Philosophical Inquiry Research Articles

Frugal Innovation Strategies and Supply Chain Performance of Food and Beverage Firms in South-South Nigeria

This study explored frugal innovation strategies and supply chain performance of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. It critically analyzed the dimensions of frugal innovation strategies (value innovation, cost cutting advancement and technological innovation) and relate them to supply chain performance measures (product availability, on-time delivery and supply chain flexibility) of food and beverage firms. The study applied the positivist research philosophy and correlational research design. The population of this study comprised 82 registered food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. The sample size consisted of 68 food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. The Taro Yamene’s formula was used to determine the sample size for the study. The sampling unit consisted of managers of the selected food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection in this study. The data collected were analyzed statistically while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) was used to test the formulated hypotheses. The SPSS software program version 24 was used to correlate the data collected on the study variables. The findings revealed that value innovation has a significant relationship with product availability, on-time delivery and supply chain flexibility of food and beverage firms. This study also revealed that cost cutting advancement has significant relationship with product availability, on-time delivery and supply chain flexibility of food and beverage firms. The study equally revealed that technological innovation has a significant relationship with product availability, on-time delivery and supply chain flexibility of food and beverage firms. Based on these findings, it was concluded that frugal innovation strategies such as value innovation, cost cutting advancement and technological innovation are significant predictors of supply chain performance of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. Based on the findings and conclusion, it was recommended that food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria should adopt frugal innovation strategies as it would improve their supply chain performance.

Macroeconomic Factors and Stock Price Volatility at Nairobi Securities Exchange

The stock price volatility has been a problem in stock markets affecting the stock returns of firms listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). Although some scholars have focused on the issue of high share price volatility, the issue persists and still hinders the development of the market. This study main objective is to determine the effects of macroeconomic factors on volatility of stock prices of stock market in Kenya. The specific objectives are; to establish the effects of inflation on stock prices of stock market in Kenya; to establish the effects of interest rates on volatility of stock prices of stock market in Kenya; and to establish the effects of exchange rates on stock prices of stock market in Kenya. The research was anchored on four theories and two models namely the Arbitrage pricing theory, Modern portfolio theory, information cascade theory, Fisher’s theory, Efficient market hypothesis and present value model. The research applied a causal research design, which followed the positivism philosophy of research and knowledge creation. The study focused on analyzing the effects of macroeconomic factors on volatility of stock prices of the NSE 20 share index in Nairobi Securities Exchange over a period ranging from 2009 to 2021. The design allowed collection of monthly data on the study variables and time series analysis of the hypothesized relationships between independent and dependent variables and conducted both descriptive statistical analysis and inferential statistical analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis involved generation of central tendency statistics such as mean, minimum and maximum points of the data as well as standard deviations to show the spread of the data from the mean. The inferential statistical analysis utilized in this study was Error Correction Model, guided by the results of cointegration tests. From the descriptive statistical analysis, the study found that between 2009 and 2021, interest rates demonstrated an average of approximately 9.155, inflation averaged around 150.916, foreign exchange rate maintained an average of roughly 94.219, and stock price volatility averaged 0.4%. The Error Correction Model revealed that, interest rates have no significant effect on stock price volatility of NSE 20 share index (β = -0.00034, p.value = 0.805). Similarly, inflation has no significant effect on stock price volatility of NSE 20 share index (β = -0.0000394, p.value = 0.218). However, foreign exchange has negative and significant effect on stock price volatility in Kenya (β = -0.0139, p.value = 0.017). The study concluded that interest rates and inflation have no significant effect on stock price volatility in Kenyan stock market, while foreign exchange has inverse and significant effect on stock price volatility. Thus, the study recommends that market participants, including government, investors, traders, policy makers and financial institutions, should incorporate foreign exchange rate movements into their risk management strategies. Adequate measures and policies such as market circuit breakers and enhanced risk management protocols should be in place to ensure smooth market operations and prevent any disruptions due to changing foreign exchange dynamics

