Advanced Research in Economics and Business Strategy Journal

Leadership and Digital Governance Innovation in French Local Authorities: A Post-NPM Perspective on Open Data

Hamid Bachir-Bendaoud — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines the role of leadership in adopting and implementing digital governance innovations within French local authorities based on a case study (2022-2024) of a shared open data project. Using the post-New Public Management (post-NPM) framework, the analysis highlights the importance of hybrid political and administrative leadership in overcoming organisational resistance and coordinating the players involved. However, the transition to fully post-NPM governance remains incomplete. The study, therefore, highlights the need to rethink organisational structures, resources, and cultures if these innovations are to have a lasting impact on local practices.

Machine Learning and Financial Investment: Game Changers for Circular Business Models – EU Performance Score Analysis

Mohsin Muhammad Elahi , Zahid Ur Rehman , Abdullah Muhammad Hassan — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The paper explores the methods by which Circular Material Use Rates (CURMs), Financial Investment (FI), and Machine Learning (ML) influence the performance of Circular Business Models (COP) in the EU by examining case studies from three groups: Leaders, Paradoxes, and Laggards. Leaders use machine learning (ML) to mitigate waste; however, they must also develop novel technologies, such as quantum-driven recyclables, to compensate for the declining capacity utilisation rate (CURM), which reappears. GGI and CMUR enhance COP and contribute to sustainability initiatives by encouraging resource optimisation and green practices. At the same time, this group utilises machine learning (ML) as its primary tool to enhance COP due to its willingness to integrate modern technologies quickly. For paradoxes to prevail over structural inefficiencies, FI must be reallocated ahead of digital integrity and AI-enhanced hybridisation. To find ways to modernise infrastructure, laggards rely on EU government green initiatives (GGI) and decentralised models (e.g., solely resource cycles). The research promotes the implementation of adaptive policies, including AI sandboxes, risk transfer funds, and legitimate governance, to ensure that interruptions in technology, financial flexibility, and equitable transition are balanced. These insights enable the EU to establish a model for broad, high-performance circular economies.

The Impact of Servant Leadership on Employee Career Success in Selected Sub-Saharan African Countries

Jean Claude Kanyabwira, Portia Bilankulu — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Traditionally, servant leaders have been recognized for their ability to foster human and social capital, yet they often struggle with career advancement compared to their self-promoting counterparts. This study, grounded in human capital theory (Becker, 1964; Schultz, 1961), investigates how servant leaders can enhance their organizational status and promotability through informal career mentoring. We tested our model using a sample of 610 leaders across 18 industries and 21 job functions who participated in a leadership development program in selected Sub-Saharan African countries. Data collection involved multi-source assessments: peer evaluations measured servant leadership qualities, direct reports assessed leader mentoring behavior, immediate supervisors evaluated leader status, and superiors determined leader promotability.

The results provide compelling evidence that servant leadership significantly predicts informal mentoring behavior, enhancing leader status and ultimately increasing promotability ratings. Mediation analyses confirm that leader status is crucial in translating servant leadership into career advancement. Additionally, qualitative insights highlight that servant leadership aligns with indigenous leadership values such as Ubuntu, reinforcing its relevance in Sub-Saharan Africa.

These findings contribute to the broader discourse on leadership effectiveness by demonstrating that servant leadership benefits followers and serves as a viable strategy for personal career growth. The study offers practical implications for organizations to incorporate servant leadership principles into leadership development programs, mentorship initiatives, and HRM policies to optimize employee engagement and leadership succession planning.

