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Research Article
Digitalization and Climate-Smart-Technologies Drive Sustainable Rural Women Entrepreneurship
Evelyn Dayanara Solorzano Guerra*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
68-73
Received:
28 March 2026
Accepted:
9 April 2026
Published:
22 July 2026
Abstract: Globalization is reshaping rural economies through digital transformation and increasing environmental pressures, creating both opportunities and challenges for women-led entrepreneurship. In this context, technological innovation has emerged as a key mechanism for promoting sustainability, competitiveness, and inclusion. The objective of this study is to analyze two emerging global trends—namely inclusive digitalization and climate-smart technologies—and their implications for rural women entrepreneurship within a prospective horizon of 2026–2031. The research adopts a qualitative approach with an interpretative and prospective orientation, based on documentary analysis of academic literature and international institutional reports. The findings reveal that inclusive digitalization facilitates market access, enhances business visibility, and improves productivity by enabling rural women entrepreneurs to overcome structural and geographical barriers. At the same time, climate-smart technologies contribute to strengthening resilience and sustainability in rural production systems by optimizing resource use and improving adaptive capacity in the face of climate change. However, the results also indicate that persistent structural inequalities, particularly in terms of gender, access to technology, and digital capabilities, continue to limit the full potential of these innovations. The study concludes that technological innovation plays a multidimensional role in rural development, simultaneously influencing economic performance, environmental sustainability, and social equity. It also highlights the need for inclusive innovation ecosystems and targeted policies to ensure that technological transformation leads to equitable and sustainable outcomes for rural women entrepreneurs.
Abstract: Globalization is reshaping rural economies through digital transformation and increasing environmental pressures, creating both opportunities and challenges for women-led entrepreneurship. In this context, technological innovation has emerged as a key mechanism for promoting sustainability, competitiveness, and inclusion. The objective of this stud...
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Research Article
Real-Time Digital Feedback and Employee Productivity: Evidence from Bangladesh’s Telecommunications Industry
Tanjela Hossain*,
Mohammad Thoufiqul Islam
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
74-88
Received:
14 June 2026
Accepted:
1 July 2026
Published:
22 July 2026
Abstract: The widespread use of digital technologies is driving the evolution of performance management systems (PMS), with real-time feedback becoming a prominent component of modern HRM. Considering the above scenario, this paper examines the association between real-time digital feedback and employee productivity in the Bangladeshi telecommunication industry. To achieve this objective, the research design involved a quantitative phase in which 268 respondents were selected for a survey. For the analysis of the quantitative data, structural equation modeling (SEM) in SPSS and SmartPLS 4.0 was used. The findings indicate that real-time digital feedback is positively associated with both employee engagement and productivity. Employee engagement partially mediates the relationship between digital feedback and productivity. Furthermore, it was found that the perceived usefulness of feedback acts as a moderator, enhancing the relationship between real-time feedback and employee engagement. Similarly, organizational support for feedback culture moderated the relationship between real-time feedback and employee productivity. This study seeks to integrate the JD-R and TAM models to provide a theoretical framework for explaining the association between the use of digital feedback systems and employee behavior in an emerging economy. The contributions of this research are to add to the existing body of knowledge about digital PMS by highlighting the role of engagement and other contextual factors that may influence the relationship.
Abstract: The widespread use of digital technologies is driving the evolution of performance management systems (PMS), with real-time feedback becoming a prominent component of modern HRM. Considering the above scenario, this paper examines the association between real-time digital feedback and employee productivity in the Bangladeshi telecommunication indus...
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Research Article
The Influence of BookTok on Algerian Readers’ Purchasing Behavior: A Case Study of Shakespeare Bookstore
Yousra Mebarek*,
Lamia El Mokretar,
Abdelaziz Barkat
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
89-96
Received:
22 April 2026
Accepted:
3 May 2026
Published:
24 July 2026
Abstract: BookTok, a reading-focused sub-community on TikTok that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, is revolutionizing the publishing industry and reshaping how consumers approach book purchases. Through user-generated content, including book reviews, recommendations, and literary discussions, the platform has transformed how readers discover and purchase books, attracting increasing academic attention worldwide. However, despite the growing body of international research, empirical evidence on BookTok's influence on consumer purchasing behavior in the Algerian context remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the influence of BookTok on Algerian readers' purchasing behavior across four key dimensions: purchase frequency, English-language book purchases, romance genre purchases, and backlist title purchases. To achieve this objective, a quantitative research approach was employed using an online survey distributed via Shakespeare Bookstore’s social media platforms to Algerian BookTok users. A total of 274 valid responses were collected and analyzed. Results revealed that exposure to BookTok significantly influenced all four dimensions of purchasing behavior examined in this study. The strongest influence was observed on readers’ purchase frequency and purchases of English-language books, while its effect on romance and backlist title purchases was comparatively less pronounced. Overall, these results provide empirical evidence that BookTok is becoming an influential component of the Algerian book market. The relatively low to moderate effects observed may reflect the platform's recent emergence in Algeria, suggesting that its influence on readers' purchasing behavior could continue to expand as its adoption grows. These findings offer valuable insights for publishers and booksellers seeking to engage readers, better understand their preferences, and promote book sales through digital platforms.
