The African Journal of Empirical Research (AJERNET), hosted by AJER Publishing in Nairobi, Kenya. The journal has academic and research collaborations with Interfaith Global University, ARTIFEX University of Romania, Fotabe University of Cameroon, National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Don State Technical University and Rostov State Transport University, among other institutions and universities worldwide. This creates a prestigious academic platform with a strong global network of reviewers, editors, and contributors from leading universities and research institutions.. AJERNET's mission is to facilitate access to the latest multidisciplinary literature, encourage research reviews, and promote expertise sharing among academics. The journal focuses on empirical research, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews across social, pure, and applied sciences, maintaining high standards through a rigorous peer-review process. AJERNET is committed to open access, ensuring that all published content is freely accessible and distributable with proper citation. The journal's global reach extends to thousands of libraries, providing international exposure for published research. Authors receive comprehensive support throughout the publishing process, including guidance with revisions if needed. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis, inviting researchers to contribute to advancing empirical research and multidisciplinary knowledge. AJERNET offers a valuable opportunity for authors to share their findings and enhance the global body of knowledge, supporting their academic journey with a robust and dynamic platform.
Déficit de l’autorité maritale dans les ménages de la ville de Bunia : cas du quartier Bankoko, en province de l’Ituri (RDC)
Cette étude a porté sur le déficit de l’autorité maritale dans les ménages de la ville de Bunia, cas du quartier Bankoko en République Démocratique du Congo (RDC). Son objectif est d’identifier les causes du déficit de l’autorité maritale dans les ménages du milieu d’étude. Les hypothèses de cette étude ont été formulées que l’autorité maritale est déficitaire dans les ménages parce que le mari ne joue plus son rôle du chef de foyer à cause de la défaillance financière des maris.et ce déficit de l’autorité maritale dans les ménages est influencé par la crise socio-économique et le niveau d’étude des conjoints. Pour vérifier ces hypothèses, nous nous sommes servis de la méthode dialectique appuyée par les techniques d’interview, documentaire et d’observation directe. La présente étude a principalement comme population d’étude les membres des ménages, notamment ; les époux, les épouses et les autres membres. L’échantillon a été du type occasionnel et stratifié, constitué de 55 ménages Les résultats obtenus à l’issue de cette étude ont révélé que les ménages dans lesquels les femmes ont un niveau d’études supérieur à celui de leurs maris, soit 41,1 %, souffrent du déficit de l’autorité maritale; Les ménages dans lesquels le mari et l’épouse sont non-salariés (40,00 %), suivis de ceux où tous les deux sont salariés (36,00 %) et ceux où l’épouse seule est salariée (30,00 %) accusent une crise d’autorité maritale; Le déficit de l’autorité maritale s’observe dans les ménages où les membres (33,3 %) ont un avis négatif sur la responsabilité du mari dans son foyer et ceux dont les membres (83,3 %) s’abstiennent de se prononcer sur la responsabilité du chef de ménage dans son foyer. Pour remédier à cette crise de l’autorité maritale dans les ménages en milieu d’étude. Nous suggérons que les maris salariés soient régulièrement et convenablement payés et ceux qui ont des diplômes ou non trouvent un emploi rémunérateur en vue de subvenir aux besoins essentiels de leurs familles. Les maris devront également assumer correctement leurs responsabilités pour éviter aux membres du ménage de constater leur défaillance, ce qui pourrait avoir un impact négatif sur leur autorité. Cependant, cette étude aurait pu se pencher aussi sur les conséquences qui découlent du déficit de l’autorité maritale dans les ménages. Les études ultérieures pourraient bien aborder cet aspect du sujet enfin de compléter les résultats de la présente étude.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mbuyu Mulongo Lauriane, Mposo Nsangua Benoit, Mulungo Mfuende https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Digital banking adoption: The implications for human capital adaptation in Zambian commercial banks between 2020 and 2025
The study examined digital banking adoption: the implications for human capital adaptation in Zambian commercial banks between 2020 and 2025. It focused on the emergency of digital marketing, how extent the workforce changes, and the strategic human resource management practices adopted. This study was guided by Resource-Based Theory (RBT) and Stakeholder Theory. A descriptive research design was applied while utilizing structural questionnaires administered to 40 respondents that were from different commercial banks. The data gotten was analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics. An ANOVA test was also conducted to determine the relationship between variables. The study found out that digital banking had a statistically significant influence on workforce restructuring, staff composition, and service efficiency. The results also show the T-value of 33.995; this confirms that it is not statistically different. The P-value is 0.000, which is less than 0.05; hence, the results are statistically significant, as the P-values are less than 0.05. The study contributed to the literature on digital banking adoption and the implications for human capital adaptation by demonstrating that sustainable financial performance in digital banking depended not only on technology investments but also on their strategic integration across HR and marketing functions. The findings offered practical guidance for banking leaders seeking to build agile, innovative, and financially resilient digital organizations. The study recommends that banks should invest more in continuous digital training programs to equip employees with relevant technological skills. It also recommends that they should formalize structured reskilling programs to support employees transitioning from traditional to digital roles.
Copyright (c) 2026 Chileshe Katongo Mwamba, Austin Mwange https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Participation and policy in the making of a refugee city: Insights from Kakuma, Kenya
This study aimed to understand how and why Kakuma has become an informal “refugee city” in response to global humanitarian policy frameworks that shape both local governance and everyday forms of integration for refugees and host communities in northwestern Kenya. In particular, it looked at the extent to which refugees and host community members participate in making local decisions around their newly transformed contexts created by the Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement and the municipalization of Kakuma. The study was anchored in governance theory and adopted a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to examine refugee participation in local governance. A sample of 100 respondents was drawn from a target population of approximately 400,000 refugees using Yamane's (1967) formula at a 10% margin of error. To answer the research questions, the researchers collected data through a series of household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings were integrated during interpretation to provide a thorough understanding of governance participation and integration dynamics. It was found out that with the existence of inclusionary governance frameworks and policies that support refugee integration, the nature and quality of governance participation differ greatly among different types of refugees and host community members in Kakuma and Kalobeyei. While refugee-led organizations, youth, and women’s organizations have been increasing their participation in consultation with local authorities/decision-makers, their ability to influence decision-making is limited by unclear legal authority and limitations based on the available resources and systems in place to support governance participation. The support of community actors within the host community for integration planning has been voiced via their perceptions of unevenly represented and distributed benefits, suggesting that these inclusion efforts may mean that local inequalities could actually be reproduced. The study concludes that while Kakuma is transforming from a refugee camp to a so-called hybrid civic space at the intersections of urbanization and displacement, successful integration will be dependent on having defined and inclusive ways for people to engage with their governments. The study recommends that to promote integrated development within newly emerging “refugee city” contexts, the study suggests ways to improve established ways of engaging with both host and refugee populations; provide clarity around legal and administrative responsibilities; enable sharing of resources to establish balance in development; and improve refugees' abilities to provide long-term support for themselves as a result of the integration process.
Copyright (c) 2026 Eileen Ayieko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Knowledge does not predict prevention: A cross-sectional analysis of the caregiver knowledge–practice gap for childhood intestinal parasitic infection in rural Rwanda
This study examined awareness, knowledge, and prevention practices related to childhood parasitic infection among female carers of children under five in rural southern Rwanda and assessed whether knowledge predicted prevention after adjustment for socio-demographic and access-related factors. This article reports the quantitative component of a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study conducted in four rural districts of Southern Province, Rwanda. One health approach was used as an aspect of the theoretical framework to guide the study. The target population was found in four districts of the southern province, corresponding to 3.2 million, which involved carers and community health workers. The study involved 407 respondents. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, a semi-structured interview guide and a household observation checklist. Descriptive statistics summarised awareness, knowledge, care-seeking, and prevention practices. Chi-square tests assessed bivariate associations. Logistic regression, robust ordinary least squares regression, and Firth logistic regression were used to model awareness, adequate knowledge, prevention practices score, good prevention practice, and missed appointments due to transport. The findings indicated that awareness of intestinal parasitic infection was high (94.35%), but the mean knowledge score was only 3.17 out of 10 (SD 1.95). The mean prevention practices score was 4.07 out of 10 (SD 1.32), and only 3.19% of carers met the threshold for good prevention practice. Education was the strongest and most consistent predictor of both knowledge and prevention. In contrast, the knowledge score was not significantly associated with either the continuous prevention practices score (β 0.00, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.08; p = 0.986) or the binary good-practice outcome. Safe water storage, water treatment, frequent handwashing, and toilet cleaning were uncommon. More than one third of carers reported having missed appointments because of transport barriers. The study concludes that awareness was high but not associated with prevention; education was the strongest predictor of the household practice. The study recommends that strategies to reduce childhood parasitic infections in rural Rwanda should move beyond awareness campaigns and prioritise practical behaviour support, household-level WASH-enabling conditions, and interventions that reduce access barriers.
Copyright (c) 2026 Laurette Mushimiyimana, Olga Novokhatskaya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Drivers of financial sustainability of individual pension schemes in Kenya
This study sought to determine the drivers of the financial sustainability of individual pension schemes in Kenya. It, therefore, looked at the schemes through market timing, security selection, portfolio rebalancing, asset allocation, and market sentiments. The study applied the institutional theory, modern portfolio theory, and the capital market efficiency theory. Subsequently, this study adopted a pragmatic research philosophy and used a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. The population of the study was 49 individual pension schemes registered by the RBA. This study used a census approach. A quantitative analysis was performed. Subsequently, data collection was done from 27th November to 27th December 2024. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 27 was utilised for statistical analysis. This study adopted a binary logit regression model. The findings of the study show that security selection, asset allocation, market timing strategies, portfolio rebalancing and market sentiment all had a significant and positive effect on the financial sustainability of individual pension schemes registered with the RBA. Security selection had a statistically significant positive effect on the financial sustainability of individual pension schemes in Kenya (β = 0.620, p = 0.000), indicating that a one-unit increase in security selection increases the log odds of financial sustainability by 0.620. Similarly, asset allocation showed a significant positive effect (β = 0.430, p = 0.002), with a one-unit increase associated with a 0.430 rise in log odds. Market timing also had a significant positive influence (β = 0.360, p = 0.006), implying a 0.360 increase in log odds per unit increase. Portfolio rebalancing demonstrated a significant positive effect as well (β = 0.282, p = 0.004), corresponding to a 0.282 increase in log odds. Lastly, market sentiment exhibited a strong significant positive effect (β = 0.561, p = 0.000), with each unit increase leading to a 0.561 rise in the log odds of financial sustainability. The model was significant (p < 0.05), with Nagelkerke R² values between 0.082 and 0.180, signifying moderate explanatory capacity. The findings emphasise the necessity of incorporating diverse investing methods to improve pension sustainability. Policy recommendations emphasise adopting effective security selection strategies, supported by training for fund managers. Market sentiment should be integrated into portfolio and risk models, while practice should focus on capacity building, market-timing tools, and sentiment analysis.
Copyright (c) 2026 Saul Nzioka Ngao, James Ndegwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Unlocking key drivers and potentials of supply chain integration on influencing the availability of health commodities
Supply chain integration (SCI) is crucial for healthcare facilities in ensuring the availability of health commodities, as it connects actors of the chain to improve efficiency and effectiveness while ensuring a win-win situation. To have an effective SCI, the study identifies strategies to achieve it and improve the availability of health commodities. The study utilized institutional theory and the resource-based view to analyze new SCI impact pathways; future studies can analyze using different theoretical lenses and frameworks. The study focused on the downstream level of health commodities, surveying healthcare workers’ perceptions. This cross-sectional study involved 119 public healthcare centers in Tanzania, where healthcare workers were sampled using multi-stage sampling to answer the questionnaire in hand. The key results of the partial least structural equation modelling show that organizational resources are a key driver of integration. Organizational resources exerted a favorable influence on SCI (β = 0.834, p < 0.001), but professional norms had a negative effect. Conversely, professional norms showed a significant negative relationship with integration (β = -0.532, p < 0.001), as supply chain integration was found to be a major driver of the availability of health commodities (β = 0.984, p = 0.002). Mediation study indicated that SCI mediated the influence of professional norms and regulatory frameworks on commodity availability, with regulation enhancing and professional norms obstructing access. The impact of industrial practices and organizational resources was negligible when mediated by Supply Chain Integration (SCI). The findings provide a roadmap for healthcare facilities, policymakers, and regulators to proactively address commodity supply tensions and improve public healthcare facilities’ resources and capabilities, enabling them to initiate an effective SCI to improve the availability of health commodities. By reframing the solution to health commodity availability, the study suggests new opportunities arising from SCI implementation and new responsibilities for different healthcare stakeholders. This research offers (1) a comparative analysis of different antecedents of SCI, and (2) a clear understanding of SCI and how it affects the availability of health commodities. The study recommends a shift in improving the resource capacity of the healthcare centers to allow them to fully integrate as a means of improving the availability of health commodities, while keeping the regulatory frameworks at minimum.
Copyright (c) 2026 Alfred Ain Sallwa, Henry A. Mollel, Leonada R. Mwagike https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Prévalence des bactéries multirésistantes et performance opérationnelle des systèmes de surveillance de l’antibiorésistance à Kisangani, RDC
Cette étude évalue les capacités opérationnelles des laboratoires et l’efficacité des systèmes de surveillance de la résistance aux antimicrobiens (RAM) à Kisangani, afin d'identifier les lacunes structurelles et d'orienter les politiques de santé publique en République Démocratique du Congo. Une enquête transversale descriptive et analytique a été menée de janvier 2021 à décembre 2025 au sein de quatre structures pivots : l’Hôpital du Cinquantenaire, le Laboratoire Ema Esu, les Cliniques Universitaires et la Polyclinique REKAPI. Sur un total de 10 247 prélèvements analysés, 7 365 cultures positives (71,87 %) ont été identifiées. L’identification a été réalisée par méthodes biochimiques (VITEK® 2, galeries API) et la sensibilité testée selon les standards CLSI 2023 et EUCAST 2024. Les analyses statistiques ont été effectuées via les logiciels SPSS 25.0 et R 4.3.1 avec un seuil de signification p < 0,05. L’étude révèle une prédominance des bacilles Gram négatif (72,27 %). Les espèces majeures isolées sont Staphylococcus aureus (24,55 %) et Escherichia coli (19,34 %). Une prédominance féminine nette est observée (71,67 %), principalement liée aux infections urinaires qui représentent 29,6 % des prélèvements. Les taux de résistance sont alarmants, oscillant entre 50 % et 60 % pour les molécules usuelles. La sensibilité est particulièrement critique pour la ceftriaxone (15,88 %) et la ciprofloxacine (14,12 %). Fait préoccupant, le méropénème, antibiotique de dernier recours, affiche une résistance globale de 60 %, suggérant la circulation de phénotypes multirésistants (MDR) et de souches productrices de BLSE. La portée des résultats est limitée par le design transversal de l'étude, l'absence de caractérisation moléculaire (PCR/séquençage) pour identifier les gènes de résistance spécifiques, et un biais potentiel lié à l'échantillonnage non probabiliste. Kisangani agit comme une « sentinelle écologique » témoignant de l'érosion de l'arsenal thérapeutique en Afrique centrale. Ces résultats imposent une rupture avec l'antibiothérapie empirique au profit du « Diagnostic Stewardship » et de l’approche « One Health » pour freiner la dissémination des bactéries multirésistantes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Papy Mwanga Kimbalambala, Evariste Loke Lobanga, Solomo Basile, René Oleko Woto https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Exploring the literary representation of the rural in Before Dawn by Andrea Masiye
This article is based on a doctoral study whose purpose was to explore the literary representation of the rural and the urban in selected Zambian fiction in English. Therefore, this article focuses on analysing the literary representation of the rural in Before Dawn by Andrea Masiye. The study was qualitative, and a desk survey was used to collect the data. The data was then analysed using thematic and content analysis were recurring patterns were identified from the content of the texts, and then themes were drawn from these. The theoretical framework applied in this article is Gerald Genette’s narrative theory. The study found that rural in Before Dawn has been represented as a physical place outside the city; as a site of traditional culture, a closely-knit society, and as being backward or lacking in social and economic aspects. The study recommends that future research be undertaken and should focus on comparative analyses between Zambian fiction and literature from other Southern African countries. Such studies could explore differences in portrayal and the influence of regional socio-political contexts on the depiction of rural and urban spaces in Zambian fiction.
Copyright (c) 2026 Florence M. Tembo, Stewart Crehan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Digital marketing adoption and financial performance among tourism micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Livingstone, Zambia
Digital marketing has become an important tool for small businesses seeking to expand their customer base at a lower cost than traditional advertising. In Livingstone, Zambia, tourism micro, small, and medium enterprises [MSMEs] continue to face financial strain, yet no prior study has directly tested whether digital marketing adoption improves financial outcomes. This study addresses that gap by examining the adoption‑performance relationship and identifying the conditions that shape its impact. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model, the research employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. The target population comprised 167 MSMEs registered with the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) across eight tourism sub-sectors. The survey sample size was calculated using the Yamane formula (n = N / (1 + N(e)²), where N = 167 and e = 0.05), yielding a minimum required sample of 118, of which 97 complete questionnaires were returned. Survey data were collected from 97 MSME owners and managers across eight tourism subsectors, complemented by interviews with 12 key informants. The financial performance scale used in the survey demonstrated excellent reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.932, ensuring confidence in the results. Findings show that 60 of the 97 enterprises had adopted digital marketing, with social media marketing overwhelmingly dominant. Platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp Business, and Instagram were used by more than nine in ten adopters, meaning social media accounted for nearly two‑thirds of all businesses in the sample, while technically demanding tools such as search engine optimisation and email marketing were rarely taken up. Revenue outcomes were stronger among adopters: their average agreement score was 3.68 compared to the neutral baseline of 3.0, and three‑quarters reported revenue growth after adoption. A correlation analysis confirmed that adoption was moderately linked to revenue change, with a coefficient of 0.325, showing that businesses using digital marketing were more likely to report growth than those that did not. However, the benefits were not automatic. Nearly half of the enterprises reported lacking the digital skills needed to use digital marketing effectively, while 44.2% cited insufficient funds for ICT investment, and the same proportion struggled with unreliable internet connectivity. These barriers were most acute among microenterprises, which make up more than three‑quarters of the sector, explaining why revenue outcomes varied by business size. To capture this reality, the study proposes a conditional impact model that extends the technology acceptance model by explicitly incorporating these enabling conditions. The study concludes that digital marketing adoption can improve financial performance among tourism MSMEs in Zambia, but only when skills, financing, and infrastructure are in place, and it recommends that MSME owners, industry associations, and policymakers prioritise training, affordable ICT financing, and reliable internet access to unlock the full potential of digital marketing in the tourism sector.
