Performance Of Sector Research Articles

Assessment of Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sector in a Low-income Country: A Descriptive Study.

In high-income countries and emerging economies, pharmaceutical manufacturing is a driver for socioeconomic development. In sub-Saharan Africa, local pharmaceutical production is still fledgling largely because of historical economic and technological asymmetry. In Ethiopia alike, this environment has changed little despite six decades long operations and several support initiatives; access to essential medicines remained a persistent challenge. Despite a few fragmented reports on trends and profiles of the sector, in-depth investigations into underlying challenges remain limited. This study explores the perspectives and insights of upfront executives and technical personnel in the Ethiopian pharmaceutical industry on its current state, challenges and opportunities for enhancing local production capacity. The findings are triangulated with literature reports and provide valuable insights for developing intervention strategies and policy updates. A validated structured survey questionnaire was disseminated to professionals working in local pharmaceutical companies. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to study the effects of different factors on the performance of the local manufacturing sector. Over half of the professionals (55.1%) rated the current production technology as advanced while 68% described it as semi-automated. Close to one-third (31.6%) reported that the companies are operating at acceptable level of performance, and 51.5% reported low-capacity utilization in their companies. Most professionals (67.8%) viewed export market activities as poor and many identified weak research and development activities. Unplanned operations downtimes, limited physical infrastructure, inadequate access to foreign currency, shortage and highstaff turnover of qualified experts, lack of commitment from top management, absence of merit-based support system and limitations in compliance with regulatory and quality requirements were reported as major challenges. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that capacity utilization (α = 0.008), research and development capacity (α = 0.014) and export market activities (α = 0.027) have significant impact on the sector performance. Despite commendable efforts by the industry and government, limitations in financing, infrastructure, qualified workforce, and quality system implementation are affecting capacity utilization and performance. Absence of reliable staff attraction and retention system, lack of effective leadership and non-favourable working environment were identified as missing elements. Enhancing economies of scale and capacity utilization, addressing policy and infrastructure bottlenecks, providing merit-based support for R&D and quality management, and implementing staff attraction and retention strategies are key steps towards developing competent local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector.

The impact of digital technologies on public service delivery: the role of organizational structures and decision-making

Purpose To fill a research gap in the current literature, using resource dependence theory, this study aims to investigate the role of organizational structures and decision-making processes in mediating the relationship between digital technology and service delivery in public organizations in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study used a quantitative technique with the use of partial least squares structural equation modelling, analysing data from a stratified random sample of 450 respondents from diverse organizations. Findings The findings show that digital technologies have a major impact on organizational structures and decision-making, resulting in improved service delivery. With an R-square value of 0.839, the measurement model shows strong validity and reliability and accounts for 83.9% of the variance in service delivery. These findings highlight the need for public organizations to implement a thorough digital transformation plan that includes cultural shifts and leadership development to maximize service delivery results. Originality/value The research offers significant contributions to theory and practice, assisting practitioners and policymakers in using digital technology to enhance public sector performance.

Assessing potential reductions of agricultural GHG in countries with different land productivities: Long-term integrated efficiency in DEA hybrid meta-frontier model.

Globally, the agricultural sector is responsible for the emission of ca. 9.3 gigatons of CO2 equivalent annually. A realistic efficiency model orientation, considering agricultural policy objectives in a given region of the world, is a crucial premise for finding the optimal path for achieving global targets of emission reduction. The main objective of this article is to assess agricultural greenhouse gases (GHG) potential reductions in countries with different farming productivity accounting for food security and economic performance of agricultural sector. The analysis focuses on non-radial slack that, theoretically, may be easily reduced by the improvement in available resource management. The DEA-based hybrid super-efficiency meta frontier model with undesirable output was employed, using the efficiency approach integrating three sustainability dimensions. The dataset consisted of data from 99 countries (2005-2018) divided into clusters. Several potential model orientations were tested and discussed with regard to agricultural policy objectives. It was found that by reducing slacks, agricultural emissions can be decreased by 0.74 Gt of CO2eq per year. Hence, removing only management inefficiencies would help achieve up to 80% of the global reduction targets in agriculture without a substantial technological change. However, the efficiency change component turned out to be mainly negative over the period studied; thus, a specific focus on agricultural policy is needed in terms of supporting farmers with a more rational use of their resources.

