Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in small island economies face constrained domestic markets, limited physical reach, and resource pressures that make expansion into new markets essential for sustainable growth. This study examines how financial and resource management, market adaptation strategy, and digital transformation influence SME market expansion in Zanzibar, with particular attention to the relative strength of each practice. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 350 SME owners and managers operating in the tourism, trade, and agriculture sectors. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with 5,000 bootstrap resamples to assess the hypothesised relationships. The results show that all three strategic practices have positive and statistically significant effects on market expansion. Digital transformation emerged as the strongest predictor (β = 0.721, p <.001), while financial and resource management (β = 0.161, p <.001) and market adaptation strategy (β = 0.160, p <.001) made smaller but significant contributions. Together, the three practices explained 56.7% of the variance in SME market expansion (R 2 = 0.567). The study concludes that digital transformation is the principal driver of market expansion among Zanzibar SMEs, but its effectiveness is reinforced by sound financial and resource management and the capacity to adapt to changing market conditions. SME owners, policymakers, and business-support institutions should therefore prioritise digital capability while simultaneously strengthening financial discipline and market adaptability to support sustainable expansion beyond constrained local markets.
In the evolving landscape of the digital economy, both financial and digital literacy have become essential. This study investigates the mediating role of DFL in the relationship between financial attitude, financial socialisation, and personal financial management behaviour (PFMB) among working and non-working women in Punjab, India. Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the research explores how psychological and social factors influence financial behaviour through the lens of digital competence. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected from a representative sample of women across various districts in Punjab. The study employed Smart PLS 4.0 to examine direct and mediated relationships among the key constructs. The findings reveal that both financial attitude and financial socialisation significantly influence PFMB, and that DFL plays a partial mediating role in these relationships. Notably, working women exhibited higher levels of DFL and more proactive financial behaviours compared to their non-working counterparts. The results emphasise the importance of digital financial literacy as a critical enabler of financial empowerment for women, particularly in semi-urban and rural areas. This study contributes to the growing discourse on digital financial inclusion and offers practical implications for policymakers, educators, and financial institutions seeking to bridge gender and digital divides in financial access and decision-making.
This study examines the underlying factors influencing consumers’ instant online purchase intention during flash sales on popular e-commerce platforms in Vietnam. Drawing on the Task–Technology Fit (TTF) theory and the psychological concept of Fear of Missing Out (FOMO), the study proposes and empirically tests a research model comprising five factors: flash sales (FS), e-commerce platform features (WF), platform sales processes (WP), FOMO (FO), and perceived risk (PR). Data were collected from 396 valid responses from consumers who have experience purchasing on e-commerce platforms in Vietnam and were analyzed using SPSS 26. The findings reveal that four factors—FS, WF, WP, and FO—have significant positive effects on consumers’ instant online purchase intention. Among these factors, FS exert the strongest influence, highlighting the critical role of time-limited promotional campaigns in stimulating immediate purchasing decisions. In contrast, PR has a negative effect on purchase intention in flash sale contexts. The main contribution of this study lies in integrating the Task–Technology Fit framework with the psychological phenomenon of FOMO to explain consumer purchasing behavior in high-pressure digital retail environments. By combining technological, process-related, and psychological perspectives, the study provides a more comprehensive understanding of consumer decision-making during flash sales on e-commerce platforms.
The acquisition of skills has been worldly recognised as a legitimate tool towards employment creation and the sustained economic development. The study examined the role of skill acquisition on employment generation in Nigeria with respect to the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). The analysis of the data was based on descriptive statistics in terms of tables and simple percentages, whereas the objective was verified at a significance level of 5% using the Generalised Linear Model (GLM). The outcome showed that the involvement in ITF programmes and relevance of skills were significant in terms of employment creation that were positively and statistically relevant with coefficient of 0.3641 and 0.1445 respectively, whilst technical proficiency, soft skills, and industry alignment were significantly not relevant with coefficient of 0.131, -0.1655 and 0.580 respectively. The research falls to the conclusion that formal attendance at skills acquisition schemes like the ones adopted by the ITF, has a significant positive impact on the employment opportunities, creation of entrepreneurial possibilities, and income generation of the beneficiaries. Nevertheless, bottlenecks of poor facilities, little connections with the private sector, and poor alignment of industries still hinder the best results. The research thus suggests that the government and other stakeholders ought to enhance the institutional capacity of the ITF by providing sufficient funds, frequent review of the curriculum and the close working relations with industries. Moreover, after the training programmes like business start-up grants, mentorship programmes, and access to microfinance programmes are to be institutionalised to translate the learnt skills into long-term self-employment and inclusive national development.
