Development Institutions Research Articles

Community Radio and the promotion of gender equality. A case study of Nyabihoko Sub-County, Ntungamo District

One of the primary roles played by media within communities is fostering unity among people and society as a whole. Community radio serves as a crucial tool in achieving this objective. It is widely acknowledged that community media can encompass various aspects, such as shared interests, locality, and cultural identity. This study focuses on the intersection of community radio and women's empowerment, examining how community media uniquely challenges discriminatory traditions and empowers women. Drawing on multiple development paradigms and feminist theories, the research investigates the extent to which community radio stations contribute to promoting gender equality. The study employs a case study approach in Nyabihoko sub-county, Ntungamo district, Uganda. Utilizing a mixed-methods design, data was gathered from various stakeholders, including clan elders, religious leaders, local council representatives, community-based organizations, and youth, through surveys and qualitative interviews. The research revealed that community radio plays a significant role in enhancing women's empowerment, serving as a vital catalyst for positive change. The findings demonstrate that community radio support significantly contributes to bolstering women's empowerment. After analyzing the collected data, including mean and standard deviation calculations, it became evident that there exists a notable relationship between women's empowerment and gender equality. These findings shed light on the strategies and mechanisms employed by community radio to address gender disparities within the local context. They offer valuable insights for policymakers, media practitioners, and development institutions seeking to leverage the potential of community media for social transformation and empowerment. Keywords: Women empowerment, Radio, Media, Gender equality

Deceptive Knowledge Hiding in Organizations: Psychological Distress as an Underlying Mechanism

This study investigates the role of employee cynicism and perceived organizational politics in deceptive knowledge-hiding behaviors (evasive hiding and playing dumb). Besides, this work aims to measure the mediating role of psychological distress between employee cynicism, perceived organizational politics, and deceptive knowledge-hiding behaviors. Using a time lag strategy, the data were collected in three waves from 478 employees working in research and development institutions in Pakistan. A structured questionnaire and PLS-SEM technique were employed for data collection and analyses. The results indicate that employee cynicism and perceived organizational politics significantly promote playing dumb behavior in employees. Employee cynicism has no significant association with evasive hiding. However, perceived organizational politics promotes evasive hiding. Psychological distress as a mediator supports employee cynicism and perceived organizational politics to develop deceptive knowledge-hiding behaviors. The outcomes of this research have significant implications for organizations, especially for research and development departments. Putting down the cynicism level among employees and controlling the organizational politics can motivate the employees to share knowledge and avoid deceptive knowledge hiding. Managers with positive signals can rebuild trust with subordinates and encourage them to be involved in knowledge-sharing activities. The findings of this study could also serve the theory and practice by showing how employees act psychologically when they are cynical and think their company is playing politics.

The effect of key universities on the regional development: empirical evidence from two natural experiments in China

ABSTRACT Universities play a crucial role as anchor institutions in regional development. Using the data from the China City Statistical Yearbook from 1995 to 2011, the synthetic control method was employed to examine the impact of key universities on regional development. Results showed that the expansion of higher education significantly influenced the population density in Xuzhou, and per capita output of secondary industry in both Xuzhou and Dongying; yet it has minimal impact on the per capita GDP and average employee wages of the two cities. Thus, key universities may affect regional development by enhancing the quantity and quality of human capital accumulation rather than directly promoting economic growth.

SBAE teachers’ perceptions of science integration and inquiry-based learning

The integration of science within an agricultural education classroom is very important. This study explored the influences CASE professional development institutes had on the teacher-participant’s perceptions of science integration and inquiry-based instruction. This study utilized a pre and post-test comprised of the integrative science survey and the inquiry-based teaching techniques. We attempted a census of all (N = 38) high school agricultural educators who were participants in the Principles of Agricultural Science-Plant (ASP) and the Agricultural Power and Technology (APT) CASE institutes. Overall, respondents had more positive perceptions of science integration and IBI following the CASE institutes. Teacher educators should incorporate inquiry-based teaching techniques and examples of integrating science into preparation programs and offer professional development workshops to practicing teachers. Future research should take a deeper look into the impacts of CASE institutes on teachers’ attitudes towards science integration and implementation of IBI in their classrooms. A larger population of teachers needs to be studied with the study taking a longitudinal approach to focus on the long-term implementation of IBI in the agricultural education classroom.