Capturing Inter and Intra Sectoral Productivity Spillovers in Industrial Filière: A System of Dynamic Spatial Panel Data Models

ABSTRACTGiven the relevance of spatial and sectoral interactions in shaping the productivity performance of economic systems and filières, in this study, we suggest addressing both aspects by estimating a system of simultaneous dynamic spatial panel data models. This approach allows to consider how the production level of a specific sector is influenced by the performance of other interconnected sectors in the same area (cross‐sectoral spillovers) as well as the role of productivity spillovers originating from the same or other sectors in neighbouring territories (inter and intra sectoral spatial effects). The validity of the proposed approach is confirmed through the estimation of a simultaneous system for the production process of the Italian agribusiness filière. The results indicate the existence of meaningful inter‐dependences within and between sectors and territories that materialises in spillovers of different natures (input factors, internal and external features), offering valuable policy implications for the overall economic growth of the agriculture filière.

Analyzing the Use of the (PATROL) Early Warning Model in Assessing the Financial Performance of The Banking Sector in Iraq

This paper describes the financial performance of the banking sector in Iraq using the PATROL early warning model. The research found the strengths and weaknesses in bank operations and forecasted the financial crises using data from 2018 to 2022 to enhance performance. The indicators included capital adequacy, credit risk, profitability, organizational efficiency, and liquidity, with performance rated on a scale from "very good" to "poor." Related findings proved that the Iraqi banks would be entirely successful in financial performance regarding most indicators and scaling-high in capital adequacy, profitability, organization, and liquidity, in accordance with sound management and robust operations. However, credit risk posed challenges because the assets demonstrated lower quality compared to other indicators. Findings from the research suggest the importance of the PATROL model in guiding regulatory authorities in monitoring financial health, correcting imbalances, and improving stability. Overall, the empirical study tends to validate the effectiveness of the model as a strategy for improving and assessing financial outcomes in the banking sector. The research study has been geared towards the analysis of the financial performance of the banking sector in Iraq using the PATROL early warning model. The research found strengths and weaknesses in bank operations and predicted the financial crises using data from the years 2018 to 2022 to enhance performance. The indicators included capital adequacy, credit risk, profitability, organizational efficiency, and liquidity which were rated with respect to performance on a scale from "very good" to "poor." Related findings proved that the Iraqi banks would be entirely successful in financial performance regarding most indicators and scaling-high: capital adequacy, profitability, organization, and liquidity according to sound management and robust operations. However, credit risk posed challenges, which showed lower quality assets compared to other metrics. The research points out the usefulness of the PATROL model in guiding regulatory authorities to monitor the financial health, correct imbalances, and improve stability. In general, the empirical study seems to affirm the efficacy of the model as a scheme for assessing and improving financial outcomes not just for the banking sector, but for all sectors.

Policies and strategies to control antimicrobial resistance in livestock production: A comparative analysis of national action plans in European Union Member States.

Policy strategies targeting imprudent antimicrobial use (AMU) in livestock farming have been established at the global and country levels, recognising the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study evaluates the strategies addressing AMU and AMR in animal farms and the food supply chain in EU Member States using a multimethod approach. Our aim is to contribute to the debates surrounding the goals set by the EU Commission and the 'Strategic framework for collaboration on antimicrobial resistance: Together for One Health'. We first review the policies, strategies and specific legislation in the European Union (EU) and Member States about AMU/AMR in livestock production. We then evaluate the national action plans for AMU reduction in the EU using the progressive management pathway tool from the FAO. Finally, we assess the measures that affect AMU reduction by applying a system generalised method of moments to a 8-year panel of the same countries. According to our results, efforts to reduce AMU could be focused on controlling excessive AMU in the pig sector. Further veterinary training on AMU/AMR and improvements in the performance of the veterinary sector, as well as strengthening the development of multisector and One Health collaboration and coordination, can also contribute to achieving better standards in AMU reduction in the livestock sector and, consequently, for AMR control.