This study provides a comprehensive historical and econometric analysis of inflation in India from 1960 to the present, examining its key determinants, evolving trajectory, and future outlook. The research traces India's inflation through distinct macroeconomic epochs, highlighting a past characterised by extreme volatility driven by agricultural supply constraints, geopolitical energy shocks, and periods of fiscal dominance, which culminated in an inflationary peak of nearly 29% in 1974. An exploration of the theoretical debate between monetarist and structuralist paradigms concludes that Indian inflation is a complex hybrid phenomenon, shaped by monetary policy yet, in the short term, dominated by deep-seated supply-side bottlenecks, particularly in food and energy. The analysis identifies a critical inflation threshold of 5.5-6.0%, above which price increases become detrimental to long-term economic growth. A pivotal moment in this history was the 2016 adoption of a Flexible Inflation Targeting (FIT) framework, which successfully anchored expectations and moderated price increases, marking a significant structural break from the past. Using an AutoRegressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, the study generates a statistical forecast which, reflecting historical inertia, projects a reversion towards a high long-term average. This result starkly contrasts with institutional forecasts that expect inflation to remain anchored at the 4% policy target, underscoring the profound impact of the FIT regime. The analysis concludes that while the modern monetary policy framework has fundamentally altered India's inflation dynamics, sustained price stability hinges on complementing central bank credibility with sustained fiscal discipline and aggressive supply-side reforms to address persistent structural vulnerabilities.
In a context of scarcity in the mobilization of external resources in developing countries, the mobilization of domestic resources becomes a determining factor for development financing. Indeed, this paper analyzes the relationship between savings and economic growth in thirteen countries of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo over the period 2000-2020 on a sample size of 14,130 by focusing on domestic savings. The main contribution of analyzing the impact of savings on growth in a regional space, while highlighting the analysis in a monetary and non-monetary union. To do so, we used the ARDL model to analyze the long-run and short-run impact of domestic savings on economic growth by highlighting the impact of membership in a monetary union on the savings-growth relationship. The panel ARDL model is to show short-term and long-term relationships between variables, while handling series that do not have the same integration order and offering great flexibility and robustness for small samples. The results show a positive and significant impact of savings on long-term economic growth in the ECOWAS zone, but membership in a monetary union has no impact on the savings-growth relationship. However, the results show a significant and negative impact between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth over the long term in the WAEMU zone alone, demonstrating that membership of a monetary union has an impact on the FDI - economic growth relationship. This shows that foreign direct investment has a negative impact on economic growth in WAEMU countries. In addition, our study found a bidirectional relationship between savings and economic growth. In view of these results, ECOWAS authorities should implement policies to mobilize domestic savings in order to finance development policies. And, by having sustainable, stable and inclusive growth, the political authorities should develop incentives to mobilize domestic savings and avoid dependence on external resources, which are becoming increasingly scarce. ECOWAS authorities should also accelerate the process of creating a monetary union in order to take advantage of savings mobilization policies.
Background: This study explores the labour system that existed among the Tagin tribe during the prehistoric era. Before the introduction of monetary wages, the Tagins relied on locally available sources of labour, such as family members, clan groups, neighbours, relatives, slaves, and reciprocal exchange of work (Rwkyi). During that era, workers were compensated through cultural and customary forms of payment, such as rice beer, meat, rice, millet, local ornaments, and sometimes livestock, such as chickens. Objectives: The study aims to understand the traditional labour system of the Tagin Tribe during the prehistoric era. It seeks to examine the sources of labour, its uses, the participation of women, forms of payment, and methods used to measure compensation. Additionally, this research intends to document the traditional labour practices of the Tagin tribe. Method: This study uses qualitative and ethnohistorical methods. Findings: The findings indicate that the Tagin labour system was deeply rooted in cooperation and reciprocity, where work was both a social duty and a cultural practice. This traditional system ensures the survival of the community in a challenging environment and plays an important role in maintaining social harmony and collective responsibility.