The Influence of Technological Capability on Internationalization Status of Public Universities in Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine influence of technological capability on internationalization status of public universities in Kenya. Descriptive research design was used to conduct the study. Methodology: The study employed a descriptive research design. This research study used positivism research philosophy. The target population comprised of all the 31 fully chartered public universities in Kenya. Since the population was small, no sampling was done and a census approach was applied in the study. Primary quantitative data was assembled by administering structured questionnaires. To analyze quantitative data, descriptive analysis, factor analysis and inferential statistics were used. Descriptive analysis comprised of the standard deviations and means. Inferential statistics comprised regression and correlations. Both multiple and linear regressions was used. Coding and analyzing of data was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 26.0). Tables, diagrams and charts were further used to display the outcomes. Findings: From the study findings technological capability had a statistically significant and positive influence on internationalization status. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Research findings showed that there was need for improvement in the use of online platforms for teaching and research.  The study therefore recommends that public universities should therefore invest in upgrading of their online platforms for teaching and research so as to increase on their economies of scale.

Role of Intuition in Philosophical Inquiry

Purpose: This study sought to examine the role of intuition in philosophical inquiry. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library. Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to the role of intuition in philosophical inquiry. Preliminary empirical review revealed that philosophers frequently relied on intuition as a heuristic tool for generating hypotheses and evaluating arguments. The study also highlighted significant cross-cultural variations in the conceptualization and utilization of intuition in philosophical reasoning. Moreover, neuroscientific methods revealed the neural mechanisms underlying intuitive processing during philosophical tasks. Overall, the study deepened our understanding of the complexities of philosophical inquiry and identified avenues for future research to enhance the quality and rigor of philosophical research. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Reflective Equilibrium theory, Foundationalism and Coherentism may be used to anchor future studies on the role of intuition in philosophical inquiry. The study made several recommendations, contributing to theory, practice, and policy. It suggested further exploration into the nature of intuition, including its cognitive mechanisms and neural correlates, and recommended integrating empirical methods into philosophical research. Additionally, the study emphasized the importance of cultivating metacognitive awareness among philosophers and promoting ethical guidelines for the responsible use of intuition in research and dissemination. It also advocated for the integration of diverse perspectives and voices in philosophical inquiry to foster inclusivity and enrich discourse. Overall, these recommendations aimed to advance theoretical understanding, inform practical interventions, and guide policy initiatives in the field of philosophical inquiry. Keywords: Intuition, Philosophical Inquiry, Metacognitive Awareness, Ethical Guidelines, Cognitive Mechanisms, Neural Correlates, Interdisciplinary, Diversity, Inclusivity, Discourse, Responsible, Advancement

Return of the organism? The concept in plant biology, now and then

AbstractThis essay argues for the importance of an organismic perspective in plant biology and considers some of its implications. These include an increased attention to plant-environment interaction and an emphasis on integrated approaches. Furthermore, this essay contextualizes the increased emphasis on the concept of organism in recent years and places the concept in a longer history. Recent developments in biology and worsening environmental crises have led researchers to study plant responses to changing environments with whole plant approaches that situate plants in their environments, emphasizing the intricate and dynamic interaction between them. This renewed attention to the organism recalls the debates of the early twentieth century, when organicism was one of the three main frameworks in biology (along with vitalism and mechanism). Some scholars see this renewed importance today as a “return” of this earlier period. This essay argues that including insights from plant biology will benefit philosophy of biology research that examines the concept of organism and organicism now and in earlier periods. A comprehensive account of the concept of organism should involve a botanical conception of the organism as well as a zoological one (which is more frequently considered). Although this essay does not aim to present a conceptual analysis, it presents examples of how an organismic perspective can be useful for understanding concepts (such as phenotype, stress, etc.) and research processes (such as experiment set-ups, data processes, etc.) in plant biology. Philosophy of biology investigations that aim at a comprehensive understanding of the concept of organism can benefit greatly from examinations of cases in plant biology, both now and in the past.

