Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting
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Profitability as a Moderator of the Ownership Structure-Dividend Policy Nexus: Quantile Insights from Nigerian Banks
No full textThis study investigates the moderating role of profitability in the relationship between ownership structure and dividend policy among listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. Anchored in agency and signalling theories, the research evaluates how managerial, institutional, and foreign ownership influence dividend payout behaviour, and whether these effects vary with profitability. Employing balanced panel data from 12 banks between 2012 and 2023, the study adopts fixed effects panel quantile regression to capture distributional heterogeneity and within-firm dynamics often overlooked in mean-based models. The novelty of this study lies in its application of quantile regression to uncover how the ownership–dividend relationship differs across the distribution of dividend payouts, rather than assuming uniform effects. It is also one of the few to model profitability as a moderator in the ownership–dividend nexus within Sub-Saharan Africa’s banking sector, offering sector-specific insights under regulatory and governance constraints typical of emerging markets. Empirical results show that foreign ownership exerts a consistently positive and significant influence on dividend payouts across all quantiles, reinforcing its stabilising role in weak governance environments. Managerial ownership demonstrates a positive effect at lower quantiles, suggesting enhanced alignment with shareholders in lower-paying banks. Institutional ownership has a negative association in pooled regressions but becomes insignificant under fixed effects, indicating contextual variation. Profitability moderates the effect of foreign ownership, weakening its impact at higher profitability levels. However, its moderating influence on managerial and institutional ownership remains weak and inconsistent. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating firm-level heterogeneity and distributional effects in dividend policy analysis. The study advances the literature by integrating ownership structure, profitability, and quantile techniques within a single framework, thereby offering nuanced insights for policymakers, investors, and bank executives seeking to optimise payout strategies in emerging financial systems
Digital Outsourcing and Youth Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa: Comparative Evidence from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Rwanda
No full textBackground: Youth unemployment remains entrenched across Sub-Saharan Africa, compelling young founders to navigate severe resource and infrastructure constraints. Digital outsourcing—hiring remote specialists via online platforms—may help youth-led SMEs bridge capability gaps and accelerate growth, yet comparative, demand-side evidence is limited. Using harmonized data from ~700 youth-led SMEs (2020–2023 WBES) and ~950 young entrepreneurs (2019–2020 GEM), this study examines whether, how, and under what ecosystem conditions digital outsourcing enhances firm performance in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Rwanda, and quantifies cross-national differences in its effects.
Objective: To assess whether, how, and under what ecosystem conditions digital outsourcing improves firm performance for youth-led enterprises in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Rwanda, and to quantify cross-national heterogeneity in effects.
Data and Methods: We harmonize firm-level records for ~700 youth-led SMEs from 2020–2023 World Bank Enterprise Surveys and ~950 young entrepreneurs from 2019–2020 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (World Bank, 2023). We estimate weighted OLS, logit, propensity-score matching, and IV-2SLS models, controlling for firm size, age, sector, and human capital, and test ecosystem moderation.
Results: Digital outsourcing is associated with a 5.2-percentage-point annual revenue premium, a three-point employment gain, and ~50% higher odds of product innovation. Effects vary by ecosystem quality: ~+8.5 points in Kenya’s “Silicon Savannah,” ~+3 points in infrastructure-constrained Nigeria, and ~+9 points among Rwandan adopters. A mediated-moderation test attributes ~90% of cross-country variance to differences in the ICT Development Index; every five-point IDI gain adds roughly one revenue percentage point.
Contribution: Framed by digital-entrepreneurship, bricolage, and institutional-voids perspectives, this is the first multi-country, demand-side analysis showing digital outsourcing as a viable pathway to inclusive, innovation-led youth entrepreneurship in Africa, while demonstrating that returns are contingent on digital-ecosystem maturity.
