BEYOND MARKET STRATEGIES: POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DYNAMICS OF FIRM STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Author(s):  
Derek Oppong ◽  
Edwin Mensah ◽  
John Parnell
Author(s):  
Yohannes Yebabe Tesfay

In the airline industry, the term load factor defined as the percentage of seats filled by revenue passengers and is used to measure efficiency and performance. This metric evaluates the airlines capacity and demand management. This paper applies stochastic models to analyse the load factor of the Association European Airlines (AEA) for flights of Europe - North Africa and Europe- Sub Saharan Africa. The estimation result prevails that the airlines have better demand management in the flights of Europe- Sub Saharan Africa than in the flight of Europe - North Africa. However, the capacity management of the airlines is poor for both regional flights. The autocorrelation structures for the load factor for both regional flights have both periodic and serial correlations. Consequently, the use of ordinal panel data models is inappropriate to capture the necessary variation of the load factor of the regional flights. Therefore, in order to control for the periodic autocorrelation, the author introduces dynamic time effects panel data regression model. Furthermore, in order to eliminate serial correlation the author applies the Prais–Winsten methodology to fit the model. Finally, the author builds realistic and robust forecasting model of the load factor of the Europe- North Africa and Europe-Sub Saharan Africa flights.


Author(s):  
Yohannes Yebabe Tesfay

In the airline industry, the term load factor defined as the percentage of seats filled by revenue passengers and is used to measure efficiency and performance. This metric evaluates the airlines capacity and demand management. This paper applies stochastic models to analyse the load factor of the Association European Airlines (AEA) for flights of Europe - North Africa and Europe- Sub Saharan Africa. The estimation result prevails that the airlines have better demand management in the flights of Europe- Sub Saharan Africa than in the flight of Europe - North Africa. However, the capacity management of the airlines is poor for both regional flights. The autocorrelation structures for the load factor for both regional flights have both periodic and serial correlations. Consequently, the use of ordinal panel data models is inappropriate to capture the necessary variation of the load factor of the regional flights. Therefore, in order to control for the periodic autocorrelation, the author introduces dynamic time effects panel data regression model. Furthermore, in order to eliminate serial correlation the author applies the Prais–Winsten methodology to fit the model. Finally, the author builds realistic and robust forecasting model of the load factor of the Europe- North Africa and Europe-Sub Saharan Africa flights.


Author(s):  
Nwachukwu Prince Ololube

Blended learning requirements are increasing, in part because of the population explosion and policies pertaining to the democratization of education. Yet, thousands of students and faculty remain deficient in the use of blended learning to advance technology in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa. This research employed a quantitative assessment design aimed at improving best available practices, processes, and performance in terms of the blended learning offered in a university setting. A six-point Likert-type questionnaire was used to gather data. Multiple statistical procedures were employed in the subsequent analysis—percentage, mean point values, chi-square, and ANOVA. Majority of the respondents to the questionnaire agreed that the teaching of MIS to students is effective and has a positive impact on their academic achievements. This groundbreaking research presents a realistic resource for the practical application of blended learning in university education in Nigeria, as well as a comprehensive view of the benefits and problems of the applicability of blended learning.


Author(s):  
Sulait Tumwine ◽  
Richard Akisimire ◽  
Nixon Kamukama ◽  
Gad Mutaremwa

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop an effective cost borrowing model of qualitative factors that are relevant to micro and small enterprises (SMEs) better performance. Design/methodology/approach – A valid research instrument was utilized to conduct a survey on 359 SMEs (131 retail businesses, 125 service businesses, 48 farming businesses and 55 other businesses) and 897 respondents that are representative of 397 SMEs and 1,087 respondents. Correlation and regression analysis were conducted to ascertain the validity of the hypotheses. Findings – It was established that cost of borrowing elements (interest rate and loan processing costs) are associated with SME performance. Furthermore, cost of borrowing as a whole accounts for 31.1 percent of the variation in performance Uganda’s SMEs. Research limitations/implications – Only a single research methodological approach was employed, future research through interviews could be undertaken to triangulate. Multiple respondents in SMEs (owner, manager and cashier) were studied neglecting others. Furthermore, the study used the cross-sectional approach – a longitudinal approach should be employed to study the trend over years. Finally, cost of borrowing was studied and by the virtual of the results, there are other factors that contribute to SME performance that were not part of this study. Practical implications – There is need to intensify initiatives to encourage greater understanding and acceptance of cost of borrowing, select appropriate elements that includes interest rate and loan processing costs in order to have affordable source of financing to establish and grow SMEs, provide employment, competitive and contribute to countries GDP. Originality/value – This is the first paper in Sub-Saharan Africa to test empirically the relationship between cost of borrowing and performance of SMEs in the Ugandan context.