Copyright (c) 2026 Philomena Zimba, Chaste Nsama, Chilyata Kabwalwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Linking human, physical, and digital resources with school change and educational receptivity: A fidelity framework-based analysis of competence-based curriculum implementation in Uganda
This study examined the role of educational resources in the implementation of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) in lower secondary schools in Uganda, with School Change Educational Receptivity (SCER) tested as a mediator. Human, physical, and digital/printed resources were assessed as predictors of curriculum implementation outcomes. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed, collecting quantitative data from 972 teachers out of a target population of 4,987 comprising of school administrators, and NCDC staff. Hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling with bootstrapped PROCESS-style mediation analysis were used to quantify direct and indirect effects, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically using the Braun and Clarke approach, guided by the Fidelity Model to assess alignment between resources and curriculum implementation as designed. Results indicated that educational resources exert a strong and significant direct effect on curriculum implementation (total effect β = 0.650, p < .001; direct effect β = 0.640, p < .001). In contrast, SCER did not significantly mediate this relationship: Path a (resources → SCER, β = 0.050, p = .119), Path b (SCER implementation, β = 0.200, p = .120), and the indirect effect (β = 0.010, 95% CI [-0.020, 0.040]) were all non-significant. This counter-intuitive finding demonstrates that, despite moderate to high reported receptivity to change, school change receptivity does not function as a mechanism through which educational resources improve CBC implementation outcomes. These findings highlight that tangible resource investments particularly in teacher capacity, physical infrastructure, and digital/printed learning materials are the primary drivers of curriculum fidelity in resource-constrained Ugandan schools. Policymakers should prioritize direct allocation of resources, while school administrators can enhance implementation effectiveness through structured support such as mentoring, collaborative planning, and integration of available resources, ensuring that curriculum delivery remains aligned with its intended design as emphasized by the Fidelity Model Accordingly, policymakers, including the Ministry of Education and Sports Uganda, should prioritize direct investment in educational resources—teacher capacity, infrastructure, and instructional materials and ensure their effective utilization to enhance curriculum fidelity. Emphasis should shift from school change receptivity to resource-driven implementation strategies as the primary pathway for achieving successful and sustainable Competence-Based Curriculum outcomes in Uganda.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tonny Muzaale, John Kitayimbwa, Wilson Eduan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Political violence in Kenya (Since 1992) and mitigation mechanisms: A scoping review
Kenya has developed various mitigation mechanisms to address political violence. The 2010 Constitution created a system that established democratic governance, human rights safeguards, and devolution. The judicial system has enhanced powers, which allows it to take a more active role in handling election-related conflicts. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission introduced transparency enhancements through biometric technology for voter registration and results transmission. Peacebuilding initiatives have also made important contributions to reduce political violence. In spite of these legal, structural, and institutional reforms, the risk of political violence in Kenya is high. There are threats of ethnic divisions, political intolerance, misinformation, and the lack of accountability. The purpose of this study was to examine political violence in Kenya (since 1992) and mitigation mechanisms. The study was anchored on the relative deprivation theory and the conflict transformation theory. An exploratory research design is employed. Qualitative and quantitative studies were included. Only studies written in English, accessible at no cost, and peer-reviewed are included. Additionally, only studies in the past 6 years were considered. Mendeley, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and EBSCOhost databases were searched for articles published between 2020 and 2026. Data analysis for the study used Microsoft Excel to organize and interpret relevant data. Results reveal that post-election violence in Kenya develops through structural factors, institutional systems, ethnic groups, and economic conditions. Historical grievances and land disputes exacerbate political violence in Kenya. The institutional frameworks determine political violence in the country. The youth are at the center of political violence in Kenya. The intensity and patterns of post-election violence are determined by contextual factors and local-level dynamics. Civic education, issue-based politics, and inclusive governance are effective methods for implementing disaster response systems. The study concludes that the political violence problem in Kenya requires active solutions that create multiple layers of protection to manage its basic and its immediate conflict drivers. This study recommends that the IEBC should develop better systems for electoral processes that will enhance their transparency and credibility and hold electoral results accountable. Political parties should establish internal democracy systems to reduce ethnic-based voting and promote issue-based manifestos. The ministries of youth affairs, education, and labor should develop youth empowerment programs to create employment opportunities and provide skills training and civic engagement programs to empower the youth. The local community should strengthen its inter-ethnic dialogue forums to involve community leaders, religious organizations, and local peace committees to build social unity and reduce distrust between different groups. Law enforcement agencies should develop their community policing methods and establish linkages with local residents to manage election-related issues.
Copyright (c) 2026 Davies O. Okombo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Corporate social investment and community development: A case study of the mining sector in the Copperbelt, Zambia
This study examined the effects of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives on community development in mining-affected areas in Zambia, a case of the Copperbelt Province. It focused on three main objectives: to identify the types of CSI initiatives implemented by mining companies, to assess the effects of CSI initiatives on community development, and to propose a framework for enhancing CSI for sustainable development. The theories that guided this research are stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory. The study used an explanatory sequential mixed method, combining both qualitative and quantitative data from 100 respondents. The study employed a mixed sampling technique, combining purposive and simple random sampling. It employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research design, following a pragmatic research paradigm. The study used both primary and secondary data. It used semi-structured interview guides and questionnaires to collect data from participants. The data gotten from respondents was analyzed using inferential and descriptive statistics. Not only that, but the ANOVA test was also conducted to determine the relationship between variables. Results indicate that corporate social responsibility has an effect on community development. The results indicate that the most frequently identified initiative was the provision of healthcare services, endorsed by 27.8% of responses (n = 10), representing 52.6% of cases. The findings also suggest that CSI initiatives are most strongly perceived to enhance well-being (66.7%) and promote economic development (58.3%). A one-way ANOVA (regression ANOVA) was conducted, and the results indicated that the model was statistically significant, F(1, 98) = 61.76, p < .001. A simple linear regression analysis was conducted. The results show that corporate social initiatives significantly predict the effects of CSI initiatives: B = 0.617, SE = 0.078, t(98) = 7.86, p < .001. In conclusion, the study concludes that CSI initiatives in Zambia’s Copperbelt are fragmented, short-term, and insufficiently aligned with community needs and sustainable development goals. The absence of structured planning, weak community participation, limited accountability, and inadequate sustainability mechanisms reduces the overall effectiveness of CSI. The study recommends that mining companies should transition from project-based CSI approaches to strategic, long-term development frameworks that integrate community priorities and national development plans.
Copyright (c) 2026 Herbert Mulenga, Moses Phiri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Analysis of the nexus between human resource strategies and performance of Tanzania’s local government authorities
This study sought to investigate the role of human resource strategies in the performance of local government authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania under the theories of human capital and contingency. The research concentrated on five categories of human resource strategies, namely training, communication, reward and recognition, staffing, and performance management strategies. The research concentrated on five categories of human resource strategies, namely training, communication, reward and recognition, staffing, and performance management strategies. A mixed research methodology was used, where the respondents included both employees and management personnel working within selected LGAs in the Northern and Southern Highlands zones. Multistage sampling in combination with stratified random sampling techniques yielded a sample size of 231 respondents. For the quantitative research design, structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Similarly, structured interview questionnaires were used to collect data in the qualitative research design. The regression analysis results show that training strategies (β = 0.380, p < 0.001), communication strategies (β = 0.311, p < 0.001), and performance management strategies (β = 0.331, p < 0.001) were statistically significant predictors of LGA performance. However, reward and recognition strategies and staffing strategies were not statistically significant predictors. Therefore, this study concludes that training strategies, communication strategies, and performance management strategies are the most critical HR strategies in improving LGA performance. This study also recommends that the reward system needs to be reformed to ensure transparency and strategic alignment with organizational objectives. Bureaucratic and structural challenges need to be addressed to enhance governance in Tanzanian LGAs.
Copyright (c) 2026 Rhoda Damas Mwizamholya, Venance Shillingi, Bahati Ilembo, Elizabeth Mwakasangula https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Priming preventive behavior: The influence of vernacular radio messaging on trachoma prevention in West Pokot, Kenya
Trachoma has remained a major public health challenge in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions despite the employment of biomedical interventions under the Surgery, Antibiotics, Face washing, Environment improvement [SAFE] strategy. This study examined the influence of priming through vernacular radio messaging on trachoma preventive behavior in West Pokot County, Kenya. It is guided by priming theory, agenda-setting theory, diffusion of innovation theory, and the Health Belief Model. The target population comprised of the residents of West Pokot. The study adopted a qualitative method using focus group discussions with 48 respondents selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed thematically, and findings revealed that vernacular radio enhances preventive behaviour through cognitive repetition, recall, issue salience, behavioural reinforcement, and community-level diffusion of hygiene practices. Findings further show that linguistic and cultural proximity increases message acceptance and trust. Nonetheless, inconsistent media exposure weakens priming effects. The findings present the essence of vernacular radio as a culturally available health communication platform able to shape audience perceptions, strengthen preventive standards, and ease the diffusion of hygiene practices in rural communities. This study concludes that vernacular radio is an appropriate and effective tool for trachoma prevention communication. It recommends persistent and culturally contextualized health messaging across rural communities to enhance awareness and sustained behaviour change.
Copyright (c) 2026 Faith Njeri Ngure, Jane Wamathu, Joseph Muchiri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Board gender diversity in listed companies: A comparative study of legal and institutional barriers to gender equity in Uganda and other jurisdictions
Board gender diversity is increasingly recognized as both a legal and governance imperative, yet women remain underrepresented in corporate leadership globally. In Uganda, despite constitutional guarantees and a suite of legal instruments including the Companies Act 2012, Employment Act 2006, Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2021, Equal Opportunities Act 2007, and the Capital Markets Authority Corporate Governance Guidelines, female representation on boards of listed companies remains below 10%. This study investigates the legal and institutional barriers to women’s participation on corporate boards in Uganda, adopting a doctrinal and socio-legal methodology that examines constitutional, statutory, and regulatory frameworks. Stakeholder theory guided this study. The research also employs a comparative approach, analyzing countries such as Norway, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, which have successfully increased female board representation through binding legal quotas and formal enforcement mechanisms. A total of 66 participants were sampled for the study using purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling strategies to target individuals with relevant expertise on corporate governance and gender equality. The sample comprised 20 board members, 15 regulators, 16 legislators, and 15 civil society representatives, providing a diverse range of perspectives on corporate decision-making, regulatory enforcement, legal frameworks, and societal expectations. The findings reveal that Uganda’s voluntary and non-binding framework limits the effectiveness of gender equality initiatives, resulting in persistent male dominance in boardrooms. Comparative lessons highlight the importance of enforceable quotas, formal nomination processes, regulatory oversight, and judicial recourse in translating legal principles into tangible boardroom outcomes. Based on these insights, the study recommends that Uganda strengthen its legal and regulatory framework to mandate minimum female representation on boards, establish formalized nomination and reporting procedures, and enhance regulatory monitoring and enforcement. Such interventions would align Uganda with constitutional, regional, and international obligations, improve governance quality, and ensure that corporate boards are more inclusive, representative, and responsive to diverse stakeholder interests. The study contributes to the broader discourse on gender-inclusive governance and offers practical guidance for policymakers, regulators, and corporations seeking to advance boardroom diversity in Uganda. Uganda should mandate minimum female representation on corporate boards, introduce formalized nomination and reporting procedures, and strengthen regulatory monitoring and enforcement. Drawing on successful international models, enforceable quotas and judicial recourse would translate legal principles into tangible outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Tonny Muzaale, Valentine Tebi Mbeli, Esther Christine Kisubi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Outcomes of an integrated clinical management strategy and associated factors for stroke patients in public hospitals in the lake region counties of Kenya
Stroke is a major cause of mortality, morbidity, and diminished quality of life, making effective management essential for improving patient outcomes. An integrated clinical management strategy offers a standardized, evidence-based framework that combines comprehensive assessment, targeted interventions, and coordinated multidisciplinary care to enhance recovery among stroke patients. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of such a strategy and its associated factors among stroke patients in public hospitals in the Lake Region counties of Kenya. The target population comprised all patients admitted to the designated hospitals with a diagnosis of stroke. A quasi-experimental research design was used, enrolling 173 stroke patients from four county referral hospitals. Of these, 87 patients were assigned to the intervention group (in two hospitals), while 86 were in the control group (in two hospitals). The intervention group received care guided by an integrated clinical management strategy in addition to routine care. This strategy involved incorporating a structured tool into patient files and initiating care based on its guidelines. It was implemented by a nurse-led multidisciplinary team and emphasized coordinated, evidence-based care during hospitalization and after discharge through outpatient follow-up. The control group received standard stroke care. Data were collected using questionnaires, facility checklists, and patient records after obtaining institutional approvals. Healthcare providers and research assistants were trained on the integrated strategy. Patient outcomes, including mortality, hospital stay, morbidity, and complications, were recorded. The intervention was monitored through monthly reviews for up to six months, and discharged patients were followed up in outpatient clinics to assess progress. Data analysis was done using inferential and descriptive statistics. Findings showed that 43.3% (n=75) of patients had hospital stays of 1–7 days, while only 1.7% (n=3) stayed longer than 60 days. Mortality was significantly lower in the intervention group at 4.6% (n=4) compared to 16.3% (n=14) in the control group. Overall mortality was 10.4% (n=18), with most deaths (33.3%, n=6) occurring within 8–14 days of admission. Functional recovery was notably higher in the intervention group at 81.9% (n=68) compared to 55.6% (n=40) in the control group. Complications affected 72.3% (n=125) of patients. The most common were urinary incontinence (50.4%, n=63), pressure ulcers (38.4%, n=48), and aspiration pneumonia (33.6%, n=42), while depression was least reported (18.4%, n=18). The intervention significantly improved outcomes: patients in the intervention group were 70% more likely to have shorter hospital stays (RR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.2–2.4, p = 0.002) and had a 72% lower risk of death (RR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.10–0.78, p = 0.01). They were also 1.9 times more likely to return to pre-stroke functional status (RR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.4–2.6, p < 0.0001) and 1.4 times more likely to achieve overall good outcomes. In conclusion, the integrated clinical management strategy significantly improved stroke outcomes, including survival, functional recovery, and reduced hospital stay. The study also found that stroke type and severity are associated, with hemorrhagic strokes presenting more severely. It recommends early diagnosis, timely intervention, and strengthened prevention strategies. Additionally, integrating patient, provider, and facility factors into stroke care is essential for improving recovery outcomes and adherence to secondary prevention.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lydiah B. Nyachiro, Damaris Ochanda, John Okoth https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The role of digital marketing in promoting sustainable tourism during COVID-19 in Lusaka, Zambia
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically altered the global tourism industry. This crisis has highlighted how dependent tourism businesses were on face-to-face interactions, physical travel arrangements, and conventional marketing methods. Because of these dependencies, the industry became highly vulnerable to sudden disruptions. In Zambia, the situation was extremely hard in Lusaka, which is the country's main center of administration, trade, urban tourism, and business travel. Measures such as restriction of movement, bans on gatherings, and social distancing severely reduced the visibility of the destination and the weakening of the relationship with potential tourists. Consequently, many tourism businesses ended up operating at reduced capacity, while some even closed down. This research, based on dynamic capabilities theory with the help of PESTEL analysis, examined how tourism companies digitally discover opportunities and change their marketing practices after COVID-19. It also looked at which digital marketing means are being used to motivate destinations and promote business resilience and continuity. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used, aiming at 230 stakeholders including tourism operators, digital marketers, policymakers, and domestic tourists. 119 materials were validly returned based on purposive and convenience sampling. Quantitative data was statistically analyzed by descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, correlation, and regression analysis in SPSS, whereas qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The results pointed out that during the pandemic, digital marketing turned out to be a critical survival and adaptation tool. Over 70% of the people surveyed reported using online platforms to keep up their visibility and customer interaction. Facebook was at the top of the list with 78%, then WhatsApp with 72%, and Instagram with 61%. Approximately 72% said that they communicated and engaged with the market better, and 68% stated that digital marketing helped to make their business more resilient during the crisis. But only 35% took advantage of advanced tools like analytics, influencer marketing, and virtual tours, which suggests limited digital proficiency. The share of those incorporating sustainability messages into their digital content was below 40%. The main problems were the expensive data, as indicated by 76% of the respondents; lack of digital skills, by 64%; and unstable internet connectivity, by 58%, among others. The article's final decision is that although digital marketing has played a major role in improving visibility, engagement, and short-term resilience, it is still not a sufficient gear for long-term, sustainable tourism development because of structural, financial, and skills-related barriers. It is also imperative to ensure better digital capacity, upgrade internet infrastructural facilities, and put in place sustainability strategies to meet the needs of a better tourism sector in Zambia and resilience-building outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Andrew Katete, Annastasia Chileshe Mulenga https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Midwife factors associated with targeted postnatal care implementation in health facilities across Kakamega County, Western Kenya
The postnatal period is a critical window for reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality; however, the quality and completeness of postnatal care remain suboptimal in many low- and middle-income countries. Targeted postnatal care (TPNC), as recommended by the World Health Organization, emphasizes structured, timely, and comprehensive interventions for both mother and newborn. Despite these recommendations, there is limited evidence on the implementation of TPNC and its influencing factors in Kenya. This study aimed to assess the level of TPNC implementation and examine midwife-related factors influencing its delivery in selected health facilities in Kakamega County. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed involving 160 midwives. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and key informant interviews and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and levels of TPNC implementation, while regression analysis examined associations between midwife factors and implementation outcomes. The mean age of midwives was 36.76±7.64 years, with the majority being female (76.25%) and diploma-trained (71.25%), and 62.5% having received Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC) training. The mean level of immediate postnatal care implementation was 65.09% (±16.99), indicating suboptimal adherence to recommended guidelines. While moderate proportions of midwives reported performing uterine palpation (56.88%) and supporting early initiation of breastfeeding (61.88%), critical gaps were observed in maternal danger sign assessment (48.13%) and provision of HIV-related health education (20%). Linear regression analysis revealed no statistically significant association between midwives’ sociodemographic characteristics and TPNC implementation (F (5,154) = 0.66, p = 0.650, R² = 0.021), suggesting that individual-level factors may not adequately explain variations in care delivery. This study found that the implementation of targeted postnatal care (TPNC) among midwives in selected health facilities in Kakamega County is suboptimal, particularly in critical components such as maternal danger sign assessment and health education. The study further established that midwives’ sociodemographic characteristics were not significant predictors of TPNC implementation. There is a need for the Ministry of Health and county health departments to strengthen health system capacity by addressing structural barriers such as staffing shortages, workload, and availability of essential resources.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ruth Shitabule https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Pedagogical approaches and their impact on patriotism and national unity: A study of history and government education in Kenyan secondary schools
This study investigated the extent to which pedagogical approaches used in the implementation of the secondary school history and government curriculum foster patriotism, national cohesion, and unity among learners in Kenya. This study is grounded in constructivist and social learning theories, which together emphasize active, interactive learning. Constructivism views learners as active participants who build knowledge through experience, dialogue, and critical thinking, supporting learner-centered approaches in history and government education. Social Learning Theory complements this by highlighting how students acquire values and behaviors through observation, imitation, and reinforcement. Combined, these theories provide a strong framework for promoting critical thinking, civic responsibility, and the development of values such as patriotism and national cohesion. Anchored in a pragmatic research paradigm, the study adopted a mixed-methods approach within a descriptive survey design, utilizing a sequential explanatory framework to integrate both quantitative and qualitative data. The study was conducted in 210 secondary schools in Kakamega County, selected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques to ensure representation of school categories. The target population comprised form four students, history and government teachers, and selected education stakeholders. Data were collected using structured questionnaires for students and teachers, semi-structured interviews for key informants, classroom observations, and document analysis of lesson plans and curriculum materials. Instrument validity was ensured through expert review, while reliability was established using pilot testing and statistical measures. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, frequencies, and standard deviations) and inferential techniques, including correlation, regression analysis, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), to determine relationships among variables. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and used to triangulate and explain quantitative findings. The results indicated that although the History and Government curriculum is inherently designed to promote civic values, its effectiveness largely depends on the pedagogical approaches employed. Teacher-centered methods dominated classroom practice, limiting active student participation and meaningful engagement with civic concepts. In contrast, learner-centered pedagogies such as group discussions, debates, simulations, role-play, and community-based learning were found to significantly enhance students’ understanding and internalization of patriotism, national cohesion, and unity. Regression analysis revealed that pedagogical approaches had a statistically significant, though comparatively weaker and negative influence when poorly implemented, highlighting inconsistencies in instructional quality. The findings further showed that systemic challenges, including inadequate teacher training, limited instructional resources, large class sizes, and exam-oriented teaching culture, hinder the effective use of participatory methods. The study concludes that pedagogy is a critical link between curriculum design and the realization of civic education outcomes. It recommends strengthening continuous professional development for teachers in learner-centered and competency-based pedagogies, revising assessment systems to support civic learning, and improving institutional support to facilitate interactive teaching practices. Enhancing pedagogical effectiveness is essential for positioning history and government education as a transformative tool for fostering national identity, unity, and social cohesion in Kenya.
