Socio-Economic Challenges of E-Commerce-Driven Exports: Regulatory Framework, Components, Institutional Capacities, and Approaches

PurposeMany nations now engage in economic promotion of their countries in foreign countries. One major aspect of this activity is export promotions. This paper aims to understand the relationship between export promotional activity participation and export performance by Ghanaian manufacturing firms.Design/methodology/approachThe list of manufacturing exporters was obtained from the Ghana Export Promotion Authority, and the convenience and snowballing approach was used to reach and administer research instrument. The relationship between export promotion and performance was estimated using a multiple regression.FindingsThe results of this study indicate that exporters should implement specific export promotion programmes if they want to enhance export performance and become successful. The findings of this study show that the programmes that have a strong positive relationship with export performance are trade fairs, foreign offices and tax and financial incentives.Originality/valueThe results of this study contribute to the international entrepreneurship literature in several ways. First, findings from this study contribute to the limited literature on exports in developing countries such as Ghana. Again, the study framework provides assistance to assess and monitor emerging trends in export promotion strategies. Also, export promotion, as a whole, provides a framework in which firms formulate strategies, allocates resources and seeks opportunities in a coordinated way. Finally, in the international marketplace, firms need to maintain their competitive edge, and it is important to operate efficiently and effectively using an appropriate export promotional strategy.

Purpose: The study sought to find out the influence of stakeholder engagement on the sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya.
 Methodology: This study used a mixed method research design where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, then analyzed, and conclusions drawn. The research design used was explanatory. The target population was 700 employees drawn from various stakeholders in the health sector. The study adopted stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques to select a sample of 230 respondents. The study used questionnaires to collect primary data. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. The data was presented using Tables.
 Findings: The study found out that there exists a relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya. The statistical results of coefficients showed that the legal and regulatory framework moderates the relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya. The study therefore concludes that an improvement in stakeholder engagement will lead to an improvement in sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was anchored on Ladder of Participation Model. The study therefore recommends that the health sector in Kenya should work towards strengthening the frameworks for stakeholder engagement in the health-related projects if sustainability of the projects must be attained. There is great need to review and ensure stakeholder relationship management, stakeholder participation in decision making of key activities as well as ensure avenues to enable stakeholders actively participate in project activities across the entire project life cycle. The study recommends stakeholder mapping to be done based on meritocracy. The study recommends that the legal and regulatory framework around the stakeholder engagement should be strengthened to ensure compliance.

Purpose: The study sought to find out the influence of stakeholder engagement on the sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya.
 Methodology: This study used a mixed method research design where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, then analyzed, and conclusions drawn. The research design used was explanatory. The target population was 700 employees drawn from various stakeholders in the health sector. The study adopted stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques to select a sample of 230 respondents. The study used questionnaires to collect primary data. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. The data was presented using Tables.
 Findings: The study found out that there exists a relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya. The statistical results of coefficients showed that the legal and regulatory framework moderates the relationship between stakeholder engagement and sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya. The study therefore concludes that an improvement in stakeholder engagement will lead to an improvement in sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was anchored on Ladder of Participation Model. The study therefore recommends that the health sector in Kenya should work towards strengthening the frameworks for stakeholder engagement in the health-related projects if sustainability of the projects must be attained. There is great need to review and ensure stakeholder relationship management, stakeholder participation in decision making of key activities as well as ensure avenues to enable stakeholders actively participate in project activities across the entire project life cycle. The study recommends stakeholder mapping to be done based on meritocracy. The study recommends that the legal and regulatory framework around the stakeholder engagement should be strengthened to ensure compliance.