Contextual Role of Woman Board on Sustainability Practice: Evidence from Indonesian University

Fidiana Fidiana — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This research seeks to explore good practices of sustainability in higher education. 30 Indonesian HEIs are participating in UI Green Metric, selected as research objects because they have represented real sustainability actions in higher education. There are 1147 universities in 95 countries in 2024 as participants in UI Green Metric. Content analysis was conducted to identify and present research data. Data sources were obtained from university websites by targeting important documents such as university strategic plans. Artificial intelligence tools like Perplexity supported content searches with sustainability, green, and environmentally friendly keywords. This research found that most HEIs formed SDG centre units at the institutional level as formal evidence of sustainability commitment. Green campus designs with green space, buildings, and behaviour were also developed to implement sustainability actions. In educational activities and curriculum, several HEIs have sustainably packaged their curriculum with several strategies, such as creating new sustainability courses. The development of this sustainability course is supported by the Masudem international program in the form of a consortium of ASEAN countries (6 countries, 3 of which are from Indonesia) and Europe (6 countries).

Furthermore, community service activities are realized through tree planting and community assistance with a green theme. The findings of this research increase and complement the literature that good practices of sustainability in higher education are not just concepts but have been implemented concretely. The results of this study are expected to motivate other higher education institutions, especially private universities, to participate institutionally in sustainability actions to achieve the SDGs target by 2030.

Exploring the Nexus Between Governance Quality and Export Performance: Evidence from Tanzania in the EAC

Richard Lui Shio, Robert Suphian , Cosmas Masanja — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the relationship between Tanzania's governance quality and the performance of its exports to the EAC members. It is grounded in institution theory and transaction economics theory. Using quantitative panel data from Worldwide Governance Indicators and Tanzania's export performance from 1996 to 2023, the Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimation method was used for the analysis. The results show that only political stability and regulatory quality are statistically significant and positively affect Tanzania's export performance among the six WGI indices. This implies an improvement in Tanzania's political stability and regulatory quality, substantially improves its export to EAC member states. Thus, policymakers should maintain a stable and predictable political system and streamline bureaucratic procedures to ensure immediate and tangible results in Tanzania's export volume growth.

Domestic Tourists’ Willingness to Pay for Natural and Cultural Heritage Sites in Pokhara Valley, Nepal

Arjun K. Thapa, Kumar Bhattarai — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the willingness to pay of domestic tourists for increased entrance fees at selected tourist sites in the Pokhara Valley, Nepal. The study was based on cross-sectional data collected from 130 domestic tourists visiting three purposively selected fee-paying sites in Pokhara. The survey was conducted by using a quasi-random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was administered on a rotational basis across the selected sites. A binary logistic regression model was employed to identify the factors influencing domestic tourists’ willingness to pay. The study found that the mean actual fee was Rs 63.3, while the mean WTP was Rs 101, resulting in a mean consumer surplus of Rs 37.7 per visit. Regression results showed that age (45 years and above), monthly family income (Rs. 10,000-20,000 and Rs. 50,000-100,000), and frequency of recreational visits (2-3 times and 5 or more times in the past two years) significantly influenced the willingness to pay of domestic tourists. The relatively inelastic demand for recreational sites suggests that policymakers and site managers have the flexibility to revise and potentially increase entrance fees at key tourist sites in the Pokhara Valley.

Impact of Exchange Rate Volatility Regime Switching on Inflation in Nigeria

Abdulrahman Abdullahi Nadani , Simon Yusuf — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study utilises a markov switching model, and quarterly data spanning from 1980 to 2023 to analyse the regime-switching responses of inflation in relation to exchange rate volatility. Findings show a greater possibility of transitioning from less volatile to high volatile system, the model stays in the low volatility system for an average of 4 quarters and the high volatility for 7 quarters. In addition, volatility in the exchange rate indicates unfavourable influence on output, as evidenced by the statistically significant negative influence observed in each regime. Additionally, interest rates are negatively impacted by exchange rate fluctuations in the two regimes; this relationship is glaring when volatility is low but not when it is high. Moreover, there is a favourable correlation—albeit not a statistically significant one—between inflation and exchange rate volatility in the low and high volatility systems, respectively. Finally, the Toda-Yamamoto demonstrate a unidirectional influence running from exchange rate volatility to economic growth and inflation but no causal relation with the interest rate in either direction. The study highlights the importance of exchange rate stabilisation, curbing inflationary trends, and the promotion of sustainable growth.

