Mobile Value Added Services in Fiji

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Milind Sathye ◽  
Biman Prasad ◽  
Dharmendra Sharma ◽  
Parmendra Sharma ◽  
Suneeta Sathye
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
The Government ◽  
Institutional Drivers ◽  
Micro Enterprises

While mobile phones are making significant inroads in many developing countries, little is known about the institutional drivers, policy barriers and industry challenges that affect their use for business growth of micro- enterprises. The authors address this gap. After conducting semi-structured interviews of 74 women-owned micro entrepreneurs and ten key informants from the government and industry in Fiji, the authors found that appropriate policy framework, supporting infrastructure and appropriate ecosystem are required for rapid uptake of mobile value added services by women-owned micro entrepreneurs. They contribute by proposing a revised technology adoption framework as well as the four shackles theory of women micro entrepreneurs' empowerment and emancipation. The authors also highlight the policy initiatives necessary to accelerate the growth of women-owned micro enterprises by mobile value added services which could also guide other developing and emerging economies.

Mobile Value Added Services in Fiji

2018 ◽  
pp. 517-531
Author(s):  
Milind Sathye ◽  
Biman Prasad ◽  
Dharmendra Sharma ◽  
Parmendra Sharma ◽  
Suneeta Sathye
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
The Government ◽  
Institutional Drivers ◽  
Micro Enterprises

While mobile phones are making significant inroads in many developing countries, little is known about the institutional drivers, policy barriers and industry challenges that affect their use for business growth of micro- enterprises. The authors address this gap. After conducting semi-structured interviews of 74 women-owned micro entrepreneurs and ten key informants from the government and industry in Fiji, the authors found that appropriate policy framework, supporting infrastructure and appropriate ecosystem are required for rapid uptake of mobile value added services by women-owned micro entrepreneurs. They contribute by proposing a revised technology adoption framework as well as the four shackles theory of women micro entrepreneurs' empowerment and emancipation. The authors also highlight the policy initiatives necessary to accelerate the growth of women-owned micro enterprises by mobile value added services which could also guide other developing and emerging economies.

scholarly journals The Construction Subcontracting Policy Framework for Developing Local Contractors Capacities in Zambia

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-70
Author(s):  
M. Mambwe ◽  
E. M. Mwanaumo ◽  
F. Phiri ◽  
K. Chabota
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Regulatory Requirements ◽  
Building Capacity ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Government ◽  
Method Approach

The Zambian construction industry, like many developing countries, has over the past years experienced an imbalance in the distribution of works between local and foreign contractors. In a bid to bridge the gap, the Government of the Republic of Zambia in 2012 introduced a policy on subcontracting which provided for mandatory subcontracting of 20% of all major contracts to local contractors. There has however been outcries from subcontractors that the policy has not been beneficial. The study sought to investigate subcontracting practices in order to develop a framework for building capacity for local contractors within the construction industry in Zambia. The objective of the study was to explore the regulatory requirements on subcontracting in Zambia and establish the 20% subcontracting policy inadquescies . The study adopted the mixed-method approach in which both semi-structured interviews (main contractors, sub-contractors consultants and project owners) and survey questionnaire were adopted for primary data collection. The questionnaire was distributed to 70 respondents and a response rate of 71% was attained. The investigation was conducted on 40 projects implemented in Zambia between 2012 and 2015. The study established four major deficiencies of the policy which include: subcontractors do not participate early in the procurement process and are introduced after contract is awarded; no clear guidelines on the implementation of the policy; subcontractors do not take part in determining works; and it is difficult to grow capacity of local contractors using the 20% subcontracting policy because contractors engaged to be main on projects do not show interest in developing and building local contractors capacity due to lack of incentives. A framework was developed that can be used to meet the study objectives and that of the policy in subcontracting and reduce the current inadequacies. The study recommended the use of the proposed framework by the government to reduce the current gaps.

scholarly journals A Review of Value Added in Nigeria’s Pre and Post–SAP Agricultural Sector: Background and Issues

2013 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-56
Author(s):  
Ogujiuba Kanayo ◽  
Ogbonnaya Ufiem Maurice .
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Structural Adjustment ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Import Substitution ◽  
Capacity Utilization ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Private Sector Investment ◽  
The Government

In spite of the growing importance of oil, Nigeria has remained essentially an agrarian economy, with agriculture still significantly contributing to its Gross Domestic Product. However, the potentials of the agricultural sector to contribute to economic development in Nigeria have varied widely in the last two decades. This variation appears to be correlated to the nature of the political and economic regimes that exists. There were indications of some moderate output increase following the introduction of SAP. But, it is not yet certain whether the extent of deregulation policy currently being pursued by the Government and the preliminary outcome has elicited the desired response. One of the indications of the adverse development is the diversion of scarce foreign exchange from financing capital and intermediate imports to paying for food imports. Successive governments have experimented with various options in the promotion of agro-based industries, import substitution, promotion of specific sectors and specific areas. The outcome is an imbalance growth of various sub-sectors in the sector, poor capacity utilization, eroded competitiveness of local manufacturers and uneven playing field within the country. This paper basically reviews and analyzes the components of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, its contributions to economic development, and strategies adopted within the sector before and during the Structural Adjustment Program. It recommends that providing the right policy framework/enabling environment and incentives for private sector investment in the sector enshrined in the new economic blue print‘Transformation Agenda’ could be a viable option for revitalizing the sector.