DECENTRALIZATION AS A FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TERRITORIAL COMMUNITIES IN UKRAINE: EXPERIENCE OF THE EU COUNTRIES

The analysis of modern Ukrainian political and legal research suggests that the theory is dominated by the understanding of the territorial organization of power according to which the territorial community is the basis for the organization of the system of community development management. According to the researchers, it is the excessive number of small administrative-territorial units of the basic level that has determined the need for reform. The lack of the necessary economic and human resources makes it impossible for basic local government units to effectively exercise their powers. The main problem of decentralization is that the creation of new territorial communities did not take into account resource provision, transportation tasks, and economic and geographical zoning in general. The author analyzes and compares the experience of EU countries in decentralization. To ensure a favorable climate for the decentralization process, special regional development institutions have been created in different countries as executive bodies that assist various departmental structures in their activities, and these can also be independent institutions for the development of regional development programs and fund management, public non-profit organizations, and other non-governmental organizations working in partnership with government institutions. Today, in the context of war, our state as a whole and each individual territorial community in particular lives by different principles, budgets are formed and used in a completely different way, many projects have been suspended, funds allocated for them have been redirected to other areas, and mass migration has taken place both within the country and abroad.
 The article reveals that, according to the researchers, an excessive number of small administrative-territorial units of the basic level determined the need for decentralization reform. It is found that the main problem of decentralization is that the creation of new territorial communities did not take into account resource provision, transportation tasks, and economic and geographical zoning in general. The author analyzes and compares the experience of EU countries on decentralization issues. It is determined that the goals and objectives of the state policy on reform and decentralization are formed and coordinated with each other, they are specified in various programs and regulations. It can be argued that, in general, Ukraine is moving in the right direction in terms of reforming local self-government and territorial organization of power and covers all socially important areas.

Institutional Design In Collaboration To Strengthen Food Fortification In Consumption Salt Smes In Pati Regency

Fortifying salt with iodine is one of the government's strategies to achieve food and nutritional security. Iodine deficiency can hinder mental and intelligence development, affecting the quality of Human Resources. Pati Regency can contribute to strengthening food fortification with the potential of its salt-consumption SMEs. However, the test results stated that 40.70% of the salt consumption of SMEs in Pati needed to meet standards. The fortification program is implemented and integrated into the government and private sectors. Successful fulfillment of product quality by SMEs requires effective collaboration between development institutions and business actors and good coordination between the development institutions. Institutional design contributes to the collaboration process that occurs. This research aims to analyze the institutional design and problems in collaboration with development actors to develop consumer salt SMEs in the Pati Regency. The research uses qualitative methods, collecting data through observation, in-depth interviews, document studies, and FGDs. The development of consumer salt SMEs in Pati Regency involves government institutions at the district level, namely the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Bappeda, at the provincial level, namely the Ministry of Industry and Trade and BBPOM in Semarang, as well as non-government organizations, namely the NGOs Nutrition International Indonesia and APROGAKOB. Institutional design in collaboration with actors developing iodized salt SMEs requires strengthening the dimensions of basic rules, participation, exclusive forums, and transparency. Strengthening the institutional dimension will increase collaboration so that the potential of Pati Regency can support strengthening the fortification of salt consumption

Introduction of Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Russian Economy: A Practitioner’s View