Factors Shaping the Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Tools by Higher Education Students in Tanzania

Dickson Utonga, John K. Gwanyemba, Jacob J. Kilamlya — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a significant innovation with far-reaching global impacts. Nevertheless, students in higher education institutions utilise AI tools inconsistently for various reasons, affecting their practical use. This research examines the factors influencing the adoption of AI tools for academic purposes, specifically learning and research, by higher education students in Tanzania. The study involved 142 students from diverse higher learning institutions and employed a binary probit regression framework to analyse these factors. The results indicate that access to technology increases the likelihood of students adopting AI tools. Additionally, their perceived ease of use and usefulness positively influence the likelihood of adoption. Gender analysis reveals that female students are less likely to adopt AI tools than their male counterparts. Moreover, limited user-friendliness negatively impacts AI tool adoption. The findings highlight the necessity of improving user-friendly interfaces, enhancing technological access, and providing technical support to promote adoption. This research contributes to our understanding of the dynamics of AI adoption in higher education contexts, offering practical implications for policymakers, academic institutions, and developers interested in encouraging the use of AI among students.

Sales Growth as a Moderator Between Leverage and Tax Avoidance: Evidence from Indonesian Real Estate Companies

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The level of tax payment compliance in Indonesia is low, which is one indication of tax avoidance practices. The purpose of the study was to test and analyze the effect of Leverage, Liquidity and Profitability on Tax Avoidance in Real Estate Property Companies and Sales Growth as a moderating variable. Researchers use agency theory and Resource Based Theory. The population in this study consists of 91 property and real estate sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) during the period between 2020 and 2022. A total of 15 companies were selected as the sample using a purposive sampling technique, resulting in 45 observations over the three-year period. The novelty in this study is to add sales growth as a moderating variable on tax avoidance and tests the data using regression analysis with the PLS approach. Sales growth refers to the percentage increase in sales revenue over a specified period, indicating the company’s ability to expand its market share and generate higher income. This will prompt management to engage in tax planning initiatives aimed at mitigating the tax liability. The analysis demonstrated that Leverage, Liquidity and Profitability did not affect tax avoidance in real estate property companies. Sales growth is found to moderate the relationship between leverage and tax avoidance. However

Economic Profitability of Shea Butter Production under Different Production Systems in the 2KP Districts in the Northern Part of Benin

Boni Germain Bio Timperegou, Afouda Jacob Yabi — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The production and marketing of shea butter provide enough benefit to the rural population, especially women. However, its production varies depending on the production systems used: traditional, semi-mechanized, and mechanized. Each system has specific characteristics that influence the economic performance of the processors. This article aims to evaluate the economic profitability of shea butter production according to the different production systems adopted by women processors of the 2KP and identify the socio-economic and technical factors that influence this economic profitability. To this end, empirical data were collected from 200 women butter producers in Kérou, Kouandé, and Péhunco in the northern part of Benin.

The processing of shea nuts into butter is economically profitable in the production areas from the point of view of processors' profit. In addition, the Average Labour Productivity showed a trend equal to the values of the net margin. Therefore, shea butter production is very economically profitable from the point of view of labor remuneration, but only for women who have used modern and semi-modern systems. Furthermore, the factors influencing the economic profitability of this activity for women include, among others, the age, experience of the processor, her level of formal education, the type of system adopted, the distance traveled to access equipment, etc.

Exploring the Relationship between Foreign Direct Investment, External Debt Stock, and Economic Growth in Tanzania

Seth Kenedi Mbwambo, Romanus L. Dimoso — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates the relationship between external debt stock, foreign direct investment (FDI), and economic growth in Tanzania to assess their dynamic effects and causal linkages from 1970 to 2023. The motivation stems from the critical role that external capital flows play in supporting Tanzania's economic development, particularly in rising debt levels and efforts to attract foreign direct investment. Using annual time series data, the study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to capture short-run and long-run dynamics, following stationarity confirmation through the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test. The Bounds test results indicate no evidence of a long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. However, the Granger causality analysis reveals that foreign direct investment (FDI) significantly influences economic growth and external debt, while no causal relationship between external debt and GDP has been detected. The findings suggest that external debt has a significant short-term positive impact on economic growth, while FDI consistently exerts a positive and significant effect. These results highlight the importance of promoting productive foreign investment and ensuring effective utilization of external borrowing to support sustainable economic growth. Policymakers are encouraged to prioritize FDI