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has created a polarised public response, oscillating between utopian visions and existential fear. This analysis refutes these extremes, arguing that such anxiety is not a new phenomenon but a recurring historical cycle associated with the externalisation of human faculties. By examining historical precedents, the text reframes the AI challenge as a manageable variable rather than an uncontrollable force. The Socratic critique of writing, which warned of cognitive atrophy from externalised memory, is presented as an ancient parallel to modern concerns about AI fostering superficial competence. Similarly, the 19th-century Luddite movement is reinterpreted not as an irrational opposition to technology, but as a rational response by skilled artisans to the deskilling of their labour and the degradation of product quality-an analogue to fears that AI will devalue human expertise. Further parallels from the 20th-century "calculator wars" in education illustrate how curricula shifted from rote computation to higher-order problem-solving. These historical examples collectively argue that technological disruptions compel a redefinition of human competence and create new opportunities, rather than simply leading to cognitive or economic decline. Building on this historical perspective, the analysis proposes that the antidote to technological anxiety is a disciplined, managerial approach grounded in rigorous contingency planning. Through corporate case studies-contrasting Kodak’s strategic inertia with Fujifilm’s successful diversification, alongside the proactive pivots of Intel and Netflix-the text illustrates that organisational resilience depends on the ability to critically reassess core capabilities and cannibalise legacy models when necessary. This evidence informs a comprehensive, tiered risk management framework designed for professionals and institutions. "Plan A" focuses on Mitigation and Integration, advocating a "Centaur" model in which humans and AI collaborate as distinct but complementary agents, preserving human authority and using cognitive forcing functions to prevent automation complacency. "Plan B," a Contingency and Diversification strategy, involves developing multi-skilled, "M-shaped" professionals and cultivating an "analogue hedge" in roles requiring physical presence or legal accountability. Finally, "Plan C" outlines a strategy for Resilience and Sovereignty, serving as a last resort against systemic failure through the development of technological sovereignty via locally controlled AI and the willingness to execute a radical pivot to entirely new sectors. The overarching thesis is that by establishing these explicit contingency plans, organisations can transform existential risk into a manageable operational procedure, navigating the AI revolution with strategic preparedness rather than reactive panic.
This paper provides a critical review of a research study on the factors influencing e-banking adoption among digitally unbanked seniors in South Africa. The critique evaluates the study's methodological rigor, theoretical foundation, and the validity of its core arguments. While the study's research design, including its multi-stage cluster sampling and sample size calculation, is technically robust, this analysis reveals significant flaws in its intellectual foundation. The study's philosophical stance is internally contradictory, and it contains severe citation errors, most notably the conflation of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The critique concludes that the study, despite its methodological strengths, is fundamentally undermined by these errors. This commentary contributes to the academic discourse on research integrity and the responsible application of quantitative methods in social science.
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) significantly contribute to Kenya’s GDP and play a crucial role in job creation. Despite their importance, many MSMEs face challenges such as inadequate skills, limited access to technology, and barriers to scaling their operations. Recognizing these gaps, the KIRDI-KIEP training initiative was designed to unlock the potential of MSMEs by promoting technology dissemination and hands-on capacity building. The program not only offered practical training but also extended support through incubation programs and access to Common Manufacturing Facilities (CMFs). These resources gave entrepreneurs the opportunity to experiment, innovate, and refine their products in a supportive environment. The training aimed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to launch viable commercial enterprises, address production challenges, and drive economic growth. Participants were selected based on business readiness, technology needs assessment, gender inclusivity, and a focus on youth empowerment. Priority was given to technologies with high market demand and community impact, including animal feed formulation, honey processing, fruit and vegetable dehydration, dairy processing, and soap and detergent production. The primary challenge for SMEs is limited competitiveness due to regulatory and infrastructure hurdles. This training provided practical skills to enhance scalability, competitiveness, and commercialization, contributing to sustainable development and economic growth.