Value Innovation Strategies and Sales Growth of Food and Beverage Firms in South-South Nigeria

This study examined value innovation strategies and sales growth of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. The study adopted the positivist research philosophy and the correlational research design. The population of this study consisted of all the 82 registered food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. The sample size of 68 firms was used for the study. The sample size was determined using the Taro Yamene’s formula. The sampling unit was made up of managers of the 68 selected food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used as the main instrument for data collection. The data collected were analyzed statistically while the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) was used to test the formulated hypotheses. The SPSS software program version 24 was used to perform the bivariate analysis. The findings revealed that ideation has a significant relationship with sales volume growth of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. This study also found a significant relationship between ideation and sales revenue growth of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. A significant relationship was found between value creation and sales volume growth of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. The study equally found a significant relationship between value creation and sales volume growth of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria Based on these findings, it was concluded that value innovation strategies such as ideation and value creation significantly relate to sales growth of food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria. Based on the findings and conclusion, it was recommended that food and beverage firms in South-South Nigeria should adopt value innovation strategies as it would enhance the sales growth of their firms.

Recent empirical work on religious experience: New directions

AbstractNovel developments in neuroscience, psychology, and anthropology have spawned a thriving empirical literature on religious experience. Previous literature in the cognitive science of religion has largely ignored empirical results from these fields, focusing narrowly on results from evolutionary psychology. Additionally, it has ignored the epistemological relevance of non‐paradigmatic cases of religious experience discussed in the literature from these subspecialties. In this article I submit that philosophical research on religious experience should take empirical work outside of evolutionary psychology as its primary foci towards uncovering fresh perspectives. I focus on three different literatures from neuroscience, psychology, and anthropology as case studies for generating novel philosophical research. I show that empirically‐discovered factors related to non‐paradigmatic religious experiences raise crucial and unique epistemological questions.

Engaging Children in Philosophical Inquiry through Picturebooks

Children’s picturebooks present meaningful opportunities for thinking through life’s important questions. In this article, the authors outline the process and benefits of using picturebooks to support philosophical inquiry amongst preschool and elementary aged children. We discuss how philosophical inquiry can promote critical thinking in children, considerations in the use of culturally responsive and abolitionist feminist curriculum and pedagogy in teaching philosophy, and we highlight the utility of multiple stakeholder collaboration for successful philosophical inquiry projects in schools. The article closes by discussing key recommendations for the implementation of philosophical inquiry programs in preschool and elementary schools. Keywords: philosophical inquiry, picturebooks, philosophy, critical thinking, multiculturalism, abolition feminism

Effect of Social Media Influencer Involvement on Tourists’ Travel Intentions: Mediating Role of Traveler Authenticity and Destination Image

Although TikTok recently emerged as a travel marketing medium, how TikTok influences tourists' perceptions of travel experience and travel intention remains unclear. This paper addresses this void by constructing a structural model that delineates the mechanism by which the involvement of social media influencers with TikTok influences tourists' travel intention through authenticity and destination image. A questionnaire survey follows the positivist research philosophy and deductive research approach. The questionnaire was distributed among 384 tourists, and the data was analysed using partial least squares or structural equation modelling. Findings revealed that social media influencers' involvement with TikTok increases object-based and existential authenticity and cognitive and affective images of travel experience, ultimately influencing travel intention. Moreover, object-based and existential authenticity and cognitive and affective images of travel experiences mediate the link between social media influencers' involvement with TikTok and tourists’ travel intentions. The results add to tourism marketing literature by blending authenticity with the cognitive-affective model in the context of TikTok travel marketing in Sri Lanka.