Obstacles to effective strategy implementation: Insights from Agricultural Cooperatives in Malawi

Thokozani Zylma Madumuse , Mubanga Mpundu — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The strategy implementation literature remains fragmented, thus requiring further empirical studies to explain SI challenges in different types of organizations. This has influenced the nature of this study, which aims to identify barriers in SI in the novel organizational context of agriculture cooperatives.

This research is a qualitative, multi-firm investigation of the barriers to strategy execution in Malawian agricultural cooperatives. Seven agricultural cooperatives with diverse characteristics that have been in business for at least ten years were purposefully chosen for the study. Managers, chairpersons, and organization members provided information through in-depth interviews facilitated by a semi-structured questionnaire.

Findings include that strategy implementation ineffectiveness results from the lack of understanding of strategy, financial resources, inadequate infrastructure, governance, organizational structure, and low literacy levels. The reasons for the strategy implementation failure originated from the formulation stage, with the lack of understanding of strategy, resource allocation, and strategic direction affecting the type of strategy. It is recommended that agricultural cooperatives, in an effort to transform into competitive businesses, be remodeled into a structure that can influence effective strategy implementation and give them a competitive advantage.

A limited number of in-depth interviews were conducted as access to the other cooperatives was a challenge. However, the number of cooperatives interviewed is a representative sample of the agriculture cooperatives across the country providing deep insights into the topic relevant to the organizational type and industry.

This paper explains why strategy implementation fails in underexplored non-investor firms like cooperatives within the agriculture industry.

Denominational inflation: Limited currency divisibility in cash payment systems – Tanzania as a case study

Francis Stephen Nyonzo — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the impact of the limited divisibility of money on price setting and inflation in Tanzania, a country that relies heavily on cash transactions. Through analyzing bus fares and prices listed in both domestic and international online shopping platforms, the research highlights the economic implications of rounding prices to the nearest available currency denomination due to the absence of small denominations. The analysis reveals that ordinary bus users pay more due to price rounding to the nearest available denominations. Digital payment systems, on the other hand, reduce the need for adjustments that inflate costs. The study employed logistic regression to examine the relationship between the last digit of the price and the two different shopping malls. The findings suggest promoting digital payment systems to enhance the effectiveness of monetary policy, reduce transaction costs, and ensure price accuracy, thereby proposing policy directions for Tanzania to transition from cash-based to digital payment systems.

Assessing the Implication of Physical Well-Being on Job Satisfaction and Performance of Employees in Selected Hotels in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Samuel Adebayo Idowu , Itunu Olu-Ogunleye — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Physical well-being is frequently neglected, yet it is an undeniably significant aspect of overall wellness. Indeed, no single aspect of wellness operates in isolation; hence, emotional, physical, and social well-being are all interrelated. This study, therefore, assesses the implication of physical well-being on the satisfaction and performance of employees in selected hotels in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. This study employs a quantitative research method, distributing an online questionnaire via Google Forms. Convenience sampling method was employed to choose four (4) hotels in Akure that are regarded as part of the top 20 hotels in the city with the total of 120 respondents selected across the hotels. The regression analysis results indicate that physical well-being (R2 = 0.577; t= 12.696; p= 0.000) accounts for 57.7% of the total variance, demonstrating a strong relationship in determining job satisfaction. It was also found that physical wellbeing (R2 = 0.637; t= 14.397; p= 0.000) account for 63.7% of the total variance which is a high coefficient in the determination of employee performance. This study concluded that physical well-being has a positive significant influence on employee satisfaction and job performance. Therefore, it is recommended that organisations should provide extensive healthcare benefits to tackle their employees' health-related concerns. Organisations should implement wellness reimbursements and exercise subsidies for all employees as an integral component of their wellness program to enhance physical well-being.