Copyright (c) 2026 Omari Merabu Imbundu, Prof. John Shiundu, Dr. Erick Wangila https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Influence of management commitment to occupational safety and health-OSH on service delivery in level 4 public hospitals in Kisii County, Kenya
The safety and health of healthcare workers are fundamental to the effective delivery of medical services. The public expects these professionals to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality care within hospital environments that are free from occupational injuries and illnesses. However, in many developing countries, the quality of healthcare service delivery remains unacceptably poor. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of management commitment to occupational safety and health on service delivery in level 4 public health facilities in Kisii County, Kenya. The overarching theoretical framework guiding this study was the Social Exchange Theory, which posits that human behaviour is driven by a cost-benefit analysis, where individuals are motivated by the perceived rewards, whether tangible or psychological, relative to the costs incurred. In the context of this study, the theory posits that healthcare service delivery is shaped by the presence of rewards and inducements, particularly safe working conditions and psychosocial support, which enhance healthcare workers’ performance, ultimately improving the quality of service delivery. The study findings would be significant to the management of healthcare facilities for manipulating occupational safety and health practices, guaranteeing enhanced quality of working life and service delivery. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design that did not involve manipulation of variables. It targeted 521 healthcare workers providing medical services in level 4 public health facilities located in Kisii County and patients seeking medical services in these facilities. Proportionate stratified random sampling and purposive sampling were used to select a sample of healthcare workers, while patients were selected using convenience sampling. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, simple hierarchical regression and multiple hierarchical regression analyses. The study established that safety policy implementation has a moderating effect on the association between management commitment and service delivery (F (3, 11) = 13.593, p = .012; t (13) = 2.475, p = .017). Further, it reveals that both management commitment to occupational safety and health and psychosocial support are significant predictors of service delivery in level 4 public hospitals in Kisii County. The study recommends that the hospital management prioritise the effective implementation of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policy as a strategic approach to strengthen safety and health practices, thereby enhancing service delivery.
Copyright (c) 2026 Okibo Stephen Simako, Wagude Janet, Omolo Jonathan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Zambia’s fragile recovery: Integrating cost-of-living relief, structural transformation, and governance for sustainable development
While Zambia’s macroeconomic recovery following debt restructuring has restored investor confidence, it has not translated into broad-based improvements in household welfare. As the cost of living rises, the cost of food, fuel and energy continues to erode real incomes and make poverty and inequality worse. The article proposes an integrated sustainable development framework that tackles simultaneously short-term social protection, medium-term economic diversification into climate-resilient sectors, and governance reforms that restore the social contract. The study empirically demonstrates the widening gap between macroeconomic gains and lived experience by systematically analysing 137 Zambian newspaper articles (January 2024 – June 2025), triangulated with Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Basic Needs Basket data and civil society monitoring reports. The analysis finds that structural barriers, such as dependence on copper, low-productivity rain-fed agriculture and vulnerability in the hydropower sector, and governance contradictions, such as constricted civic space and perceptions of selective anti-corruption enforcement, are undermining sustainable development. The political economy perspective exposes the vested interests and institutional path dependencies that sustain policy inertia, while gender analysis exposes the disproportionate burden on women in coping with price shocks. Drawing on these findings, the article proposes a complementary suite of actions, including scaling up digital cash transfers indexed to a basic-needs basket; reforming the Food Reserve Agency via transparent price triggers and competitive tendering; investing in climate-resilient agriculture and solar energy diversification; implementing labour-intensive public works in climate-resilient infrastructure; amending the Public Order Act to a simple notification regime; depoliticising anti-corruption enforcement through transparent case selection and visible reinvestment of recovered assets into social protection; and institutionalising a permanent multi-stakeholder forum to co-produce cost-of-living policies – all anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals. In the absence of such an integrated governance-centred approach, Zambia’s stabilisation will remain fragile, with economic shocks and governance deficits reinforcing one another.
Copyright (c) 2026 Andisen Chance Zulu, Christopher Kabwe Mukuka https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Ineffective by design? Systemic failures of performance management in a sub-Saharan African military establishment: The case of Zambia
Performance Management Systems [PMS] emerged as a core instrument of New Public Management reform in Sub-Saharan Africa from the 1990s, yet their effectiveness in military establishments remains empirically underexamined. This qualitative case study evaluates the effectiveness of the PMS implemented in military establishments, with particular stress on the Military Training Establishment of Zambia. This is a major institution of the defence sector of Zambia in Kabwe. This evaluation was conducted twenty-two years after its introduction of PMS in 1998. The target population comprised the officer corps at MILTEZ. Purposive sampling was employed to select 23 key informants, comprising 14 wing commanders and 9 senior staff officers, across all six military training establishments of Zambia departments, on the basis of their direct involvement in goal-setting, performance appraisal, or reward administration. The data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews conducted between October 2018 and February 2019. The study applies reflexive thematic analysis to generate rich, contextualised insights into PMS effectiveness. The theoretical framework draws on four mainstream public administration theories: New Public Management Theory, Institutional Isomorphism, Principal-Agent Theory, and Accountability Theory. Four interrelated themes emerged: a goal-setting deficit characterised by unilateral formulation and resource inadequacy; a trait-performance Disconnect, in which the appraisal instrument evaluates personal characteristics rather than goal achievement; a Reward Administration Failure driven by opacity and perceived nepotism; and a Systemic Institutional Mismatch generated by the uncritical adoption of civilian performance management systems frameworks in a hierarchical military context. The study concludes that Performance Management Systems’ ineffectiveness at the Military Training Establishment of Zambia is systemic, rooted in mimetic isomorphism, and proposes a military-adapted PMS reform framework responsive to the institutional realities of Sub-Saharan African military organisations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Peter Leonard Daka https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Assessing the effect of “Stop the Bleed” training on external hemorrhage management by the lay first responders in prehospital settings in Kakamega County, Kenya
Trauma remains a major public health concern worldwide and contributes substantially to mortality and disability. Globally, an estimated 5–8 million deaths occur annually as a result of traumatic injuries. Among these, uncontrolled hemorrhage is a leading contributor to preventable trauma-related deaths. Early recognition and effective control of bleeding are critical in preventing complications and death following traumatic injury. In many low- and middle-income countries, bystanders and community members often serve as the first individuals to respond to emergencies before professional medical teams arrive. Their level of preparedness and practical skills in hemorrhage control, therefore, plays an important role in patient survival. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of “Stop the Bleed” training on external hemorrhage management by lay first responders in prehospital settings in Kakamega County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Health Belief Model and employed a quantitative approach using a quasi-experimental design. Sub-counties were selected using a census approach, while participants were recruited through simple random sampling. A total of 208 lay first responders participated in the baseline assessment prior to training. Baseline data was collected using structured questionnaires, simulated trauma scenarios, and observation checklists. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 28. The findings revealed considerable gaps in hemorrhage control practices among participants. 70.1% of the participants approached accident scenes without first assessing scene safety. Only 40% correctly applied direct pressure to control bleeding. The average time from injury to control of bleeding is approximately 24 minutes. An intervention was carried out by training them on external hemorrhage control skills. After training them on hemorrhage control using the “Stop the Bleed" package, post-training data was collected using similar tools used during the pre-training test. There was marked improvement in their practice. Factorial ANOVA showed post-training skills significantly influenced time to bleeding control (F = 5.18, p = 0.024), while age, education, and their interaction were not significant. The study concludes that although bystanders are often. The first to reach trauma scenes in resource-limited settings, many lack adequate skills in basic hemorrhage control. The “Stop the Bleed” training is effective in improving their skills. Therefore, the ministry of health and other stakeholders should implement the training widely in order to enhance community hemorrhage control during emergency trauma response in the county.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dinnah Akosa Okwiri, Tecla Sum https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Beyond hosting UNEP: Kenya’s environmental diplomacy in the United Nations system and multilateral environmental governance
Kenya occupies a distinctive position in global environmental governance because Nairobi hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme, the headquarters of UN-Habitat, and the United Nations Office at Nairobi, giving the country unusual institutional visibility in multilateral environmental politics. Despite this prominence, existing accounts of Kenya’s environmental role often remain descriptive and celebratory, without clearly distinguishing between diplomatic visibility, agenda-setting capacity, coalition brokerage, and substantive policy influence. This study examines how Kenya has used its host-state position, foreign-policy commitments, and multilateral engagement to advance environmental diplomacy within the United Nations system and wider environmental governance processes. The study is grounded in the concepts of host-state advantage, norm entrepreneurship, and diplomatic brokerage as complementary lenses for understanding how a non-great power may exercise influence in multilateral environmental governance. Methodologically, the study adopts a qualitative desk-research design based on document analysis. The analysis triangulates official Kenyan policy and legal documents, United Nations institutional materials, African multilateral declarations, and relevant scholarly literature in order to assess Kenya’s environmental diplomacy from national, institutional, continental, and academic perspectives. The findings show that Kenya’s environmental diplomacy is strongest in institutional access, convening power, agenda-setting, coalition-building, and the projection of African priorities in debates on climate finance, adaptation, sustainability, and equitable governance. The study concludes that Kenya is best understood not merely as a host of environmental institutions but as a strategically positioned diplomatic actor whose influence is significant yet bounded by financing dependence, implementation constraints, and broader asymmetries in global environmental governance. The study is important because it demonstrates how environmental diplomacy in the Global South may derive from institutional centrality and brokerage rather than material power alone, and it recommends stronger linkage between Kenya’s multilateral environmental advocacy and domestic implementation in order to enhance diplomatic credibility and substantive policy effect.
Copyright (c) 2026 Charles Otieno P. Ochieng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
An assessment of prevalent competency-based teaching practices for enhancing students’ English communication skills in rural public secondary schools in Mbinga District, Tanzania
Competency-Based Teaching (CBT) is a revolutionary teaching method that focuses on the development of students' skills rather than rote learning. The study focused on the major types of CBT which teachers used to improve the English communication skills of students in rural public secondary schools in the Mbinga District in Tanzania. In particular, the study was directed towards the strategies used by teachers in the development of their students' speaking, reading, listening and writing competence. The theory behind this study was competency-based education and constructivist learning theory, which emphasises active learning and demonstration of skills. The study employed the pragmatism philosophy. The study targeted English language teachers and Form Three students of public secondary schools in Mbinga District, Tanzania, which are mainly located in rural areas. The study was conducted in 16 rural public secondary schools, four of which were purposively selected in Form Three with 16 English language teachers. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data collected in a qualitative case study design using classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and document reviews. The results showed that teachers used teacher-centred and a combination of both (hybrid) CBT practices, and the most common was the hybrid approach. Ongoing teacher training, supply of teaching materials and structural changes (e.g., smaller classes) are suggested to optimise CBT effectiveness, as recommended by the study.
Copyright (c) 2026 Wilgis Ndunguru, Zamzam I. Nyandara, Jesse Lukindo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Education board participation in teacher performance review and secondary school outcomes in Zambia’s Copperbelt Province
Education boards in Zambia are legally mandated to oversee teacher performance and contribute to school improvement. However, empirical evidence on how they perform this role and whether their involvement is associated with school outcomes remains limited. This study examined the relationship between education board involvement in teacher performance review and secondary school performance in Zambia's Copperbelt Province. The study was guided by two complementary theoretical frameworks: Carver's policy governance model, which distinguishes between governance and management roles, and Epstein's school-family-community partnership model, which emphasises the conditions under which stakeholder involvement contributes to educational improvement. The study employed a concurrent embedded mixed-methods design within a pragmatic worldview. The target population comprised 700 respondents, including teachers, department heads, deputy head teachers, accounts assistants, head teachers, Parent-Teacher Committee (PTC) chairpersons, and learner representatives from ten secondary schools across five districts of Zambia's Copperbelt Province. The quantitative sample comprised 187 respondents selected through stratified and simple random sampling. The qualitative sample comprised 14 participants (head teachers, PTC chairpersons, and learner representatives) selected through expert and homogeneous purposive sampling. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire that measured board participation in teacher performance reviews (8 items; α = 0.792) and in school performance (8 items; α = 0.815). Qualitative data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide, with interviews lasting 45 to 75 minutes. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS Version 26, employing descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations), Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Qualitative data were analysed using deductive thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework, with assistance from NVivo 12 software. Descriptive results indicated weak Board participation in teacher performance reviews (grand mean = 2.60 on a 5-point scale). Pearson correlation revealed a modest positive relationship with school performance (r = 0.231, p = 0.001). However, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that teacher performance review did not independently predict school performance after accounting for other governance functions (β = -0.102, p = 0.392). Qualitative insights explained these patterns through three mechanisms: role ambiguity regarding the board's responsibilities for teacher oversight, limited technical capacity to interpret performance data effectively, and professional tension stemming from poorly executed involvement. The study concludes that mandating board participation alone is inadequate; effective involvement requires clear role definition, structured governance practices, and targeted capacity-building efforts that clearly differentiate governance oversight from instructional management.
Copyright (c) 2026 Moses Kabamba, Kasonde Mundende, Francis Simui https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Education board participation in budget preparation and school performance: Evidence from Zambian secondary schools
Decentralisation in education governance through education boards was implemented in Zambia to enhance accountability and local responsiveness. However, empirical evidence on the relationship between board involvement in budget preparation and school performance remains limited. This study investigated the relationship between Education Board involvement in budget preparation and secondary school performance in Zambia's Copperbelt Province. Joyce Epstein's School-Family-Community Partnership Model guided the study. The study employed a concurrent embedded mixed-methods design within a pragmatic worldview. The study was conducted in ten purposively selected secondary schools across five districts of Zambia's Copperbelt Province. The target population included 700 respondents (teachers, department heads, deputy head teachers, accounts assistants, head teachers, PTC chairpersons, and learner representatives). The quantitative sample comprised 187 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. The qualitative sample comprised 14 participants (head teachers, PTC chairpersons, and learner representatives) selected through expert and homogeneous purposive sampling. Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire with Likert-scale items measuring board involvement in budget preparation (8 items, α = .792) and school performance (8 items, α = .815). Qualitative data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions organised around four thematic areas. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS Version 26, employing descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations), Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Qualitative data were analysed using deductive thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework, assisted by NVivo 12 software. Descriptive results indicated a perceived low level of education board involvement in budgeting (grand mean = 2.59, SD = 0.06). Pearson correlation revealed a significant positive relationship between board involvement and school performance, r (185) = .335, p < .001. Multiple regression analysis showed that budget preparation significantly predicted school performance, B = 0.234, SE = 0.076, β = .273, t (183) = 3.092, p = .002, explaining 12.9% of the variance (R² = .129). Qualitative findings revealed three themes: "Gatekeeping and Performative Engagement", "Resource Reallocation and Accountability", and "Limits of Board Authority". The study concludes that increasing board involvement in financial governance is vital for improving school performance. Recommendations include involving boards early in the budgeting process, standardising quarterly financial oversight mechanisms, mandating minimum financial disclosure standards, and enhancing financial literacy among board members through competency-based training.
