The Engineering Insurance Branch contributes to supporting the economic development movement of both developed and developing countries, because of its distinct role in providing insurance protection to construction and industrial projects during the implementation phase, and to industrial organizations during the actual operation phase of losses resulting from sudden and unforeseen (accidental) accidents. Nevertheless, the sales of industrial insurance, (one of the most important types of engineering insurance), continues to fluctuate and decline in the sales of insurance policies among insurance companies operating in the insurance markets of the developing countries. On this basis, the subject (Factors affecting the sales of industrial engineering policies) was surveyed at the National Insurance Company (NIC), by selecting a sample of 50 NIC producers. The researchers used a questionnaire as the main data-collection tool. The research hypotheses were tested using the relevant statistical methods. For the purpose of testing the relationship hypotheses, the Spearman Ranking Correlation Factor was adopted. The research revealed a series of conclusions, the most important of which was the emphasis placed by the management of the NIC on marketing engineering construction policies more than its focus on industrial engineering insurance policies, owing to their almost mandatory nature Finally, the researchers made a number of recommendations, the most prominent of which was the decline in the results of the engineering insurance work for the period considered. They recommended intensifying efforts to increase the contribution of industrial insurance to the engineering branch of the NIC.
The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of corruption on oil revenues in the Republic of Congo over the period from 2003 to 2023. To achieve our objective, we used the ARDL model. The results from this model revealed that corruption has a significant negative effect on oil revenues in the long and short term in the Republic of Congo. Based on this, these results allowed us to formulate some implications for economic policies, including strengthening the rule of law and the efficient management of public resources as well as trengthening governance policies.
This study sought to investigate the moderating effect of organizational culture on the relationship between job demands and retention of teachers in public secondary schools in Kenya. The study was anchored on the Job-Demand-Control- Support Model, Shein’s Organizational Culture Theory. A cross-sectional survey design and a positivist research philosophy were adopted for this study. The population of the study was 11,895 teachers who were employed by the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) in five purposively selected counties. Data was collected using a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire from a sample size of 384 randomly selected teachers, specifically from sub-county schools. A pilot study was conducted to ensure the reliability and validity of the research instruments. Descriptive and inferential analyses were undertaken using SPSS version 24. The study found that there was a positive and significant relationship between job demands and retention of teachers in the schools. Teachers who had a manageable workload and a healthy work-life balance intended to remain in the profession. Performance demands in particular were found to influence teachers’ decisions to stay, seek transfers, take early retirement, or tender their resignation; as some teachers felt pressured to produce exceptional results in their subjects, the students’ contribution and entry behavior notwithstanding. The study established that whereas job demands positively and significantly influenced teacher retention when solely examined, the incorporation of organizational culture as a moderating variable introduced a new dimension to this connection. When organizational culture is strong, the detrimental effects of job demand on teacher retention are lessened. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education could support teachers experiencing excessive workload and additional work-related obligations with not only additional allowances and awards to compensate them, but also posting more teachers in those schools. The government should develop improved workplace policies to strike a balance between teachers' professional and familial duties, thereby minimizing the psycho-social effects and working circumstances that affect job satisfaction. School principals should set realistic performance goals for teachers depending on the subject taught, the facilities available, and the students’ entry behavior. Future studies can be longitudinal in nature and focus on the effect of job demands on retention of teachers in other categories of public and private schools across Kenya.