Impact of E-government on Institutional Performance: Fostering Sustainable Higher Educational Practices

This study explores the role of e-government services in enhancing institutional performance, with a specific focus on Northern Border University (NBU). E-government initiatives have transformed public sector operations globally by improving accessibility, transparency, and efficiency. This study employs the E-GOVQUAL model, a widely recognized framework for evaluating the quality of e-government services, and assesses key dimensions such as interactivity, information quality, ease of use, support quality, functionality, privacy, and aesthetics. Through a structured questionnaire targeting NBU employees and faculty members, the study examines how the quality of e-government services impacts institutional performance. Ten questions on institutional performance and 21 questions based on the E-GOVQUAL model are formulated. The data were organized and analyzed by using Smart PLS software. The findings reveal that all dimensions of e-government services have a statistically strong positive effect on institutional performance, with strongest factors being information quality, interactivity, and web functionality. The study underscores the importance of optimizing e-government services to improve institutional efficiency, reduce transaction times, and increase user satisfaction. By providing insights into the impact of e-government on institutional outcomes, stakeholders understand the ongoing efforts to enhance public sector performance through effective digital transformation. Keywords: E-government, GOVQUAL, Northern Border University, public service, institutional performance

Too hard to die: an empirical overview of the post-pandemic resilience and financial performance of the Italian fashion industry

PurposeResearchers have paid limited attention to how the fashion sector has evolved in the years following the pandemic. This study aims to address this gap by providing an overview of the Italian fashion sector and its financial performance related to the concept of resilience.Design/methodology/approachThe model is based on a segmentation analysis of 5,129 firms in the Italian fashion sector, utilizing financial variables such as return on equity and return on sales. Moreover, it employs significance tests with the aid of Levene’s test and ANOVA.FindingsIt was discovered that the debt ratio, operating cash flow and aggregate growth ratio (AGR) over a five-year period exhibit significant differences across clusters. Additionally, it was determined that the debt ratio and operating cash flow are key financial indicators of firm resilience. These data have confirmed the resilience of the Italian fashion sector.Originality/valueThis study is among the first to focus on the financial performance of the Italian fashion sector, its resilience and post-pandemic recovery, as well as employing a reverse engineering system to identify the most suitable financial indicators for defining a sector’s resilience.

Economy and banking sector performance: Spillover effect of Uncertainty of Covid-19 on Non-performing loans of Turkish Agricultural sector

Economy and banking sector performance: Spillover effect of Uncertainty of Covid-19 on Non-performing loans of Turkish Agricultural sector

Foreign Exchange Market and Manufacturing Sector Performance in Nigeria

Foreign Exchange Market and Manufacturing Sector Performance in Nigeria

Evaluating employee performance in the Indian manufacturing sectors: identifying critical success factors

Purpose Effective human resource management and organisational success depend heavily on measuring employee performance. This paper aims to investigate multiple factors that are crucial in assessing and measuring employee performance in Indian manufacturing sectors. Further prioritisation of the manufacturing industries based on their practices is conducted to measure employee performance. Design/methodology/approach The LOCOW approach has been used in this study to determine the relative weightage of the factors that assist in measuring employee performance, and the MARCOS method prioritises manufacturing industries. Findings Through weightage, criteria show that task performance is given the most weightage, followed by adaptability and contextual performance in the manufacturing sectors. The top three industries are oil and gas, steel and automobile. Practical implications This study gives manufacturing industries the tools they need to improve their HR practices, get better work from their employees and stay ahead of the competition in a constantly changing industry. Originality/value The current work examines the weightage among the factors that aid in assessing employee performance; further, the use of MARCOS technique prioritises the industries, which can be considered the original contribution.

Foreign Exchange and the Permaformance of Manufacturing Sector in Nigeria: A Disaggragrated Anaylsis

The manufacturing sector in sub Saharan–Africa, particularly Nigeria is handicapped with numerous challenges like affordable energy, multiple taxation and foreign exchange; a key driver of manufacturing activities. Therefore the primary objective of this study is to examine the impact of foreign exchange on the performance of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria using disaggregated analysis. Data were sourced from secondary materials collected from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin on manufacturing sector output, foreign exchange availability, foreign exchange rate, Nigeria foreign reserves and inflation rate from 1999 -2021. Econometric-view (E-view version 9) statistical tool was used to run the Ordinary Least Square Regression Analysis. The findings of the study revealed that during the period under consideration, foreign exchange availability (FEA) has negative and significant impact on the growth of the manufacturing sector at P-value of 0.017. Foreign exchange rate (EXR) has positive and significant impact on the manufacturing sector of Nigeria, while Nigeria foreign reserves (NFR) has positive but insignificant impact at P-value of 0.547. Inflation rate has a negative and insignificant impact on the growth of manufacturing sector at -1.187 (P = 0.256). Based on the findings, the study recommended that monetary authority should take urgent steps to tackle the foreign exchange crisis and maintain a sustainable exchange rate. Importantly, foreign exchange is made available to importers of industrial raw materials and at the same time grow the country’s foreign reserves. Also, local industries should be developed to reduce dependence on imported materials and thereby conserved foreign exchange.