The article presents the results of a generalization of the practical activities of companies developing and/or implementing artificial intelligence technologies (hereinafter referred to as AI), as well as companies that use these technologies: what scenarios for the use of AI technologies exist and in which industries, what kind of problems organizations implementing AI face, how members of the expert community of the artificial intelligence sphere consider solving these issues and what the state bodies offer. As to the state’s policy regarding the development of artificial intelligence, the article contains information about the factors built in the updated national AI development strategy, reflects the relations between AI technologies and state sovereignty, demonstrates the impact of artificial intelligence on the competitiveness of a company and human creativity. The article also presents the main instructions of the government of the Russian Federation on the development of artificial intelligence, some statistical data on the use of AI in economic and social sectors. It identifies measures to support developers and “implementers” of AI technologies offered by development institutions within the framework of the federal project “Artificial Intelligence” as a part of the national program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation”. Much attention is paid to the issue of human resourcing in the AI sphere – what kind of specialists companies need, what their level of training should be and what they should be able to do, what requirements are imposed on AI teachers, what leading companies ask applicants for interviews and what the trajectory of “growing” talents in the field of artificial intelligence is. The final part of the article provides recommendations to students on how to prepare for the widespread use of artificial intelligence technologies.

Human rights-based approach to development in Tanzania: a myth or realisable prospect?

This article through a documentary review delves into the practical aspects impeding the realisation of a human rights-based approach to development in Tanzania and the prospects of realising the same. The article contends that Tanzania fails to convincingly implement a human rights-based approach to development due to the unenforceability of the provisions of the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, limitations of the international human rights framework, the underperformance of its legal machinery, lack of awareness of human rights among development institutions, workers, and citizens, as well as a limited and incompetent international human rights framework to guarantee the realisation of a human rights-based approach to development. Against this backdrop, it is recommended that the Tanzanian state align its legislations with both the letter and spirit of human rights regimes, bolstering the capacity of the judiciary to discharge its adjudication function effectively and fostering awareness of human rights among development practitioners and citizens. We posit that ongoing legal system reforms, the expansion of legal studies opportunities, and the active participation of civil society in Tanzania hold the promise of advancing a human rights-based approach to development. Yet, we underscore the pivotal role of a resolute political will in ensuring the success of these endeavours and their effect on Tanzania's aspiration to achieve a developmental paradigm firmly rooted in human rights principles.

Climate policies and legislation for renewable energy transition: The roles of financial sector and political institutions

Given the urgent need to address global ecological degradation and its accelerating impacts, countries worldwide are increasingly prioritizing the acceleration of the transition to renewable energy sources. In this quest for green development, economies are motivated to enact enabling policies and supportive legislation to facilitate an expedited transition. Within this context, the present study seeks to investigate the roles of financial development and political institutions––particularly corruption control, civil society participation, and democracy––as conditional factors that support clean energy policies and climate change legislation (laws and regulations) in accelerating renewable energy transition in the top-10 polluting economies between 1996 and 2019. By applying the augmented mean group technique, the empirical findings indicate that clean energy policies and climate change laws and regulations alone are ineffective in driving the transition to renewable energy. However, financial development and certain political institutions––such as corruption control, civil society participation, and democracy––have been identified as key contributors to this transition. The effectiveness of clean energy policies in accelerating the renewable energy transition depends on a well-developed financial sector to implement and enforce these policies effectively. Enacting clean energy policies, along with environmental laws and regulations, while supported by a well-developed financial sector, accelerates the transition to renewable energy. Moreover, enacting such policies and laws, coupled with strong corruption control and higher active civil society participation, creates an environment that enables the transition to renewable energy.

Сhallenges of Сooperation between Russian and African Small and Medium Enterprises in the Field of Innovation

In recent years, international cooperation in the development and implementation of innovations has been progressing rapidly. As a result, more and more innovative products and technologies are appearing on the market. An analysis of the criteria for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Russia and African countries has revealed their heterogeneity and sometimes inconsistency, which requires the harmonization of these criteria at the level of national governments and international organizations. The study provides a number of practical recommendations for small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in external economic activities related to the development and implementation of innovations, as well as for Russian development institutions, venture funds and other organizations. The main problems and opportunities that Russian and African SMEs may face are identified in the paper, and the key areas of their potential cooperation are suggested. The main strategic goal of cooperation between Russian and African SMEs in the field of innovation is defined as the transition from “catching-up”, imitating kind of technical progress to “overtaking” innovative development.