Copyright (c) 2026 Moses Kabamba, Kasonde Mundende, Francis Simui Simui https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Challenges and barriers to effective implementation of electronic human resource information systems and their impact on human resource performance in local government authorities in Tanzania
Electronic Human Resource Information Systems (e-HRIS) have turned out to be a decisive factor in the performance of organisations, both in the government and businesses, due to their successful execution. The Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania, which are mandated to provide basic services to the people, experience systematic HR inefficiencies, which make the delivery of services difficult. It is qualitative research that explores the issues that influence the adoption of e-HRIS in the LGAs of Tanzania and how these influence the HR performance. The research was based on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and the Human Capital Theory (HCT), where a documentary review and thematic examination of the secondary sources, such as government reports, scholarly articles, and policy documents, were used. Specifically, a case study design was employed, enabling in-depth exploration through the said multiple data sources—within bounded organisational contexts. Results indicate that organisational obstacles such as resistance to change, managerial support and lack of training hurt HRIS adoption. Technical and infrastructural issues such as unstable internet connectivity, poor integration of ICT infrastructure and system integration are additional challenges towards successful utilisation. These obstacles lower the HR performance by undermining efficiency, accuracy of data, and evidence-based HR practices like e-training, e-payroll and e-performance management. The research pinpoints possible interventions such as capacity-building, policy alignment with national ICT strategies, and investment in digital infrastructure. The article adds to the digital transformation literature by showing how technological change and organisational processes are interdependent in the resource-constrained environment and offers tangible steps that can be used to improve the effectiveness of HRIS and the following HR performance in LGAs. The paper suggests ongoing capacity-building, quarterly HRIS assessments, 24/7 payroll, biometric validation, integration of modules, rural ICT development and sustainable budgets, and realistic directions towards enhancing accountability, efficiencies and services to clients.
Copyright (c) 2026 Anna Majwala, Idda Lyatonga Swai; Anna Linje; Mackfallen G. Anasel https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of social media on youth ministry in selected mainstream churches in Vihiga County, Kenya
Mainstream churches across the globe have deployed technology in some specific areas, like communication, record-keeping, and information sharing. However, youth play an integral role in ensuring that the technology adopted works as needed. The main aim of this study was to examine the impact of social media on youth ministry in selected mainstream churches in Vihiga County. The study was anchored in secularisation theory, which depicts the decline of traditional religious practices due to modernisation, as exemplified by technology. The study deployed a descriptive survey research design. The study targeted youth, ordinary elderly members, clergy, and departmental leaders from selected mainstream churches in Vihiga County, totalling about 4,503 congregants. The study sample comprised 404 respondents from selected mainstream churches. Out of this, 140 youth and 130 elderly members were randomly sampled, while 24 clerics and 90 departmental leaders were purposively sampled. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, interviews, and observation. Data was analysed using descriptive data analysis techniques and presented in narratives and tables. Findings indicate that social media can impact youth ministry by enhancing evangelisation, prayers, Bible study, and communication. Furthermore, the study established that technology in mainstream churches has not been fully embraced due to tension between the leadership, the elderly, and the youth. The study concluded that social media has the potential to advance youth ministry, but the tension experienced acts as a drawback, calling upon key players to re-evaluate the need for social media adoption. The study thus recommended that church leaders should change their perception and stop perceiving the negative side of technology on the youth and focus on its positive side as well in order to help the youth ministry build on its strengths and grow.
Copyright (c) 2026 Serah Kitsiiri Madiiga, Janet Kassilly, Angeline Savala https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Diversité floristique et espèces indicatrices le long de gradients écologiques à Isangi, Uma et Mambasa, République Démocratique du Congo
Cette recherche répond à l’impératif climatique de précision des stocks de carbone dans le Bassin du Congo. Elle teste l’hypothèse d’une synergie fonctionnelle où la structure physique constitue le socle volumétrique du réservoir ligneux, et la diversité taxonomique agit comme amplificateur d’efficacité du stockage de carbone. L’étude s’appuie sur 60 placettes permanentes couvrant 15 ha, réparties entre Isangi, Uma et Mambasa, le long de gradients écologiques contrastés. Les inventaires (DHP ≥10 cm) réalisés entre 2012 et 2015 sont couplés à la télédétection (2000–2012) pour relier perturbations historiques et état actuel des peuplements. Le filtrage environnemental est évalué par RDA et la biomasse modélisée via GLMM avec effet aléatoire du site. La colinéarité des indices de diversité (VIF>30) est résolue par ACP, dont le premier axe (PC1, 88,29 %) sert d’indicateur composite. 340 espèces sont recensées, avec forte hétérogénéité régionale (β≈2,1) et faible partage spécifique (11,5 %). Uma présente la plus forte diversité locale (α=42,7 espèces/placette), tandis que Mambasa stocke le plus de carbone (378,1 ± 95,0 t/ha). Le modèle intégrant structure et PC1 explique 91 % de la variance de la biomasse (R²=0,91). Les pertes de couvert atteignent 7,6 % à Isangi contre 1,9 % à Uma, réduisant de 30 % le recrutement des essences dominantes. Ces résultats appellent une REDD+ territorialisée, combinant régulation du bois-énergie à Isangi et PSE à Uma. L’intégration du LiDAR et de données pédologiques affinées est recommandée pour améliorer la modélisation de la résilience écologique à l’horizon 2026. En conclusion, cette étude démontre que la biodiversité est un moteur actif de la séquestration du carbone, rendant impérative une conservation ciblée par massif pour garantir la pérennité climatique du Bassin du Congo.
Copyright (c) 2026 Evariste Loke Lobanga, Roger Katusi Lomalisa, Janvier Lisingo wa Lisingo, Thom’s Kavali Tondo, Michel Mbasi Mbula, Isaac Bosuandole Bolila, Jadot Bondjandi Lotombo, Jean-Bosco Ndjango Ngona, Jadot Bondjandi Lotombo, Damien Essala Atickwe, Christophe Lomba Bosombo L. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Financial literacy's role among formally employed adults in Solwezi district, Zambia: Income as the proximate determinant of personal loan approval
Formal personal credit is widely recognized as a pathway to household financial resilience in sub-Saharan Africa. In Zambia, overall financial inclusion reached 69.4% in 2020; however, formal credit uptake remained limited for many adults, particularly in provincial districts where income-verified lending dominates the consumer market. This study examines the relationship between financial literacy and personal loan application decisions, approval outcomes, and repayment experiences among adults in Solwezi District, a rapidly urbanizing mining town in Zambia’s North-Western Province. The research is grounded in human capital theory and the theory of planned behavior. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data were collected from 309 adults using structured questionnaires and analyzed through point-biserial correlations, chi-squared tests, and binary logistic regression across three nested models. The target population comprised all adults aged 18 years and above in urban and peri-urban Solwezi who were actual or potential users of personal loans from formal financial institutions. A multi-stage sampling design was employed. Qualitative data from 15 semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically, with both strands integrated during interpretation. Financially literate adults were more likely to be approved at the bivariate level (rnb = .174, p = .002); however, income was the only statistically significant predictor of approval in multivariate models (OR = 2.107, 95% CI [1.55, 2.87], p < .001). Financial literacy was not a statistically significant independent predictor of approval (OR = 1.53, 95% CI [0.70, 3.33], p = .288). The wide confidence interval, ranging from 0.70 to 3.33, indicates that the non-significant result likely reflects limited statistical power rather than a true absence of effect. Financial literacy was not associated with the application decision (p = .841) nor with repayment difficulty among successful borrowers (p = .546). The overall model explained approximately 21% of the variance in loan approval (Nagelkerke R² = 0.207), suggesting that most determinants of formal lending decisions in this market extend beyond what standard survey predictors can capture. The 79% unexplained variance in approval implies that pre-application dropout among low-literacy adults may represent a critical, currently unmeasured barrier to credit access. Financial literacy appears to influence upstream borrowing behavior, particularly application preparation and lender selection, rather than directly affecting formal lender decisions in income-dominated consumer credit markets. These findings clarify the boundary conditions under which financial literacy influences formal loan approval, specifically highlighting the dominance of income in underwriting decisions within salaried consumer credit markets. This study provides the first district-level empirical evidence on the dynamics of personal loan acquisition in Zambia’s salaried consumer lending context. The study recommends targeted numerical literacy training, lender tracking of application abandonment, and district-level profiling to guide NFIS II (2024-2028) interventions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Grace Ngoma, Kasonde Mundende, Chilyata Kabwalwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Strategies to mitigate challenges facing students in selection and progression in agriculture career in tertiary institutions of Kenya
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the strategies to be employed to mitigate challenges facing students in selection and progression in agriculture careers in tertiary institutions of Bungoma and Kakamega counties, Kenya. Founded on the Occupation Choice Theory and Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), the study employed a descriptive research design for data collection, coupled with mixed methods applying both quantitative and qualitative approaches for better triangulation of the findings. The study population from two counties comprised 694 university undergraduate students enrolled in agriculture programmes and 3855 technical and vocational training students enrolled for agricultural programmes. Purposive sampling was used to select Bungoma and Kakamega counties. Tertiary institutions were then selected by census method since all could be accessed to participate in the study. The data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, focus group discussions and interview protocols. Due diligence was taken into consideration while collecting and processing data to ensure both reliability and validity of the study. The study used both descriptive and inferential techniques to analyse the collected data. Thematic analysis was appropriately used to guide and validate the contributions of the study. The greatest challenge to progression was poor ministry policies on programme selection in agriculture subjects in secondary schools of Kakamega and Bungoma Counties. The study revealed that the ministry of agriculture could review salary scales and create more job opportunities, while the ministry of education could make agricultural programmes business-orientated and lower entry grades to university or technical and vocational education training institutions, among other issues. The summary model significant test shows that the strategies mentioned accounted for 27.9% variance in mitigating challenges, R²=.279, F (4, 359) = 34.782, p < .05. This implies that the strategies mentioned can significantly mitigate the challenges to selection and progression in agricultural programmes. The model coefficient analysis on strategies showed that creating more jobs (β=.221, p<.05), career guiding and counselling (β=.392, p<.05) and provision of scholarships (β=.137, p<.05) were some of the significant strategies to mitigate challenges facing progression in agricultural careers. The finding implies that the mentioned significant strategies are effective to mitigate challenges to progression in an agricultural career. The results obtained should guide effort for suggesting strategies to promote career progression of students in agricultural programmes in Kenya and inform policymakers on reorientation of agriculture education.
Copyright (c) 2026 Annah Nawambisa Manyasi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Assessing the effectiveness of social media in crisis communication: A case study of Mopani Copper Mine, Zambia
The increasing adoption of social media in Zambia presents new opportunities and challenges for organisational crisis communication, particularly within high-risk sectors such as mining. This study assessed the effectiveness of social media in crisis communication at Mopani Copper Mines. The theoretical underpinning of the study was the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) framework. The research was guided by a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. The target population for this study comprises key stakeholders who are directly involved in Mopani Copper Mine's crisis communication efforts. This includes senior management, members of the corporate communication team, and other employees with direct experience in crisis response and management. The study employed systematic random sampling to select participants for the quantitative component. A total of 53 respondents participated in the quantitative survey, while 11 key informants took part in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics in SPSS, while qualitative data were analysed thematically using NVivo. The findings reveal that Facebook is the primary social media platform used during crisis situations, with 66% of respondents identifying it as the main channel. LinkedIn was identified by 28.3% of respondents, while minimal usage was reported for Twitter (1.9%) and WhatsApp (3.8%). Descriptive statistical analysis further showed a moderate to high perceived effectiveness of social media in crisis communication, with a mean score of 3.82 indicating that respondents generally agreed that social media enhances timely information dissemination. A mean score of 3.75 suggested that social media contributes to improved stakeholder engagement during crises, while a mean of 3.68 reflected agreement that it helps in mitigating reputational damage. However, barriers such as limited digital skills, delayed internal approval processes, and concerns about misinformation were identified. Qualitative findings supported the quantitative results by revealing that while social media is increasingly integrated into crisis communication strategies, its use remains partly reactive rather than fully strategic. Participants emphasised the importance of speed, transparency, and message consistency in maintaining stakeholder trust during crises. The study concludes that social media plays a significant but not yet fully optimised role in crisis communication at Mopani Copper Mines. It recommends the development of structured digital crisis communication frameworks, capacity building in digital communication skills, and clearer internal approval protocols to enhance responsiveness. The findings contribute context-specific evidence to the limited literature on social media use in crisis communication within Zambia’s mining sector.
Copyright (c) 2026 Agness Walubita, Elijah Mutambanshiku Mwewa Bwalya https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Influence of school accountability practices on academic achievement in secondary schools: A case of Nyabihu District, Rwanda (2023-2024)
This study examined how school accountability practices influence academic achievement in secondary school in Nyabihu District, Rwanda. It focused on four main objectives: to examine the influence of performance metrics on academic achievement in secondary schools in Nyabihu District, to assess the influence of data-driven decision making, to evaluate the influence of teacher and staff evaluations, and to analyze the influence of school improvement plans on academic achievement in secondary schools in Nyabihu District. The research was based on Results-Based Accountability (RBA) Theory as the guiding theoretical framework. A descriptive and correlational research designs were used, with a total of 1125 participants surveyed and a sample of 295 selected, including 11 school leaders, 11 directors of studies, 31 teachers, and 242 students. The sample size was found using Yamane’s formula, along with stratified and purposive sampling techniques to choose participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and an interview guide. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic analysis to find important themes, while quantitative data were examined using percentages, frequencies, means, standard deviation, and regression analysis with IBM SPSS Statistics version 27. The findings showed positive effect of different school accountability management policies on students' learning outcomes in secondary schools in Nyabihu District: Performance metrics explained 96.3% of the differences in students' learning outcomes (R² = 0.963, p = 0.000), indicating a strong positive effect on students’ success in learning. This means that performance metrics are sufficient to significantly improve academic achievement. Data-driven decision-making contributed to 56.4% of the differences in learning outcomes (R² = 0.564, p = 0.002), suggesting a moderate positive effect on student learning. However, this means that data-driven decision-making is not enough on its own to fully support student outcomes, showing that improvement should be established in these methods. Teacher and staff evaluations showed 25.3% of the differences in learning outcomes (R² = 0.253, p = 0.003), revealing a significant but relatively weak effect. This suggests that current teacher and staff evaluations are not sufficient to effectively boost student learning outcomes, indicating the need for changes and improvements. School improvement plans explained 37.0% of the differences in learning outcomes (R² = 0.450, p = 0.002), showing a significant but moderate relationship. This indicates that school improvement plans are unclear in effectively supporting and enhancing student learning outcomes in Nyabihu District, pointing out a key area for further development. In conclusion, the study recommended that school leaders should prioritize setting clear performance goals, strengthen school improvement plans, and provide ongoing teacher training in data use. The Ministry of Education should support these efforts through national guidelines and capacity-building programs. Future studies are encouraged to examine how long-term use of data-driven decisions impacts student achievement across various school environments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Habumugisha Zephanie, Elizabeth Akinyi Owino https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Relationship between talent attraction and performance of star rated hotels in Kenya
In a modern business environment, which is characterized by dynamism, complexity, technology and innovations, the operation of an organization ought to be anchored on a human resource base that possesses enormous interpersonal skills, communication skills, ethics and integrity, a deep understanding of the individual’s tasks and talent. The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between talent attraction and performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. The study was anchored on the Resource-Based View theory, which focuses on internal, firm-specific resources and capabilities to explain performance. The research design adopted was explanatory descriptive research. A census survey of 305 star-rated hotels was conducted, where data was collected from one respondent in each hotel to give a total sample size of 305 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study predicted that talent attraction had a positive and significant influence on the performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. Accordingly, employees who are provided with security of tenure tend to deliver high work output and attract clients, thereby increasing the accommodation rate and overall profits for the firm. Further, it was also found that many hotels have a good company image and are also committed to the well-being of employees, and that they have adequate infrastructure and facilities. The study therefore concluded that when talent attraction is low, the performance of the said hotels will decrease. Failure to implement talent attraction programs could then cost the company a lot in terms of decreased performance. Based on the findings, this study thus recommends that human resource managers and the general management teams should adopt talent attraction policies and programmes that would enhance performance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Eunice Ayuma Yeswa, Thomas Anyanje Senaji, Clive Mukanzi, Mbithi Mutua https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Evaluating the impact of competency-based teaching on students’ English communication skills in rural public secondary schools in Mbinga District, Tanzania
Competency-Based Teaching (CBT), based on constructivist theories of learning, is learner-centered, focuses on practical skills development, and discourages cramming, making it one of the best teaching approaches for improving skills in the English language. Although CBT has been embraced throughout the world, there are few studies on the efficacy of this pedagogic approach in enhancing English communication skills within the rural secondary schooling context in Tanzania. Thus, this study assessed the effectiveness of CBT in improving English communication skills among Form Three students in rural public secondary schools within Mbinga District in Tanzania. The population of this study included both Form Three students and English language teachers, from which a sample of 480 students was selected using purposive and random sampling approaches. The study adopted a quasi-experimental research design, where the experiment was conducted using two schools with 353 students using CBT, while two other schools with 129 students used a traditional teaching approach. Information was gathered by administering pretests and posttests on students' abilities in speaking, reading, listening, and writing. Analysis of quantitative data was done using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests. The results showed that there was a significant improvement for students exposed to CBT in all four language skills, with the highest improvement in speaking and reading, the second highest in listening skills, and the least in writing. The control group, however, showed very little improvement. The study concludes that CBT can be effective in improving the practical English communication skills and meeting the various learning needs of students. Teacher training should be strengthened, teaching resources should be made available, and interactive teaching tools should be used regularly to ensure the benefits of CBT are maximized in the rural secondary schools.