Contactless Fatigue Level Diagnosis System Through Multimodal Sensor Data

Fatigue management is critical for high-risk professions such as pilots, firefighters, and healthcare workers, where physical and mental exhaustion can lead to catastrophic accidents and loss of life. Traditional fatigue assessment methods, including surveys and physiological measurements, are limited in real-time monitoring and user convenience. To address these issues, this study introduces a novel contactless fatigue level diagnosis system leveraging multimodal sensor data, including video, thermal imaging, and audio. The system integrates non-contact biometric data collection with an AI-driven classification model capable of diagnosing fatigue levels on a 1 to 5 scale with an average accuracy of 89%. Key features include real-time feedback, adaptive retraining for personalized accuracy improvement, and compatibility with high-stress environments. Experimental results demonstrate that retraining with user feedback enhances classification accuracy by 11 percentage points. The system’s hardware is validated for robustness under diverse operational conditions, including temperature and electromagnetic compliance. This innovation provides a practical solution for improving operational safety and performance in critical sectors by enabling precise, non-invasive, and efficient fatigue monitoring.

Operation Research — The Influence of Venture Capital on the Growth of E-Commerce Listed Enterprises

Venture capital (VC) is essential for the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developed e-commerce countries. SMEs play a crucial role in the economic development of both developing and developed countries. This paper proposes the influence of VC on the growth of e-commerce in SMEs using the propensity score matching (PSM) method. PSM is defined as the statistical analysis of observational data, where a statistical matching method attempts to evaluate the impacts of a treatment or policy. The experimental results show that the effect of e-commerce on SMEs who received VC financing experience improves the performance of employment growth and sales. Our findings reveal that VC significantly enhances employment rates and sales performance in e-commerce sectors. The study underscores the critical role of VC in driving innovation and growth within SMEs, providing valuable insights for investors and policymakers aiming to foster economic development.

Economic Complexity and Sectoral Performance in Africa: The Role of Economic Governance Institutions

ABSTRACTIn line with earlier research on economic development, which viewed development as a process of structural modification of the productive structure, this study concentrates on economic complexity and its role in the developmental process. We studied how economic complexity and economic governance institutions affect sectoral performance in Africa, and how economic governance institutions are moderating the economic complexity‐sectoral performance nexus in the region. The study covered a sample of 30 African countries over the period 2010–2021, and used both the dynamic system GMM and the Driscoll and Kraay (1998) standard errors fixed effect estimation techniques. We find that economic complexity and economic governance institutions individually have negative unconditional effects on the agricultural, manufacturing, and services sectors in Africa. We also find that economic governance institutions on the continent failed to moderate the adverse effect of economic complexity on sectoral performance. These findings indicate that the low level of economic complexity in African economies and the weak governance institutions that have plagued the continent have both contributed to its poor sectoral performance. In line with these findings, we provided policy recommendations, which emphasized the need for economic diversification and governance institutional reform in Africa.

Analysis of the Use of Social Media on the Performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Sector in North Sumatra: Perspectives Dynamic Capability Theory

Analysis of the Use of Social Media on the Performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Sector in North Sumatra: Perspectives Dynamic Capability Theory

Effect of Unrelated Diversification Strategy on Organizational Performance among Star-Rated Hotels in the Kenyan Coast

