AFRICAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH

Decoding Workplace Conflicts in Financial Institutions in Tanzania

B. Tibesigwa — 2025-04-29

Purpose: The research examines the factors leading to workplace conflicts in financial institutions in the Mbeya Region. It seeks to analyse the drivers of workplace conflicts and their implications for organisational productivity and employee well-being.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employs a mixed-methods framework, integrating quantitative and qualitative data for a comprehensive analysis. A cross-sectional design was adopted, with data collected from 185 respondents using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews with key informants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to explore the causal relationships among conflict drivers and their impact on workplace dynamics. Qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis to synthesise themes and enrich the discussion of findings.

Research Limitation: The study is limited by its cross-sectional design, which restricts the ability to infer causal relationships over time. Additionally, the findings are specific to financial institutions in the Mbeya Region and may not be directly generalisable to other regions or sectors.

Findings: The findings reveal that organisational, personal and environmental factors significantly and positively influence workplace conflicts. Key results include the following standardised coefficients: organisational drivers (β=0.241, p=0.023), personal drivers (β=0.278, p=0.028), environmental drivers (β=0.195, p=0.026), and spatial quality (β=0.301, p=0.012). Among these, spatial quality emerged as the most critical determinant, emphasising the importance of physical workspace elements like layout, noise levels and privacy.

Practical Implication: Management should prioritise improving the physical work environment, enhancing communication and promoting fairness and respect to reduce workplace conflicts.

Social Implication: A harmonious work environment can lead to a more collaborative and innovative workforce, benefiting employees and organisational performance.

Originality/Value: This study provides a novel understanding of workplace conflicts in financial institutions in the Mbeya Region by integrating physical workspace quality as a critical determinant.

A Review of the Sustainability Strategies of Ghana’s Textile Industry through the Sociological Theory of Crime

R. O. Mensah — 2025-04-30

Purpose: This empirical study, based on Routine Activity Theory (RAT), aimed to explore the drivers behind environmental harm, the factors that contribute to the suitability of the environment as a target for ecological harm, and the strategies for promoting sustainability in Ghana's textiles industry

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: Interpretive phenomenology was employed alongside a descriptive research design to achieve this. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 25 textile designers for semi-structured interviews. The collected data were then processed using NVivo 12.1 and analysed thematically through interpretative phenomenological analysis, facilitating the identification of recurring themes, patterns, and insights.

Research Limitation: The study's emphasis on a specific group of participants within the Ghanaian textile industry restricts the generalizability of our findings.

Findings: The study identified several fundamental motivating factors driving environmentally harmful practices, including a profit-driven mindset, the market demand for textile fabric, limited awareness and education, resource constraints, and cultural and aesthetic preferences.

Practical Implications: Interventions in the textiles industry to address economic, educational, and resource-related challenges can be accomplished through various methods to promote sustainable practices.

Social Implications: The research findings underscore the importance of establishing industry-wide sustainability standards that prioritise responsible sourcing, environmental conservation, and transparency to ensure that the textile sector's operations align with environmental preservation.

Originality and Value: The study contributed to the vast of knowledge on how textiles affect the environment and sustainability measures.

Keywords: Ecological crimes. environmental impact. motivated offenders. sustainability strategies. textile fabric

Examining The Bending Strength of Both Steel and Bamboo-Reinforced Concrete Beams

K.S. Akorli — 2025-05-02

Purpose: The study examined the bending strength of beams made from a combination of bamboo and steel. Therefore, it is important to look for suitable materials that could reduce construction costs while maintaining sufficient structural performance.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study design was experimental, and the research strategy was quantitative. A deductive approach was used. Five (5) beams were produced and tested for the study. The reinforcement set-up was steel only (S), bamboo only (B), two steel and two bamboos (S2B2), one steel and three bamboos (S1B3), and three steel and one bamboo (S3B1). The mould box was 150mm x 150mm x 450mm. Tables, graphs, and descriptive analysis were used to present and examine the data.

Findings: The study established that steel only as reinforcement has the highest bending strength of 113 x 10^- ²N/mm^2. Among the combinations, one steel and three bamboo have the highest bending stress of 101 x 10^-2N/mm². The study established that combining steel and bamboo in beam construction is possible. It suggested that any combination of steel and bamboo can be used in beams depending on the type of work or strength required.

Research Limitation: The investigation examined the bending strength of reinforced concrete beams made from bamboo and steel. Though there are many types of bamboo and steel sizes, the study concentrated mainly on combining Bambusa vulgaris bamboo with 12mm steel.

Practical Implication: The knowledge gained in this study will help construction company owners or contractors understand how to use steel and bamboo together to produce concrete.

Social Implication: The study will support construction industry policymakers in revising the present national building code of practice, which will benefit engineers and contractors.

Originality/ Value: This study's distinctiveness stems from combining steel and bamboo for beam production, which has received less attention in the construction industry.

Solid Waste Management Practices in the Food Service Industry: Focus in Ghana's Culinary Landscape

C. Gyeduaah — 2025-03-31

Purpose: This study investigates waste management practices in restaurants in the Sunyani Municipality in Ghana. The objectives of the study are to classify the types of solid waste generated by restaurants and assess the readiness of restaurants to adopt waste reduction, reuse, and recycling practices.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional approach with a sample of 331 restaurants. Simple random sampling was used to select the sample size. Structured questionnaires and observations were used. Descriptive statistics were employed in the review of the data to address the research questions formulated to direct the study. Specifically, percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations were used to analyse the questionnaire items.