Assessment of Factors Impacting Water Supply Services in Lusaka District: A Case of Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company

The water supply situation in Lusaka district faces numerous challenges related to reliability, accessibility, and sustainability of water supply services. Despite a population of 3,079,964, only 134,807 household connections were established by LWSC in 2022. With a record 4.5% population increase from 2022 to 2023, the demand for water stands at over 420,000 cubic meters per day, while LWSC produces 250,000 cubic meters per day. Groundwater, accounting for 57% of LWSC's water, is threatened by land development and pollution. Meanwhile, 45% of the population relies on site sanitation, contributing to groundwater pollution, the very source LWSC is dependent upon. Lusaka faces low or no water supply, an average of 18 hours per day. Despite existing research on the peri-urban water supply, a gap remains in addressing the challenges of rapidly growing urban areas like Lusaka. This study aims to fill this gap by providing a comprehensive analysis focusing on the unique challenges faced by LWSC, such as land development, population growth, and climate change. The research will offer practical solutions for sustainable water supply management in Lusaka and similar contexts. The research philosophy employed for this study is interpretivism, as it allows for a deep understanding of the subjective experiences and perceptions of experts involved in the water supply sector in Lusaka. This approach aligns with the qualitative nature of the research, which aims to explore and understand the complex interactions between various factors influencing water supply services in the district. The findings of the study reveal that climate change, population growth, and land development are significant factors influencing water supply services in Lusaka. Erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts have led to challenges in water availability and quality, while rapid population growth has increased the demand for water supply services, putting pressure on the existing infrastructure. Unplanned land development has also led to challenges in water supply services, particularly in areas with shallow water tables that are vulnerable to groundwater pollution. The study recommends investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, diversifying water sources, enhancing water conservation practices, and strengthening land use planning regulations to address these challenges and ensure the sustainability of water supply services in Lusaka.

Investigating the Influence of Project Initiation Management on Performance of Mega-dam Projects: Empirical Evidence from Kenya

Performance of large projects including mega-dams could be associated with strict adherence to project life cycle (PLC) phases while considering the risks such as displacement of people and natural ecosystem disturbance. Understanding these risks helps project managers and stakeholders make informed decisions thus creating a positive legacy for the project in the long run. The main objective of the research was to determine how project initiation management influences the performance of mega-dam projects in Kenya. This study was guided by positivist research philosophy. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. In this study, the unit of analysis was 18 mega-dam projects launched and completed across Kenya as listed under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (MoWSI) while the unit of observation was the respective three officials (project manager, project engineer, geospatial engineer) in the MoWSI. A Census of all mega-dams completed in Kenya was conducted. In addition, the study purposively interviewed 5 key stakeholders including the cabinet secretary, permanent secretary from the MWSI, donor, contractor, and one randomly selected beneficiary from the community with the target mega-dam. This formed a total sample size of 180 respondents. Primary data was collected using the semi-structured questionnaires as well as the Key Informant Interview (KII) guide. Quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources and perspectives provided a more comprehensive and robust understanding. Pretesting was done by way of pilot testing to ascertain the validity and reliability of the tools. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize and describe the key characteristics of the data, as well as draw conclusions and make inferences. Correlation findings showed that project initiation management and performance of selected mega-dam projects in Kenya have a strong positive and significant relationship (r= 0.874, p<0.05). In addition, regression findings showed that one-unit rise in project initiation management corresponds to a 0.433 improvement in the performance of these mega-dam projects. Based on the findings, the study concluded that project initiation management positively and significantly influences the performance of selected mega-dam projects in Kenya. This study therefore recommends that project managers should give priority to project initiation management

An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship between Project Planning Management and Performance of Selected Mega-dam Projects in Kenya