This study examines the effectiveness of computerised accounting systems (CAS) in enhancing financial management within Nigerian commercial banks. Although CAS has become essential for improving operational efficiency, accuracy, and competitive advantage, Nigerian banks continue to face major challenges including cyber-insecurity, system failures, and operational risks. These unresolved issues raise concerns about whether computerised systems truly contribute to improved profitability, performance evaluation, and reliable financial management. Therefore, this study aims to assess the extent to which CAS adoption has enhanced efficiency and profitability in Nigerian banks; explore how operational and security challenges affecting CAS effectiveness are currently being addressed; and determine the specific impact of these challenges on financial management outcomes. The study adopts a positive and quantitative research design, using structured online questionnaires administered to 100 banking staff in Lagos State, selected through convenient sampling. Data will be collected through Google Forms, organised using Excel, and analysed statistically using SPSS. The expected findings are that while CAS improves speed, accuracy, and operational performance, security vulnerabilities and infrastructural limitations continue to weaken overall effectiveness. The study anticipates identifying key gaps in system integrity, staff training, and technological readiness that influence financial management outcomes in Nigerian banks. However, the study is limited by its focus on Lagos alone, its reliance on self-reported data, and the use of convenience sampling, which may restrict the generalisability of findings. Despite these limitations, the research will provide valuable empirical evidence on CAS performance and offer insights to guide policy, system upgrades, and security improvements across the Nigerian banking industry.
Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030 in Africa remains constrained by fragmented health systems, limited fiscal space, and persistent inequities in access to essential health services. This paper examines how the integration of digital health innovations and financial inclusion mechanisms can address these constraints across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It synthesizes evidence on the deployment of mobile money platforms, electronic health information systems, drone-supported supply systems, blockchain-enabled financing, and artificial intelligence to improve healthcare access, efficiency, accountability, and financial protection. Using a comparative qualitative analysis of selected country experiences-Nigeria, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Africa, and South Sudan, the paper identifies barriers to adoption including inadequate digital infrastructure, low digital literacy, governance fragmentation, and regulatory gaps. The analysis highlights cross-cutting enablers for successful implementation, notably strong political commitment, primary health care strengthening, interoperable digital architectures, and inclusive financing models that integrate mobile payments, microinsurance, and community-based schemes. Findings demonstrate that digital innovation alone is insufficient to achieve UHC without alignment to institutional readiness, sustainable domestic financing, ethical and regulatory safeguards, and community-driven implementation. The paper concludes with policy and implementation priorities centered on domestic ownership, adaptive regulation, public-private partnerships, and long-term investment in health system capacity. Overall, the study provides an evidence-informed assessment of how digital health and financial inclusion, when jointly embedded within broader health system reforms, can accelerate equitable progress toward UHC in Africa.
This study developed and empirically tested a Resource-Based View (RBV) and Contingency Theory model to investigate the determinants of export performance among Ethiopian manufacturing firms (textile, garment, leather). It posited that export marketing mix strategy acts as a crucial mediator linking internal (managerial, firm-specific) and external (competitive, mar-ket) factors to overall export success. Employing a sequential mixed-methods design (QUANT → QUAL), the research ana-lyzed data from a large sample of 389 exporting firms. Quantitative analysis utilized Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), alongside specialised econometric techniques—including the Tobit model (for export intensity) and the Probit model (for di-chotomous outcomes)—to ensure appropriate dependent variable handling. Findings confirmed the significant, mediating role of strategic marketing choices in translating resources and environmental pressures into performance. The results offer valua-ble, actionable insights for managers optimizing resource allocation and policymakers seeking to enhance national export development programs, providing a robust, context-specific framework for emerging economies.