When Consumption Regulations Backfire: The Role of Political Ideology

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 966-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caglar Irmak ◽  
Mitchel R. Murdock ◽  
Vamsi K. Kanuri
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Natural Experiment ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
Message Source ◽  
Lab Experiments ◽  
The Government

The authors investigate the role of political ideology in consumer reactions to consumption regulations. First, they demonstrate via a natural experiment that conservatives (but not liberals) increase usage of mobile phones in cars after a law was enacted prohibiting that activity (Study 1). Then, through three lab experiments the authors illustrate that after consumers are exposed to consumption regulations from the government (e.g., laws that restrict consumption, warning labels designed by the Food and Drug Administration), conservatives (vs. liberals) are more likely to (1) use phones when restricted (Study 2), (2) purchase unhealthy foods (Study 3), and (3) view smoking e-cigarettes more favorably (Study 4). No such effects are observed when a nongovernment source is used, or when the message from the government is framed as a notification (vs. warning). These findings point to the important roles of political ideology and the message source in increasing reactance to consumption regulations, thereby mitigating the effectiveness of public policy initiatives undertaken by the government.

scholarly journals Distance Learning Policy During Pandemic Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-333
Author(s):  
Maya Puspita Dewi ◽  
Muh Barid Nizarudin Wajdi
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Process Learning ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
The Government ◽  
Primary School Age

This study aims to analyze the learning process online, supporting factors and factors inhibiting  teachers  in carrying out online learning during the covid-19 pandemic. This research was conducted in  several elementary  schools  in  Nganjuk district  which is calculated from  September to  January 2021. This study uses a type of descriptive qualitative method research. The subjects used in this study were primary school  teachers  and  some  education-related policymakers. Data collection techniques used in this study in the form of open questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, documentation and field records. The result of this study is that the covid-19 pandemic has a huge impact on the learning process, learning that is usually carried out directly is now diverted into online learning. Students feel bored and bored during the learning. Online learning for primary school-age children is less effective. There are several factors supporting  teachers in the online learning process, namely the availability of mobile phones, quotas and a stable internet network. In addition to the supporting factors in online learning there are also several factors inhibiting  teachers in online learning. The inhibitory factors include that not all students have mobile phones and many parents are busy working.it is  necessary to  government  from   various  parties,  both  from the government as the regulatory  holder  and  the community  as  policy  users.   so it  is expected that both  can  synergize  and  maximize the academic  potential  of  students.

Management of Records in Adapted Buildings as Records Centres in Zimbabwe

Mousaion ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samson Mutsagondo ◽  
Getrude Maduyu ◽  
Godfrey Tsvuura
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Personal Observation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Professional Management ◽  
The Government

This paper discusses the challenges of records management that arise from the use of adapted buildings as records centres in Zimbabwe, despite the advantages of using such buildings. A qualitative research approach was used as well as a case study research design. Data were collected from seven officers of the Gweru Records Centre through semi-structured interviews. Personal observation was used to triangulate findings from interviews. It was found that the use of adapted buildings as records centres was a cheaper and quicker way of establishing records centres throughout the country. However, a number of preservation, security and management challenges cropped up as the conditions of the buildings and the environment of the adapted buildings were not conducive to the proper and professional management of records. This study is important in that it explores the prospects and challenges of using adapted buildings as records centres in Zimbabwe, an area that has not been researched by many authors. This provokes archival authorities and the government to seriously consider establishing purpose-built records and archival centres.

PEMETAAN TEKNOLOGI INDUSTRI KELAPA SAWIT NASIONAL DAN KEBIJAKAN PENGEMBANGANNYA

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Subiyanto Subiyanto
Keyword(s):  
Palm Oil ◽  
Government Policy ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Missing Value ◽  
Technology Capability ◽  
The Government

Palm oil industry in Indonesia has been growing rapidly. But, unfortunately the growth is only effective on upstream industry with low value products, such that potential downstream value added are not explored proportionally. The government is therefore in the process of developing an appropriate policy to strengthen the national palm oil downstream industry. This paper proposes that an approriate policy for developing palm oil downstream industry could be derived from the maps of value chain and existing technology capability of the industry. The result recommends that government policy should emphasize on the supply of raw materials, infrastructure and utilities, as well as developing the missing value chain industry, especially ethoxylation and sulfonation.