Both theoretical and empirical literature demonstrate that e-procurement strategies significantly impact the performance of organisations across various sectors. Nevertheless, the use and assimilation of digital procurement technologies in the Kenyan manufacturing industry is still minimal, which brings difficulties to the cost-efficiency, operational transparency, and responsiveness to suppliers. This paper reviewed the role of main e-procurement elements e-tendering, e-evaluation, e-negotiation, and e-invoicing in performance in manufacturing companies by applying the systematic desktop review approach. The study was based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Resource-Based View (RBV) and utilised a positivist research philosophy to critically examine scholarly and policy-based literature that was obtained in academic databases, reports, and peer-reviewed journals. The review revealed that digital procurement tools improve the speed of procurement; its transparency; collaboration with the supplier; cost reductions; and compliance with regulations when successfully implemented. The study found e- evaluation and e-invoicing to be particularly effective, promoting accountability and performance tracking. However, the literature showed that there were several empirical gaps, including the absence of sector-specific and integrative research in the manufacturing industry in Kenya. The majority of the existing literature is descriptive and covers only the sectors of the population that are public or service-oriented. The review showed that there was a lack of studies that examined the relationship among several e-procurement dimensions and the role of internal firm- specific variables, including digital readiness, ICT capacity, and firm size, in moderating the performance results. The research found out that digital procurement system integration is both a strategic asset and competitive differentiator in the manufacturing environment. Considering the results, the research suggests adopting mixed- method research to examine the effects of adopting e-procurement in manufacturing facilities and inform the formulation of evidence-based policy.
Mobile banking can sustain financial services during disruptions, yet usage remains uneven across customer segments. This study examines mobile banking usage among Malaysian bank customers during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an integrated Health Belief Model (HBM), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A branch-intercept survey of 421 users (June–December 2022) was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU) were the strongest predictors of usage, and facilitating conditions provided additional enablement. Health beliefs affected usage mainly through PU and PEOU. Cues to action increased PU but not PEOU; social influence improved PEOU, while its expected positive link with PU was not supported. Overall, crisis-era mobile banking reflects both technology evaluation and protective motives, underscoring the importance of usability and practical support.
Higher education institutions (HEIs) in Kenya operate in an increasingly competitive and resource- constrained environment characterized by rising accountability demands, digital transformation, and stakeholder expectations. This paper presents a thematic literature review on the effects of communication of strategy on the organizational performance of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in Kenya. Unlike empirical studies, this paper systematically synthesizes existing peer-reviewed empirical and conceptual literature published between 2020 and 2025 to capture recent developments. Drawing on studies sourced from major academic databases, the review identifies dominant themes linking the communication of strategy to key performance outcomes of HEIs. The findings indicate that effective communication strategies significantly enhance organizational performance by improving strategy implementation, strengthening staff alignment with institutional goals, increasing student enrollment through digital and social media platforms and supporting improved teaching, research and knowledge sharing outcomes. This paper contributes to the literature by consolidating recent fragmented studies within Kenyan higher education context, an area where systematic reviews remain limited. It thus provides a foundation for future empirical research and offers critical insights for university management and policymakers seeking to enhance institutional performance through effective communication.
Objectives: This study investigates the interrelationships among Mindfulness, self-efficacy, job satisfaction, emotional labor, and occupational fatigue among care workers in Taiwan. It further examines regional variations between Tainan City and Chiayi County to identify contextual differences in psychological and occupational mechanisms. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire, yielding 780 valid responses from frontline care workers. All measurement instruments demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity. Multiple regression analysis, path analysis, and region-specific regression models were performed to examine the direct and indirect relationships among Mindfulness, self-efficacy, job satisfaction, emotional labor, and occupational fatigue. Results: The findings indicate that Mindfulness is significantly positively associated with self-efficacy, and self- efficacy positively predicts job satisfaction while negatively predicting occupational fatigue. job satisfaction is a strong predictor of emotional labor, whereas emotional labor shows no significant direct effect on occupational fatigue, suggesting that emotional labor may be perceived as a professional responsibility rather than a source of exhaustion within Taiwan’s long-term care culture. Regional comparisons revealed that in Tainan City, Mindfulness, showed stronger negative associations with occupational fatigue and stronger positive association with self-efficacy, with job satisfaction emerging as the dominant predictor of emotional labor. In contrast, in Chiayi County, self-efficacy played a more influential role in mitigating occupational fatigue and enhancing job satisfaction, while emotional labor was jointly influenced by Mindfulness, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction. Conclusions: Mindfulness, and self-efficacy function as key psychological resources protecting caregivers from occupational strain, while self-efficacy and job satisfaction serve as mediating mechanisms linking psychological resources to occupational outcomes. These results highlight cultural and regional nuances in occupational health mechanisms and suggest practical implications for integrating Mindfulness, training and SE enhancement into caregiver development programs to strengthen resilience and reduce fatigue.