Leadership support and information and communication technology utilisation: The role of individualised consideration in Tanzanian universities
The effect of transformational leadership on information and communication technology use was investigated among academic staff in selected higher learning institutions in Tanzania. Specifically, the research sought to establish the effect of leadership support and individual consideration. Transformational Leadership Theory and the Technology Acceptance Model provided a theoretical background for explaining the relationship between leadership behaviour and IT use. A quantitative research method was used for the research, and it was guided by a deductive approach with positivist philosophy. An explanatory cross-sectional design was employed for collecting one-time data. The population of the study was made up of 344 academic staff from selected universities in Tanzania, while the sample was made up of 50 respondents obtained through a stratified random sampling technique in multi-stage sampling. Five key informants were also purposively selected. The data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires, while the analysis was done using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. The outcome of the regression analysis showed that leadership support played a statistically significant role in increasing ICT utilisation among academics, where the beta was recorded as 0.643 at a significance level of less than 0.001. Individualised consideration also positively impacted information and communication technology utilisation, but the impact was not as strong as in the case of leadership support, where the beta value was 0.312 with a significance level of 0.021. The findings showed that leadership variables accounted for a considerable amount of variance in ICT utilisation. Transformational leadership is identified as a vital factor influencing technology adoption within institutions of higher learning. The paper recommends improved ICT adoption within such institutions by ensuring proper leadership commitment, ICT systems support, and capacity building, among others.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hamisi S. Legeza https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
An assessment of the effects of financial literacy on pension planning and preparedness: A case study of members under the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) in Lusaka District, Zambia
Despite mandatory coverage by the National Pension Scheme authority (NAPSA), most Zambian formal sector workers will retire below the 80% recommended income replacement rate. This study examined how financial literacy affects pension preparedness. The study was anchored in three complementary theories: the behavioural lifecycle hypothesis, the theory of planned behaviour, and Huston's financial literacy model. The target population comprised contributors employed in the formal sector and aged 20-60 years. A sample of 138 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. In addition to this, 24 experts from Napsa were selected by expert purposive sampling. The data was collected using questionnaires (n=138) and 24 expert interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS v.29, employing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, hierarchical regression, and mediation analysis (PROCESS Macro Model 4 with 10,000 bootstrapped resamples). Assumptions (linearity, normality, homoscedasticity, and multicollinearity VIF < 5) were verified. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis, with data triangulation enhancing validity. The results have shown moderate aggregate literacy (M=3.37, SD=0.68), masking strong procedural knowledge (retirement rules, M=3.74) but weak analytical skills (investment, M=2.89). Pension planning behaviour was forced, as contributors did so in order to comply with statutory requirements rather than voluntarily (mandatory M=4.21 vs voluntary M=2.67). Financial literacy had a positive correlation with retirement preparedness (r = 0.527, p = 0.002). Mediation analysis discloses that the effect of literacy is indirect. Financial planning behaviour (27.4%) and system awareness (19.7%) mediate 47.1% of the total relationship between financial literacy and retirement preparedness (indirect B=0.194, 95% CI [0.087, 0.318]). Conceptual literacy alone is insignificant (β=0.06, p=0.552) when pension planning behaviour is incorporated into the model. Additionally, pension planning behaviour is the strongest predictor (β=0.38, p<.001) of retirement preparedness. The study concludes that pension preparedness is a function of behavioural reinforcement, not cognitive knowledge alone. Experts corroborated the findings by explaining that conceptual financial literacy would have a weak effect on retirement preparedness unless individuals follow it up with corresponding pension planning behaviours. The study concludes that pension preparedness is a function of behavioural reinforcement, not cognitive knowledge alone. Recommendations include shifting policy from informational campaigns to behavioural nudges, employer-supported planning tools, and simplified pension calculators.
Copyright (c) 2026 Eunice Matungu Chibaye https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
An examination of implementation of strategic planning among manufacturing SMEs: The case of Lusaka District, Zambia
This study investigates the implementation of strategic planning among manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lusaka District, Zambia. The research aims to assess the awareness of strategic planning practices, examine how these SMEs implement strategic planning, and identify the challenges that hinder effective implementation. This study was guided by the resource-based view theory and the contingency theory. The study integrated the Resource-Based View (RBV) and contingency theory to provide a holistic explanation of strategic planning implementation among manufacturing SMEs. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population comprised 195 manufacturing SMEs registered with the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM). Using the Yamane formula, a sample of 131 SMEs was determined, and structured questionnaires were administered, yielding 73 usable responses, resulting in a response rate of 55.7 per cent. Qualitative data were gathered through open-ended survey items and analysed thematically, while quantitative data were processed using descriptive statistics via SPSS. The findings reveal a notable gap between the perceived importance of strategic planning and its actual implementation. Although 88 per cent of respondents rated their awareness of strategic planning as high or very high, 56 per cent reported operating without formalised planning processes. Among those that engage in planning, 62 per cent do not revisit their strategic plans regularly. The most commonly utilised strategic planning tool was SWOT analysis, employed by 88.3 per cent of respondents, while more advanced tools, such as scenario planning, were rarely used. Key challenges identified included short-term operational pressures, lack of skills or expertise, limited institutional support, and inadequate financial resources, all perceived as significant barriers to effective strategic planning. The study concludes that strategic planning practices among manufacturing SMEs in Lusaka are largely informal and underdeveloped. To enhance competitiveness and sustainability, the research recommends targeted capacity-building programmes, the development of simplified planning toolkits, the strengthening of institutional and policy frameworks, and improved collaboration between SMEs, government agencies, and support organisations. Future research should focus on expanding the study to other provinces and investigating the role of digital tools in strategic planning among Zambian SMEs.
Copyright (c) 2026 Voster Nkukumbani, Joe Likando https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Relativization strategies as evidenced in Chindali spoken in Ileje, Songwe region, Tanzania
This paper investigates the strategies employed in the formation of relative clauses (RCs) in Chindali as spoken in the Ileje district of the Songwe region in the southern highlands of Tanzania. The study employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive research design. Data were gathered through text collection and introspection. The population of this study consisted of Chindali native speakers found in Ileje District. The population also included texts written in Chindali. To inform the study, 10 informants were sampled using the purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The collection and analysis of the data were guided by promotion theory and the interpretivism philosophical paradigm. The collected data were analyzed by inductive and deductive thematic analysis. The study revealed that Chindali employs relative pronoun, gapping, and pronoun retention strategies to form its RCs. The article concludes that relativization strategies differ depending on the language. The study supplements the little existing literature in Chindali. The study has contributed to the development of the theory through empirical data from Chindali that show the importance of the agreement and dependency structure to accomplish the relativization process. It is suggested that policymakers place more attention on ethnic community languages in order to promote them. The study recommends further research on the structure of Chindali RCs to identify the position of RCs in relation to the head noun.
Copyright (c) 2026 Imani Alinanuswe Mwang’eka, Dr. Chrispina Alphonce https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of farmer field schools on adoption of banana production technologies among smallholder farmers in Webuye East Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya
This study examined the impact of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) on the adoption of banana production technologies among smallholder farmers in Webuye East Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya. The study was guided by the diffusion of innovations theory, which explains how knowledge dissemination and social learning influence technology uptake among farmers. An evaluation research design was employed to facilitate comparison between FFS participants and non-participants within the same socio-economic context. The target population comprised smallholder banana farmers in the sub-county, from which a sample of 384 respondents was drawn, consisting of 192 FFS participants and 192 non-participants. A multistage sampling procedure was applied, incorporating purposive, stratified, cluster, and systematic random sampling techniques to ensure representativeness. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires administered through face-to-face interviews. Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics, including means, independent sample t-tests, and Pearson correlation analysis to determine differences in adoption levels and relationships between variables. The findings revealed that participation in FFS had a statistically significant positive effect on the adoption of banana production technologies, with FFS farmers demonstrating higher adoption levels across all practices compared to non-participants (p < 0.001). The most pronounced differences were observed in the adoption of certified seedlings, pest and disease control, spacing, and integrated pest management practices, indicating the effectiveness of FFS in promoting knowledge-intensive technologies. The study concludes that FFS is a highly effective participatory extension approach that enhances farmers’ technical capacity, decision-making skills, and overall technology uptake. It is recommended that policymakers and development agencies scale up FFS programs, integrate them into national agricultural extension systems, and complement them with input access and market support mechanisms to maximize adoption outcomes and improve smallholder livelihoods.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lenis Nanjala Marani, Dr. Mary Goretti Kariaga, Dr. Rose Onamu, John Caleb Dimo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Stagflation and economic growth in Zambia: A vector error correction model analysis of gross domestic product
Stagflation remains one of the most serious macroeconomic challenges facing developing economies because it combines inflationary pressure, weak growth, and structural instability within the same economic environment. This study was guided by the Expectations-Augmented Phillips Curve Theory, complemented by the Structuralist Theory of Inflation and the Resource-Dependence Theory, which together explain how inflation, labour-market weakness, supply-side shocks, and commodity dependence interact to constrain economic growth. This study examines the effect of stagflation on Zambia’s economic growth as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Zambia provides a compelling case for this analysis because inflation, exchange-rate instability, external debt stress, commodity-price volatility, and labour-market weakness have repeatedly interacted to undermine growth in a copper-dependent economy. Using annual time-series data covering the period 1964 to 2024, the study employs a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) after conducting unit-root, lag-selection, multicollinearity, and Johansen cointegration tests. The findings confirm the existence of a stable long-run relationship between GDP and the principal stagflation-related drivers. Exchange-rate depreciation, labour-market weakness, copper-supply disruptions, and inefficient government spending are found to constrain long-run growth, while external debt and population growth display positive long-run coefficients, reflecting the growth-supporting role of debt-financed investment and demographic demand under certain conditions. The short-run GDP equation reports a negative error-correction coefficient, indicating a slow adjustment process toward long-run equilibrium following macroeconomic shocks. Further dynamic evidence shows that inflation and exchange-rate volatility account for a meaningful share of GDP fluctuations, while copper-price declines and debt-service pressures generate notable output losses. The study concludes that stagflation in Zambia is not merely a temporary cyclical disturbance, but a structural constraint on economic growth and transformation. It therefore recommends export diversification, stronger exchange-rate resilience, more productive public expenditure, prudent debt management, and labour-market strengthening as essential pillars of a coordinated policy response.
Copyright (c) 2026 Chabala Luswili, Dr. Sydney Chikalipah https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Financial inclusion and economic growth: Evidence from Zambia
Financial exclusion remains a major developmental challenge in Zambia despite substantial policy initiatives and reforms within the financial sector. The problem disproportionately affects rural households, smallholder farmers, women-owned enterprises, informal workers, and micro, small, and medium enterprises. Consequently, limited access to formal financial services continues to constrain savings mobilization, productive investment, enterprise expansion, and household resilience, thereby weakening the country’s broader economic transformation agenda. As economies increasingly depend on efficient financial systems, digital payment methods, and easier access to affordable credit for inclusive growth, financial inclusion has become a key policy concern rather than merely a social welfare issue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth in Zambia using annual time series data covering the period from 1989 to 2019. The study was anchored on financial intermediation theory, endogenous growth theory, and technology acceptance theory, which explain the channels through which improved access to financial services can promote investment, innovation, productivity, and long-term economic expansion. Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP_t) was used as the dependent variable, while financial inclusion was proxied by Outstanding Loans from Commercial Banks (OLB_t), Automated Teller Machines per one hundred thousand adults (ATM_t), and the Getting Credit Distance to Frontier score (DF_t). Human Capital (HC_t), Total Factor Productivity (TFP_t), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI_t), and Labour Force Participation Rate (LF_t) were incorporated as control variables. The Augmented Dickey–Fuller results showed that RGDP_t, OLB_t, ATM_t, HC_t, TFP_t, and FDI_t were integrated of order one I(1), while DF_t and LF_t were stationary at levels I(0). The final long-run Error Correction Model therefore retained RGDP_t, OLB_t, ATM_t, HC_t, and FDI_t. Residual-based Engle–Granger testing confirmed a stable long-run cointegrating relationship (Engle & Granger, 1987). The normalized long-run coefficients indicate that ATM_t, HC_t, OLB_t, and FDI_t are positively associated with RGDP_t over the sample period. More importantly, OLB_t remains the most policy-relevant financial inclusion variable in the short run because it is the only financial inclusion indicator that remains statistically significant in the final parsimonious Error Correction Model (ECM). The parsimonious ECM, selected using the Akaike Information Criterion and small-sample parsimony, shows that variations in OLB_t exert a statistically significant positive short-run effect on economic growth, while the lagged error correction term is negative and statistically significant, implying convergence toward long-run equilibrium. In the broader general ECM, the quality indicator Getting Credit Distance to Frontier score (DF_t) and Labour Force Participation Rate (LF_t) were not retained in the long-run system because they are integrated of order zero I(0), while Total Factor Productivity (TFP_t) did not remain in the final parsimonious short-run ECM once AIC-based reduction and small-sample parsimony were applied. This is an important result because it indicates which dimensions of financial inclusion matter most in the short run. The study concludes that financial inclusion should not be assessed only in terms of the expansion of access points or credit volume, but also in terms of the quality, allocation, and productivity of financial intermediation. Policy implications emphasize improving credit allocation, strengthening productive financial usage, expanding effective access infrastructure, and linking inclusion policies to wider productivity-enhancing reforms.
Copyright (c) 2026 Chabala Luswili, Dr. Frank Chansa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Revisiting entrepreneurial orientation: A dimensional performance architecture in emerging market SMEs – evidence from Kabwe district, Zambia
This study examined the influence of the five dimensions of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) – innovativeness, risk-taking, proactiveness, autonomy, and competitive aggressiveness – on the financial performance of trading small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kabwe District, Zambia. Guided by the Resource-Based View (RBV), the study conceptualised EO as a strategic internal capability that enhances firm competitiveness and performance. Using an explanatory cross-sectional research design, data were collected from 300 owner-managers of registered trading SMEs in Kabwe District, selected through simple random sampling from a population of approximately 1,200 SMEs. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that risk-taking and proactiveness are significant predictors of SME performance, indicating that firms that engage in calculated risks and proactively pursue emerging opportunities achieve superior results. Conversely, innovativeness, autonomy, and competitive aggressiveness exhibited positive but statistically insignificant effects, suggesting that their influence may be indirect or context-dependent. These results highlight that the implementation and integration of EO dimensions, rather than their mere presence, are vital in enhancing performance. The study recommends that SMEs adopt strategic risk-taking, foster proactive market engagement, and leverage autonomy and innovativeness to reinforce adaptive and competitive behaviours. The research contributes to entrepreneurial management literature by providing empirical evidence from a developing-country context and offers practical insights for SME policy and strategy formulation in Zambia.
Copyright (c) 2026 Simasiku Mwiya Mufalali, John Moose, Edwin Bbenkele, Jimmy Sikachelela, Mukwalikuli Mundia, Regina Muduli https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Investigating the integration of digital devices to enhance learning material accessibility in higher education: An experience from Jordan University College students, Tanzania
This paper investigates the integration of digital devices to enhance access to learning materials in Tanzanian higher education, focusing on students' experiences. Many universities have been equipping their students with digital devices; however, there is little documentation on their use. While this study was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), it employed a mixed-methods approach. Using questionnaires, interviews, and observations, rich data were collected and analyzed from a sample of 359 students, calculated using Yamane’s formula, from a total of 3500 students at Jordan University College (JUCo). The data analysis used SPSS to assess the impact of digital device integration on the accessibility of learning materials and to understand the mediating roles of technological proficiency and learning style. The findings showed that about 45% of the students in the selected sample have access to digital Materials using Smartphones, and the remaining percentage use other digital devices. Also, about 36% of students rely heavily on traditional hard-copy materials for learning, and the remainder is due to other challenges. Furthermore, about 75% of students have positive attitudes toward using digital devices for Learning and global connectivity, while 25% have negative attitudes. About 56% of students have 1 to 3 years of experience using digital devices for learning. Overall, this research illuminates the complex dynamics of using digital devices to improve access to learning materials in Tanzanian higher education. Technological integration can improve accessibility and student experiences, but financial and digital literacy issues must be addressed. To maximize the use of digital devices in education, several issues must be addressed. Policymakers and educators should work together to promote digital literacy and equal access to digital resources. To ensure that all students benefit from educational technology, the digital divide must be bridged, especially in financially disadvantaged areas. This research adds useful insights to the ongoing conversation on the integration of digital devices in education, presenting practical recommendations to better the learning experience for Tanzanian Higher students. According to the study's findings, the government of Tanzania should strongly consider strengthening information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure in its public institutions and equipping universities with more ICT workers. It is recommended that students make excellent use of the resources available to them at their respective educational institutions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Titus Tossy https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Community partnership and crime reduction in Nairobi City County, Kenya
Community partnership is currently an urgent approach in solving the crime issue and enhancing the security of people, especially in fast-developing cities like Nairobi City County, Kenya. Conventional policing methods have been, in most cases, unsatisfactory in dealing with complicated criminal activities in cities that are associated with high urbanization, joblessness, and social disparities. This paper explored how community partnership plays out in the Nyumba Kumi Community Policing Security Initiative (NKCPSI) as a crime reduction program in Nairobi County. The study was based on the collective efficacy theory and used a mixed-methods research approach combining quantitative and qualitative designs. The target population comprised 1,146 stakeholders who were representatives of the National Police Service (NPS), community leaders, and non-governmental organizations [NGOs]/civil society organizations [CSOs] interested in community policing. Stratified random sampling was used to come up with a sample size of 297 respondents, out of which 270 answers were valid, resulting in a response rate of 95.7. A questionnaire and key informant interviews guide were used to collect primary data. Descriptive statistical analysis indicated that 61.5% of the respondents rated the community partnership level as strong and 11.1% rated it as weak. Moreover, approximately 80 percent of the answers showed that communities are actively involved in law enforcement, as 80% of people reported interacting with police on a weekly basis. In terms of effectiveness, 50% of the respondents rated community partnerships as very effective in reducing crimes such as theft, robbery, and drug-related offenses. The results indicate that organized working of community members and law enforcement agencies would contribute to better trust, sharing of information, and proactive prevention of crime. The research findings indicate that enhancement of community alliances, encouraging frequent interactions between communities and the police, and increasing citizen involvement would be key to the long-term reduction of crime in the Nairobi City County. It recommends strengthening institutional support for community policing structures, promoting citizen participation, and building trust between civilians and law enforcement agencies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Samson Rukahu Karanja, Dr. Duncan O. Ochieng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Resource sovereignty and the planning-execution gap: Institutional constraints on strategic management in the defence sector of Zambia
This study examines the relationship between strategic plans integration and resource utilisation effectiveness in the Defence Sector of Zambia. It starts by posing this question: Why does the defence sector of Zambia consistently craft refined strategic plans that fail in execution? Through a mixed-methods investigation involving a structured survey of 135 senior officers (drawn from 171 eligible officers via stratified proportional sampling) and in-depth interviews with 21 purposively selected key informants across the Defence Sector of Zambia, the study documents a remarkable inconsistency. This research was guided by dynamic capabilities and institutional theories. Quantitative data were analysed using Spearman’s rank correlation and descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke’s six-phase approach. The quantitative results indicate a strong positive association between strategic plan integration and resource allocation planning (Spearman’s ρ=0.635, p < 0.001). This suggests a high planning alignment (cognitive seizing) capacity. However, execution-related ratings remain only slightly above neutral, with low mean scores for timeliness of resource availability (M=3.28, SD=1.05) and efficiency of resource utilisation in daily operations (M=3.22, SD=1.01). Qualitative interviews attributed this planning-execution gap to a resource utilisation bottleneck in which approved strategic budgets face delayed disbursement, rigid procurement controls, and operational tempos that outpace central public financial management processes. Because the evidence is cross-sectional and largely perceptual, the findings should be interpreted as strong associations and convergent institutional explanations rather than definitive causal effects. Zambia’s fiscal volatility compels the Treasury to treat defence strategic capital as expendable fiscal buffers for short-term crises. This study advances Dynamic Capabilities Theory by showing how institutional environments in developing economies constrain the transition from a seizing-to-transforming pathway. This study introduces the concept of resource sovereignty, which is the institutional capacity to shield mission-critical budgets from political interference. This is a necessary statutory mechanism and a reliable governance solution for African defence sectors facing fiscal volatility. Without it, defence organisations remain perpetual good planners but inconsistent executors. This also undermines SDG 16 on institutional effectiveness goals. The study concludes that the resource utilisation bottleneck is an external institutional failure rooted in fiscal volatility, IFMS rigidity, and budget-cash decoupling. This is not an internal planning weakness. This study recommends statutory budget protection and financial system decentralisation as complementary resource sovereignty mechanisms to enable consistent strategic execution in the defence sector of Zambia.
