive field study was conducted, including topographic surveys, assessment of pier alignment and shape, riverbed material sampling, and direct scour depth measurements at five selected bridges. Peak flood discharge was calculated using the Rational Method for catchments under 50 km² and the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) unit hydrograph method for larger catchments. Total scour depth was determined by considering three key components: long-term degradation, constriction scour, and local scour. Critical variables such as pier width, shape, and flow alignment were found to significantly influence scour magnitude. The predicted scour depths from the selected formulae were compared with field-measured values. Comparative analysis revealed that the equations proposed by Jain and Fischer, Laursen, and Froehlich provided more accurate scour depth estimates than the other methods. Among these, the Jain and Fischer equation was identified as the most suitable for predicting local scour in both sand-bed and gravel-bed rivers within the study area. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the Jain and Fischer equation be prioritized for scouring depth estimation in similar hydrological and geomorphic conditions, ensuring better assessment and mitigation of bridge foundation risks in the region.
Keywords: Bridge Pier Scour; Design return period; Jain and Fischer equation; Kombolcha-Weldia; Scour depth estimation
Undergraduate Students’ Conceptualizations of and Approaches to Learning: Natural, Computational, Health, and Medicine students in focus
Get PDFEven if the knowledge of students’ conceptualization of and approach to learning significantly affects tertiary education teachers’ choice of teaching methods, there is not much data on these. Hence, this study envisioned studying students’ learning approaches and conceptualizations and the relationship between the two in seventeen different undergraduate programs at the College of Natural and Computational Sciences and the College of Health and Medical Sciences of Arba Minch University, Ethiopia. A descriptive survey design involving N=323 students was employed. The data were collected using the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST). Students’ conceptualizations of learning were compared using an independent sample t-test. Similarly, one-way ANOVA and post hoc were used to see differences in the three types of learning approaches. To decide if there is a difference in learning conceptualizations and learning approaches between the health sciences and natural sciences groups, an independent sample t-test was used along with Cohn’s d. It was discovered that the students had transforming and reproducing learning conceptualizations. Moreover, the students reported adopting the deep and strategic approaches, equally. It was also found that the correlation between the aggregate conceptualizations and learning approaches was positive and significant. Therefore, teachers should help students develop more of a transformative conception of learning. They may also need to support students in adopting an approach that enhances their deep learning
Determinants of Tax Revenue in Ethiopia: Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach
Get PDFTax revenue is the main source of revenue for governments in advanced and emerging economies, which fund government spending. The main goal of this research is to look at the factors affecting tax revenue in Ethiopia from 1996 to 2020 using time series data. The impact of agricultural-to-GDP, service-to-GDP, inflation, corruption, political stability, and tax reformation on the ratio of tax revenue to GDP was investigated in this study. The short-run and long-run associations between the variables were determined using the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) co-integration approach. The study's outcomes reveal that inflation has a positive relationship with tax; however, agricultural GDP negatively impacted tax revenue in the short run over the study period. Political stability, service-to-GDP, and inflation, on the other hand, has a positive long-run impact on tax revenue, while corruption has a negative impact. We recommend that policymakers and governments combat corruption, maintain political stability, broaden tax bases to include more service-oriented businesses, and reduce reliance on agricultural sectors.
Keywords: Inflation; Corruption; Political stability; Tax reformation; Tax revenu
The Effect of Professional Development Training on EFL Teachers’ Perception of Research Practice at Selected Schools in Arba Minch: An Expirimental Study
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of need-based professional development (PD) training on primary school EFL teachers’ perception of research practices in Gamo Zone, Ethiopia. Employing an experimental research design, pre-test and post-test measures were analyzed using a t-test statistical procedure. The data gathered through a questionnaire was subjected to quantitative analysis. 59, randomly selected EFL teachers filled the pre-test and post-test questionnaires. The result showed that there was a statistically significant difference before intervention (M=64.00, SD=13.612) and after intervention [M= 80.52, SD=15.512, t (51) =-6.554, p<0.05]. Based on the findings, the study concluded that need-based PD practice could have great value in improving primary school EFL teachers’ perception of research practices in Arba Minch, Ethiopia
Key terms: Perception, Research Practices, Need-based, Professional development, English language, Experimental research design 
Gender-based Socio-Economic Vulnerabilities of Women’s Access to Resources in West Shewa, Ethiopia
Get PDFGender is an issue of power relations between men and women. It refers to socially determined roles. In developing countries, especially in deep-rooted patriarchal culture, gender equality is decreasing or remains stagnant and women limited to access and control over resources. Gender-based socio-economic vulnerabilities are among the most common barriers hinder women from having power over resources. The purpose of this study was to describe challenges of women’s access and control over resources as a factor of socio-economic vulnerabilities. To this end, qualitative descriptive research design was employed. Three (3) districts (Toke Kutaye, Chaliya, and Ambo) were selected through the convenience sampling method. Seven (7) kebeles from the three districts were selected by purposive sampling. Ninety-nine (99) elders, one hundred ten (110) women, and three (3) government gender office experts, total of 212 participants were participated in the study. Instruments for data collection were an in-depth interview, key informant interview, and FGD. Data were organized thematically and qualitative content and narrative analysis were made. It was found that early marriage, polygamy, gender-based lobar division, and abduction are socio-economic challenges for women to access and control over resources. The findings suggest encouraging policies against harmful traditional practices, discouraging social norms that negatively discriminate against women through offering education on human rights and public awareness creation, and accessing women to free education, free market, start-up projects, and locally available resources.
Keywords: Access, economic, gender, social, vulnerabilit
Experimental Study on Steel Fibre-Reinforced Natural Aggregate Concrete
Get PDFThe rising volume of pollution is a significant threat to achieving the United Nations’ goal for a sustainable society. Various approaches have been used to tackle pollution, including recycling waste into completely new products or utilizing it to improve other materials. In this respect, this article presents the results of an experimental study conducted on waste steel fiber sourced from waste tyres in concrete production. The fibers measuring 2, 4, and 6 cm were utilized using dosages of 0.5, 1, and 1.5% by mass of cement. The natural aggregate which is a by-product of the Precambrian deposits of the Bida trough was utilized as coarse aggregate. Iron moulds measuring 150 x 150 x 150mm were used for concrete production and were demoulded after 24 hours and cured. The optimum 28-day compressive strength of 27.19 N/mm2 was recorded with a 4 cm fiber length and 0.5% fiber content. This represented a 36.36% gain in the 28-day compressive strength of the concrete when compared to the control.
Keywords: Compressive Strength, Natural aggregate, Reinforced Concrete, Steel Fibre, Pollutio