Findings: The findings reveal diverse waste types: liquid, solid, and gaseous generated by restaurants. The study's findings reveal that waste management in the food service industry within the Sunyani Municipality is highly influenced by restaurant size and operational capacity. Larger restaurants tend to adopt more sustainable practices, such as portion control and waste minimisation, due to the financial and operational incentives available to them. However, many restaurants have yet to adopt paperless technologies for waste reduction. The readiness of smaller restaurants to engage in waste reduction and recycling efforts is still constrained by limited resources and logistical challenges.

Research Limitation: The study’s reliance on self-reported data from restaurant managers and staff through questionnaires.

Practical Implication: The study's findings offer actionable strategies for improving waste management within the restaurant industry.

Social Implication: The study emphasises how efficient waste management in the restaurant business may have a positive impact on public health.

Originality/Value: This study addresses knowledge gaps in current waste management by exploring the factors that both promote and hinder sustainability in Ghana's food service industry, specifically focusing on waste management practices in Sunyani restaurants. It offers new insights into the readiness to reduce, reuse and recycle solid waste, an area that has not been extensively researched.

The Effect of E-Procurement Risk Mitigation Strategies on Prevention of Corruption in Public Procurement in Tanzania

E. Chawala — 2025-04-04

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of e-procurement risk mitigation strategies on preventing corruption in public procurement following the widespread use of bad corrupt practices in the public procurement process.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employed a case study design, and the study population involved 140 staff working at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and officials working at the Prevention and Combating Corruption Bureau (PCCB). The study employed the Yamane formula to get a sample size of 104 respondents, whereby questionnaires, an interview guide and a documentary checklist were used as data collection instruments, and during administering the tools, all respondents were responsive, which made a response rate of 100%. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (regression model) to determine the effect of e-procurement on preventing corruption in public procurement.

Results: The results indicate that three variables out of five, namely visibility, risk control and political control, had a p-value < 0.05, which means that these variables significantly contribute to preventing corruption in public procurement under e-procurement.

Research Limitation: This study was limited to two organisations, which may not achieve the principle of study generalisation on corruption in Tanzania.

Practical Implication: When public procurement practitioners and suppliers use the e-procurement system effectively, it will prevent physical interactions between the parties, thus ending corruption.

Social Implication: The awareness campaign and empowerment of institutions and regulatory frameworks will help end loopholes that still tempt corruption in public procurement.

Originality: This paper contributes knowledge by providing first-hand information on electronic strategies for preventing corruption in public procurement.

The Influence of Religion on Student Dressing in Tertiary Institutions in Ghana

S. M. Ayesu — 2025-04-23

Purpose: This study investigates how religion affects student dress at Ghanaian universities, particularly at Accra Technical University (ATU) and Kumasi Technical University (KsTU). It looks into how students' wardrobe choices are influenced by their religious convictions in light of the rising prevalence of indecent attire among college students.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A quantitative survey used a structured questionnaire to collect student data, and 304 respondents answered the questionnaire. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics from the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study examined the relationship between students' religious beliefs and clothing codes at various colleges.

Findings: The findings show that religious convictions significantly impact what students wear to Ghanaian universities. The study emphasises the necessity of dress code regulations and policies that consider these factors and encourage students to behave appropriately.

Research Limitation: This study examines two institutions and offers important insights into the viewpoints of Ghanaian universities. Hence the findings cannot be generalised.

Social Implication: The results highlight how crucial it is to consider religious views when debating student dress standards, arguing that they should uphold decency while honouring cultural and religious values.

Practical Implication: According to the survey, college religious communities should be consulted when creating dress code policies. To address concerns about indecent dress, these rules should explicitly outline what is appropriate for different circumstances, including public spaces and classrooms.

Originality/Value: This study advances knowledge of how religion influences Ghanaian students' fashion choices. It offers insightful information for legislators and educational establishments seeking to establish welcoming and courteous spaces considering their student groups' cultural and religious backgrounds.

Using LMS Log Data to Identify At-Risk Students: A Systematic Review of Machine Learning Approaches and Bibliographic Analysis

B. Karim-Abdallah — 2025-04-30

Purpose: This study evaluates the effectiveness of machine learning algorithms in predicting student dropout using Learning Management System (LMS) log-in data.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: The study used a systematic literature review and bibliographic analysis. The search encompassed papers from the Scopus database up to October 2024. Initially, 100 articles were identified. After applying exclusion criteria, including removing editorials, letters, comments, and conference papers, 61 studies were chosen for the final review. Performance criteria such as accuracy, precision, recall, and f1-score were employed to assess these studies.

Research Limitation: Several limitations were acknowledged, including potential publication bias due to the inclusion of only peer-reviewed articles, variability in educational contexts and LMS platforms, and heterogeneity in machine learning methods and performance metrics.

Findings: Random Forest emerged as the most commonly used machine learning algorithm for identifying at-risk students, followed by Convolutional Neural Networks. In the analysed research, Random Forest outperformed all other algorithms, achieving a 99% accuracy rate in predicting at-risk students. Students' assessment scores emerged as the most significant feature in the model performances, followed by students' participation in a session.

Practical Implication: It is noted that most researchers do not report on significant features/variables or the contribution of features to the model’s performances.