Despite its growth, potential contribution to the economy and being an integral part of tourism destinations, the performance of the hotel sector has remained susceptible to both domestic and global uncertainties. Most of the studies conducted in developed countries concentrate majorly on manufacturing firms. This creates a gap in developing countries. This study was guided by the following objective: To examine the effect of unrelated diversification strategies on organizational performance among star-rated hotels on the Kenyan coast. An embedded mixed method comprising a descriptive survey and explanatory research design was used. The study was conducted on the Kenyan coast. Stratified random sampling techniques were used to select the hotels, Purposive sampling was used to select Strategic managers and random sampling technique was adopted to select both middle and lower-level managers. Data was collected through a questionnaire and interview schedule. 383 questionnaires were distributed and 29 managers were interviewed. Descriptive statistics and simple linear regression were used to analyze data. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. 354 questionnaires were dully filled representing a 92.7% return rate while 29 general managers interviewed represented 80.6%. The simple regression model result showed that R-squire = 0.558. This means that 55.8% of performance is explained by conglomerate and collaboration diversification strategies. The result indicated that conglomerate diversification strategies (p-value < 0.0001) and collaboration diversification strategies (p-value = 0.031) are significant predictors of the performance of star-rated hotels on the Kenyan Coast. The null hypothesis was tested and rejected. According to the findings, the study recommends that hotels wishing to increase or retain their financial position and market share and also achieve economy of scale even during business turbulence should employ an unrelated diversification strategy. This will ensure hotels' high performance and sustainability during business distress such as the COVID-19 pandemic or decline in product lifecycle

Exploring the Link between Human Resource Management Practice and Employee Performance in the IT Sector: A Case Study of Karnataka State

This research article aims to understand the effect of human resource management practices on employee performance in IT sectors. This study helps in evaluating the relationship between Human Resource Management practices and worker performance. The main objective of this research paper is to study the exploring of HRM practices on employee’s performance and to suggest the improvement in HR Practices. A questionnaire is distributed to the IT employees at the beginning of the study to gather data. To conduct the study, statistical methods are used and hypotheses are formulated. Applying statistical methods, the data is examined. The survey is limited to employees in IT-related businesses. The conclusions and findings are provided based on the data collected. The present research further shows that since employees now have a more favourable opinion of HRM procedures, there has been a decrease in absences from work and an increase in earnings for the company.

Energy Performance of the Iron Ore Mining Sector in Brazil in the Period from 2011 to 2020

Energy Performance of the Iron Ore Mining Sector in Brazil in the Period from 2011 to 2020

Assessing Basel Capital Regulations: Exploring the Risk and Efficiency Relationship in Emerging Economies

This research investigates the relationship between Basel capital regulations, bank risk, and bank efficiency in the context of Pakistani and Indian commercial banks. This study examines the period from 2009 to 2022 and specifically analyses the impact of Basel III capital requirements on risk and efficiency. Quantitative methods are employed, utilising data from central bank websites and the BankScope database to construct a comprehensive sample of commercial banks in Pakistan and India. The system-generalised method of moments (GMM) estimation technique addresses potential endogeneity issues in the regression models. The findings shed light on the effectiveness of these regulations and provide insights for policymakers and regulators in both countries. The results indicate that Basel capital regulations have generally increased banks’ risk-taking behaviour in Pakistan and India. However, they have not improved the overall efficiency of the banking sector in either country. Bank efficiency declined during the study period, highlighting the limited effectiveness of Basel capital regulations in enhancing efficiency. Furthermore, the impact of these regulations on risk and efficiency varies between the two countries. In Pakistan, the regulations do not significantly affect bank efficiency, while in India, they decrease efficiency. Additionally, Basel III capital regulations do not significantly impact the risk taken by banks in either country. This study concludes by emphasising the need for alternative mechanisms or policies to improve the banking industry’s efficiency, as Basel capital regulations alone have proven ineffective. The findings offer valuable insights for central banks and regulators in assessing the relationship between capital regulations, risk, and efficiency and implementing appropriate measures to enhance the performance of the banking sector. This study recommends the following key points: the adoption of tailored regulatory approaches to address specific challenges, achieving an optimal balance between risk management and operational efficiency, enhancing the effectiveness of management roles, considering the influence of macroeconomic factors, and evaluating the implications of long-term policy development for sustainable progress. The present study adds to the prevalent literature on the impact of capital regulations on bank risk and efficiency nexus. This study focuses on Pakistan and India, which are two important developing nations. Moreover, another important contribution of this study lies in the effect of Basel III capital regulation on bank risk, as these capital regulations are different from other Basel capital requirements.