Foreign direct investment and inclusive finance: do financial markets and quality of institutions matter?

We examine the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on financial inclusion. To identify the causal effect of FDI on financial inclusion, we use plausibly exogenous source of variations in bilateral investment treaties (BITs) as a novel instrumental variable (IV) for net FDI inflows. Using annual data for a broad panel of 90 countries over the period 2004 to 2017, our results show that FDI improves financial inclusion for both “access to finance" and “use of financial services". This impact is more pronounced for relatively poor countries and developing countries compared to rich and developed countries. We also find that higher financial market development and quality institutions improve financial inclusion directly. Moreover, financial market development and institutional quality can serve as potential channels and moderating variables through which FDI affects financial inclusion. Our results are robust to various estimations and sample splitting and have important implications for policy on financial inclusion.

Promoting green growth through identification of sustainable strategies: a hybrid approach

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to rank and analyze the key strategies to sustainable finance adoption in the manufacturing sector using Fuzzy Delphi method (FDM), Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and MICMAC (impact matrix cross-reference multiplication applied to a classification) analysis.Design/methodology/approachThe study develops a novel framework to identify and analyze the mutual relationships among set of sustainable policies using extensive literature survey and experts opinion. Initially, the study found 14 strategies to implement sustainable finance with the help of vast literature. Then, the list of identified factors were screened through Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM). Based on driving and dependence power, the final list of factors are divided into three categories.FindingsThe study findings reveal that “environmental rules and practices”, “financial incentives, tax reduction and subsidy”, have strongest driving power for promoting sustainable financial system in Pakistani manufacturing sector. Furthermore, “environmental awareness” and “long term vision” are found to be highly influenced by other corresponding elements in a system.Practical implicationsThe ISM approach assists professionals, academics, and managers in identifying and ranking policies in implementing green business techniques. The hierarchical representation of ISM results provides a roadmap for decision-makers to navigate and prioritize factors effectively, facilitating the implementation of strategies that contribute to sustainable growth within organizations.Social implicationsThe study results provide interesting clues regarding green finance policies that provide the foundations, incentives, protections or other provisions that support the ecological conservancy’s mission. Specifically, the findings guide that government must offer research grants to private enterprises, research and development institutions, and universities to promote environmental protection and develop transformative technologies such as waste recycling, renewable energy, carbon capture, and power consumption.Originality/valueThe exploration of strategies for sustainable finance adoption with the help of mixed methodological approach and classification of these strategies on the basis of importance level is a new attempt in the field of manufacturing sector.

Managing Africa’s cultural institutions for global impact and sustainable development

Africa has an extensive and varied cultural history that includes works of art, music, literature, customs, and historical locations. These cultural resources are essential for creating identities, promoting social cohesiveness, and advancing economic development. However, for these institutions to have the greatest impact on the world and contribute to sustainable development, they must be managed and engaged effectively. Exploring the management of cultural institutions in Africa and their potential for global impact and sustainable development is the goal of this research study. The study relies on the extensive review of available literature, case studies, and in-depth interviews with key informants, and data obtained, subjected to content and thematic analyses. It aims to uncover flexible management techniques that can improve the global reach and sustainable development of African cultural institutions by examining successful models and cutting-edge approaches. The results of this study will help those responsible for administering Africa’s cultural institutions to formulate practical guidelines and policy recommendations. Africa can further establish its cultural identity, advance cultural diplomacy, and utilize its cultural capital to propel social and economic advancement by utilizing the potential of these institutions for global impact and sustainable development.