Social Implication: These significant features or variables are essential for institutions employing a blended learning approach, as they provide insights into where to allocate limited resources most effectively.

Originality/Value: This study contributed to the pool of knowledge on how Machine learning techniques have been employed with Learning Management System log-in data to predict student dropout.

Exploring Factors that Influence Consumers’ Behaviour Toward Second-Hand Clothing Purchase

E. Kuupole — 2025-05-01

Purpose: This study investigated the factors influencing consumers' intentions of buying used clothes. Despite the undeniable rise of used clothing, a clear understanding of the factors influencing consumer purchasing behaviour remains elusive. The research delved into consumer purchasing motivation and how social and economic influencers also affect the choice of consumers buying second-hand clothing.

Design/Methodology/Approach: To gather information for the study, open and closed-ended questions were used to assess 136 participants from the Bolgatanga Metropolis using online Google forms.

Research Limitation: This study focused on factors influencing consumers to purchase second-hand clothes in the Bolgatanga Metropolis.

Findings: The study’s findings revealed that economic reasons, perceived product quality, social and environmental awareness, and peer influence are significant influencers that affect consumer behaviour toward used clothing purchase and use. This study offers a comprehensive knowledge of how these elements interact to promote the acceptance and use of second-hand clothes.

Practical Implication: By identifying the factors influencing purchase intentions, retailers and marketers can develop strategies to more effectively target potential second-hand clothing consumers.

Social Implication: Outlining these factors can also help policymakers understand consumers’ purchasing intentions and develop effective policies to educate people concerning the devastating consequences of dumping used clothes and the financial expenses that will go into disposing of them using state funds.

Originality/ Value: The study is based on the motivators of consumers purchasing second-hand clothes, which either end up at landsides or are burnt after use.

Enablers of Student's Satisfaction with Work Placement Learning Towards School to Work Transition: A Case of Nigeria

C. T. Orji — 2025-05-02

Purpose: Work placement learning (WPL) has become essential to technical vocational education and training (TVET). Successful WPL helps students integrate theoretical knowledge with practical experiences, facilitating a smooth transition from school to work. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the factors that may promote TVET students' satisfaction with WPL.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study utilised a qualitative design, employing interviews and focus groups to gather information from 23 final-year undergraduate TVET students who had completed a six-month WPL program. The goal was to understand the factors contributing to student's satisfaction with the overall work placement program and how it can enhance confidence for a seamless school-to-work transition upon graduation. Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes related to factors influencing students' satisfaction with WPL in preparation for the transition to the workforce.

Research Limitation: The study's qualitative, open-ended surveys provide valuable insights; unfortunately, there are no quantitative indicators to determine general trends. A mixed-methods strategy that combines qualitative and quantitative analysis will be most effective in succeeding research.

Findings: The thematic analysis revealed four main themes based on the research questions: positive WPL experiences, institutional support, acquisition of new skills for the future, and a favourable work environment.

Practical Implication: These findings have practical implications for universities and WPL host establishments. The results suggest that higher education institutions and industries should improve students' satisfaction with WPL to help them recognise their competencies before entering the workforce.

Social Implication: The practical experience gained through the WPL program can provide students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, opportunities to improve their socio-economic status.

Originality/Value: This paper provides a comprehensive examination of WPL satisfaction with the school-to-work transition, offering insights for industries, WPL providers, educational institutions, and students seeking work placements.

A Climate-Responsive Green Building Framework for Ghana: Integrating Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies

E. N. Ontoyin — 2025-04-01

Purpose: This research aims to develop a comprehensive framework for implementing climate-responsive green building practices in Ghana that effectively integrates mitigation and adaptation strategies. The objectives are: to develop a multi-level implementation framework that bridges policy intentions with practical applications, providing clear pathways for adopting green building practices across different building types and scales in Ghana; and to validate the proposed framework through stakeholder engagement and expert evaluation.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The research design was based on qualitative and non-probability techniques used to gather information for the study, and the sample size was 17. The interviews were conducted face-to-face or online. This study also used a narrative style to analyse the data.

Findings: The study found that despite the country's efforts, there was limited or no coordination between the various players in the Built environment and other sectors of the economy, resulting in the non-existence of a long-term national strategy for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The paper thus focuses on the need for Ghana to incorporate the Green Building concept as one of its climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Research Limitation: This study is limited to how policy interventions toward climate change mitigation and adaptation can significantly help to improve energy and material use efficiency, conservation drive, and end-use wastage.

Practical Implication: Thus, developing a national strategy for green building construction has the potential benefit of helping to mitigate climate change challenges.

Social Implication: Educating policymakers on the potential benefits of adopting the Green Building Concept and developing an effective cross-cutting communication strategy to educate the citizenry on the benefits derived from the Green Building Concept as a low-hanging fruit towards GHG mitigation.

Originality/Value: This study innovatively explores how traditional Ghanaian building techniques and materials can be incorporated into modern green building practices.

Determining The Contributing Factors and Their Impact on Technical Losses of a Secondary Distribution Network

P. K. Amoah — 2025-04-13

Purpose: The need to investigate how much each factor contributes to the total distribution of technical losses is evident. This work seeks to find the extent of each possible factor's contribution.

Design/Methodology/ Approach: The research is designed as an experimental-quantitative. 40 randomly selected LV networks in urban, rural and metropolitan areas were modelled on the OpenDSS platform, and steady-state load flow studies were carried out. 14 no. predictors were then extracted as input to a regression analysis to formulate a regression equation that could be used to develop a loss reduction strategy for each network.