In the context of the rapid development of artificial intelligence and digitalisation, the issue of data protection is becoming increasingly important. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between respondents' willingness to provide personal data for educational purposes and their interest in further education in the field of artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on age as a moderating factor. The research sample consisted of 1308 respondents. The collection was conducted using the CAWI method. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Age emerged as a significant factor, with older individuals showing lower willingness to provide data and also lower interest in AI. The findings highlight the importance of age group differences in shaping attitudes towards privacy and technological innovation. Greater digitisation and trust in the benefits of AI among younger people lead to more benevolent sharing of personal data. Conversely, older people are more likely to be concerned about the risks of misuse of personal data, which reduces their motivation to engage in innovation. From a practical perspective, the results highlight the need for differentiated marketing strategies and transparent communication about the security and use of personal data. The study provides valuable insights into the factors that influence the adoption of AI in society and contributes to the design of effective policies and programs to promote further education in a dynamic emerging segment.
In this study the empirical relationship between inflation rate and unemployment rate is investigated using annual time series data collected for the period 1991/92-2020/21 for Ethiopia. To accomplish this study, we employed a vector error correction econometric model, Granger causality, and variance decomposition tests. The findings reveal that the unemployment rate has a positive and statistically significant impact on the inflation rate in the long run, justifying that the Phillips Curve hypothesis does not hold for Ethiopia. Further results from the causality test confirms, the absence of causality running between the inflation rate and unemployment rate. To forecast error variance of inflation rate because of a unit shock of all variables included in the model—foreign aid, money supply, and unemployment rate—variance decomposition tests were undertaken. Thus, policies that are intended to boost the productive capacities of an economy by appropriate monetary and fiscal policy, and create job opportunities to bring the balance between the demand and supply of goods and services are better if implemented in a proper manner.
In any country, the banking sector plays a crucial role in driving the overall development of both primary and industrial sectors. Bank employees make dedicated efforts to address the diverse needs of customers while maintaining service excellence. In this context, training serves as an essential component of professional development, enhancing the capabilities of human resources within financial institutions. However, the performance outcomes of trainees often vary due to a combination of personal and job-related factors. This study aims to identify and analyze the demographic and job-related factors that influence the performance of foundation trainees, with a particular focus on probationary officers at Al-Arafah Islami Bank Training and Research Academy (AIBTRA) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The research specifically investigates how demographic characteristics affect the foundation training performance of these officers. A structured questionnaire was developed based on relevant literature and administered to 120 probationary officers from consecutive batches in the year 2024. The collected primary data were analyzed using statistical techniques to explore relationships and patterns within the dataset. The findings of the study reveal that both demographic and job factors significantly impact the performance of foundation trainees. Key variables such as age, gender, educational background, prior job experience, and job position were found to have measurable effects on training outcomes. Based on these insights, the study offers several practical recommendations aimed at improving trainee performance and enhancing the overall effectiveness of foundation training programs. These suggestions are intended to support policy-makers and training managers in refining their training strategies and fostering a more productive banking workforce.
Sustainable public procurement is recognised as an essential part of sustainable development, striving to reconcile and account for public expenditures on goods and services across different contracting authorities to achieve public procurement objectives. While the contribution of the sustainable public procurement sector is receiving growing attention in developed societies, the role of sustainable public procurement is quelled in developing communities. Numerous studies have examined the role of public procurement in promoting sustainable development within local government areas in the Western context. Regardless, there is no empirical study of this nature in developing countries. Therefore, this study explores the multifarious mechanisms through which local government authorities in low-income countries, such as Nigeria, employ their public procurement functions to foster sustainable development that encompasses economic, social, and environmental benefits. Design/methodology/approach: The study reviewed policy documents and practitioner documents on public procurement and sustainability available through the Bureau of Public Procurement, which is the designated commission for public procurement in Nigeria. Adopting a qualitative approach, thirteen local government areas were utilised to explore the challenges and opportunities for addressing sustainability imperatives through public procurement. Using semi-structured interviews, this study conducted 24 interviews with public procurement professionals to gain in-depth knowledge of the extent to which sustainability is incorporated into current public procurement practices and how sustainable public procurement can be utilised as an instrument for sustainable development. Findings: This study confirmed some of the challenges reported in the literature. In addition, the study identified contextual factors, including a lack of autonomy, nepotism, the absence of e-procurement, reluctance to change, and the lack of rule of law, that contribute to the challenges of achieving sustainable public procurement in Nigeria.