This qualitative descriptive study aimed to investigate how federal employees in Hawaii described psychological safety and the impact of their supervisors’ influence on psychological safety at work. This study examined the phenomena of psychological safety in the workplace using transformational leadership theory and the psychosocial safety climate (PSC) theory as its theoretical underpinnings. In conducting this study, two research questions (RQs) were employed: 1) How do federal government employees describe psychological safety in their workplace? and 2) How do federal government employees describe their supervisors’ influence on psychological safety in their workplace? To reach a total of 46 participants for the study, the study recruited from an estimated 12,053 federal government workers who were members of the LinkedIn group for Federal Employees of the U.S. Government. In addition to the study questionnaire, 14 of the questionnaire respondents took part in a subsequent Zoom interview. The six-step method developed by Braun and Clarke was used to analyze the data for relevant themes. Six themes were consequently found to address the RQs. The results imply that motivation and organizational policy have an impact on behavioral output, which in turn affects how well individuals contribute, express ideas, speak up, and participate in a psychologically safe workplace. It is advised that this study be replicated for future research in order to cover all levels of government (e.g., municipal, state, and federal) across the United States and various government demographics.
Accredited universities in Kenya have experienced dynamic growth and challenges among them ethical concerns, that touch on the quality, relevance of university curricula and capacity to pursue research effectively over years (GoK,2019; World Bank, 2020). The objective of this study was to examine the influence of ethical values on the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities in Kenya. The corresponding hypothesis stated that ethical values have no significant moderating influence on the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities in Kenya. The study was anchored on the stakeholder’s theory and complemented by virtue ethics theory. The research was grounded on the positivist philosophy. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design targeting a population of 53 accredited universities in Kenya was applied. Primary data was collected using semi- structured questionnaires. The response rate from completed questionnaires was 66.6%. Data was analysed using step wise regression analysis. Findings from this study were that ethical values did not moderate significantly the relationship between competitive strategies and performance of accredited universities in Kenya. Future research could include other respondents such as staff and students to eliminate single source bias to enrich the study. Other methods such as longitudinal design could offer richer data and greatly support the research design and the outcomes.
The business landscape is undergoing rapid transformation. Recent technological advancements are reshaping how organizations operate, making digital transformation essential for maintaining competitiveness. However, implementing such change often encounters resistance and concerns related to job security. Organizations adopt new realities and run transformations with the support of effective leadership and proactive followership. The research aims to address the existing gap in understanding the connection between leadership and employee affective commitment within digital transformation. A theoretical model explores the impacts of Leader-Member Exchange and Organizational Citizenship Behavior on employee behavior. The paper discloses that LMX and OCB have a positive relationship with employee affective commitment during digital change.
This study examined demographic and socioeconomic determinants of post-medical abortion contraceptive demand using data from 401 women who obtained medical abortion drugs at 21 pharmacies in Nakuru, Kenya, as part of the PMAC project pilot. A probit model was used to identify key factors. Although 60% of women initially chose to bundle abortion drugs with contraceptives, only 43% used contraception after self- managed abortion. Socioeconomic factors such as effective demand, exposure to contraceptive promotional interventions, abortion decision-making, and prior contraceptive use significantly influenced post-abortion contraceptive uptake, alongside demographic factors like age, marital status, and education level. The findings highlight the multifaceted nature of contraceptive decision-making following self-managed abortion, shaped by both individual and contextual factors. The study concludes that aligning decision- support strategies and targeted interventions may help increase contraceptive use post-abortion, informing policy and programmatic approaches in similar contexts.