Findings: It has been identified that seven predictors are responsible for high technical losses. Based on the statistical significance of the predictors, they could be categorised into three categories: Average Phase Current and Average Load Power Factor, which fall within the first category. Average line Resistance (Ohms/km) and % Voltage Imbalance fall within the second category. The third category's predictions are the Equivalent Load Distance (km), Average Bus Voltage (V) and Line Average Percentage loading.

Research Limitation: This work has limitations, such as the customer load profile not being available and losses related to transformers not being considered. Some equipment's electric characteristics were unavailable, so similar ones were used. However, these limitations do not distort the results of this research.

Practical Implication: Therefore, a more appropriate strategy for loss reduction could be formulated by determining the characteristics of individual networks.

Social Implication: Reducing these losses lessens the overall demand for power generation, leading to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced environmental impact. This supports broader sustainable development goals and helps meet national and global climate targets.

Originality/Value: Every network has peculiar characteristics; therefore, a generalised loss reduction strategy will not yield the needed results for all circuits. A regression expression has been made to serve as a guide in determining the primary causes of high technical losses of any LV network.

Emergency Contraceptives and Drug Misuse: Health Implications Among Female University Students

E. S. T. Quansah — 2025-04-30

Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence and factors contributing to the misuse of emergency contraceptives among female university students, as well as the associated health implications.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A mixed methods approach was employed, including an electronic survey of 7,356 female students and ten focus group discussions with 60 participants. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.

Findings: The study revealed that a significant portion of female students frequently misuse emergency contraceptives, often without adequate knowledge of proper usage or awareness of the potential health risks. Factors such as insufficient sexual education, cultural stigmas, limited access to regular contraceptives, and misinformation from peers contribute to this misuse. Health impacts include hormonal imbalances, menstrual irregularities, and mental health challenges.

Research Limitation: The study is limited to a specific population group, which may not reflect broader trends. Future research could expand to other demographic groups or regions.

Practical Implication: The findings underscore the need for better sexual health education and improved access to regular contraceptive methods.

Social Implication: Addressing the misuse of emergency contraceptives requires a holistic approach, promoting open dialogue on reproductive health and tackling societal stigmas around contraception.
Originality/Value: This study contributes to the growing body of research on reproductive health among university students by highlighting key factors driving the misuse of emergency contraceptives and offering recommendations for policy and educational reforms to mitigate this issue.

Enhancing Productivity in Construction Trades in Labour-Intensive Construction Projects

S. Ngoma — 2025-05-01

Purpose: The study sought to investigate the factors impacting productivity in labour-intensive construction projects, focusing on bricklaying and concreting in Zambia.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study adopted structured interviews and a questionnaire to collect data for the dependent and independent variables. The independent variables were project-related, management-related, labour-related and industry-related factors, while labour productivity was the dependent variable. 150 sets of questionnaire were administered to stakeholders in the construction industry, and a response rate of 81% was obtained. The primary data was evaluated for validity and reliability and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. The analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between the factors of the independent variables and the dependent variable.

Findings: The data analysis revealed a positive and significant relationship between factors of the independent variables and the dependent variable. Among the research findings were the 36 key factors affecting productivity identified from the literature review and grouped as project-related, management-related, labour-related and industry-related. The extent of the impact of each factor on construction labour productivity was also established using descriptive statistics. The management and project-related factors were found to have the highest impact on workers’ productivity.

Research Limitation: The study was limited to bricklaying and concreting trades. Other trades must be examined to check if the results are similar.

Practical Implication: Manpower planning and human resource management help improve the workforce's efficiency, thereby substantially increasing the number of youth and adults with relevant technical and vocational skills.

Social Implication: Labour productivity helps create meaningful employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Originality/Value: The study sought to identify the factors impacting productivity in labour-intensive construction projects, explore the most critical variables and develop a model to improve construction output and build capacity.

Enhancing Employability Through Vocational and Technical Skill Development among Youths and Adults in Nigeria

J. N. Obi — 2025-05-02

Purpose: This study aims to enhance employability through vocational and technical skill development among Nigerian youth and adults. The objectives were to identify the vocational and technical skills needs of Nigerian youth and adults, assess the effectiveness of existing programmes, and investigate the barriers to accessing vocational and technical training in Nigeria.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey. To gather information on their vocational and technical skill needs and experiences, 100 Nigerian youths and adults were surveyed. Ten experts in the field of vocational and technical education in Nigeria conducted focus group discussions to elicit more information on the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector.

Research Limitation: It relies on self-reported data regarding training efficacy and skill, with limited exploration of the broader contextual factors influencing educational accessibility. Outcomes may not be generalised.

Findings: The results of the respondents’ perceptions of the essentiality of vocational and technical skills in their employment showed that skills such as plumbing (3.97), tilling (4.15, automotive repair (4.29), etc., were efficient, with mean scores above 3.05. Communication and technology (ICT) and network marketing (2.27) were found to be less effective. The respondents identified a lack of job opportunities as the biggest challenge facing youth and adults in Nigeria and believed that the government should prioritise vocational and technical education. The study revealed that some of the programmes were often not aligned with the needs of the labour market.

Practical Implication: The government should prioritise vocational and technical education, especially in the ICT and Agro sectors.

Social Implication: Vocational and technical education can improve employability, increase productivity and reduce poverty.