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are critical to Kenya’s economy, representing 98% of all businesses and contributing 33.8% to GDP. Despite this, many rural SMEs face persistent challenges, including limited market access, inadequate financing, and slow adoption of digital technologies. This study examined the determinants of adopting multiple digital payment methods among SMEs in Kisii and Nyamira Counties, with a focus on digital transformation strategies and e-commerce awareness. A mixed-methods exploratory design was employed. In the qualitative phase, interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to inform the development of a digital platform prototype. In the quantitative phase, survey data were collected from 104 SMEs, and chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were applied to identify factors influencing digital payment adoption. The findings revealed that type of business, business location, and e-commerce awareness were significantly associated with adoption of multiple digital payment systems, with e-commerce awareness emerging as the strongest predictor (p < 0.001). Demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and capital base were not statistically significant. The results highlight that SMEs with higher e-commerce awareness are more likely to embrace diversified payment methods, suggesting that digital market knowledge is a key enabler of broader technological adoption. The study concludes that targeted e-commerce literacy training, improved digital infrastructure, and affordable technology solutions are necessary to strengthen SME digital transformation in rural settings. These interventions can enhance financial inclusion, expand market opportunities, and contribute to sustainable SME growth. The findings provide insights for policymakers, development partners, and SME support organizations seeking to promote inclusive digital economies in Kenya and similar emerging market contexts.
This research investigates the complex dynamics of the influencer marketing ecosystem in India, focusing on the alignment and divergence between consumer trust, influencer strategies, and brand expectations. Through a quantitative analysis of 250 respondents, comprising 239 consumers and 21 influencers, this study examines the critical factors that shape audience perception, purchasing behavior, and platform engagement. The findings reveal a significant disconnect between the values prioritized by consumers and the metrics valued by brands. Consumers predicate their trust on perceived authenticity, personal connection, and relatable content, whereas brands are perceived to prioritize performance, reach, and content quality defined by engagement metrics. This core conflict is the primary driver of trust, particularly when content becomes overly commercialized or scripted. The study confirms a strong inverse correlation between consumer age and susceptibility to influencer persuasion, with younger demographics being most receptive. A notable "platform generation gap" is identified, with YouTube and Instagram showing universal appeal, while Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) exhibit highly age-segregated user bases. Analysis of purchasing behavior indicates that influencer recommendations are most effective for lifestyle-oriented categories such as fashion, electronics, and beauty, which are conducive to visual demonstration. Ultimately, this paper argues that the long-term sustainability of influencer marketing depends on bridging the gap between consumer expectations and creator strategies. It concludes that a strategic shift towards prioritizing authenticity over purely performance-based metrics, coupled with data-informed, age-tailored platform selection, is essential for maintaining audience trust and ensuring the continued efficacy of this marketing channel.
This report examines the strategic crossroads facing India's IT sector, which has achieved remarkable success as a global service provider but lags in software product development. Despite projected revenues exceeding US$283 billion in FY25, the sector's reliance on a services-based business model, characterised by resource augmentation and labour arbitrage, creates a significant strategic imbalance. While this model has fuelled substantial economic growth and employment, it has hindered the creation of globally recognised software products. However, India's near-parity in next-generation technologies, particularly AI, coupled with a burgeoning domestic startup ecosystem and supportive government policies, presents a strategic inflexion point. The report argues that transitioning to a product-led growth model is no longer optional but essential for long-term success. A detailed strategic roadmap is proposed, encompassing internal incubation, strategic acquisitions, corporate venture capital, and a fundamental reimagining of talent management. High-potential deep tech domains—including industrial intelligence powered by Deep Reinforcement Learning, high-trust systems integrating AI and Blockchain, next-generation cybersecurity platforms, and AI integration in the defence sector—are identified as areas where India can build world-class products. The report concludes that this shift from service provider to intellectual property creator is not just a corporate imperative but a national economic necessity to establish India as a true 21st-century digital powerhouse.