This study explores the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on entrepreneurship education, focusing on its role in developing students’ entrepreneurial competencies and investment readiness. In an evolving digital economy, AI tools are increasingly integrated into higher education. However, little is known about how effectively AI prepares entrepreneurship students with the practical skills needed to secure funding in the South African higher education institutions, leaving a critical gap in research and practice. Using a mixed-methods research design, the study surveyed n=95 undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled in entrepreneurship-related modules at selected South African higher education institutions. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis to capture nuanced experiences and perceptions. The findings reveal that AI significantly enhances students’ ability to produce structured, professional business plans and pitch decks, improving strategic thinking, market analysis, and decision-making capabilities. Participants reported increased confidence in securing funding after using AI tools, due to improved clarity, data-backed proposals, and persuasive investor presentations. AI- enhanced pitch preparation efficiency, though its inability to replicate human authenticity was noted as a limitation. Challenges included technical constraints, accuracy issues, and the need for precise prompting. The study concludes that AI can democratise entrepreneurship education by making business planning and investor readiness training more accessible. However, sustainable integration requires balancing AI literacy, contextual relevance, institutional support, and human skills. The study recommends expanding AI training, providing tool access, incorporating market insights, and enhancing mentorship. By embedding AI into entrepreneurship education, institutions can equip students to be technologically proficient and investment-ready in a competitive economy.
In the increasingly competitive telecommunications sector, service quality has emerged as a critical driver of customer satisfaction and long-term success. This study investigates the relationship between service quality and customer satisfaction in Qatar’s telecommunications industry, focusing on the two leading providers: Ooredoo and Vodafone. Drawing on the SERVQUAL model, the research examines five key service quality dimensions—tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy—and evaluates their impact on customer satisfaction through a comparative analysis. Data were collected via structured questionnaires from 92 customers. The findings reveal a strong, positive, and statistically significant relationship between all service quality dimensions and customer satisfaction, with service quality accounting for 76% of the variance in satisfaction levels. While both companies received generally favorable ratings, Ooredoo customers reported higher satisfaction, particularly in intangible service aspects. The study contributes to the limited body of empirical research in the Gulf region and offers actionable insights for telecom operators aiming to improve service delivery, enhance customer loyalty, and align with Qatar’s national digital transformation goals.
As global societies age, retirement planning becomes a critical issue for older adults. This study investigates the interplay between self-determination, attitudes toward aging, and retirement planning. We test a moderated mediation model where attitudes toward aging mediate the relationship between self-determination and retirement planning, with this indirect effect being conditional on socioeconomic factors. A survey of 381 adults aged 55 and over was analyzed using SPSS and the PROCESS macro. Results confirm that attitudes toward aging mediate the impact of self-determination on retirement planning. This mediation is moderated by socioeconomic status; higher monthly income enhances the positive effect of self-determination on aging attitudes, suggesting financial resources foster a more autonomous approach to aging. Conversely, occupation type negatively moderates retirement planning, implying that factors like high workload or adverse pension systems can impede preparation. These findings underscore the need for policies that account for individual and socioeconomic diversity to improve older adults' retirement well-being.
The aim of the study is to investigate organizational core values implementation on business performance of construction firms in Nigeria. This was achieved by evaluating the relationship between implementation of organizational core values and business performance of construction firms in Nigeria. The survey research method was use for the study. The population of the survey constituted the management and non-management staff and customers of selected construction firms in Nigeria. A purposive sampling technique was used with a sample size of 240. However, 174 questionnaires were retuned and deemed usable representing 72.5% of the respondents. the use of statistical software’s SPSS 20.0 was used to test the data gathered. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were generalized between the variables. Findings of the study provide empirical backing that successful implementation and practice of organizational core values in construction firms in Nigeria will bloat business performance. The study concluded that construction firms in Nigeria believe that organizational core values was a key contributing factor to business performance. From the findings and conclusion, the researchers recommend that firms should endeavor to deliver and maintain products and services are within budget, so that business values and return on investment can be successfully achieved in the construction industry in Nigeria.