Originality/Value: This study provides insights for improving employability among youth and adults by designing and delivering vocational and technical training programmes that meet labour market needs.

Integrated Assessment of Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems: A Pathway to Sustainable and Resilient Industrial Electrification in Ghana

M. A. Nyasapoh — 2025-03-31

Purpose: Achieving sustainable and cost-effective industrial electrification in Africa necessitates an integrated energy approach that optimally combines Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and renewables, mainly solar and wind energy, as two clean energy sources.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Using HOMER Pro software, system performance was simulated to assess energy generation, economic viability, and environmental benefits. The analysis examined annual energy output, levelised cost of energy (LCOE), and carbon emission reductions to determine system sustainability.

Findings: Due to the integrated energy system, a net energy surplus of 206,079,408 kWh is achieved, enabling grid exports and the potential production of green hydrogen if effectively harnessed. Economic assessments indicate an LCOE of $0.185/kWh, 34% lower than Ghana’s industrial 2024 grid tariff. Additionally, CO₂ emissions are reduced by 15,824,965 kg annually, supporting Ghana’s National Energy Transition Agenda.

Research Limitation: Further research is needed to optimise hybrid energy systems, particularly in waste management, policy frameworks, and national grid stability.

Practical Implication: SMRs and renewables can enhance energy reliability and affordability, ensure sustainable industrial development, and drastically lower energy sector emissions.

Social Implications: Integrating nuclear and renewable energy as a hybrid system can reduce energy poverty, drive industrial growth, support sustainable development, and lower environmental impact.

Originality/Value: This study underscores the potential of nuclear-renewable hybrid energy systems to enhance energy security, reduce emissions, and stabilise industrial electricity supply.

Female Graduates Harnessing Blue Economy Opportunities in Tanzania: The Case of Tanzania Institute of Accountancy Programmes

M. Kasambala — 2025-04-05

Purpose: The study explored the perceived relevance of the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy programmes, examined the influence of these programmes on female graduates’ harnessing of blue economy opportunities, and determined the constraints against female graduates’ harnessing of blue economy opportunities.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study adopted a sequential exploratory mixed methods design. Data were collected through questionnaires from 345 female graduates sampled randomly from 2,267 female graduates of the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy in 2023/2024. The descriptive and inferential techniques were used for data analysis and presentation.

Findings: The study found that the bachelor's degree programmes offered by the Tanzania Institute of Accountancy are relevant to enhance female graduates’ harnessing of blue economy opportunities. Marketing and Public Relations, Procurement and Logistics Management, Business Administration and Bachelor of Accountancy have a positive association and significant influence on female graduates harnessing blue economy opportunities, unlike the Bachelor of Human Resource, which has insignificant influence.

Research Limitation: The study disclosed the cause-effect relationship between business studies programs and harnessing blue economy opportunities in Tanzania, but did not investigate the sustainability of the blue economy resources or the productivity of these opportunities discussed and explained to the blue economy.

Practical implication: The study calls for establishing a policy review to encourage practitioners to engage in the opportunities available in the blue economy to sustain economic growth.

Social Implication: Female graduates' involvement in sustainable coastal livelihoods, marine conservation, and ocean-based tourism can strengthen community resilience to environmental and economic challenges.

Originality/value: The study described how having skills from business studies programmes does not guarantee a graduate's ability to utilise blue economy resources due to personal, policy, socio-cultural, and economic barriers.

Impact of Digital Literacy Skills on Undergraduate Performance in Nigeria

V. I. Aremu — 2025-04-29

Purpose: The broad purpose of this study is to investigate the digital literacy skills of undergraduate Students Performing via Online Tests in Lagos State, Nigeria. The objective is to examine how online tests affect undergraduates' critical thinking skills and ability to analyse information.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The descriptive research design was adopted. Second-year undergraduate students were used as the population. They were those who used computers in school-based tests and examinations. Two testing instruments, aw score from the Entrepreneurship Computer-Based Test and a structured instrument QDLSCUPOT (a 4-Likert scale type of closed-ended format), were used in data generation. A multi-stage sampling process of 21 departments using a simple random sampling technique was used to select 420 participants for this work. Using a Statistical Package, data were analysed using Pearson product-moment correlation at a 0.05 significant level.

Research Limitation: The study is confined to a specific group of undergraduate students in Lagos State, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions or institutions within Nigeria or beyond.

Findings: Findings show that digital literacy plays a significant and positive role in the outcome of undergraduate performance. The study concludes that the technology is less expensive, has less manpower demand, has lower anxiety levels, is stress-free in marking and scoring, and develops undergraduates' psychomotor and cognitive skills.

Practical Implication: Developing critical thinking skills and the ability to analyse information accurately is a function of digital literacy efficiency and should be encouraged.

Social Implications: The disparity in digital literacy skills can entrench existing social inequalities, marginalising students from disadvantaged backgrounds and affecting their long-term socio-economic mobility.

Originality and Value: This study contributed to the pool of knowledge on promoting critical thinking skills and promoting learners' analytical mindsets.

Harnessing Creativity for Enterprise: Self-Efficacy as Catalyst.

W. K. Senayah — 2025-04-30

Purpose: The study examined the interplay between self-efficacy, creative potential, creative anxiety, and students' entrepreneurial intent in the creative sector.

