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Research Article
Impact of Cash Transfers on School Enrolment and Attendance by Gender in Kenya
Jared Masini Ichwara*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
156-176
Received:
31 May 2025
Accepted:
16 June 2025
Published:
10 July 2025
Abstract: School enrolment and attendance are education performance outcomes that are important for human capital development. In Kenya and other developing countries, majority of children have low school enrolment and attendance ratios due to low access to social services by poor families and gender differences. This paper investigates the impact of cash transfers on human capital development through school enrolment and attendance in Kenya. We applied nonlinear and propensity score matching regression models on a nationally representative household survey to investigate the impact of non-conditional government cash transfers on children’s school enrolment and attendance. The empirical evidence shows that children in cash transfer-receiving households differ from those in non-recipient households. We note that the gender gap in school enrolment and attendance is narrowing but girls are still in a disadvantaged position. We find that cash transfers have an impact on human capital development through children’s school enrolment and attendance in Kenya and they are capable of addressing gender disparities with significant effects in both girls and boys, though the girls are still in a disadvantaged position. To effectively disrupt the intergenerational cycle of poverty, the building of sufficient human capital through cash transfers requires enhancement of the fiscal space and establishment of governance administrative structures that are accountable and transparent in their delivery mechanism of cash transfers. To bridge the gender gap, gender mainstreaming should take centre stage in the allocation of cash transfers.
Abstract: School enrolment and attendance are education performance outcomes that are important for human capital development. In Kenya and other developing countries, majority of children have low school enrolment and attendance ratios due to low access to social services by poor families and gender differences. This paper investigates the impact of cash tr...
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Research Article
The Conditional Promise of FDI: New Insights from South Asia’s Growth Experience
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
177-191
Received:
4 June 2025
Accepted:
18 June 2025
Published:
10 July 2025
Abstract: This paper investigates how Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) affects economic growth in five South Asian countries—Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal—between 2019 and 2023. Although FDI is often seen as a key driver of development through capital investment, technology transfer, and improved management practices, its actual impact on economic growth in developing countries remains unclear. This study builds on the Absorptive-Capacity Hypothesis, which suggests that the benefits of FDI depend on how well a country can use the knowledge and resources that come with it. Using macroeconomic data from the World Bank, the study applies panel data techniques and lagged variables to understand the short-run effects of FDI, while also controlling for inflation and trade openness. The analysis begins with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression and continues with Fixed Effects (FE) and Random Effects (RE) models to account for differences across countries. The results show that FDI, when lagged by one year, has a statistically significant negative effect on GDP growth, while trade openness supports growth and inflation reduces it. The Hausman test confirms that the Fixed Effects model is more appropriate, highlighting the importance of country-specific factors. These findings suggest that FDI on its own may not lead to growth unless countries improve their ability to absorb and benefit from it. The paper concludes that strong trade policies, inflation control, and investment in human capital are crucial for ensuring that FDI contributes to long-term economic development in South Asia.
Abstract: This paper investigates how Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) affects economic growth in five South Asian countries—Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal—between 2019 and 2023. Although FDI is often seen as a key driver of development through capital investment, technology transfer, and improved management practices, its actual impact on ...
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Research Article
The Management Accountant in Motivational Budgeting and Work Behaviors Management Employing Contemporary Theories
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
192-209
Received:
4 June 2025
Accepted:
24 June 2025
Published:
7 August 2025
Abstract: The management accountant occupies a conspicuous position in the management system of firms. If there is anything that makes his presence felt in an organization, it is the budget. His values inclination, zeal for motivational budgeting, readiness to imbibe contemporary theories, preferred budgetary system design (authoritarian or humanistic) will determine to a large extent the nature of budget prepared in business organizations and the resulting work behaviours. Employees will normally react negatively to authoritarian accountant’s budgets brewing up counterproductive and antisocial work behaviours. But productive and social work behaviours coupled with organizational effectiveness are often the results of budgets prepared by humanistic management accountant. While conceding the fact that certain organizational settings may require a certain degree of authoritarian management, many accounting literature and related empirical evidence are in support of the fact that in a majority of cases, the humanistic (participatory) approach to budget formation produces better results as far as effectiveness and efficiency of organizations are concerned. This conference paper employs historical and descriptive research methods. It seeks to establish relationship between the management accountant, motivational budgeting, work behaviours management and contemporary theories. It draws much from the works of distinguished theorists in the classical and neo classical era and also from the research pack of Usen Paul Umo in the first quarter of the 21st Century. In total, the unconcerned attitudes of management accountants towards current researches in motivational budgeting and related contemporary theories have raised serious concern. The trend in employees’ work behaviours (especially in developing economies) is dwindling. Strategic innovations in the budgetary system of firms is inevitable. The human element of the budget is not given proper concern. This paper stresses the motivating function of budgeting. It emphasizes the human elements of a budgetary system, related theories and associated benefits. But the benefits do not automatically arise from the budgeting process. They must be worked for. This is because budgeting is a much wider term than mere technique and procedure. It is being seen as part of a process that both influences and in turn is influenced by managerial and employees’ attitudes and behaviours. A humanistic management accountant in motivational budgeting, his inclination to contemporary theories and the zeal for work behaviours management can be described as the panacea: a fruitful cure for all the many ills associated with budgetary system designed by authoritarian management accountant, traditional motivational theories and resulting counterproductive and antisocial work behaviours.
Abstract: The management accountant occupies a conspicuous position in the management system of firms. If there is anything that makes his presence felt in an organization, it is the budget. His values inclination, zeal for motivational budgeting, readiness to imbibe contemporary theories, preferred budgetary system design (authoritarian or humanistic) will ...