Required Institutions in Economic Development

Required Institutions in Economic Development

Systematic review of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of retinal vein occlusion.

To assess the methodological quality of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for the diagnosis and management of Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO). A systematic review of CPGs for the diagnosis and management of RVO was carried out with a search in databases, metasearch engines, CPG development institutions, ophthalmology associations and CPG repositories until April 2022. Search update was performed on April 2023, with no new record available. Five CPGs published in the last 10 years in English/Spanish were selected, and 5 authors evaluated them independently, using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE-II) instrument. An individual assessment of each CPG by domain (AGREE-II), an overall assessment of the guide, and its use with or without modifications were performed. Additionally, a meta-synthesis of the recommendations for the most relevant outcomes was carried out. The lowest score (mean 18.8%) was for domain 5 'applicability', and the highest score (mean 62%) was for domain 4 'clarity of presentation'. The 2019 American guideline (PPP) presented the best score (40.4%) in domain 3 'rigour of development'. When evaluating the overall quality of the CPGs analysed, all CPGs could be recommended with modifications. In the meta-synthesis, anti-VEGF therapy is the first-choice therapy for macular oedema associated with RVO, but there is no clear recommendation about the type of anti-VEGF therapy to choose. Recommendations for diagnosis and follow-up are similar among the CPGs appraised. Most CPGs for the diagnosis and management of RVO have a low methodological quality assessed according to the AGREE-II. PPP has the higher score in the domain 'rigour of development'. Among the CPGs appraised, there is no clear recommendation on the type of anti-VEGF therapy to choose.

Database Management and Information Security Competencies Required by Administrative Office Managers in the Utilization of Electronic Records in Tertiary Institutions for Sustainable Development

The study determined the competencies required by administrative office managers in the utilization of electronic records in tertiary institutions in Taraba State, Nigeria. Two specific purposes, two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The design adopted for the study was the survey research design. The population for the study comprised 901 (males 659 and females 242) administrative office managers in nine (9) tertiary institutions located in Taraba State. The sample size consisted of 277, determined using Yaro Yamane’s formula. The instrument for data collection was a 4-point rating scale structured questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Competencies Required by Administrative Office Managers in the Utilization of Electronic Records in Tertiary Institutions in Taraba State (QOMCUERTITS). The instrument was validated by three experts and was subjected to internal reliability testing using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient. The overall reliability index obtained was 0.85. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and t-test to test the research hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that database management and information security competencies are required by administrative managers in the utilization of electronic records. The gender of administrative office managers in tertiary institutions was not significant in database management and information security competencies required in the utilization of electronic records. It was recommended that there should be training and retraining programmes for lecturers to acquire and teach competencies areas of database management and information security.

Database Management and Information Security Competencies Required by Administrative Office Managers in the Utilization of Electronic Records in Tertiary Institutions for Sustainable Development

The study determined the competencies required by administrative office managers in the utilization of electronic records in tertiary institutions in Taraba State, Nigeria. Two specific purposes, two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The design adopted for the study was the survey research design. The population for the study comprised 901 (males 659 and females 242) administrative office managers in nine (9) tertiary institutions located in Taraba State. The sample size consisted of 277, determined using Yaro Yamane’s formula. The instrument for data collection was a 4-point rating scale structured questionnaire titled “Questionnaire on Competencies Required by Administrative Office Managers in the Utilization of Electronic Records in Tertiary Institutions in Taraba State (QOMCUERTITS). The instrument was validated by three experts and was subjected to internal reliability testing using Cronbach Alpha reliability coefficient. The overall reliability index obtained was 0.85. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and t-test to test the research hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that database management and information security competencies are required by administrative managers in the utilization of electronic records. The gender of administrative office managers in tertiary institutions was not significant in database management and information security competencies required in the utilization of electronic records. It was recommended that there should be training and retraining programmes for lecturers to acquire and teach competencies areas of database management and information security.