Policy Implications: Expanding affordable broadband, developing outsourcing literacy, and fostering trust-enhancing platforms can unlock measurable growth and job creation for youth-led firms. Targeted, country-specific interventions should prioritize infrastructure reliability and platform trust in lower-IDI contexts and quality scaling in higher-IDI contexts
Evaluating Tanzania’s Compliance with International Organization of Securities Commissions Standards on Securities Market Regulation
No full textTanzania’s alignment with the objectives, principles, and Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU) of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) remains an ongoing process. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of Tanzania’s compliance with international securities market standards, focusing on the IOSCO Principles as the global benchmark. Employing a doctrinal legal methodology, complemented by empirical legal analysis, the research examines the country’s legal and regulatory framework by analyzing the roles of key institutions, including the Capital Markets and Securities Authority (CMSA) and the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE). Key legal instruments such as the Capital Markets and Securities Act and the Companies Act are evaluated for their effectiveness in establishing licensing, disclosure, compliance, and enforcement mechanisms critical to market integrity and investor protection. The findings reveal significant shortcomings in Tanzania’s legal and institutional landscape, particularly regarding enforcement capacity, technological infrastructure, cross-border regulatory cooperation, and investor awareness. These gaps limit the market’s ability to fully meet international standards of transparency, efficiency, and fairness. To overcome these challenges, the study recommends strengthening institutional capabilities, revising legal frameworks, investing in market infrastructure, and enhancing collaboration with regional and international regulators. Additionally, improving public awareness and investor education is vital to fostering greater participation and market confidence. While meaningful progress has been achieved, sustained reforms and capacity-building are essential for full compliance with global standards and for driving inclusive, long-term capital market development and economic growth
Explore the Impact of the Digital Economy on Carbon Emission Reduction in the Yangtze River Delta Region
No full textAbstract: The digital economy has emerged as a crucial driver of economic growth and transformation in recent years. This paper aims to investigate the impact of the digital economy on carbon emission reduction in the Yangtze River Delta region. Based on the measurement of the digital economy index, this study investigates the impact of the digital economy on carbon emission reduction in 41 cities of the Yangtze River Delta region from 2011 to 2021 using the two-way fixed effects model and the mediating effect model. The study finds that: (1) The digital economy can promote carbon emission reduction in the Yangtze River Delta region, and the results are robust. (2) The digital economy can reduce carbon emissions through the mediating effect of reducing energy intensity. (3) The impact of the digital economy on carbon emission reduction in the Yangtze River Delta region has dual threshold effects of environmental regulation and capital misallocation, and the role of environmental regulation and capital misallocation in curbing carbon emissions shows a trend of first strengthening and then weakening
Remote Work and Work Flexibility on Employee’s Commitment in Small and Medium Size Enterprises: A Study in the Context of the Sociopolitical Crisis in Cameroon
No full textSmall and medium size enterprises in Cameroon are gaining wide spread acceptance as viable drivers of economic growth. Organizational remote work therefore constitutes the cornerstone in human resource management to enhance organizational commitment as well as retain employees in Cameroonian organizations particularly during the time of the socio-political crisis. This paper examines the influence of remote work on employee commitment in SMEs during the socio-political crisis in Cameroon. In this research, a descriptive research design was used. This study targeted 150 small and medium size organisations in the North West and south west region of Cameroon. To analyze the collected data the descriptive statistics and regression analysis were used, the data collected were analyzed by means of the principal component analysis and the OLS method using SPSS version 20. This research established that remote work strategy and work flexibility positively affects the commitment of employees of SMEs in Cameroon with regard to the prevailing socio-political crisis. This study reveals that the effectiveness of flexible work schedules has a positive impact to commitment of employees during crisis. We thus suggested that managerial teams should employ optimal remote work and flexible work policy in the enterprises, in an attempt to create a satisfactory business climate
Impact of Dock-to-Stock Time on Supply Chain Performance of Manufacturing Firms in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textEfficient supply chains enhance product delivery speed and accuracy, reduce lead times, and enhance customer satisfaction. However, the supply chain performance of manufacturing firms in Nairobi County is negatively affected by supply chain disruptions, inventory inefficiencies, transportation bottlenecks, poor demand forecasting, and inadequate technology integration. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of dock-to-stock time on the supply chain performance of manufacturing firms in Nairobi County in Kenya. This study was guided by the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory. The study adopted an explanatory research design with the target population being 1690 senior Heads of Department. The sample size for the study was 323 respondents obtained using Yamane’s formula. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used along with a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were frequency, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Inferential analysis was carried out through correlation, and a hierarchical regression model was used to test the hypotheses. The study results indicate that there was a positive linear effect of dock-to-stock time (β1=0.105, p=0.027) on the supply chain performance of manufacturing firms. Dock-to-stock time (β6a=0.040, p=0.030, ∆R2=.004) and supply chain performance. The dock-to-stock time and supply chain performance of the manufacturing firm had a positive and statistically significant correlation (r= 0.630; p<0.01). The study further showed that 212(70.2%) of the respondents agreed that the supply chain contributes to maintaining high standards of quality, and 75(24.8%) disagreed that the supply chain contributes to maintaining high standards of quality. Moreover, 230(76.2%) of the respondents agreed that their production scheduling has become more reliable due to faster dock-to-stock processes and on the other hand, 58(19.2%) of the respondents disagreed that their production scheduling has become more reliable due to faster dock-to-stock processes. The study concluded that dock-to-stock time has a positive and significant effect on the supply chain performance of manufacturing firms in Nairobi County. The findings of this study can benefit manufacturing firms, supply chain professionals, industry regulators, policymakers and academic researchers
New-Type Productive Forces Promote Trade Development