The customer is the primary growth determinant of an organization’s direction toward desirable performance. Proactive organizations that recognize the reality of customer focus contributions to business operations have significantly portrayed positive performance. This research aims to investigate how customer responsiveness influences the performance of an organization, with a specific focus on the Kenya Revenue Authority. To in aid establishing the foundational base of the study, theories such as the Resource Based View, Systems theory, Gap analysis Model and the Upper Echelon Theory were taken into account. The study employed the descriptive research design to comprehensively understand the current conditions and circumstances. The study's target population considered 445 KRA technical staff in Mombasa, including managers, supervisors, officers, and support staff. The study employed stratified sampling where 134 respondents were selected, who either had recently joined the company or altered their job roles according to duration of employment. To test the reliability of the study, the researcher employed Cronbach’s alpha coefficient which had a threshold of 0.7. The threshold of a coefficient should be between 0 to 1 to maintain an internal consistency indicating reliability. To accurately determine the validity of the data for factor analysis, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) Test and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity were conducted. The KMO test yielded a measure of sampling adequacy of 0.743, which indicates that the sample size was adequate for factor analysis. Data collection for the study was through the use of a close-ended questionnaire in the statement form. The data was analyzed through measures of central tendency such as mean, median, and mode. The analysis also included measures of dispersion such as variation, standard deviation, correlation analysis and regression analysis. It was observed that technology had the most substantial impact on KRA's performance. Indicating a strong positive relationship between technological implementation and performance outcomes. Service level agreements were found to be a significant predictor of performance suggesting that clear and well-structured SLAs contribute positively to the quality-of-service delivery, ensuring that customer expectations are met effectively. Top management support significance highlighted the importance of leadership and resource allocation in driving organizational success. Conversely, staff training indicated that while training is important, its direct influence on performance may be more nuanced or dependent on other mediating factors. Overall, the study found that customer responsiveness strategies significantly influence the performance of KRA in Mombasa County.

As Bangladesh faces its current energy crisis, public-private partnerships (PPPs) emerge as a promising solution, bridging the strengths of both sectors toward a brighter, more electrified future. This research focuses on the challenges in Bangladesh’s power sector: increasing electricity demand and the imperative for a consistent supply of renewable energy sources. The research employs content analysis, exploring various aspects, including policy documents, regulatory frameworks, stakeholder engagements, and resource assessments, with a specific focus on three key variables: regulatory framework, stakeholder engagement, and informed policymaking. Drawing on the ‘resource-based view’ theory, the study emphasizes the significance of ‘mitigating resource risks’ through ‘resource assessment.’ Empirical support is derived from an extensive review of literature in reputable journals and research articles, enhancing the research’s credibility with real-world evidence. The study provides a practical roadmap for stakeholders navigating Bangladesh’s power sector, addressing energy challenges, and promoting sustainability.

Passive body heating in controlled settings could shorten sleep onset latency (SOL). The hypothesized mechanism is vasodilation-induced heat loss before bedtime. However, this evidence is based on small sample-sized studies in specific populations. Thus, we analyzed the association of hot-water bathing and its before-bedtime timing with SOL and heat loss in a large study population of older adults. We conducted a longitudinal analysis using repeated measurements of hot-water bathing and sleep among 1,094 older adults (mean age, 72.0 years). SOL was recorded using actigraphy and self-reported sleep estimates and was categorized into conditions (intervals of 1-60, 61-120, 121-180, and > 181 minutes between hot bath and bedtime) and compared with the control condition of no bathing. The heat-loss indicator, distal-proximal skin temperature gradient, was examined in the same categorization. Mixed-effects linear regression models suggested that the bathing conditions of 61-120 minutes and 121-180 minutes showed significantly shorter log-transformed actigraphic SOL by 0.23 log-minutes (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.03-0.42) and 0.32 log-minutes (95% CI, 0.09-0.56), shorter self-reported SOL by 0.16 log-minutes (95% CI, 0.02-0.30) and 0.18 log-minutes (95% CI, 0.01-0.35), and higher distal-proximal skin temperature gradient for 30 minutes before bedtime by 0.49°C (95% CI, 0.22-0.75) and 0.51°C (95% CI, 0.20-0.83), respectively, independent of potential confounders. Hot-water bathing before bedtime is significantly associated with shorter SOL and higher distal-proximal skin temperature gradient among the large-scale older population. This finding could enhance the generalizability of hot-water bathing habits for ameliorating sleep initiation difficulty.