Challenges of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Business Growth: A Case of Footwear Industry

2020 ◽  
pp. 2516600X2097412
Author(s):  
A. K. M. Hedaitul Islam ◽  
Md. Rayhan Sarker ◽  
Md. Israil Hossain ◽  
Kauser Ali ◽  
K. M. Asadun Noor
Keyword(s):  
Delphi Method ◽  
Market Competition ◽  
Bank Loan ◽  
Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Fuzzy Delphi ◽  
Footwear Industry ◽  
Research Gap ◽  
The Government ◽  
Hierarchy Process

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create more employment opportunities and thus, contribute to the national economy of a country. Footwear SMEs have been identified as an emerging economy in Bangladesh, which is facing several challenges. Very few studies focused on the challenges of SMEs’ business growth. However, until now, no literature particularly focused on the challenges of footwear SMEs and discussed how to tackle these challenges. To fill this research gap, we use the Fuzzy Delphi Method and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process, to find out the degree of importance of critical challenges of footwear SMEs. In our study, 16 critical challenges are identified among which lingering in cash flow (F3), fierce market competition (E1), access to finance (F2), unfavorable bank loan policy (F1), and poor supply chain management (E2) have been ascertained as the top five critical challenges, respectively. This study contributes to the existing literature of SMEs by identifying five new challenges from the context of the footwear industry. Furthermore, we suggest some possible measures to overcome the identified challenges. This study can guide the government, practitioners, and SME policymakers to address these challenges for the growth of any SME sector.

Barriers and Mitigating Strategies of Entrepreneurial Business Growth: The Role of Entrepreneur Race and Gender

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Conley ◽  
Diana Bilimoria
Keyword(s):  
Business Growth ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Race And Gender ◽  
High Performing ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Corporate Diversity ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Barriers To Growth ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract In this study, we investigate the obstacles to growth and the mitigating strategies of high-performing (over $1 million in revenues) entrepreneurial businesses, and how these differ between businesses owned by Black and White entrepreneurs and between female and male entrepreneurs. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and qualitatively analyzed using grounded theory and thematic analysis methods. Findings reveal that the lack of access to capital is faced by all groups of entrepreneurs, but that Black and female entrepreneurs additionally faced racial discrimination and gender bias obstacles to their business growth. While all entrepreneurs used social capital strategies to mitigate the barriers to growth that their businesses faced, Black and female entrepreneurs additionally employed faith and prayer as well as business engagement in governmental and corporate diversity initiatives as strategies to overcome the obstacles. Implications of the findings for the entrepreneurial business growth of racial/ethnic minority and female-owned firms are discussed.

scholarly journals Advancing engagement and capacity for rural cancer control: a mixed-methods case study of a Community-Academic Advisory Board in the Appalachia region of Southwest Virginia

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie M. Zoellner ◽  
Kathleen J. Porter ◽  
Donna-Jean P. Brock ◽  
Emma Mc Kim Mitchell ◽  
Howard Chapman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Control ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination ◽  
Time Points

Abstract Background The objectives are to: 1) describe engagement processes used to prioritize and address regional comprehensive cancer control needs among a Community-Academic Advisory Board (CAB) in the medically-underserved, rural Appalachian region, and 2) detail longitudinal CAB evaluation findings. Methods This three-year case study (2017–2020) used a convergent parallel, mixed-methods design. The approach was guided by community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles, the Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation process, and Nine Habits of Successful Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalitions. Meeting artifacts were tracked and evaluated. CAB members completed quantitative surveys at three time points and semi-structured interviews at two time points. Quantitative data were analyzed using analysis of variance tests. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via an inductive-deductive process. Results Through 13 meetings, Prevention and Early Detection Action Teams created causal models and prioritized four cancer control needs: human papillomavirus vaccination, tobacco control, colorectal cancer screening, and lung cancer screening. These sub-groups also began advancing into planning and intervention proposal development phases. As rated by 49 involved CAB members, all habits significantly improved from Time 1 to Time 2 (i.e., communication, priority work plans, roles/accountability, shared decision making, value-added collaboration, empowered leadership, diversified funding, trust, satisfaction; all p < .05), and most remained significantly higher at Time 3. CAB members also identified specific challenges (e.g., fully utilizing member expertise), strengths (e.g., diverse membership), and recommendations across habits. Conclusion This project’s equity-based CBPR approach used a CPPE process in conjunction with internal evaluation of cancer coalition best practices to advance CAB efforts to address cancer disparities in rural Appalachia. This approach encouraged CAB buy-in and identified key strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities that will lay the foundation for continued involvement in cancer control projects. These engagement processes may serve as a template for similar coalitions in rural, underserved areas.

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