Copyright (c) 2026 Peter Leonard Daka, Austin Mwange, Francis Simui https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Factors influencing the adoption of digital platforms for accessing agricultural marketing information in Mbarali District, Tanzania
This study examines factors influencing the adoption of digital platforms and their effect on smallholder onion farmers’ access to agricultural marketing information in Tanzania’s Mbarali District, specifically at the Igomelo Irrigation Scheme. A cross-sectional research design was employed, and data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to a target population of smallholder onion farmers registered at the Igomelo Irrigation Scheme. Simple random sampling was used to select 399 respondents; with the sample size determined using Cochran's formula at a 95% confidence level. The study is grounded in Transaction Cost Theory (TCT), which explains how digital platforms reduce the costs of searching for and accessing agricultural marketing information (AMI), thereby improving farmers’ decision-making and market participation. The study applied the Double Hurdle Model to estimate both the determinants and the extent of digital platform adoption. Key findings revealed that smartphone ownership (p = 0.043), internet access (p = 0.025), and digital training (p = 0.046) positively and significantly influenced adoption. Conversely, off-farm income (p = 0.045), household size (p = 0.041), extension services (p = 0.016), and marital status (p = 0.018) were negatively associated with adoption. The study concludes that digital platforms hold considerable potential to improve smallholder farmers’ access to agricultural marketing information; however, their successful adoption depends critically on adequate digital infrastructure, targeted training programmes, and enabling policy environments. The study recommends investments in rural connectivity, digital literacy education, integration of platforms with formal markets, and the provision of affordable digital tools to maximize the transformative impact on rural agricultural development.
Copyright (c) 2026 Charles Nchimbi, Eliaza Mkuna https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Article Knowledge management strategy and innovation performance of manufacturing firms of Uganda
To thrive, many businesses, especially those based in developing countries, rely heavily on their ability to innovate. However, improving on the innovation performance is challenging for many manufacturing firms. This study therefore investigated the effect of knowledge management strategy on innovation performance. The study was guided by resource-based view theory. A cross-sectional explanatory survey design was applied to examine the nature of reality. Data was collected from a sample of 263, picked from a total of 3894 manufacturing firms by use of simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Further, a self-administered questionnaire was the only tool used for data collection. The collected data were analysed and hypotheses tested using hierarchical and multiple regression models. The findings shed light on several crucial aspects of knowledge management strategy that influence innovation performance. Specifically, codification strategy and personalisation strategy were found to have a substantial impact on innovation performance, particularly in the context of the manufacturing sector. The study only covered knowledge management strategy among manufacturing firms, even though it is also popular in organisations, especially the service sector organisations. Thus, the findings are not generalisable to all other firms. Further, the study employed a cross-sectional quantitative research design, yet innovation performance fluctuates over time and depends on the environment that one is facing at that particular time. Finally, the study was limited to only one predictor of innovation performance: knowledge management strategy despite the existence of several other predictors. Results suggest that effective knowledge management strategies implemented at the firm level are likely to improve the level of innovativeness of manufacturing firms. Given the positive and significant influence of both knowledge codification and knowledge personalisation strategies on innovation performance, it is recommended that manufacturing firms adopt a balanced knowledge management approach that integrates both strategies. Specifically, firms should invest in robust knowledge codification systems—such as databases, standard operating procedures, and digital knowledge repositories—to ensure that critical organisational knowledge is captured, stored, and easily accessible for reuse and continuous improvement. At the same time, organisations should actively promote knowledge personalisation through initiatives that facilitate direct interaction among employees, including teamwork, mentorship programs, communities of practice, and cross-functional collaboration. This will enhance the sharing of tacit knowledge, which is essential for creativity and the development of novel solutions. Furthermore, management should align knowledge management strategies with organisational innovation goals by fostering a supportive culture, investing in enabling technologies, and providing continuous training to employees. This dual emphasis will enable firms to leverage both explicit and tacit knowledge effectively, thereby sustaining and enhancing innovation performance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Charles Bonny Opio, Dr. John Tarus, Dr. Andrew Kimwolo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Financial literacy and financial capability as drivers of financial inclusion among women traders in Zambia's informal markets: An empirical investigation
This study investigates the direct and indirect effects of financial literacy on financial inclusion, mediated by financial capability, among women traders in Lusaka's informal markets, Zambia. The target population comprised 4,028 registered women traders across three major Lusaka markets - Lusaka Food Market, Lusaka City Market, and Soweto Market - with 273 women traders selected using stratified random sampling. The study was underpinned by three complementary theoretical frameworks: Sherraden's Financial Capability Framework, Ozili's Financial Literacy Theory of Financial Inclusion, and Sen's Capability Approach and employed a post-positivist mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. Structural equation modelling with 2,000-iteration bias-corrected bootstrapping was performed using AMOS 25. Results show that financial literacy significantly predicts financial capability (β = 0.497, p < .01) and that financial capability significantly predicts financial inclusion (β = 0.303, p < .05). The direct path from financial literacy to financial inclusion was statistically insignificant (β = 0.106, p = .334), indicating full mediation by financial capability (indirect effect = 0.250, p < .01). The structural model explained 44.5% of variance in financial inclusion (R² = 0.445). These findings underscore that financial literacy alone is insufficient for financial inclusion; practical capability development is the critical mediating mechanism. The study recommends institutionalised, skills-based financial capability programmes targeting informal women traders in Zambia, integrated with accessible institutional opportunity structures and aligned with the National Financial Inclusion Strategy II (2024–2028).
Copyright (c) 2026 Fred M'membe, Joseph Ntayi, Louis Nyahunda https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The leadership styles and practices of school principals and heads of departments and their impact on learners’ pass rates in selected Namibian secondary schools
The study explored the leadership styles and practices predominantly employed by the school principals and their implications for learners’ pass rates in secondary schools. The study adopted interpretivist paradigms because of its focus on understanding social reality from the standpoint of those experiencing it (principals and HODs). A qualitative research design was employed, with semi-structured interviews conducted across six schools. The study was guided by transformational, distributed, instructional, and situational theory. The target population was 24, which includes principals and HODs. A total sample of 12 participants, including principals and HODs, were purposefully selected. Data was thematically analyzed using Yin’s analysis framework. The study found that instructional, transformational, distributive, and adaptive leadership improved shared accountability, collaboration, motivation, and students’ pass rate, while autocratic practices were generally avoided. Leadership practices such as monitoring classroom instruction, enforcing discipline policies, monitoring teachers’ work, and consistent engagement in instructional leadership were widely implemented. Although transformational, instructional and distributed leadership dominate, situational flexibility and learner participation remain underdeveloped. Principals who integrate instructional, transformational, and distributed leadership and who change leadership depending on the situation reported improved accountability, motivation, and improved learner pass rates. The study recommends school leaders institutionalize a hybrid, context-responsive leadership style that integrates distributed, instructional, and transformational practices; formalize distributed leadership structures; strengthen mentorship and capacity-building systems; and embed structured consultation processes that enhance teacher empowerment and shared accountability as well as improve learners’ outcomes.
Copyright (c) 2026 Joyce Masiye, Harrison Daka, Mukuka Lydia Mulenga-Hagane https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Negotiating mediation and embodiment: A qualitative study of digital communication in African Seventh-day Adventist church post-COVID-19
The Covid-19 ramifications brought about the adoption of online communication technology even in churches, remolding ecclesial ordinances and worship rituals, sense-giving, and communal interaction. This qualitative study is theoretically guided by several key frameworks, including Digital Discourse Theory, Stakeholder Communication Theory, and Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) Theory. These theories elucidate how digital media reshape the delivery of core messages, enhancing governance and community life in the post-COVID-19 era. The target population was made of key church stakeholders who were actively engaged in digital communication platforms during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The study employed a qualitative design based on semi-structured interviews with a purposively selected sample of 18 key church stakeholders comprising church administrators, clergy, and lay members who actively engaged in digital communication platforms during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The research employs thematic analysis to establish four interlinked themes: (1) digital reach and organizational efficiency, (2) digital literacy, access, and generational divides, (3) governance, policy, and stakeholder-centered communication, and (4) limits of digital mediation for spiritual and communal life. By use of interview data and scholarship on organizational communication, online religion, and digital knowledge, the research posits that as much as virtual spaces promote access, continuity, and openness, they must be operated within the confines of hybrid ecclesial models and reliable governance paradigms in order to enhance spiritual intercourse and communal cooperation. The study concludes that while digital platforms enhance organizational efficiency, accessibility, and continuity of worship, they are limited in fostering embodied spirituality and communal intimacy. It is recommended that hybrid ecclesial communication models be adopted, supported by clear governance frameworks, stakeholder-centered communication policies, and inclusive digital literacy strategies.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dexter Adamson Njuka, Prof. Jackson Phiri, Prof. Francis Simui https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Contribution of state-community partnership structure in implementation of female genital mutilation (FGM) policy: A case of Chepalungu Sub-County, Kenya
In its effort to end female genital mutilation (FGM), the state in Kenya has operationalised key legislation: the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act 2019. Notwithstanding the statutory recognition of community participation in the implementation of the policy, there remains a structural void that weakens the partnership between the state and the community. This is more pronounced in Chepalungu Sub-County of Bomet County, where incidences of FGM are on the increase. This paper assessed the effectiveness of state-community partnership structures in the implementation of FGM policy in Chepalungu Sub-County. It was informed by both the partnership and structural functional theories and used a descriptive survey research design to determine the target population at 340, from which a sample size of 169 was selected using Slovin’s formula. The sample size was arrived at using a purposive sampling technique among key influencers and policy implementers, while the household heads were simply randomly sampled. Data were collected using a questionnaire, interview schedule and focus group discussions. The analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics and the thematic analysis method and presented in tabular form, pie charts, narratives and graphs. The findings indicated that 20 (63%) agreed that there is weak and often ad hoc coordination between the state and the community which negatively affected the implementation of the FGM policy. Further, 12 (37%) agreed to inadequate monitoring and evaluation of the implementation process. Notwithstanding the foregoing findings, 20 (63%) of the respondents indicated that there is some form of state-community collaboration, especially in the apprehension and arrest of offenders (7 (22%)), the rescue of cut girls (3 (9%)) and the taking of risk mitigation measures (2 (6%)). The involvement of the state, however, in alternative rites of passage as a strategy for controlling FGM was minimal. This is largely left to the civil society organisations (20 (62.5%)) in their efforts to promote girl child rights. About 10 (31.25%) agreed that civil society also engages in sexuality and reproductive health awareness as a strategy to de-campaign the FGM practice. This paper concludes that there is weak structural collaboration between the state and the community in the implementation of the FGM policy. The state remains a dominant actor in the implementation process in a community whose cultural practices are criminalised. It recommends the creation and maintenance of definitive partnership structures to reify the collaboration between the state and the community.
Copyright (c) 2026 Hillary Kipsang Kirui, Prof. Edmond Maloba Were, Dr. Mallion Kwamboka Onyambu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Bridging tradition and modernity: A systematic analysis of cultural beliefs, health practices, and the justification for integrative ethnomedicine in Africa
This systematic review examines the intersection of indigenous ethnomedicine and Western biomedicine in Africa, exploring the cultural, spiritual, and pharmacological factors that shape the continent's "medical pluralism." While up to 80% of the African population relies on traditional medicine due to its cultural resonance and geographic accessibility, a significant "biomedical-cultural gap" persists, leading to fragmented care and public health risks such as adverse herb-drug interactions. Utilizing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology and anchored in the Health Belief Model and Medical Pluralism Theory, the study identifies that health-seeking behavior is driven by a search for "ultimate" spiritual causes rather than mere biological symptoms. Furthermore, while pharmacological analysis validates the efficacy of secondary metabolites in indigenous flora, it highlights critical safety concerns regarding toxicity and lack of standardization, which can lead to potential health risks for patients if not properly addressed. The review concludes that a sustainable African healthcare strategy requires a transition from "biomedical elitism" to a culturally congruent, integrative model. Recommendations include the formalization of traditional healers into the primary healthcare chain, the development of national pharmacopoeias, and the institutionalization of rigorous quality control standards to harmonize ancestral wisdom with clinical safety.
Copyright (c) 2026 Wilson Adina Otenga https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Theoretical foundations and empirical evidence: A systematic review of employee-level responses to green human resource management (HRM) practices
This systematic review examines the evolution of environmental sustainability from a macro-level organizational mandate to its current emphasis on the psychological micro-foundations of employee behavior. Historically focused on institutional metrics such as ISO 14001 compliance, the scholarly landscape of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) has transitioned toward understanding how individual responses—specifically Green Work Engagement (GWE) and Organizational Citizenship Behavior for the Environment (OCBE)—underpin the success of corporate ecological objectives. Synthesizing high-impact research from 2015 to 2026, the study employs the Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) framework, Social Exchange Theory (SET), and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to map the causal links between green HR practices and individual performance. The findings indicate that while ability-enhancing initiatives like green training directly improve technical proficiency, the transition to discretionary, extra-role effort is heavily mediated by the "Green Psychological Climate." However, the review identifies an emerging "green performance paradox," in which intensive monitoring and complex reporting requirements trigger "green fatigue," potentially undermining core task performance. Furthermore, the study exposes significant geographical and sectoral imbalances, highlighting a critical scarcity of data within the public and service sectors of developing economies, such as Kenya. By reconciling these diverging strands, the research proposes a localized approach to GHRM that prioritizes institutional authenticity over superficial "greenwashing," ultimately providing a roadmap for developing resilient, purpose-driven green human capital.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jonathan William Omolo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The influence of technological information capabilities on records management practices in The Local Government Training Institute in Tanzania: The moderating role of transformational leadership
This study examines the influence of technological information capabilities and transformational leadership on records management practices. This study is guided by resource orchestration theory. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, the target population in this study comprises staff members of The Local Government Training Institute in Tanzania, with a specific focus on administrators, lecturers, and records officers who interact with or oversee records management systems. The sample size was determined using Yamane's formula; this yielded a sample size of approximately 200 respondents. The data was collected using a questionnaire and was analyzed through Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Data was collected using a structured questionnaire developed on the basis of observed variables identified for each latent construct. The data analysis process follows three stages: descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, and frequencies. Linear regression within the SEM framework was used to test hypothesized relationships among latent variables of the study. The study opted for stratified sampling, and the respondents were specifically selected from The Local Government Training institute. Findings of the study revealed that TIC significantly enhances RMP by improving accuracy, accessibility, compliance, and timeliness. TL also exerts a positive independent effect on RMP by motivating staff, promoting innovation, and fostering accountability. Moreover, TL moderates the relationship between TIC and RMP, demonstrating that technological investments yield stronger outcomes when supported by visionary and empowering leadership. The study concludes that effective records management requires both robust technological systems and leadership that cultivates a culture of digital adoption and continuous improvement. The study recommends simultaneous investment in ICT infrastructure and leadership development to strengthen institutional governance, transparency, and service delivery.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jacquiline Daniel John, Yohana Arsen Rutaba https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Strategic corporate real estate management in emergent economies: Ghanaian approach to institutional, organizational, and technological drivers
The paper explores the implementation of Strategic Corporate Real Estate Management across key areas of Ghana’s economy, including health, tertiary education, banking, security, and services, as well as the role played by institutions, organizations, and technology in its adoption and strategic alignment. The research used an interpretivist qualitative research paradigm and collected data using semi-structured interviews with estate managers, administrators, and top executives across different sectors. Thematic analysis was performed on them with the help of NVivo based on the resource-based view, institutional theory, and the technology-organization-environment framework to gain an understanding of the contextual forces and constraints that drive the strategic corporate real estate management practice. The results show that there is a transitional perspective of strategic corporate real estate management in Ghana. Although the banking and service sectors can illustrate organized real estate policies in the decision-making, the practices in the public organizations are still reactive and maintenance-oriented. These barriers are mostly the bureaucratic regulations, the fragmented institutional structure, the lack of policy guidance, and the digital illiteracy. Conversely, awareness of managers, professional competence, and adoption of technology were found to be strong enablers. Strategic corporate real estate management is more mature in organizations that have futuristic leaders and access to technology tools. The study reveals that balancing corporate performance indicators with property portfolios is significant to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. The conclusion stresses that the Strategic Corporate Real Estate Management (SCREM) practice in Ghana is at a transitional stage, shifting from operational facility maintenance to a more strategic, performance-based model. Recommendations include the integration of SCRAM concepts into the national development program to make real estate a proactive cost center, rather than a strategic driver of socio-economic development and organizational excellence. This research is noteworthy as it is among the few attempts to apply strategic corporate real estate management to a developing economy, contextualizing various theoretical views to highlight the two-way interplay between the institutional and strategic dimensions in Africa. This study provides practical policy and management guidelines to institutionalize strategic corporate real estate management in the national development models with the help of leadership training, institutional reform, and technological transformation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Naana Amakie Boakye-Agyeman, Francis Kwesi Bondinuba, Oti Amankwah, Ebenezer Afrane https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Preservice science teacher preparation and scaffolding (PSTPS) model for first experience with outcome-based education in Botswana
Outcome-Based Education (OBE) has evolved as a transformative approach to education that emphasises clearly defined learning outcomes, competency acquisition, and learner-centred learning. Drawing on multidisciplinary literature, the review indicates that Outcome-Based Education enhances student engagement, motivation, critical thinking, and employability by aligning curriculum design, instructional approaches, and assessment practices around clearly articulated learning outcomes. Empirical review points to notable gains in learner achievement, skill development, and the practical application of knowledge. Nevertheless, the review highlights implementation challenges, including faculty resistance, complexities in assessment design, limitations in institutional capacity, and the need for continuous professional development. Curriculum reforms in Botswana have prioritised the effective implementation of Outcome-Based Education (OBE), particularly in science education. However, newly trained teachers often struggle to translate preservice teacher preparation into exemplary instructional methods and performance-based assessments aligned with OBE during their early years of teaching. To address this gap, this study developed and tested a Preservice Science Teacher Preparation and Scaffolding (PSTPS) model that establishes structured collaboration between teacher training institutions and schools. Using a collaborative design-based research approach, the model was developed, implemented, and refined within selected institutions. The PSTPS model emphasises sustained mentorship, joint planning, coaching, and reflective practice to support the transition from preservice training to early-career teaching. Findings from implementation indicate that the model enhanced teacher confidence, improved lesson coherence and OBE alignment, and strengthened the use of inquiry-based and performance-oriented assessment practices. Continuous scaffolding bridged the theory-practice divide and strengthened school-institution partnerships. The study recommends scaling the model, strengthening mentor preparation, integrating digital tools, and testing the PSTPS model across diverse contexts and subject areas.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ndechedzelo Tau, Prof. Harrison Daka, Dr. Lydia M. Mulenga-Hagane https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Impact of feacal coliforms and interspecific cohabitation on the productivity of culicidae breeding sites, littoral-Cameroon
The demographic structure and emergence dynamics of Culicidae depend on biotic and abiotic interactions in the environment. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of bacteriological parameters, abundance, and interspecific cohabitation on the development of the pre-imaginal stages of Culicidae. Larvae were sampled using the “dipping” method and identified using dichotomous keys after rearing to adulthood; species of the Anopheles gambiae complex were distinguished using molecular techniques. The standard method for isolating and quantifying bacteria in water was used to quantify coliforms in water samples. The effect of density and interspecific cohabitation on the aquatic development of Culicidae was studied. The larvae were reared at different densities in a monospecific situation or in interspecific cohabitation. The number of individuals at each stage of development, the number of dead larvae, and the number of emergences were counted every 24 hours. The culicid fauna in Youpwé during the study period consisted of Culex quinquefasciatus (42.6%, n = 415), Anopheles coluzzii (39.8%, n = 388), and Aedes aegypti (17.6%, n = 171). Fecal coliforms were found at all breeding sites; the species identified were Enterobacter aerogenes (51.8%), Escherichia coli (6.5%), and Salmonella typhimurium (9.4%). A positive and significant correlation was observed between E. coli density and larval productivity of the genus Aedes (P-value = 0.002). In the laboratory, significantly slower pre-imaginal development was observed in a high-density interspecific cohabitation environment than in a monospecific environment. This was the case, for example, for the interspecific combination Anopheles gambiae/Culex quinquefasciatus, which had a significantly longer development time than Anopheles gambiae reared in a monospecific environment (P-value < 0.05). The same observation was made for the interspecific combination Anopheles culuzzii/Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles culuzzii in a monospecific environment (P-value ˂ 0.05). In addition, a bias in favor of females in interspecific cohabitation was noted. It would therefore be appropriate, based on the results of more specific work on the mechanisms influencing fecal coliforms, to move towards integrated vector management. This requires the integration of sex ratio and cohabitation into entomological surveillance programs.