Abstract: BookTok, a reading-focused sub-community on TikTok that surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, is revolutionizing the publishing industry and reshaping how consumers approach book purchases. Through user-generated content, including book reviews, recommendations, and literary discussions, the platform has transformed how readers discover and purchase...
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Research Article
Perceptions and Practices of Sustainable Tourism Resources in Jirapa Municipal: A Case Study of Wulling Mushroom Rocks
Evelyn Eresung Dakura*,
Moses Kukpieng Mwinnuore,
Ellen Louise Olu Fagbemi
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
97-117
Received:
1 October 2025
Accepted:
25 October 2025
Published:
24 July 2026
Abstract: Tourism has increasingly been recognized as a powerful tool for promoting local development, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. However, the extent to which tourism contributes to sustainable development largely depends on the perceptions and practices of host communities. This study explores community perceptions and practices regarding sustainable tourism resources at the Wulling Mushroom Rocks in the Jirapa Municipal of Ghana’s Upper West Region. The objectives were to examine community awareness of sustainable tourism principles, assess perceptions of the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental impacts of tourism, and investigate the practices adopted by residents to protect and utilize the Wulling Mushroom Rocks as a tourism resource. A qualitative methods approach was employed, combining with in-depth interviews, and participant observation. A sample of 30 community members, including traditional leaders, local youth, women’s groups, and tourism stakeholders, was selected using purposive techniques. Thematic content analysis was applied to qualitative responses. The findings revealed that while the community generally holds positive perceptions about the socio-economic benefits of tourism including employment opportunities, improved livelihoods, and cultural pride there is limited awareness of long-term sustainability practices. Most respondents associated tourism sustainability with economic benefits rather than environmental conservation or cultural safeguarding. Traditional practices, such as community-led land protection rituals and cultural festivals, were found to contribute indirectly to resource sustainability. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, weak institutional support, poor waste management, and low community participation in formal decision-making processes hinder effective sustainable tourism practices. The study concludes that sustainable tourism at the Wulling Mushroom Rocks requires a balance between local cultural traditions, environmental stewardship, and economic opportunities. It recommends capacity-building initiatives to improve community knowledge of sustainable practices, stronger collaboration between the Ghana Tourism Authority, District Assembly, and local stakeholders, as well as the establishment of community-based management frameworks to ensure inclusive participation and shared benefits. This research contributes to the growing literature on sustainable tourism in Ghana and highlights the critical role of local perceptions and practices in shaping the future of community-based tourism resources.
Abstract: Tourism has increasingly been recognized as a powerful tool for promoting local development, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. However, the extent to which tourism contributes to sustainable development largely depends on the perceptions and practices of host communities. This study explores community perceptions and practice...
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Research Article
Empirical Examination of Governance, Institutions, and Leadership Effects on Africa’s Economic Growth
Abang Samuel Oweh*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
118-131
Received:
14 October 2025
Accepted:
25 October 2025
Published:
27 July 2026
Abstract: This study empirically investigates the impact of governance quality, institutional strength, and leadership dynamics on economic growth in Africa, employing a robust econometric panel data approach. Using data from 30 African countries spanning the period 2000-2024, the research integrates fixed effects and system generalized method of moments (GMM) estimations to mitigate potential endogeneity, omitted variable bias, and country-specific heterogeneity. The analysis focuses on key governance indicators such as the rule of law, control of corruption, government effectiveness, and regulatory quality, alongside institutional quality indices and leadership accountability metrics, to determine their combined and individual effects on real GDP growth. The empirical findings reveal a statistically significant and positive relationship between governance quality and economic growth across the continent. Specifically, countries with stronger institutional frameworks and higher levels of transparency in leadership tend to experience more stable and sustained economic expansion. The results further indicate that governance-related variables such as control of corruption and rule of law exert a particularly strong influence on growth in low-income, fragile, and resource-dependent economies, suggesting that the benefits of good governance are especially pronounced in countries with weaker structural foundations. Moreover, leadership accountability and institutional integrity emerge as key mediating factors that enhance the effectiveness of economic policies and promote investor confidence. These outcomes underscore the central role of governance and institutional reforms in fostering sustainable development and long-term macroeconomic stability in Africa. The study concludes that economic growth in the region cannot be achieved solely through market liberalization or resource exploitation but must be complemented by governance frameworks that promote accountability, reduce corruption, strengthen judicial and administrative institutions, and ensure inclusive participation in policy implementation. Consequently, it recommends that African governments intensify efforts toward institutional capacity-building, enhance public sector transparency, and nurture transformative leadership committed to democratic principles and policy continuity. By aligning governance practices with development goals, Africa can unlock its economic potential, attract investment, and achieve inclusive and resilient growth trajectories across the continent.