Design/methodology/approach – the paper, anchored on the Componential Model of Creativity, adopted a quantitative approach involving 378 students selected based on the UK’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s definition of the creative sector and randomly sampled students using a simple random technique. Data analysis utilised partial least squares structural equation modelling.

Research limitation: This paper explored constructs based on creative potential, creative anxiety, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial intention. Future research should examine the relationship between creative anxiety and innovation.

Findings: This paper demonstrated that creative potential and entrepreneurial self-efficacy significantly predict students' entrepreneurial intention and self-efficacy significantly mediates the relationship between creative potential and entrepreneurial intention and between creative anxiety and entrepreneurial intention.

Practical Implication: The study outlines the importance of government agencies ensuring a conducive social environment through supportive policies to ensure the employability of students who possess the requisite creative potential and self-efficacy and wish to act on their entrepreneurial intentions.

Social Implication: Identifying and addressing creative anxiety should be part of the enterprise education curriculum. Students who often opt for programs without prior experience may experience high anxiety in school. Educators should guide such students by gradually raising their self-efficacy to help them overcome creative anxiety.

Originality/value: The study demonstrates the effect of creative anxiety and the double mediating role of entrepreneurial self-efficacy in enterprise education.

Assessment of Environmental Sustainability Compliance (ESC) and Awareness in Works Procurement Leading Universities in Ghana

A. A. Muniru — 2025-05-02

Purpose: The study explored the level of compliance and integration of environmental sustainability (ES) considerations into the pre-contract stage of public works procurement in leading universities in Ghana and the extent to which awareness is spreading for the advancement of ES.

Design/Methodology/Approach: A qualitative method was adopted for data collection and analysis. Content analyses were carried out on public tender documents from leading Universities in Ghana, and the results were analysed and conclusions drawn.

Research Limitation: The study was limited to Ghana's first three leading Universities. It would have been more informative if it had covered all government institutions, including local institutions, across Ghana's sixteen (16) regions.

Findings: The findings suggest the overall level of ES compliance and integration into the evaluation process is currently low at 41%. However, the awareness of ES considerations in public works procurement is above average at 66%.

Practical implication: The study results inform policymakers, procurement practitioners, and other stakeholders of the low level of ESC and the average level of awareness during the tendering process of works procurement. This can serve as a basis for recommending effective ways of addressing challenges and thus ensuring meaningful compliance with ES, which will help achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Social Implication: This insight can guide developing or adjusting regulations and incentives to promote more effective environmental practices.

Originality/Value: Despite the legislative amendments locally and the global focus on sustainability, research suggests that the integration of environmental sustainability into public works procurement practices remains limited. This is expected to set the pace for further research on addressing these challenges.

Exploring The Perceived Role of Entrepreneurship Education among Learners in South Africa

O. B. Ajayi — 2025-05-02

Purpose: This study examines how South African Further Education and Training (FET) Business Studies learners view the role of entrepreneurship education in their decision-making process when choosing a career. However, its precise influence on the career decisions of FET Business Studies learners as a vital portion of the future labour force remains unstudied mainly, especially in South Africa.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: This study used a qualitative case study research design to explore the views of FET Business Studies learners on entrepreneurship education and how it affects their choice of employment. Rich, in-depth insights were obtained through focus group discussions with a purposefully selected sample of 30 FET learners enrolled in Business Studies from three distinct South African secondary schools. The focus group discussions comprised six learners per group from each grade (Grades 10, 11, and 12).

Research Limitation: While focus groups allow for rich discussion, the breadth of topics covered in each session may have been limited by time constraints. As a result, some aspects of the learners' experiences and perspectives may not have been fully explored.

Findings: The results of this study provide insight into how entrepreneurship education influences career goals, attitudes towards self-employment as opposed to official employment, and how Business Studies help learners develop their entrepreneurial abilities. Additionally, it investigates the impact of contextual elements on incorporating entrepreneurial education into FET Business Studies learners’ career decision-making processes, including socioeconomic background, cultural norms, and institutional support.

Practical Implications: Early introduction of Business Studies in the General Education and Training (GET) phase (Grades 8 and 9) will facilitate the easy transition of learners from the economic and Management Science (EMS) subject to Business Studies and encourage their interest in entrepreneurship.

Social Implications: To foster learners’ interest in entrepreneurship, policymakers would need to support economic development in South Africa, where unemployment is extremely high, and recognise entrepreneurship as a crucial component for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Originality and Value: This study added to our understanding of how Business Studies learners’ intentions to pursue entrepreneurship may be influenced by their entrepreneurship education. Additionally, this study raised awareness that, despite the numerous impediments to South Africa's development, entrepreneurship is still the best way to sustain growth in the twenty-first century and that learners should be encouraged to pursue it as a substitute for traditional job creation methods.

Soil Microbiomes from defunct battery manufacturing dump site as influenced by heavy metals

E. O. Briki-Okolosi — 2025-04-03

Purpose: Polluted soils have a negative impact on agricultural crop yield and food safety; hence, they are a global concern. A wet battery waste disposal area has been encroached due to farmers' attempts to increase productivity in the research area. The farmers' desire to expand productivity inspired this study, which assessed the impact of battery waste deposits at different spatial scales on the evenness and richness of beneficial microorganisms.

Design/Methodology/Approach: Twenty (20) points were randomly sampled from the non-contaminated site, the main battery dumpsite (MDS), and 20 and 40 m away from the MDS. The study adopted a factorial arrangement on a completely randomised design that was replicated three times. Analysis of variance was used to analyse the data, and microbiological analyses were conducted within the experiment. Where means were significant, Duncan’s multiple range test separated them.