Author(s):  
Véronique Petit

This chapter stems from ongoing field research on mental health in Senegal, an African country in the midst of an epidemiological transition. While mental health has been integrated into global health and sustainable development objectives, it is not a priority in sub-Saharan Africa. Few states have a mental health policy, nor specific programmes and data on the situation of mentally ill people and their families. From the time of the French colonization, Senegal has developed an original strand of psychiatric intervention, the Fann School of Cultural Psychiatry. The current supply of psychiatric care takes place in the multi-therapeutic context of this ethnically and religiously diverse society. The therapeutic pathways of patients are analysed in terms of stigmatization, relationships between patients and healers, socio-economic inequalities, poverty, and the absence of universal medical coverage for the entire population. To understand adherence to psychiatric treatment, one must take into account the family and social dynamics at work in a society increasingly marked by individuation processes and globalization through international migration. In attending to the subtleties of care as conceived by sufferers’ families and social networks, the chapter points to multiple layers of the demographic governance of mental ill health, from the state to local kin and social groups.


Author(s):  
Joseph Mpeera Ntayi ◽  
Ephraim Mugume

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a taxonomy of strategic sourcing using the defense forces from a developing world context as a testing ground. This study builds upon the current resource-based conceptualization of strategic sourcing as a construct to introduce the institutional orientation. Design/methodology/approach – This study adopts a descriptive and analytical research design of cross-sectional nature to collect data from a sample of 120 respondents to examine the taxonomy of strategic sourcing for defense forces in sub-Saharan Africa. Data were collected using an interviewee administered questionnaire and analysed using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The conceptualization of strategic sourcing is presented using a CFA. Findings – Findings reveal that strategic sourcing is a multidimensional construct composed of: information sharing and risk management, strategic purchasing, institutions for sourcing, internal integration and performance assessment, supplier management and sourcing professionalism and ethics. Research limitations/implications – The study used cross-sectional research design which limits monitoring behaviour over time. Cross-sectional data do not allow control in the analysis for residual heterogeneity. Additionally, all item scales adapted in this study were developed in either manufacturing or profit-oriented sector. Originality/value – A taxonomy for strategic sourcing within the defense forces is presented. This study is based on the observation that despite increased research, there remains a certain level of confusion surrounding the conceptualization of “strategic sourcing”. Researchers attach a startling diversity of definitions and measures to the strategic sourcing concept. Its conceptualization and stability remains an important task for scholars to undertake. Besides, much research in strategic sourcing, are conceptual frameworks identifying key elements and procedures or processes to implement strategic sourcing with sparse empirical studies. The results of the study will be used for further research on strategic sourcing in the defense forces in sub-Saharan Africa.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1076-1088
Author(s):  
Olumide Jaiyeoba ◽  
Chux Gervase Iwu ◽  
Edward Marandu

Abstract The quest for the diversification of Botswana’s mineral-led economy necessitates an examination of other performing ones such as the Tourism-Transport and Finance-Consulting small service sectors which have been identified as also contributing immensely to its economy. So, this paper investigates variations in market orientation and performance among small service firms in Botswana. In more specific terms, it involves analysis of variations with regard to tourism-transport and finance-consulting firms. Set in Botswana, data were obtained, using a respondent-completed questionnaire from 54 managers in the tourism-transport sector and 121 managers in the finance-consulting sector. Despite the focus of the study on sectoral variations among service firms in Botswana, the study makes major contributions to our understanding of market orientation-performance link. First, the overall level of market orientation varied significantly between the two sectors. Secondly, two of the three components of market orientation, namely intelligence generation and intelligence responsiveness also displayed statistically significant differences between each component and the two sectors. Thirdly, organizational commitment, team spirit and customer satisfaction were significantly different between the two sectors. These findings suggest the need for a sustained and systematic study aimed at finding out the relative importance of market orientation in different sectors. Such a study may be helpful in suggesting differentiated marketing orientation emphases that may help firms optimize their marketing budget. Notwithstanding the several scholarly works on market orientation and firm performance, the value of market orientation in sub-Saharan Africa has only begun to receive attention in Africa. Research evidence is scanty in the case of Botswana.


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