Copyright (c) 2026 Michel Léger Offono Enama, Roméo Aimé Laclong Lontchi, Romeo Serge Mbongue, Pasma Mache Nkouandou, Angele Foutchou, Serge Bertrand Eyebe, Ernest Koji, Patrick Akono Ntonga, Alain Bertrand Dongmo, Jean Arthur Mbida Mbida https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The aesthetic nature of language in southern African drama with reference to plays of Smith Likongwe and others
This paper seeks to explore the extent to which language and other stylistic devices, through the multi-dimensional Neorealist style, address multiple contemporary trends in five selected Southern African plays. This realism refers us to a cultural situation or reality (meaning) whose complexity and variety can no longer be represented by any single text or mode of writing but only by a set of relations within a growing plurality of cultural styles and modes of writing. This approach embraces varying styles of writing to communicate varying and wider perspectives regarding the current human experience without falling into the parochial trap of objective reality which is typical of 19th-century realism and post-structural realism. Most of the studies on Southern African drama are focused on Athol Fugard covering the apartheid era (the past) and some on Mda Zakes covering post-apartheid events or post-colonial literature about South Africa. In view of this gap, the study focuses on the 21st-century Southern African drama and demonstrates that truth (reality) or meaning is not absolute or fixed but is constructed within the social context through the text and context relationship, as meaning is context-dependent. This is because the material flow or the floating signifier leads to the unstable signified. Since language is an important tool that captures reality, the study, thus, puts its focus on investigating the aesthetic nature of language in Southern African plays to explore the floating nature of diction, neologism, intertextuality, dialogic self, the significance of ordinary language and translanguaging, and identify rhetorical devices and their respective dramatic effects. In a multicultural society, writers have the right to choose any language they are competent in to write, and we do not expect the African aesthetics to remain the same throughout history. The findings indicate that the language employed in the plays is largely everyday register coupled with scanty figures of speech resulting in rhetorical devices, though not all rhetorical devices are expressed in literary language. Intertextuality presented itself through parody, allusion and representation. The assertion that meaning or reality (truth and representations) are mere constructions has demonstrated the postmodernist and modernist pessimistic attitude towards reality or meaning. Furthermore, translanguaging is evident only in Cards, Mzansi Hopes and Burn Mukwerekwere, Burn, but Burn Mukwerekwere, Burn, is bereft of neologism. Finally, the selected plays revealed varying fractions of realities within the Southern African milieu in the 21st century. In terms of implications, policy developers should endeavour to develop policies that promote inclusive communication in public institutions and in the society at large. In the case of researchers, there is a need to conduct further studies on the impact of language on social attitudes towards marginalised groups in the multicultural society of Africa. Finally, there is a need for educators to incorporate critical language awareness into language teaching curriculum to improve students’ effective communication skills and comprehension of language’s role in shaping reality.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ian Mbewe https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Crisis awareness and the awareness–preparedness paradox in Zambia's tourism industry
Tourism destinations in sub-Saharan Africa face intensifying multidimensional crises, including climate-induced natural disasters, energy insecurity, health pandemics, and macroeconomic volatility. Despite growing scholarly attention to crisis management, the literature reveals a persistent gap between what tourism stakeholders know about crises and what they actually do to prepare for them. This study investigates the awareness–preparedness paradox in Zambia's tourism industry, a structural condition in which near-universal crisis awareness coexists with critically inadequate operational preparedness. This study is anchored in three complementary theoretical frameworks that together provide the conceptual architecture for understanding the awareness–preparedness paradox. The first is crisis management theory as synthesised by Faulkner and extended by Ritchie and Jiang and Faulkner's tourism disaster management framework. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, quantitative data were collected from 137 respondents through stratified purposive sampling across five stakeholder categories — government institutions, private sector tourism operators, community-based organisations, non-governmental organisations, and tourists — drawn from Livingstone, Lusaka, South Luangwa National Park, and Kafue National Park. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, Pearson correlation, and Mann-Whitney U tests; qualitative data were generated through key informant interviews and thematic analysis. Findings reveal a composite crisis awareness mean of 4.58 out of 5.0 (t = 44.09, p < 0.001), significantly above neutral, contrasted with a preparedness capacity mean of 2.98 (t = −0.40, p = 0.689), statistically indistinguishable from doing nothing. This produces a composite awareness–preparedness gap of 1.60 points, most pronounced for natural disasters (Δ = −1.95) and pandemics (Δ = −1.95). The paradox reflects institutional fragmentation, inadequate resource allocation, and absent policy enforcement mechanisms rather than ignorance of risk, indicating that these systemic issues hinder effective crisis management in the tourism sector. The study concludes that Zambia's challenge in managing tourism crises is fundamentally institutional: governance reform, mandatory preparedness requirements, and dedicated resilience financing are the priority interventions for resolving the paradox and building sustainable sector resilience. This study recommended that the Ministry of Tourism and Arts should mandate formal crisis management planning for all registered tourism enterprises, with ZTA providing technical support and monitoring compliance.
Copyright (c) 2026 Bruce Ernest, Norman Kachamba, Chaste Nsama https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Fairness, transparency, and motivational deficits in public utility performance appraisal: Evidence from Zambia
This research examines how management-level staff at a state-owned public utility view the fairness, transparency, and effectiveness of their performance evaluation system, and how these views affect their motivation, engagement, and job performance. Utilizing a comprehensive theoretical framework that incorporates Equity Theory and Goal-Setting Theory, this study adopted a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire distributed to 176 management-level employees chosen through stratified random sampling from five divisions of Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited, [ZESCO] Limited, Zambia's state-owned electricity provider, along with semi-structured interviews conducted with 15 purposely selected key informants. Quantitative data were examined using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression analyses, and structural equation modeling (SEM), while qualitative data were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis. The results indicate that employees view the appraisal system as considerably below a neutral benchmark in terms of fairness (M = 2.68, SD = 0.96, p < .001), transparency (M = 2.70, SD = 0.98, p < .001), and effectiveness (M = 2.81, SD = 0.94, p = .008). Effectiveness of the system emerged as the most influential factor in predicting motivation (β = 0.376, p < .001) and engagement (β = 0.324, p < .001), while fairness also significantly predicted motivation (β = 0.224, p = .007) and engagement (β = 0.182, p = .047). Employee engagement was found to partially mediate the relationship between effectiveness and performance (Sobel z = 6.13, p < .001), representing 57.4% of the total indirect effect. Notable variations were seen across departments and tenure, with those in technical departments and employees with longer tenures reporting significantly lower perceptions. These findings provide actionable insights for improving performance management in public utilities across Sub-Saharan Africa and enhance the theoretical understanding of the dynamics between justice and motivation in bureaucratic organizational settings.
Copyright (c) 2026 Faith Mwansa Kalaba, Kennedy Nsusa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Structural failures in preventive discipline: Evidence from a mixed-methods study of Malawian schools
Preventive discipline approaches are increasingly promoted as alternatives to punitive responses to learner misconduct, however, their practical application in Malawian secondary schools remains constrained by systematic and structural limitations. Guided by transformational leadership theory and choice theory, this study examined the structural conditions shaping the effectiveness of preventive discipline management strategies. An embedded mixed‑methods design was employed, and the target population comprised school management team members, student council leaders, education managers, and learners who had experienced suspension or dismissal. Quantitatively, a sample of 380 participants was drawn from twenty secondary schools using stratified random sampling, with sample size determined by the Yamane formula. Qualitatively, purposive sampling was employed to conduct in-depth interviews to capture lived experiences of disciplinary strategies. Binary logistic regression was applied to survey data, while thematic analysis guided interpretation of interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and binary logistic regression, while qualitative data were examined through thematic analysis. Findings reveal that the limited effectiveness of preventive discipline is strongly linked to systemic constraints rather than a lack of conceptual grounding. Although trauma-informed management received near-universal support (93.7%), it demonstrated no statistically significant influence on behavioural improvement. Equally, study circles were negatively associated with behavioral outcomes, reflecting weak institutional oversight and inadequate structuring. Qualitative evidence further highlights persistent challenges, including limited resource allocation, insufficient professional training, and the absence of coherent supervision frameworks, which collectively undermine the institutionalisation of preventive practices. The study concludes that the limited success of preventive discipline in Malawi stems primarily from structural challenges requiring systemic reform rather than inherent conceptual weaknesses. The study recommends institutionalising preventive discipline through dedicated counseling services, resource allocation, and mandatory teacher training; and strengthening practice by restructuring peer-based initiatives with clear objectives and teacher oversight. Addressing these foundations would enable schools to transition sustainably from punitive responses towards effective preventive discipline management.
Copyright (c) 2026 Wezzie Memory Mtika, Gift Masaiti, Kapambwe Mwelwa https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Enhancing human resources governance for risk mitigation: Pathways to resilience in Zambian quasi-governmental organisations
"Human resources governance enhancement" refers to strengthening the structures, capabilities, and practices through which organisations oversee people-related decisions and risks. This paper examines how such enhancement can improve risk mitigation and organisational resilience in Zambian quasi-governmental organisations. Guided by resource dependency theory, organisational learning theory, and technology acceptance theory, the study adopted an interpretivist multiple-case study design. The target population comprised the most senior HR practitioners in quasi-governmental organisations in Zambia, and purposive sampling yielded eleven participants drawn from eleven organisations across diverse sectors. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework. The findings identify three interdependent pathways to stronger HR governance: strategic HR representation at board level, targeted technology adoption for standardisation and data-driven monitoring, and the professionalisation of the HR function. The study further shows that these pathways are only effective when supported by leadership commitment and an organisational culture that treats risk management as a shared responsibility. The paper concludes that HR governance enhancement requires structural, technological, and cultural change and recommends deliberate board-level inclusion of HR expertise, phased investment in HR technologies, and stronger professional standards for HR practice in quasi-governmental organisations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel Siakalima, Austin Mwange, Francis Simui https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Governance and financial management capability as determinants of financial sustainability in private schools in Lusaka Province, Zambia
Governance and financial management capability are widely recognised as foundational organisational prerequisites for financial sustainability, yet their specific effects on private schools in sub-Saharan African developing country contexts remain empirically underexplored. This study examines the influence of governance and financial management capability on the financial sustainability of private schools in Lusaka Province, Zambia. The Tuckman–Chang Financial Vulnerability Model and Governance as well as Bowman's Financial Capacity Framework and governance guided this research. Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design (QUAN→qual), quantitative data were collected from 272 valid survey questionnaire responses drawn from school owners, principals, bursars, and accountants at private primary and secondary schools across the six districts of Lusaka Province. The study employed two-stage stratified random sampling guided by Yamane's formula at a 5% margin of error and 95% confidence level. Qualitative data were gathered through 15 purposively selected semi-structured telephone interviews. A Financial Sustainability Index (FSI) was computed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), yielding a mean FSI of 0.53 (SD = 0.202), indicating moderate but fragile financial sustainability across the sector. Strikingly, the governance and financial management capability construct recorded very low mean scores across all seven items, ranging from 1.76 to 1.86 on the five-point Likert scale, reflecting substantial and pervasive governance deficits in the private school sector. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a strong single-factor structure for the governance construct (KMO = 0.928; chi-square = 1,482.52; p < .001; eigenvalue = 5.11; variance explained = 72.94%). Pearson correlation analysis, supported by bias-corrected bootstrap estimation, revealed a moderate, positive, and statistically significant relationship between governance and financial management capability and the FSI (r = 0.449; p < .001; BCa 95% CI: 0.22–0.68). Multiple regression analysis confirmed governance and financial management capability as a significant and independent predictor of financial sustainability in the full model (R² = 0.37; F(7,264) = 21.96; p < .001). Critically, moderation analysis demonstrated that both regulatory intensity and market competition significantly moderated the governance–financial sustainability relationship, with regulatory intensity positively moderating and market competition negatively moderating the effect. Qualitative findings strongly corroborated these results, with participants consistently identifying structured governance arrangements, transparent financial reporting, regular budget monitoring, and accountability mechanisms as practices most closely associated with better financial sustainability outcomes. The study concludes that strengthening governance and financial management capability in private schools is both an urgent necessity and a high-return institutional investment for improving financial sustainability in Zambia's private education sector. This study recommends that private school proprietors and administrators should prioritise the development of formal financial governance structures, even in small and resource-constrained institutions.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lusungu Anne Kumwenda, Lubinda Haabazoka, Harrison Daka https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Revenue diversification as a driver of financial sustainability in private schools in Lusaka Province, Zambia
Private schools in Zambia supplement the capacity of the public education system and contribute substantially to educational access at the primary and secondary levels. However, a significant proportion of these institutions face severe financial fragility driven by overdependence on tuition fees as a single and precarious revenue stream. This study examines the effect of revenue diversification on the financial sustainability of private schools in Lusaka Province, Zambia. Grounded in the Tuckman and Chang financial vulnerability model and Bowman's financial capacity framework, the study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design (QUAN→qual). The target population comprised school owners, principals, bursars, and accountants employed at 594 registered private primary and secondary schools across the six districts of Lusaka Province. Using two-stage stratified random sampling guided by Yamane's formula at a 5% margin of error and 95% confidence level, 300 questionnaires were distributed, yielding 272 valid responses representing a response rate of 90.7%. Qualitative data were gathered through 15 purposively sampled semi-structured telephone interviews conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. A Financial Sustainability Index (FSI) was computed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin statistic of 0.922 and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity confirming data suitability for factor analysis. The mean FSI of 0.53 (SD = 0.202) indicated moderate but fragile financial sustainability. Classification of sampled schools by FSI level revealed that 39% experienced normal financial sustainability, 39% unstable, 15.4% absolute, and 6.6% critical financial sustainability. Pearson correlation analysis, supported by bootstrap estimation with 5,000 resamples, revealed a strong, statistically significant positive relationship between revenue diversification and financial sustainability (r = 0.799, p < .001; BCa 95% CI: 0.753–0.850). Multiple regression analysis confirmed revenue diversification as the dominant predictor of financial sustainability (R² = 0.67; F(7,264) = 75.15; p < .001), with market competition significantly moderating the relationship between revenue diversification and financial sustainability. Qualitative findings strongly triangulated these results, with all participants consistently reporting that schools with diversified income streams beyond tuition fees achieved significantly greater financial stability. The study concludes that revenue diversification is not a peripheral financial strategy but a structural imperative for private schools in Zambia's volatile educational and economic environment. Immediate policy and institutional interventions are required to support its systematic development across the sector. This study recommends that private school administrators should develop and implement formal, resourced revenue diversification strategies that identify multiple income streams appropriate to their institutional context, resource base, and community environment.
Evaluating the effects of sustainable intensification practices in smallholder farming systems: A case study of the Nabdam district, Ghana
The impact of sustainable intensification (SI) on food security in the developing world is substantial and cannot be overstated. The study was anchored on the theory of planned behaviour and the diffusion of innovation. This study contributes to the field by examining the effects of SI practices in smallholder farming systems in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region of Ghana. A concurrent mixed-methods approach was employed, with primary data collected through self-administered questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, and direct on-farm observations. A total of 384 respondents were selected from 2,535 households for the survey using a simple random sampling technique. Two focus group discussions were held in each selected community alongside nine key informants. The quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS VERSION 27). The qualitative data were gathered via tape recordings and coded into themes and content for analysis. The findings indicate that awareness of SI alone is insufficient to generate meaningful outcomes. Effective and sustained intensification requires adequate technical knowledge, practical skills, and institutional support. Gendered differences in SI adoption were observed, with men primarily engaging in land-intensive practices (61%). At the same time, women relied on labour- and knowledge-intensive approaches (62%), often supported by credit and extension services. Moreover, educated smallholder farmers were more likely to adopt SI practices than their uneducated counterparts. The study further demonstrates that adopters of sustainable intensification experience higher yields and increased income (β = 0.365, t = 9.184, p < .001) compared to non-adopters. Based on these results, the study concludes that, with sufficient institutional support, technical capabilities, and knowledge, sustainable intensification can substantially enhance smallholder farmers' livelihoods and food security. Enhancing adoption requires bolstering extension services, expanding credit availability, and encouraging gender-responsive interventions to maximise productivity and income gains.