In light of the growing reports on malpractice incidences in public procurement, especially for local government authorities, this study investigated the influence of procurement legislation, institutional capacity, and risk management on the occurrence of malpractices in public procurement. The study was conducted at Kasulu District Council due to the council being one of the procuring entities reported to have procurement malpractices. The study used an explanatory design to determine the effect of legislation, institutional capacity, and risk management on the occurrence of malpractice incidences. Data was collected by means of questionnaires and key informant interviews, of which 112 questionnaires and 12 interviews were conducted. Data was collected by means of simple random sampling and purposive sampling. The results show that the legal and regulatory framework [p = 0.006] and risk management [p = 0.001] were found to significantly influence the prevalence of malpractice. Institutional capacity [p = 0.145] was found to be insignificantly influencing the prevalence of malpractices. Henceforth, the study recommends that the correct application of legislative frameworks and risk management be emphasized to ensure that procurement malpractices are driven out of public procurement. Further, training is considered important to both practitioners and non-practitioners to understand the pervasiveness of legislative frameworks and the importance of risk management to eradicate procurement malpractices.

The purpose of this study is to examine how legal and regulatory frameworks influence foreign policy decisions, considering the complex dynamics of transboundary water governance, aiming to understand water scarcity, regional diplomacy, and interlinked investment decisions. This is in conjunction with the ongoing disputes over water resources and infrastructure projects, such as Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Historical treaties that shape regional relations are situated within theoretical frameworks, such as hegemony theory, which explains power asymmetries among riparian states. The theory of cooperation and participation emphasises stakeholder engagement and inclusive decision-making. At the same time, international water resources governance highlights the importance of coordinated efforts among regional and global actors, analysing how power dynamics, legal structures, and institutional capacities influence policy outcomes in the Nile Basin Countries. Methodologically, the research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data collection involved structured surveys administered to 251 stakeholders across five Nile Basin countries, including government officials, academic experts, and regional organisations. The study also incorporated interviews, policy analysis, and review of legal documents to deepen understanding. Quantitative analysis employed descriptive statistics, correlation matrices, and regression models to assess relationships between legal frameworks and foreign policy decisions, while qualitative insights provided contextual understanding of regional challenges and opportunities. The findings reveal that existing legal frameworks are perceived as inadequate, with low ratings for their effectiveness, while dispute resolution mechanisms and policy harmonisation efforts are moderately developed. Strong correlations exist between legal structures, implementation capacity, and policy outcomes, indicating that robust legal arrangements are critical for effective governance. The analysis confirms that legal and institutional reforms, including the strengthening of dispute resolution and policy alignment, significantly influence foreign policy decisions. Environmental challenges, notably climate change impacting water availability, further complicate cooperation in wetlands, protecting the ecosystem and biodiversity, underscore the need for adaptive legal frameworks. The study also highlights the influence of geopolitical power asymmetries, historical treaties, and foreign investments on regional relations. In conclusion, the research emphasises that legal and regulatory frameworks are pivotal for regional stability and sustainable water management in the Nile Basin. It recommends that policymakers prioritise the development of comprehensive, adaptive legal instruments, foster regional dialogue, and build institutional capacities. Strengthening dispute resolution mechanisms and encouraging stakeholder participation are essential for cooperation. The study advocates for integrating environmental considerations into legal frameworks and leveraging international partnerships, supporting sustainable development. Overall, the findings suggest that a holistic approach combining legal reform, diplomatic engagement, and capacity-building is vital for fostering long-term peace and equitable resource sharing among Nile Basin countries.