The main objective of this paper was to determine the relationship between project planning management and the performance of mega-dam projects in Kenya. This study was guided by positivist research philosophy. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. In this study, the unit of analysis was 18 mega-dam projects launched and completed across Kenya as listed under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (MoWSI) while the unit of observation was the respective three officials (project manager, project engineer, geospatial engineer) in the MoWSI. A Census of all mega-dams completed in Kenya was conducted. In addition, the study purposively interviewed 5 key stakeholders including the cabinet secretary, permanent secretary from the MWSI, donor, contractor, and one randomly selected beneficiary from the community with the target mega-dam. This formed a total sample size of 180 respondents. Primary data was collected using the semi-structured questionnaires as well as the Key Informant Interview (KII) guide. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources and perspectives provided a more comprehensive and robust understanding. Pretesting was done by way of pilot testing to ascertain the validity and reliability of the tools. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize and describe the key characteristics of the data, as well as draw conclusions and make inferences. Correlation snalysis found that project planning management had a positive significant relationship with the performance of selected mega-dam projects in Kenya (r= 0.869, p<0.05). Furthermore, regression found that the project planning management coefficient is 0.497, suggesting that a one-unit improvement in project planning management corresponds to a 0.497 improvement in the performance of these mega-dam projects. Based on the findings, the study concluded that project planning management positively and significantly influences the performance of selected mega-dam projects in Kenya. This study therefore recommends that project managers should give priority to project planning management

A Tracer Study on the Employment Status of Accounting and Finance Graduates from Furra College, Hawassa Campus, from 2009-2013 Ethiopian Calendars (E.C.)

This tracer study focuses on the employment status of accounting and finance graduates from Furra College, Hawassa Campus, between 2009 and 2013 Ethiopian Calendars. The study adopts a pragmatic research philosophy, utilizing a combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches to gather comprehensive data on the graduates' career outcomes. A descriptive research design is employed, with data collected through survey questionnaires and document reviews. Concerning the first specific objective, results show a high employment rate (80%) among graduates, with a significant portion (14%) engaged in entrepreneurship and a low unemployment rate (6%). In relation to the second specific objective, the findings from the survey of accounting and finance graduates from Furra College, Hawassa Campus, reveal a high level of job satisfaction among those employed in the accounting field. Based on the responses from the 15 purposively selected employers, it is evident that they are highly satisfied with the knowledge, skills, and attitude exhibited by accounting and finance graduates from the years 2009-2013 E.C. The study highlights the importance of quality education, support for entrepreneurship, and addressing unemployment issues to ensure the continued success and growth of graduates in the field. Generally, the study presents a promising outlook for accounting and finance graduates from Furra College, while also identifying areas for further improvement to sustain their success in the job market.

Linguistic imposters

Abstract There is a widespread phenomenon that we call linguistic imposters. Linguistic imposters are systematic misuses of expressions that misusers mistake with their conventional usages because of misunderstanding their meaning. Our paper aims to provide an initial framework for theorising about linguistic imposters that will lay the foundation for future philosophical research about them. We focus on the misuses of the expressions ‘grooming’ and ‘critical race theory’ as our central examples of linguistic imposters. We show that linguistic imposters present a distinctive phenomenon by comparing them to some adjacent phenomena, namely conceptual engineering, linguistic hijacking and dogwhistles. We also address four objections about the extensional adequacy of our definition of linguistic imposters. Finally, we argue that, as linguistic imposters spread, they make some inferences featuring misused expressions more cognitively accessible and seemingly socially licensed to misusers and discuss four types of harms that linguistic imposters are conducive to through these effects.

Che cos'è la paura?

The first pandemic texts, published in the book Where Have We Gone? Epidemic as Politics (“A che punto siamo? L'epidemia come politica”, Quodlibet, 2020), link Agamben's central notion of ”bare life” to fear, placing it at the center of his predictions for the sunset of bourgeois democracies and the rise of despotism based on the notion of ”biosecurity”. The theme culminates in the essay ”What is Fear?” presented here. Unlike the previous ones, it originally appeared on the website of the Italian Institute for Philosophical Research. Being the most philosophically saturated text of the series, it rethinks the key categories of Heideggerian existential analytics, fear and fearing, in the horizon of the pandemic situation, problematizing the ontological priority given by Heidegger to anxiety over fearing, in order to derive fearing as the mood through which power is established and justified.