Copyright (c) 2026 Samuel Akonga, Daniel Oppong-Sekyere, Mary-Sussan Mbota https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
From fauna to founding fathers: Semiotic layers and identity construction in the street nomenclature of Tanzania’s capital
Guided by an integrated framework combining linguistic landscape theory, critical toponymy, postcolonial onomastics, and semiotic theory, this study examines how street naming functions as a mechanism of identity construction in Dodoma. The research adopts a mixed-methods research approach, integrating quantitative corpus analysis with qualitative ethnographic and semiotic interpretation. Data were drawn from multiple sources, including an official municipal register of 205 street names, government gazettes, cartographic materials (OpenStreetMap and satellite imagery), a photographic corpus of street signage, semi-structured interviews with planners and residents, and participatory mapping workshops. The data analysis followed a four-stage procedure: corpus preparation and translation, iterative qualitative coding into semiotic categories, quantitative frequency and spatial patterning, and in-depth semiotic interpretation grounded in Peircean and critical toponymic frameworks. The findings reveal a highly structured toponymic regime dominated by personal commemorative names (48.3%), followed by fauna-based and ecological references, moral-ideological terms, and institutional labels. The study identifies a distinctive model of personalist–ecological nationalism, where political authority, moral discourse, and wildlife symbolism jointly construct national identity. However, the naming system also exhibits significant exclusions, particularly of women, Islamic identities, and indigenous Gogo spatial knowledge. The study concludes that street names in Dodoma function as instruments of top-down nation-building and ideological inscription, while their everyday uptake remains uneven. It recommends the adoption of participatory naming frameworks, greater representational balance, and the integration of vernacular place knowledge to enhance inclusivity, legitimacy, and practical usability of urban toponymy.
Copyright (c) 2026 Adronis Kanonko Selestino, Shingwa Magashi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Moderating influence of stakeholder participation on the relationship between risk management strategies and implementation of KeRRA road construction projects in Migori County, Kenya
The purpose of this study was to determine the moderating influence of stakeholder participation on the relationship between risk management strategies and implementation of KeRRA road construction projects in Migori County. Guided by stakeholder theory, the study adopted a pragmatic research philosophy, which integrates analytic frameworks of descriptive and inferential statistics. The target population was 419, with a sample of 234, which included 39 contractors, 193 Sub County Roads Committee (SCRC) members, and 2 Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) engineers, selected by random and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected with the help of a questionnaire for contractors and SCRC members and a research schedule for key informant interviews with engineers. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, SPSS. The study utilized the t-statistic to test the null hypotheses. Validity and reliability of research instruments were ensured through a pilot survey and expert evaluation. The results showed that stakeholder participation has a significant influence on the relationship between risk management strategies and implementation of road construction projects. It has a positive and significant direct impact on road construction projects, with an estimated t-statistic value of |t| = 10.321, against the theoretical t-statistic value of |t05| = 1.943. In general, it is concluded that stakeholder participation significantly moderates the relationship between risk management strategies and implementation of KeRRA road construction projects in Migori County (|t| = 10.321). The study recommends that all categories of stakeholders need to be consulted and considered during the risk management process and implementation of road construction projects. In summary, KeRRA should institutionalize structured stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle. Project managers should therefore integrate stakeholder participation into formal risk management plans rather than treating it as a peripheral activity.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lennard William Bundeh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Implications of avocado farming on income and food diversification among smallholders in Njombe, Tanzania
Avocado has gained popularity as a high-value crop that could improve rural livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa, yet there is limited field-based evidence on how growing avocado actually changes what farmers earn and what they consume, especially when considering whether concentrating on a single crop makes households less resilient in the face of risks. This study investigates how avocado farming affects income diversification and food consumption among 305 smallholder households surveyed in the Njombe Region, Tanzania, drawing on the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) as a theoretical proposition anchored. Data were collected through structured household surveys in a cross-sectional design. Three analytical methods were applied: analysis of variance (ANOVA) for comparing income across three avocado participation intensity groups, a Simpson Income Diversity Index (SIDI) analyzed through fractional logit regression for income diversification determinants, and an ordered logit model for household food consumption measured by the Food Consumption Score (FCS). ANOVA results showed that income differed significantly across the three groups, with farmers who grow avocado more intensively earning considerably more. The fractional logit model indicated that higher avocado involvement reduces income diversification chance (coefficients of -0.620 at p < 0.01 for medium intensity and -2.068 at p < 0.001 for high intensity), emphasizing a shift toward specialization. Nevertheless, the ordered logit results showed that avocado participation improves food security: none of the high-intensity farmers fell into the ‘poor’ food consumption category compared with 18.2% of low-intensity farmers (χ² = 24.76, p < 0.001). Education level, access to financial services, and marital status positively influenced income diversification, while household income and participation intensity were the main factors behind better food consumption. The findings point to a need for policies that balance avocado intensity with livelihood diversification, expand financial access, and integrate nutrition awareness into agricultural extension.
Copyright (c) 2026 Simon J. Chamy, Dr. Anna A. Temu, Dr. Silver J. Hokororo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Availability of security equipment and their effectiveness in enhancing security in higher learning institutions in Nairobi City County, Kenya
Security is a prerequisite for the development of societies. Several security measures have been proposed for execution in higher institutions of learning to mitigate heightened insecurity incidents. Despite these measures, higher institutions of learning continue to report insecurity incidents. This paper presents an analysis of the available security equipment and their efficacy in enhancing security in higher learning institutions. The study was anchored in both securitization and competence theories. A mixed-method approach, which incorporates both qualitative and quantitative approaches, was utilized. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was the student leaders from both the Kenya College of Accountancy University and the Multimedia University of Kenya and the staff in the security departments of both universities' registrars. The study targeted a total of 120 respondents, including 32 security managers, 81 security officers, 2 registrars, and 5 student leaders from both institutions. Simple and purposive sampling techniques were used to generate the sample size of 120 respondents. The study examined primary data, which was collected using questionnaires and key informant guides. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 to give frequency distribution, means, and percentages, and findings were presented using tables, graphs, and charts. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic narrations, with findings presented using narrations and descriptions. The study findings reveal that incidents of insecurities have increased across institutions of higher learning in Kenya. In response, these institutions have beefed up security, although challenges persist, hindering the effective implementation of the needed security measures. The study established that both MKU and KCA Universities had implemented security equipment to some degree, although most of them are outdated or not properly maintained. The study recommends that universities should increase their investment in physical security, in buying and maintaining security equipment, and should adopt more visibility security measures as a way of improving the security situation.
Copyright (c) 2026 Joseph Ndiege https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Mathematical analysis of injectable PrEP and vaginal rings HIV prevention strategies among female sex workers in Kenya
This paper formulated a deterministic mathematical model to study the use of injectable PrEP and vaginal rings HIV prevention strategies among the Female Sex Workers in Kenya. The reproduction number, the disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium points determined. The Next Generation Matrix (NGM) method was used to determine the Reproduction number. The Jacobian matrix method was used to analyze the local stability of the Disease Free Equilibrium which was locally stable and globally asymptotically stable when R0 < 1. The analysis of the model found that low use of Vaginal rings and Injectable PrEP while engaging in sex resulted in contacting the HIV virus and consistent use of injectable PrEP and the vaginal rings reduced the risk of contacting of HIV virus and consequently reduced the AIDS population. This work recommends use of both vaginal rings and Injectable PrEP as HIV/AIDS prevention strategies among the high risk populations and female sex workers. Therefore, the Ministry of Health in Kenya should make both Vaginal rings and Injectable PrEP available and affordable since it ranges from 1 to 8 US Dollars which is relatively expensive to the Female sex workers who rely on sex work as a source of livelihood. They should also educate these FSWs on the importance and proper use of using these preventive measures as a way of protecting themselves from HIV/AIDS.
Copyright (c) 2026 Ancent Kimulu, Charles Wachira, Mlyashimbi Helikumi, Charles Muli, Winifred Mutuku https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Relationship between succession planning and performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya
The hospitality industry in Kenya is highly sophisticated, with new entrants and daily losses experienced due to the kind of services offered, particularly in the hotel industry. In this case, hotel leadership and work, by extension, face a myriad of challenges that call for effective talent management. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between succession planning and the performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. The study was anchored on human capital theory, pioneered by Becker and Schultz in the early 1960s, which emphasizes the importance of employees in realizing optimum organizational performance. The research design adopted for this study was based on positivist philosophy, whereby explanatory and descriptive research designs were used. The study used a purposive sampling technique to select 305 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires. The study's findings, based on the correlation and linear regression coefficients, indicated that succession planning had a positive and significant influence on organizational performance. This implies that an increase in succession planning programs would cause a corresponding increase in the performance of star-rated hotels in Kenya. Therefore, the corresponding null hypothesis was also rejected. The study, therefore, concluded that the hotel industry should consider enhancing succession planning to enhance performance amidst increased competition. The study thus recommended that star-rated hotels should establish succession planning programmes and put in place development plans for their potential successors. These programmes will enhance the retention of potential successors who have high potential talent.
Macroeconomic policies, house prices and housing supply in Ghana: The role of economic growth
In many developing countries, housing debates and policies are focused on making prices affordable for consumers and increasing the supply. Despite the ongoing efforts by governments, there is compelling evidence that the informal sector drives the housing markets in developing economies. Hence, sound macroeconomic policies that affect consumers may serve as a lever to reduce prices and increase supply. This paper, therefore, examines the efficacy of monetary, fiscal, and debt policies on house prices (HP) and housing supply (HS), while underscoring the inclusive and exclusive roles of economic growth in Ghana. We utilized the Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) and the Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR), supported by annual data from the period 2000 to 2023. The study establishes that, regardless of whether economic growth is included or excluded from the model, house prices and housing supply respond to macroeconomic policies. HP and HS are marginally affected by the monetary policy rate (MPR), fiscal policy (FP), debt policy (DP), and economic growth (RGDP). Moreover, both HP and HS have a positive influence on each other. This study has therefore expanded the scope of macro housing studies by utilizing macroeconomic policies and concurrently assessing the inclusive and exclusive roles of economic growth in a developing country. The study, therefore, contends that regulators’ reliance on general macroeconomic policies for housing market development may inadvertently impede sectoral growth. Consequently, targeted macro-housing policies that enhance supply and align prices with household income levels are imperative. These include, inter alia, dedicated housing development funds, special lending rates for the housing industry, and strengthening the land tenure security of incremental developers. Furthermore, to sustain the growth of the housing market, the study emphasizes the importance of stable core macroeconomic fundamentals, namely, interest rates, exchange rates, and inflation. These indicators reduce financing costs, preserve purchasing power, and enable households to pursue incremental housing development, which remains a dominant delivery mechanism in developing countries.
Copyright (c) 2026 Naana Amakie Boakye-Agyemang, Benjamin Kwakye, Stephen Ameyaw, Ebenezer Afrane, Jannat Abbas, Tahiru Alhassan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Bibliometric insights into performance management systems in human resource management research
The present bibliometric research paper is devoted to the dynamic nature of the performance management systems (PMS) in terms of the human resource management (HRM) field in the context of disruptions in technology, sustainability requirements, and post-pandemic changes. The aim is to trace the trend of publications, intellectual frameworks, influential factors, new themes, and gaps in research in the period between 1986 and 2026 to give information to scholars and practitioners in various settings, including emerging economies. The study is guided by goal-setting theory, expectancy theory, resource-based view, and social exchange theory. By using the PRISMA protocol, 550 documents were found in the Scopus database and examined through the VOSviewer software to establish the networks of key-word co-occurrence, citation, and thematic clustering. The results indicate a steep rise in publication rates in recent years since 2015; nine thematic areas (e.g., core HRM practices, AI integration, and green HRM); Western dominance of influential authors and publications (e.g., International Journal of Human Resource Management); and an overwhelming number of publications with high citation rates (e.g., focusing on virtual teams and sustainable performance). New trends are AI-based assessments and greener measurements and time-related changes toward sustainability and morality. In theory, the paper contributes to the goal-setting and resource-based view theories; in practice, it informs adaptive PMS applications to improve productivity and retention, and, in a methodological way, it justifies the hybrid bibliometric strategies. To ensure inclusive and resilient HRM practices, it has been recommended to focus on interdisciplinary work on AI-green synergies, empirical studies in the global south, and ethical AI investigations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Mashala L. Yusuph, Lazaro A. Kisumbe, John W. Kasubi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Digital financial access as a moderator in the financial capability–financial inclusion nexus: Evidence from informal women traders in Zambia
While financial capability and empowerment are established drivers of financial inclusion, the contextual conditions under which these relationships hold or are amplified remain understudied in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study examines the moderating role of digital financial access in the relationships between financial capability, financial empowerment, financial literacy, and financial inclusion among 273 women traders in Lusaka's informal markets, Zambia, selected using stratified random sampling from a target population of 4,028 registered women traders across three major Lusaka markets. Anchored on the Technology Acceptance Model, Sherraden's Financial Capability Framework, and the Inclusive Financial Wellbeing Empowerment Model, a post-positivist moderation analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling with mean-centred interaction terms in AMOS 25, with 2,000-iteration bias-corrected bootstrapping. Results reveal that digital financial access significantly moderates the financial capability - financial inclusion relationship (β = 0.206, p < .01), amplifying the positive effect of capability on inclusion. However, digital financial access did not significantly moderate the financial empowerment–financial inclusion relationship (β = −0.033, p = .564) nor the financial literacy–financial inclusion relationship (β = 0.038, p = .514). This selective moderation finding - supported by all three of the theoretical frameworks employed - indicates that digital financial access serves as an enabling platform specifically for capability-translated inclusion, confirming that practical financial skills are necessary for digital platform utilisation and that empowerment operates through psychological channels that are largely independent of digital infrastructure availability. The study is the concluding paper in a three-paper series that collectively establishes the golden thread - financial literacy → capability/empowerment → inclusion - with digital financial access as the institutional amplifier of the capability link. The findings advance evidence-based recommendations for sequencing digital infrastructure investment alongside capability-building programmes in Zambia's National Financial Inclusion Strategy II (2024–2028) implementation.
Public websites’ contents and their implications in mandated functions: A case of Tanzania local government authorities
To share information and offer services as well as enhance administrative transparency, the local government authorities (LGAs) are increasingly relying on public websites. Nonetheless, the extent to which the content of websites makes the smooth execution of legally mandated local government operations possible, particularly in developing countries, is still unknown. This paper examines the performance of the LGAs in Tanzania based on the accessibility, relevance of functionality, and scope of the content on the government websites, and it was guided by public value theory and the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. The study employs a quantitative explanatory method using stratified and purposive sampling techniques to select respondents and get an overall sample of 312 respondents. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered through survey data among LGA officials responsible for information management, planning, administrative coordination, and other stakeholders. The data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to test mediating, moderating, and direct relationships among the constructs. The findings indicate that comprehensive and beneficial web content is very helpful in enhancing citizen engagement, accountability, transparency, and service delivery. The correlation between the scope of content and the necessary level of functional performance of the websites is moderated to some degree by the functional relevance, but the influence of the functional relevance on the outcomes of the performance is moderated positively by the institutional capacity. The study comes to the conclusion that government websites must be accessible, relevant, and of high quality in order for digital governance to be effective. To increase transparency and citizen involvement, the report advises LGAs to invest in institutional and technological capabilities, improve website content management, and create explicit standards for online information sharing. The study provides empirical evidence in the field of e-government research, besides providing policy-relevant insights to enhance the local government’s digital communication strategies in resource-constrained settings. A number of useful recommendations can be made based on the outcomes. LGAs need to change the focus on their websites to lessen their emphasis on announcements and PR and focus more on mandate-led content, focusing on service standards, budgets, procurement notices, performance reports, and citizen participation mechanisms. Standardised content guidelines to be followed by all LGA websites need to be developed by national bodies like PO-RALG and the e-Government Authority in order to maintain minimum standards of disclosure and quality. The usability and accessibility based on the user-centred design, frequent content updates, mobile-based interfaces, and bilingualism (Kiswahili/English) should be paid specific attention to close the digital gaps and positively influence the stakeholders.
Copyright (c) 2026 Lazaro A. Kisumbe, Mashala L. Yusuph, John W. Kasubi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Women's financial empowerment and financial inclusion in Zambia's informal sector: Evidence from a mixed-methods study
This study examines the direct and mediated pathways through which financial literacy and financial empowerment influence financial inclusion among women traders in Lusaka's informal markets, Zambia. The target population comprised 4,028 registered women traders across three major Lusaka markets - Lusaka Food Market, Lusaka City Market, and Soweto Market. Employing a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design underpinned by the Ford Financial Empowerment Model, the Inclusive Financial Wellbeing Empowerment Model, and Sen's Capability Approach, the study collected quantitative data from 273 women traders using stratified random sampling across three major markets, supplemented by three focus group discussions. Structural equation modelling and thematic analysis were used for quantitative and qualitative analyses respectively. Results demonstrate that financial literacy significantly predicts financial empowerment (β = 0.550, p < .01) - the strongest of all pathways tested across the three-paper series - and that financial empowerment significantly predicts financial inclusion (β = 0.389, p < .05). The indirect effect of financial literacy on financial inclusion through financial empowerment was 0.355 (p < .01), establishing empowerment as a powerful mediator that exceeds the capability-mediated indirect effect of 0.250 documented in the companion paper. Qualitative findings from three focus group discussions corroborate these results, with participants identifying confidence in financial management, decision-making autonomy, and savings group participation as key empowerment-driven inclusion pathways, while social norm constraints emerge as the primary boundary condition attenuating the empowerment-to-inclusion relationship. The study concludes that women's financial empowerment is the most potent mediating mechanism in the financial literacy–inclusion nexus in informal markets and recommends the integration of empowerment-building components - specifically confidence development, peer mentoring, and savings group strengthening - into all financial inclusion interventions targeting women in Zambia's informal sector.