No full textThis paper uses theory to analyze the enabling role of the new quality of productivity on the development of international trade, and specifically discusses three aspects, namely, the enabling mechanism, practical challenges and policy responses. In terms of the enabling mechanism, through optimizing global factor allocation, promoting technology-intensive trade, and generating new forms of digital trade and other multiple paths, the new quality of productivity accelerates trade efficiency, reshapes the trade structure, and broadens trade boundaries, and the global value chain has been upgraded because of the increase in technological sophistication and added value of products. In terms of practical challenges, in the process of empowerment, new quality productivity faces such practical challenges as uneven regional development, conflict between technical standards and rules, and disconnection between science and technology innovation and industrial structure, which constrain the release of its potential. In view of these challenges, policy suggestions such as building a cross-regional technology sharing mechanism, actively participating in international standardization, and setting up a platform for industrial technology adaptation are put forward to promote the deep integration of new productivity and the trading system, and to provide theoretical references and practical paths for the high-quality development of global trade
Resource Management Strategies and Performance of Public Health Care Facilities in Fafi Constituency, Garissa Kenya
No full textDespite the establishment of counties in Kenya to promote equitable and efficient delivery of healthcare services, public health care facilities continue to face widespread performance challenges that have limited the limited access to healthcare services. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of resources management strategies on the performance of public health care facilities in Fafi constituency, Kenya. The study was underpinned by the resource-based view theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design to accurately portray the respondents in the various strata in the target population. The target population of this study was public health care facilities in Fafi constituency. The unit of analysis was 482 health officers in those facilities. Using Yamane formula, a sample size of 218 respondents was obtained. Both stratified sampling and simple random sampling techniques was applied to identify the respondents. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data from the study respondents. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to test reliability of the instrument while validity was ascertained through expert opinion. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and where SPSS Version 27.0 aided in the analysis. Findings revealed a statistical significance and positive relationship between resources management strategies and performance of the public health care facilities in Fafi constituency, Garissa Kenya (r = 0.636, p < 0.05), underscoring the importance of adequate infrastructure, equipment and logistics in enhancing healthcare outcomes. Overall, the performance of public healthcare facilities in Fafi was rated as strong (mean = 2.52), with notable concerns regarding the timeliness, responsiveness, and adequacy of services. Based on these findings, the study recommends strategic investments in physical infrastructure in healthcare facilities. Further research is recommended to explore how healthcare financing influence public health facility performance in the constituency
Total Factor Productivity: A Study on Digital Finance Development of Some Enterprises in Chinese Economy
No full textTotal Factor Productivity (TFP) is a crucial indicator for measuring economic production efficiency and a key determinant of whether China\u27s economy can achieve high-quality development. As a new form of technology-driven empowerment, digital finance serves as a cornerstone of digital economic development and exerts a significant impact on enhancing the TFP of Chinese enterprises. In order to explore the impact mechanism of digital finance in the total factor productivity of Chinese enterprises, this study utilizes data from A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen, covering the period from 2011 to 2018. By employing two TFP estimation methods, namely the OP (Olley-Pakes) method and the LP (Levinsohn-Petrin) method, it explores the empowering effect of digital finance on enterprise TFP. The main research conclusions of this paper are as follows: Empirical results demonstrate that the development of digital finance has a positive empowering impact on enterprise TFP, and this conclusion remains valid even after addressing endogeneity issues and conducting robustness tests. Heterogeneity tests reveal that digital finance exerts a more pronounced empowering effect on the TFP of non-state-owned enterprises. Therefore, during this critical transition period, China should vigorously promote the development of digital finance, foster the integrated innovation of the digital economy and the real economy, and thereby advance the high-quality development of China\u27s economy. The significance of this study lies in effectively expanding the theoretical boundary of the current research field and deepening the study on the external influencing factors of enterprise productivity theory. Specific recommendations put forward in this study include: strengthening the construction of digital financial infrastructure; enhancing the cultivation of talents in the financial sector; improving the digital financial regulatory system; and seizing development opportunities
Adopting Digital Marketing in Papua: Strategies and Barriers for MSMEs
No full textAims: The main aim of this study is to explore effective digital marketing strategies for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Papua, with a particular focus on overcoming challenges related to infrastructure and digital literacy. The study also seeks to highlight local initiatives that can serve as models for inclusive and sustainable digital marketing practices in the region.
Place: The research was conducted in Jayapura City and Mimika Regency, two areas representing urban and resource-based economic activities in Papua.
Methodology: This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach. Primary data was obtained through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with selected MSME actors across different sectors, including handicrafts, food and beverages, and local service industries. Secondary data was collected from government reports, academic publications, and policy documents related to digital economy development in Papua. The collected data was then analyzed thematically to identify key challenges, opportunities, and strategies in digital marketing adoption.
Results: The study finds that technology adoption among MSMEs in Papua is still limited, with most relying on traditional marketing due to poor internet access and low digital literacy. Some entrepreneurs, particularly in Jayapura, use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp Business, showing the potential of digital tools. Local initiatives such as online marketplaces and training programs led by universities and NGOs demonstrate encouraging progress, though infrastructure gaps and limited skills remain major barriers. Moreover, gaps in digital literacy continue to hinder MSME actors from fully optimizing digital platforms for business growth, indicating a strong need for continuous training and mentoring.
Conclusion: The research concludes that while MSME digitalization in Papua is at an early stage, it has strong potential if supported by targeted interventions. Strengthening digital literacy programs, improving internet infrastructure, and fostering collaboration between government, private sector, and local communities are crucial steps. These efforts will enhance MSME competitiveness and promote more inclusive economic development in Papua