Abstract: This study empirically investigates the impact of governance quality, institutional strength, and leadership dynamics on economic growth in Africa, employing a robust econometric panel data approach. Using data from 30 African countries spanning the period 2000-2024, the research integrates fixed effects and system generalized method of moments (GM...
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Research Article
Education Inequality and Successful Ageing in China: Historical Legacies and Policy Implications
Wenxuan Zhong,
Raul Barreto*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
132-152
Received:
20 October 2025
Accepted:
31 October 2025
Published:
27 July 2026
Abstract: Did historical access to education, or lack thereof, make Chinese older adults’ perception of themselves unique as compared to their counterparts across the world? We consider the impacts of idiosyncratic institutional development, particularly in terms of access to formal education, on objective and subjective ageing in China. Using data from a 2018 survey of 6118 aged Chinese, we endogenously identify and generate three composite latent factors representing objective cognitive ability, subjective self-evaluation of health and well-being, and incidence of age-related ailments. We define two linear simultaneous equations representing subjective and objective successful ageing to find that Chinese adults maintain an observable distinction between the two. We further observe the consequences of China’s historical lack of access to formal education amongst this age group and its impact on their ageing. While those directly affected by the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) do not show any direct negative impact on the cognitive ability as older adults, being subject to these policies has permanently impaired their self-esteem, thereby exerting a discernible indirect effect on the cognitive ability of Chinese older adults. Our results demonstrate the importance of multidimensional evaluation of ageing and identify the potential impact of promoting lifelong learning as a Chinese policy response. We suggest that the government recognise the value of cognitive rehabilitation to compensate for the insufficient educational opportunities when young.
Abstract: Did historical access to education, or lack thereof, make Chinese older adults’ perception of themselves unique as compared to their counterparts across the world? We consider the impacts of idiosyncratic institutional development, particularly in terms of access to formal education, on objective and subjective ageing in China. Using data from a 20...
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Research Article
African Economies - The Engine of International Development
Idowu Oduola*,
Ayonimi Mary
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2026
Pages:
153-158
Received:
8 May 2026
Accepted:
18 May 2026
Published:
27 July 2026
Abstract: African economies occupy a pivotal but contested role in the contemporary landscape of global development. Recent decades have witnessed moderate growth, rising foreign investment, demographic dividends, and policy initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, structural constraints including governance gaps, debt burdens, limited infrastructure, and variable institutional quality temper progress. This paper synthesizes theoretical and empirical literature on African economic growth, testing key determinants across 48 countries from 1995 to 2023 using panel data econometrics. We employ dynamic panel estimation (Generalized Method of Moments, System-GMM) and error-correction modelling to assess how trade openness, foreign direct investment (FDI), financial inclusion, public debt, and governance indicators influence GDP growth. Empirical results indicate that governance quality and infrastructure investment are stronger predictors of sustained growth than FDI alone with specific econometric data, Figures, and tables grounded in current literature and empirical sources. Case studies of Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda illustrate heterogeneity in development trajectories. The findings underscore the dual importance of domestic policy reforms and international partnerships for Africa’s role in global development. Imperatively, Africa’s integration into the global economy presents both development challenges and investment opportunities. This study examines Africa’s evolving position in the global economy, focusing on development challenges and investment opportunities using panel econometric techniques.
Abstract: African economies occupy a pivotal but contested role in the contemporary landscape of global development. Recent decades have witnessed moderate growth, rising foreign investment, demographic dividends, and policy initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, structural constraints including governance gaps, debt b...
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