The Quality of Life (QoL) in tribal communities has been shaped by a range of socioeconomic factors, including education, income, employment status, healthcare access, and infrastructure availability. A comprehensive understanding of these determinants is considered essential for identifying priority areas to enhance well-being and living standards. In this study, the influence of socioeconomic variables on QoL was investigated, with a particular focus on education levels, income, employment, healthcare access, infrastructure, cultural satisfaction, happiness, and housing conditions. Data were collected through a structured survey administered to 300 respondents from various tribal groups. The responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, correlation matrix analysis, and chi-square tests. Education and income were identified by descriptive statistics as the most influential contributors to QoL. Linear regression analysis indicated strong positive relationships between education, income, employment, healthcare access, infrastructure, cultural satisfaction, housing quality, and the overall measures of happiness and life satisfaction. Correlation matrix results further supported these associations, revealing significant relationships between income and happiness (r = 0.70), and between healthcare access and life satisfaction (r = 0.60). Additionally, chi-square tests confirmed significant associations between education and income, as well as between income and happiness, underscoring the interdependence of these variables. The findings have emphasized the need for targeted interventions to improve education systems, employment opportunities, income levels, and healthcare access within tribal settings. It has been suggested that policy efforts aimed at promoting educational advancement, economic empowerment, and improved healthcare infrastructure could substantially enhance the living conditions in these communities. Strengthening these domains through governmental initiatives, community-based programs, and infrastructure development has been deemed essential for achieving long-term sustainability, economic resilience, and enhanced well-being. Addressing such socioeconomic disparities is expected to contribute significantly to increased life satisfaction and holistic development in tribal societies.

Presented on Thursday 23 May: Session 24 Co-funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments, the CarbonNet Project (CarbonNet) was established in 2009 to enable commercial deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS). The duration and first-of-a-kind nature of the project has also provided an opportunity to test the Australian legislative greenhouse gas (GHG) framework. Although the Commonwealth legislative regime has comprehensive GHG legislation in place, one of the recognised barriers to geological storage in Australia is permitting and regulatory complexity. CarbonNet’s practical application of the legislation has emphasised that regulatory maturity will only be achieved once a number of projects have been permitted through the full project lifecycle. While the project has achieved many regulatory firsts, there have been several policy and regulatory challenges. Successes have come via legislative reform, scientific investigation and collaboration, and stakeholder engagement and communication. This paper provides insights into CarbonNet’s regulatory journey and key learnings in testing first-of-a-kind regulatory processes. It also explores opportunities for improvement in the GHG regulatory framework, while noting the progress of recent legislative reform and government collaboration. The paper concludes with a recognition of the need for the CCS regulatory framework to be straightforward, fit-for-purpose, proportionate, risk-based, and not overly prescriptive or complex. CCS projects may span decades and require significant upfront investment from multiple companies or consortia. Proponents and investors require confidence in the regulatory framework underpinning a project before making these large commitments. Accordingly, there is a key role for both Australian and State governments in providing the enabling legislative and regulatory framework for CCS projects. To access the Oral Presentation click the link on the right. To read the full paper click here

Purpose: The objective of the study was to find out the moderating influence of the legal and regulatory framework on sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya.
 Methodology: This study used a mixed method research design where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected, then analyzed, and conclusions drawn. The research design used was explanatory. The target population was 700 employees drawn from various stakeholders in the health sector. The study adopted stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques to select a sample of 230 respondents. The study used questionnaires to collect primary data. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.
 Findings: The findings revealed that the legal and regulatory framework has a moderating effect on the relationship between stakeholder engagement, resource mobilization, process execution & leadership practices and sustainability of donor funded projects in the health sector in Kenya.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: The study recommended that the health sector in Kenya should strengthen the frameworks for stakeholder engagement in health-related projects and that policies should be reviewed and re-designed to support activities in the space of donor funded projects if sustainability of projects has to be achieved. The study further recommends that there is need for tools and frameworks that would ensure that leadership practices are aligned to achieve project sustainability.

In Ethiopia, studies have identified inefficiencies in policy and regulatory frameworks as root causes of poor healthcare waste management (HCWM). However, specific gaps within these frameworks, along with the underlying factors influencing them, have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, this study aims to examine these policy and regulatory gaps and factors affecting sustainable HCWM in Ethiopia. The findings revealed that while a policy and regulatory framework exists and is embedded in the national constitution, documents are fragmented and there is a lack of essential legislation. Additionally, the space is characterised by outdated policies and regulations, as well as the absence of systematic policy monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Three thematically categorised challenges were found to influence these gaps, including organisational and structural challenges, resource constraints, and stakeholder engagement and communication challenges. The study concludes that critical shortcomings in policy and regulatory frameworks hinder effective HCWM. These shortcomings are rooted in systematic challenges, highlighting the need for further research and the establishment of a centralised policy institute to address and coordinate HCWM reform.