Exploring the effect of dynamic capabilities on operational excellence, moderated by environmental dynamism in the apparel industry

PurposeThe effect of dynamic capabilities on operational excellence and the moderating effect of environmental dynamism on the relationship between operational excellence and dynamic capabilities in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka were investigated while developing new psychometric scales to assess operational excellence and dynamic capacities constructs.Design/methodology/approachWe followed the exploratory sequential research design with a mixed-method research approach, aligning with the pragmatic research philosophy. Thus, both qualitative and quantitative research methods were followed.FindingsDynamic capabilities positively affect operational excellence, and environmental dynamism moderates the relationship between operational excellence and dynamic capabilities in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka such that when a higher environmental dynamism exists, a weaker positive relationship exists between dynamic capabilities and operational excellence. The two main dimensions of the operational excellence construct are continuous improvement of sustainable operational performance and sustainable competitive advantages. It empirically confirmed that sensing, seizing and reconfiguring capabilities are the three main dimensions of the dynamic capabilities construct.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was limited to the apparel industry in Sri Lanka. This research phenomenon should be explored in other industrial sectors worldwide to generalize the findings. The practitioners in the apparel sector may improve the organizational dynamic capabilities to achieve operational excellence and keep a strong positive relationship between dynamic capabilities and operational excellence in a highly dynamic environment if they address out-of-family situations with out-of-the-box thinking.Originality/valueWe generated two new empirical findings: (1) dynamic capabilities positively affect operational excellence, and (2) environmental dynamism moderates the relationship between dynamic capabilities and operational excellence. Also, we introduced validated new scales for assessing operational excellence and dynamic capabilities.

Venture Capital and Financial Performance of E-Commerce-Driven Firms in Kenya

Purpose: Businesses that rely on e-commerce for growth frequently find that their ability to obtain sufficient capital is critical to their success. Funding from venture capital firms is essential in this context. Due to insufficient capital, e-commerce-driven businesses in Kenya have continuously underperformed financially. Numerous of these businesses, such as Rupu, OLX Kenya, and ePay, encountered financial difficulties and eventually lost the ability to continue operating. This study's main objectives were to evaluate the impact of capital management support, financing options, and cost of capital on the financial performance of Kenyan e-commerce businesses. Additionally, the study sought to fully evaluate the moderating impact of regulatory structure on venture capital funding and the financial performance of Kenyan e-commerce-driven firms. The trade-off, stakeholder, financial liberalization, and agency theories all lend credence to this research. The research philosophy of positivism, which emphasizes the use of empirical data to evaluate theories and hypotheses, was applied to perform this study.
 Methodology: The study examined a population of 45 e-commerce-driven businesses that obtained venture capital financing between 2017 and 2022 using a descriptive cross-sectional survey research approach. A stratified simple random sampling design technique was employed to choose 45 e-commerce-driven businesses as a sample. Surveys were distributed to collect primary data. Important stakeholders, including investors, executives, and founders, were among the participants in the study. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the data, such as measures of central tendency (particularly the mean), variability (expressed by the standard deviation), and frequency distributions. Regression analysis, an inferential statistic, was also employed in the study to investigate the relationship between venture capital funding and financial success. The gathered data were coded before entering into the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) program to make the analysis process easier. The analysis's final results were provided as tables.
 Findings: The findings showed that the cost of capital, financing strategies, and capital management support significantly impact Kenyan e-commerce enterprises' financial performance. The aggregate score of 3.73 in cost of capital indicated consensus among participants on the impact of venture capital on e-commerce companies' financial performance. Participants perceived a significant correlation, with a standard deviation of 1.15 reflecting varying opinions. Most agree that lower venture capital costs lead to better financial success, influencing organizations' financial decisions significantly. The study concluded that venture capital funding has a considerable impact on the financial performance of e-commerce-driven enterprises in Kenya. The report advised management to thoroughly understand the total cost of capital related to venture capital funding.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study on venture capital and financial performance of e-commerce-driven firms in Kenya has made significant contributions to theory, practice, and policy. It has enhanced theoretical understanding by examining the relationship between venture capital investments and the financial performance of e-commerce firms, providing insights into the dynamics of these markets. In practice, the study has offered valuable guidance to e-commerce entrepreneurs and investors by identifying factors that influence financial performance and informing strategic decision-making. Additionally, the findings have implications for policy formulation, as they highlight the importance of fostering an enabling environment for venture capital investments in the e-commerce sector to spur economic growth and innovation in Kenya.