This study examines the impact of influencer marketing on consumer purchasing intentions across generational cohorts, with a focus on Generation X. While prior research emphasizes Generation Y and Z for their digital proficiency, Generation X holds significant economic power and market potential. Using regression analysis and LISREL modeling, this research explores the effects of para-social interactions, celebrity endorsements, and price perception on purchase intentions. Findings reveal that Generations Y and Z are highly responsive to influencer marketing, while Generation X values credibility and authenticity. Celebrity endorsements significantly impact all generations, though para-social interactions and price perception influence purchase intentions differently. These insights provide strategic guidance for marketers in tailoring influencer strategies to diverse generational preferences, enhancing consumer engagement.
This study evaluates the effectiveness of leadership development initiatives implemented in Qatar’s public health sector between 2023 and 2024, particularly those offered by the Ministry of Public Health and Hamad Medical Corporation. As part of the national strategy to build a resilient healthcare workforce, leadership training programs have been introduced targeting mid- and senior-level healthcare managers. Using a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, the study explores three main outcome areas: improvements in job performance, growth in leadership competencies, and changes in self-efficacy. Findings indicate that 80% of participants experienced tangible improvements in decision-making and interdepartmental coordination, while others noted modest changes. However, several challenges were identified, including lack of contextual adaptation, limited follow-up support, and time constraints. The research concludes with practical recommendations for enhancing program alignment with workplace realities, incorporating mentorship, and institutionalizing impact assessments. These insights contribute to the evidence base on leadership development in healthcare and support efforts to improve organizational effectiveness across Qatar’s public sector.
This paper adopts a systematic review method to summarize the major economic literature on the topics of international knowledge transfer. We pay special attention to studies exploring the role that formal institutions may have in guiding, intensifying, and enhancing international knowledge transfer in, to, and from emerging markets. Our findings identify five main transfer channels that we believe are predominant in the literature. The first refers to the role of multinational enterprises, and how industrial links affect international knowledge transfer through inward and outward foreign direct investment. The second addresses the effect of R&D internationalization on firm innovation performance. The third deals with the idea that firms learn from international trade and benefit from links with foreign markets by introducing either new products or processes. The fourth focuses on international collaborations and networks. Finally, the fifth addresses the human capital international mobility of managers and employees. However, the complex nature of these topics claims the need for supplementary studies that can help to further develop this theme.
This paper focuses on recent European audit legislation reform and its first implementation in the Italian context. In particular, we seek to address some issues related to the provision of non-audit services (NASs) to public interest entity (PIE) audit clients. Broadly, there are two main changes: a wider list of prohibited NASs that the auditor cannot provide to the audited company and a cap on allowed NASs to PIEs (70% of the average of the audit fees received in the past three years). Other measures are also in place on the provision of NASs that we consider in our analysis: monitoring by the company’s audit committee of all NASs provided by the auditor. The first research question concerns the impact of the new non-audit fee cap on the NAS level. The second research question refers to the effect on audit committee performance in terms of approval of NASs, fee cap disclosure and adoption of internal procedures devoted to monitoring the decision to buy additional services from the incumbent auditor. This latter aspect is linked to the third research question, which concerns the relationship between the NAS fee ratio and the internal procedure for overseeing the NAS purchase. The empirical analysis, conducted in the postreform years 2017–2023 on major Italian industrial listed companies, provides the following main results: a lack of disclosure regarding the fee cap calculus method and a significant reduction in the annual NAS fee ratio at an audit firm level from the initial years (2017–2020) to the most recent years investigated (2021–2023). In terms of corporate governance, the audit committee report does not emphasize the calculation or the disclosure of the 70% non-audit fee test; however, we detected a significant increase in the explicit mention of a corporate internal procedure devoted to monitoring NASs in recent years (2021–2023). Additionally, when these internal procedures are stated in the audit committee report, the NAS fee ratio is significantly lower.
In a global context marked by climatic uncertainties, due to the use of fossil fuels, Congo has embarked on a new energy strategy for several decades aimed at developing renewable energy sources. This article analyzes the impact of the energy transition on economic growth in Congo-Brazzaville. To study the impact, we used the ARDL model as well as Granger causality tests on data from the period from 1990 to 2024. Our results show that there is a strong cointegration between our variables and confirm the neutrality hypothesis for the case of Congo. Our results also confirm the causal link between economic growth and the energy transition.