Co-funded by the Victorian and Australian Governments, the CarbonNet Project (CarbonNet) was established in 2009 to enable commercial deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS). The duration and first-of-a-kind nature of the project has also provided an opportunity to test the Australian legislative greenhouse gas (GHG) framework. Although the Commonwealth legislative regime has comprehensive GHG legislation in place, one of the recognised barriers to geological storage in Australia is permitting and regulatory complexity. CarbonNet’s practical application of the legislation has emphasised that regulatory maturity will only be achieved once a number of projects have been permitted through the full project lifecycle. While the project has achieved many regulatory firsts, there have been several policy and regulatory challenges. Successes have come via legislative reform, scientific investigation and collaboration, and stakeholder engagement and communication. This paper provides insights into CarbonNet’s regulatory journey and key learnings in testing first-of-a-kind regulatory processes. It also explores opportunities for improvement in the GHG regulatory framework, while noting the progress of recent legislative reform and government collaboration. The paper concludes with a recognition of the need for the CCS regulatory framework to be straightforward, fit-for-purpose, proportionate, risk-based, and not overly prescriptive or complex. CCS projects may span decades and require significant upfront investment from multiple companies or consortia. Proponents and investors require confidence in the regulatory framework underpinning a project before making these large commitments. Accordingly, there is a key role for both Australian and State governments in providing the enabling legislative and regulatory framework for CCS projects.

Objective To make a comprehensive analysis of the satisfaction and preferences of rural doctors′ incentive measures, and to identify the incentives that need to be optimized. Methods The method of multi-stage stratified random sampling was used to investigate the rural doctors in Shandong province in 2015. This survey called into play the sample mean and standard deviation for descriptive analysis. And according to Maslow′s Hierarchy of Needs theory, the scoring and ranking of different levels and specific incentive measures were calculated. The important quadrant model which combined with motivational preference and satisfaction of incentive measures was used to analysis them. Results The top preference for rural doctors was survival demand, scoring 4 284. Among the specific incentives, the top wss lower medical practice risk, scoring 945.75. In combination with satisfaction analysis, 7 incentive measures, including improving welfare and policy assurance, were now in the state of low satisfaction and high preference. Conclusions In terms of demand level, the survival incentive factor tops the needs of rural doctors. In the specific incentive measures, the seven incentives, such as lower practice risk, deserve more attention. Relevant departments should actively improve and implement these seven measures in order to maximize their motivation for rural doctors. Key words: Health manpower; Maslow′s Hierarchy of Needs theory; Rural doctors; Motivational preference; Incentive measures

This study examined the regulatory framework, institutional capacity, enforcement mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement in small-scale mining (SSM) governance in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach involving field surveys, key informant interviews, and statistical analysis was employed to assess policy implementation and institutional performance. Results revealed that while multiple frameworks such as the Nasarawa State Mining Regulation Bill (2025) and the National Minerals and Mining Act (2007) exist to guide artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), their implementation remains weak. The mean implementation score of 2.3 (SD = 0.8) on a five-point scale indicates partial realization of national mining laws at the state level. Institutional role clarity averaged 67%, with enforcement constrained by inadequate resources and overlapping mandates. Only 40% of miners held valid licenses, while regulatory monitoring averaged 1.5 visits per site annually. A chi-square test (χ² = 15.3, p < 0.01) confirmed a significant link between monitoring frequency and compliance. Stakeholder engagement was also limited (M = 2.5, SD = 1.0), with local communities (M = 2.3) reporting the lowest inclusion. The study concludes that policy fragmentation, institutional weakness, and poor community participation undermine effective SSM governance in Nasarawa State. It recommends stronger institutional coordination, more consistent enforcement, and inclusive community engagement to enhance sustainability and equitable benefit sharing in the mining sector.