THE INFLUENCE OF E-WOM AND CORPORATE REPUTATION ON DOWNLOAD INTENTION

<p>One of the competent institutions for character development and human resource development is higher education. A higher education institution can be considered of high quality if it has the appropriate techniques in processing all supporting elements, including good coordination systems between the university and students, as well as between students and the university as a form of preparing human resources that can compete. Along with the development of time in supporting natural resource management and accompanied by rapid technological development, various alternative local applications have emerged according to the urgent needs in maximizing the performance of a company, especially in terms of coordination. Universitas Bunda Mulia itself has provided an application for users in the academic environment, specifically students. This research aims to determine the impact of EWOM and Corporate Reputation on the intention to download the Universitas Bunda Mulia application. The approach used in this research is quantitative with regression tests. Our target sample is Universitas Bunda Mulia students and alumni. The sampling technique we used is the convenience sampling method with multiple regression analysis as a data analysis method.</p>

The effect of financial development and legal institutions on financial inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose of the studyThis study examines the impact of financial development on financial inclusion and the moderating role of legal institutions in enhancing the effect of financial development on financial inclusion in sub-Sahara Africa. The previous literature does not explain how financial development could improve financial inclusion even though the systems theory of financial inclusion argues so. Design/methodology/approachUsing data from WDI for 41 sub-Sahara Africa countries between, 2000–2020, a two-step system GMM and quantile regression models are used to estimate the objectives of the study. The study takes into consideration the exceptional impact of COVID-19 and the importance of internet usage, along with other macroeconomic factors. FindingsThe sys-GMM shows that financial development positively influences financial inclusion. Across diverse measures of financial development and estimation techniques, a consistent and significant positive relationship is observed. Furthermore, the quantile regression approach reveals that at the 25th,50th, and 75th quantile of financial inclusion, the effect of financial development is positive. In both the sys-GMM and quantile regression, the effect of institutions on financial inclusion is positive and also positively moderate the association between financial development and inclusion. Financial is influenced by other key macroeconomic variables. Recommendations/valueThe study recommends that Governments and policymakers prioritize initiatives aimed at advancing financial development in sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, enhancing the legal and regulatory environment governing financial services, encompassing aspects such as contract enforcement, property rights protection, and corruption reduction, is crucial for sustained financial inclusion. ImplicationsOpen innovation in the financial sector, particularly in mobile payments, can benefit from the positive impact of financial development on inclusion. Also, open innovation in delivery services can benefit from financial inclusion initiatives, ensuring that individuals and businesses across diverse economic strata have access to efficient and affordable financial delivery services.

INTEGRATION OF DIGITAL MEANS IN THE FINANCIAL SPHERE: THE POTENTIAL OF CLOUD COMPUTING, BLOCKCHAIN, BIG DATA AND AI

The integration of digital means in the financial sphere nowadays is not just a necessity, but also a strategic step that determines the further development of this industry. The modern world of finance bets on high technologies, namely on such key areas as Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The purpose of our article is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the potential of Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in the context of their impact on the financial sphere. The object of our article is the financial sphere, including banking, the investment sector, insurance, and other component industries that interact with finance. As a result of the conducted research: the advantages and disadvantages of the integration of digital means in the financial sphere are considered; the potential of Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Big Data and AI in the financial sphere was investigated; it is emphasized that all these technologies are already changing the financial sphere and have great potential for further development. Thanks to them, financial institutions can be more competitive, respond faster to changes in the market, and provide more innovative services for customers. Therefore, the integration of these digital means into the financial sphere is a necessity and a key direction for the further development and modernization of the industry. Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies enable financial institutions to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer service.The challenges of implementing new technologies in the financial sector include the absence of a unified regulatory framework, high costs associated with transitioning to digital platforms, and resistance from traditional players. These challenges can be addressed by creating clear regulations, providing financial support to companies transitioning to digital technologies, and fostering partnerships between innovative startups and large financial institutions for collaborative development and implementation of technological solutions.