Blue Brain Technology: Exploring the Potential of Simulating the Human Brain

We are already fascinated by what the human brain is capable of since scientists have used their intelligence to accomplish some very amazing achievements. Blue brain technology helps in the creation of a digital replicate based on that brain. Technical challenges arise when rebuilding complex tissues and defining virtual "realities," but the ethical considerations are more obvious. Is it possible to extract the essence of the "real" from the machine? Do we possess the technological capacity to redefine who we are? It is necessary to research the possible advantages, such as revolutionary Neurotherapy that can unlock the secrets of the brain and preserve personal intelligence for a lifetime, but philosophical research into what defines who we are is also necessary to move forward in this field. Is it simply a matter of muscles activating, or is there another factor involved? The Blue Brain Project challenges our ideas of what it is to be human, and it encourages us to proceed cautiously, morally, and in readiness for the revolutionary path that lies ahead. With a chance to completely transform our understanding of consciousness, identity, and what it means to be human, it is important that we responsibly. Develop and understand the ethical and philosophical implications of our research into human brain mapping. Keywords: Digital replicate, Complex tissues, Virtual realities, Neurotherapy, Brain mapping

Enterprise Risk Management Practices and Financial Performance of Apparel Industry in Sri Lanka

The apparel industry plays an important role in the Sri Lankan economy. However, based on the previous literature, apparel factories continuously face many internal and external risks and business recessions that affect their performance. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to identify the impact between enterprises' risk management practices and firm’s financial performance.To achieve the said objective, researchers carried out a questionnaire-based survey of 167 managers who were involved in enterprise risk management in the apparel industry in Sri Lanka, applying a simple random sampling method. This study is quantitative research that adopts ontological and positivist research philosophy. The Statistical analysis has been done through correlation coefficient analysis with the SPSS software.Results found that small apparel factories' risk management systems turned out to be relatively weak and informal. Further, firm size and management attitude toward risk have been shown to significantly impact enterprises’ risk management practices and company financial performance. The findings confirmed a strong positive correlation between risk management practices and financial performance in the Sri Lankan apparel sector.

Ermakov Equations can be Derived from Zel’dovich Pancake, and they are Cold and Nonlocal through using Neutrosophic Venn Diagram

As we argue in the previous article [3], the labyrinthine worlds of Jorge Luis Borges are more than captivating narratives; they are portals to a deeper understanding of existence. By weaving elements of science-fiction fantasy with philosophical and ethical inquiries, Borges's short stories bridge the seemingly disparate realms of physics and the humanities, offering fertile ground for contemporary physics research. The present-day universe consists of galaxies, galaxy clusters, one-dimensional filaments and two-dimensional sheets or pancakes, all of which combine to form the cosmic web. The so called ”Zeldovich pancakes”, are very difficult to observe, because their overdensity is only slightly greater than the average density of the universe. Falco et al. presented a method to identify Zeldovich pancakes in observational data, and the method were used as a tool for estimating the mass of galaxy clusters [2]. Here we provide an outline from Zel’dovich pancake to Burgers equations to represent cosmic turbulence, and then from Burgers equations to Ermakov dynamics systems, which in turn they plausibly lead to nonlocal current.