Findings: Glomus had the highest count of 144.3-fold in 20 MA, while Acaulospora and Funneliformis were significantly and predominantly abundant in 40 MA by 282.0 and 55-fold, respectively.MDS had significantly the lowest or least numerical values in most AMF species across all the spatial distances

Research Limitation: The work focused on an abandoned dumpsite by a defunct battery manufacturing company.

Practical Implication: For marginally contaminated areas, the findings can guide the selection of appropriate crops and associated beneficial microbes that minimise heavy metal uptake, enabling safer productive use of remediated lands.

Social Implication: This research can help identify whether harmful metals are becoming more bioavailable over time or being naturally immobilised, directly impacting health risk assessments for vulnerable populations.

Originality / Value: This research significantly advances our understanding of how complex microbial communities respond to and potentially mitigate the extreme environmental conditions created by battery waste.

Job Satisfaction and Academic Qualifications as Predictors of Quality Service Delivery Among Academic Staff with Special Needs: Case Study Federal College of Education, (Special) Oyo, Nigeria

P. D. Melekeowei, — 2025-04-13

Purpose: This study examined job satisfaction and academic qualification as predictors of quality service delivery among academic staff with special needs in the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used a descriptive survey research design. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 20 academic staff with special needs in F.C.E. (Sp.) Oyo as respondents. A job satisfaction survey and Quality Service Delivery Scale (QUASEDS) were used for data collection, while demographic data was used to obtain data on academic qualification. Twenty sets of questionnaire were distributed and retrieved from respondents. Data Analysis used descriptive statistics and multiple regression to test the stated hypothesis.

Research Limitation: This study strictly examined job satisfaction and academic qualifications as predictors of quality service delivery. This was discussed among academic staff with special needs in the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Nigeria.

Findings: Job satisfaction and academic qualification significantly predict quality service delivery (F _(2,37) =3.321; R=.528, R²=.279, Adj. R²=.240; P<.05). About 28% of the variation in quality service delivery was accounted for by the independent variables. Unlike academic qualifications, job satisfaction predicts quality service delivery of academic staff with special needs with a significance score of 0.001.

Practical Implication: Job satisfaction correlates significantly more with quality service delivery among academic staffers with special needs than with educational qualifications.

Social Implication: For an employee to attain and sustain quality service delivery that guarantees quality student learning, employers should prioritise job satisfaction for academic staff with special needs.

Originality and Value: The future of academic staffers with special needs is anchored on the fulfilment they derive from their jobs.

The Contribution of Education to Population Growth in Rwanda

E. Cyiza — 2025-04-30

Purpose: This study explores education's contribution to Rwanda's population growth and its determinants, such as fertility, mortality, and migration.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: The study uses secondary data from 2005 to 2020 sourced from databases of the World Bank, the United Nations, and the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda. Specifically, quantitative research methodologies are used, including descriptive analysis, correlations, visualisations, multiple and multivariate linear regression, correlation, and comparative study, alongside econometric analysis such as multicollinearity, normality, and heteroscedasticity tests to ensure the quality, validity, and reliability of the results.

Research Limitation: While the study utilises advanced statistical methods, the findings may not be fully generalisable across all contexts, particularly if the sample does not represent the broader population.

Findings: Results indicate a statistically significant negative relationship between expenditure on education and population growth rate with (correlation is -0.896, regression coefficient is -0.298, R² is 0.8846, p-value is 0.000). A unit increase in education expenditure reduces the population growth rate by 0.298. The R² of 0.8846 suggests that 88.46% of the model is well explained. Additionally, spending on education shows a negative association with the total fertility rate (coefficient is -1.101, p-value is 0.000) and the Crude death rate (coefficient is -58.446, p-value is 0.000), indicating that higher education expenditure reduces fertility and mortality. However, there is no significant relationship between net migration (coefficient is 1.009, p-value is 0.109).

Practical Implications: This study contributes to understanding the relationship between education and population growth rate in Rwanda, offering insights for policy interventions to control population growth.

Social Implications: We recommend target policy interventions, such as increasing investment in education and addressing regional and gender disparities by focusing on areas with such cases. This controls fertility and mortality rates while also slowing long-term population growth.

Originality/ Value: This study addresses the knowledge gap by examining how education impacts population growth rates. It provides empirical evidence and an econometric model to help policymakers use education to manage and predict future population dynamics.

Fire Behaviour and Flame-Retardant Mechanisms of Natural Fibre-Reinforced Composites in Sustainable Building Materials: A Case Study in Ghana

J. S. Renner — 2025-05-01

Purpose: The global trend of implementing natural fibre-reinforced composites as sustainable building materials has led to a keen focus on their fire behaviour and flame-retardant processes. Understanding the mechanism by which these flame retardants work is crucial for optimising their use and achieving adequate fire protection.

Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper comprehensively reviews and highlights the fire behaviour of natural fibre-reinforced composites and how flame retardants can enhance their fire resistance. The study adopted a structured review strategy using electronic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and SpringLink. The 63 articles used were published between 2005 and 2024. This study used thematic analysis to examine recurring ideas and concepts within the texts. Data was coded using NVivo software to manage and categorise emerging themes.

Findings: However, the challenges of these materials are their inherent to fire. The findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate flame retardants and optimising their concentrations to achieve the desired balance between fire safety and material performance.