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Research Article
Practical Exploration of Organizational Socialization Strategies for New R&D Employees: A Case Study of a Technology Company
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
210-221
Received:
1 July 2025
Accepted:
22 July 2025
Published:
8 August 2025
Abstract: In the context of the digital economy and rapid technological innovation, high-tech enterprises require new R&D employees to integrate into the organization and produce output efficiently, posing challenges to conventional organizational socialization mechanisms. This study uses A Technology Company as a case study to explore its strategic practices during the anticipatory socialization and encounter stages of new R&D employees, utilizing qualitative methods that include semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that during the anticipatory socialization stage, A Technology Company has enhanced its hiring process by using digital tools, including video interviews, electronic resume systems, OCR identity recognition technology, and integration with HRIS, to make it more efficient. The knowledge-focused selection process significantly increased the proportion of R&D staff holding bachelor's degrees. In the encounter stage, a two-track training method is employed: managers are guided in the use of digital mind-mapping tools to sharpen their analytical and planning abilities, while technical personnel apply 3D modeling systems to simulate product functions, thereby reducing design errors and compressing project development timelines from nearly two years to just a few months. In addition, mentorship, structured project management training based on PMP principles, and guided low-risk practice tasks further support new hires in building confidence and proficiency. To foster learning motivation, A Technology Company provides various training programs, annual performance-based bonuses, and educational funding. Cross-functional team collaboration and regular project meetings enhance project operational efficiency and organizational cohesion. This case study applies the Van Maanen and Schein socialization model to high-tech industries, offering practical strategies for companies seeking digital transformation and helping new R&D employees become more adaptable and innovative.
Abstract: In the context of the digital economy and rapid technological innovation, high-tech enterprises require new R&D employees to integrate into the organization and produce output efficiently, posing challenges to conventional organizational socialization mechanisms. This study uses A Technology Company as a case study to explore its strategic practice...
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Research Article
Beneficiary Involvement and Financial Sustainability of Selected Rural Water Supply Projects in Rulindo District
Fils James Shyaka*,
Jean Claude Karekezi
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
222-234
Received:
27 June 2025
Accepted:
14 July 2025
Published:
11 August 2025
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of beneficiary involvement on financial sustainability of selected rural water supply projects in Rulindo District, Rwanda. It focused on understanding how genuine involvement of beneficiaries in the initiation, planning, implementation, and monitoring phases of rural water supply projects can enhance their financial sustainability, using Rulindo District as a case study. A quantitative research design was adopted, with a target population of 20,074 households from three administrative sectors of Rulindo District namely Shyorongi, Rusiga, and Bushoki. A proportional sampling was used to ensure the sample accurately represented the population, with 203 respondents from Shyorongi Sector, 63 from Rusiga Sector, and 111 from Bushoki Sector. Primary data were collected through a self-developed questionnaire, and the reliability of the instrument was tested, yielding Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients above 0.7. The study achieved a 100% response rate. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, multiple linear regression, to explore the contribution of beneficiary involvement on financial sustainability. Quantitative results indicated that beneficiary involvement explained about 54.1% of variance in financial sustainability. The study concluded that the involvement of beneficiaries, particularly during the initiation and monitoring phases, is crucial for achieving financial sustainability. The study recommends that the beneficiaries of rural water supply projects should be involved across all phases of these projects via structured community involvement strategies such as water user committees, participatory rural appraisal, community contracting, stakeholder workshops and consultations, training and capacity building programs, community monitoring and reporting systems and inclusion of women and marginalized groups.
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of beneficiary involvement on financial sustainability of selected rural water supply projects in Rulindo District, Rwanda. It focused on understanding how genuine involvement of beneficiaries in the initiation, planning, implementation, and monitoring phases of rural water supply proje...
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Research Article
Financial Development and Remittances Inflow: Evidence from a Panel of Six Countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
Christopher Ifeanyi Ezekwe*,
Evwienure Ibunor Agama,
James Enebeli
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
235-243
Received:
21 July 2025
Accepted:
4 August 2025
Published:
20 August 2025
Abstract: The complexity of the nexus between financial development and remittance inflows in Africa has remained largely underexplored. Therefore, we contributed to the literature by providing more specific and valuable insights into the channels through which financial development affects inward remittances in a panel of six (6) ECOWAS countries (Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone). We utilised panel datasets from the World Bank and IMF Financial Statistics and employed the Mean Group (MG) estimator, the Hausman test, and summary statistics for the analysis. The findings showed that the long-term implications of financial institutions' development on remittance inflows are positive. In particular, the effects of financial institution access and efficiency on personal remittances are positive in the long run. This finding indicates that greater access to financial services and efficient, cost-effective allocation of financial resources are beneficial for mobilising personal remittances to the ECOWAS region. Additionally, overall financial development positively affected personal remittances in the long run, being significant at the 5% level, which suggests that gradual and consistent improvements in financial institutions' activities—such as increased access to services, size, efficiency, and stability play an important role in mobilising diaspora remittances to the ECOWAS sub-region. However, the depth of financial institutions has a positive effect on personal remittances. This finding is not significant at the 5% level, indicating that the size of financial institutions relative to GDP has not significantly enhanced the inflows of migrants’ remittances. Based on these findings, we recommend that governments and monetary authorities within ECOWAS collaborate efforts to promote financial development and expand digital financial services, thereby providing a sustainable roadmap for increased remittance inflows.
Abstract: The complexity of the nexus between financial development and remittance inflows in Africa has remained largely underexplored. Therefore, we contributed to the literature by providing more specific and valuable insights into the channels through which financial development affects inward remittances in a panel of six (6) ECOWAS countries (Ghana, Ma...
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