Research Limitation: This study used fire-resistant materials and strategies to minimise the thermal impacts on natural fibre reinforced by composites as a sustainable building material in Ghana.

Practical implication: The insights gained from this research can inform future strategies for enhancing the fire performance of natural fibre-reinforced composites, contributing to safer and more sustainable construction practices.

Social Implication: This study will promote and highlight the prospects of using composite-reinforce natural fibres as an alternative building material, offering significant environmental benefits in Ghana and other developing countries.

Originality/ Value: This paper is designed to comprehensively analyse and review the thermal characteristics of natural fibre-reinforced composites.

Bibliometric Analysis of Women's Leadership in African Universities During Disruptive Times

J. Perumal — 2025-05-02

Purpose: The higher education landscape across Africa has experienced significant disruptions in recent years due to technological advancements, globalisation, socio-political changes, and the global pandemic. Amidst these changes, an increasing number of women have taken on leadership roles in universities, shaping the direction of these institutions. This bibliometric study aims to quantitatively analyse the research output and impact of scholarly works focusing on women leading African universities during this era of disruption.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The article examines 1917 publications using rigorous bibliometric techniques to analyse relevant publications indexed in major academic databases from 2010 to 2023. Key bibliometric indicators, including publication trends, influential authors, citation patterns, and thematic clusters, were analysed to reveal this research domain's current state and evolution.

Research Limitation: This review's drawback is the intrinsic characteristic of the bibliometric analysis, which emphasises quantitative metrics and may not completely encompass the profound qualitative understanding of the influence of scholarly works centred on women leading African institutions during this period of upheaval.

Findings: The results indicate a growing focus on women leading African universities during disruption. They highlight key contributors, provide a comprehensive overview of central themes and collaborative patterns, and identify areas where further research is needed.

Practical Implications: By shedding light on the contributions of women leaders in guiding African universities through challenging times, this study aims to inform policies and practices that promote inclusive and equitable leadership in higher education institutions.

Social Implications: This research can underline the broader social and economic benefits of gender diversity in leadership. It can demonstrate how inclusive leadership practices contribute to more robust and resilient educational systems, which are essential for the socio-economic development of African countries.

Originality and Value: The findings will contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable development goals, particularly quality education and gender equality.

Phytochemical Profile, In Vitro Antimicrobial and Anthelmintic Properties of Dichrostachys Cinerea Root Extracts

S. B. Bayaa Martin Saana — 2025-03-31

Purpose: This study sought to assess the active constituents, anthelmintic properties, and antibacterial capabilities of Dichrostachys cinerea.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The research utilises agar well diffusion and microbroth dilution techniques to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of D. cinerea's ethanolic root extract. Chemical and GC-MS analyses were employed to identify the phytochemical components. Additionally, an in vitro anthelmintic assessment was performed using Posthuma pheretema.

Findings: Ethanolic extracts of D. cinerea root bark (EDC) were screened against Pheretima posthuma worms, eight (8) bacterial strains, and one (1) fungal strain in vitro. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the extract and GC-MS analysis were also conducted. In this study, the in vitro data demonstrated that EDC exerted both bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects, inhibiting the growth of all tested bacteria and Candida albicans. Combining EDC with Ciprofloxacin inhibited all microbial isolates, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Research Limitation: This study focused on only one plant part, and all experiments were in vitro, which does not represent the complex in vivo environment. Even though GC-MS identified some compounds, the specific bioactive compounds conferring the bioactivities have not been isolated.

Practical implication: The results of this investigation indicate that the ethanolic root extract of D. cinerea demonstrates potential for development into therapeutic interventions for bacterial, fungal, and helminthic infections.

Social Implication: Data from this research could be utilised to mitigate antimicrobial resistance, thereby improving health outcomes.

Originality/ Value: This study demonstrates, for the first time, the anthelmintic efficacy of the root extract. Furthermore, this research establishes a scientific foundation for subsequent investigations into D. cinerea as a potential source of therapeutic drug candidates.

Challenges of Accessing Bank Loans by SMEs in Tanzania

G. M. Msangi — 2025-04-08

Purpose: This study assesses the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Tanzania in accessing bank loans.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted in Ilala Municipality, where a structured questionnaire was administered to 80 respondents. The study employed a multistage sampling followed by stratified sampling to categorise respondents based on the banks from which they sought loans: NMB Bank, CRDB Bank, and NBC Bank. Simple random sampling was utilised to sample subjects for the study. Multiple regression models were used to examine the effect of the dependent variables on the response.

Findings: Regression analysis revealed that the characteristics of SME owners (marital status, age, education) and bank requirements for loans (interest rates and collateral) significantly affect SMEs' ability to access loans. These findings imply that the characteristics of SME owners and bank requirements play a crucial role in limiting or enabling access to financial resources for SMEs.

Research Limitation: Because of financial constraints and time limitations, the data is limited to a particular area, especially the Ilala district and not the Dar es Salaam region. Hence, the data presented does not represent the issues across the entire Dar es Salaam region.

Practical Implication: Based on these findings, the study recommends that banks consider revising their loan requirements.

Social Implication: SME owners must enhance their financial literacy, including keeping a good record of business returns, to improve their chances of securing funding.

Originality/value: The regression approach offers a more robust statistical foundation for understanding SME financing constraints than the descriptive or qualitative methods that dominate existing literature in this field.