The Analysis of the Criticality of Data Integrity in Human Resources Information Systems

Dickson Mdhlalose — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: In the fields of information technology and data management, data integrity is a fundamental concept. Data integrity ensures the accuracy, consistency, and dependability of data throughout its existence. This study aims to establish best practices for preserving accurate and trustworthy HR data and to assess the importance of information integrity in HRIS, examining its impact on business decisions, compliance with regulations, and employee confidence. Method: Data from secondary sources were used in this investigation. To assist the study, relevant textbooks were reviewed, and secondary material was gathered online, utilising various search engines. Results: Due to the diverse sources and processes from which HR inputs come, data integrity in HRIS is seldom attained. Organisations can save time, money, and resources by establishing and maintaining data integrity, thereby preventing critical decisions from being made based on incomplete or erroneous data. A fundamental gap with major organisational consequences is the lack of research on data integrity in human resource information systems. The usefulness of this study lies in its thorough presentation of data integrity challenges in the human resources information system. This analysis was limited to secondary data and the limited scholarly literature. Conclusion: For HRIS to manage employee data accurately, consistently, and securely, data integrity is essential. It is essential for upholding compliance, facilitating informed decision-making, and fostering trust within businesses. HRIS runs the danger of operational failures, legal issues, and reputational harm in the absence of strong data integrity controls. Data integrity must therefore be given top priority if HR operations are to continue succeeding and the organisation is to expand.

Mediating Role of Exchange Rates in FDI-Growth Linkages: ARDL Evidence from Tanzania (1990–2023)

Festo. R. Mmasi , Mohamed Awadh Mohamed , Jacqueline Peter Temba — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In a quest to examine the interrelationship between macro-economic factors in shaping the country’s economic trajectory. This research explores how Foreign Direct Investment and exchange rate movements interact to influence economic growth in Tanzania over the period 1990–2023. Utilizing the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model, the research investigates effects on both short-run and the potential for long-run cointegration among the variables. The study utilizes time-series data sourced from the World Bank, with all variables transformed into natural logarithms to ensure linearity and normality of the variables. The results reveal that exchange rate fluctuations significantly impact GDP in the short run, with immediate depreciation exerting a negative effect, while lagged depreciation contributes positively, suggesting a delayed competitiveness effect. Conversely, FDI does not exhibit a statistically significant short-run impact on GDP, and the ARDL bounds test indicates the absence of a robust long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables. These findings imply that while exchange rate management is crucial for short-term macroeconomic stability, the effectiveness of FDI in promoting growth depends on the country’s absorptive capacity and structural readiness. The study recommends targeted policies aimed at stabilizing exchange rates, improving institutional quality, and aligning FDI with national development priorities to fully harness its growth-enhancing potential.

Financial and Economic Analysis of the Robusta Coffee Sector in Tshopo Province

Bopoko Bamenga, Michel Baudouin — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of the study is to carry out a financial diagnosis, that is to say, to determine the profitability and viability of the robusta coffee sector.

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The cost-benefit analysis in a production-operating account was used for each stakeholder of the chain. A consolidated account was used to assess the contribution of the agents concerned to the provincial economy. The performance of each link in the chain was assessed using data envelopment analysis.

The results reveal that the coffee business generates added value and a positive operating result for all stakeholders. Some actors have achieved efficiency of scale while others show inefficiency of scale.

These findings imply that coffee business is profitable and viable for all agents. The chain links of robusta coffee with scale inefficiencies should improve their scale returns.

RESUME

L’étude vise à réaliser un diagnostic financier de la filière café robusta.

Les données ont été collectées grâce aux entretiens semi-structurés. L’analyse Coût-Avantage dans un compte production-exploitation a été utilisée pour chaque partie prenante de la filière. Un compte consolidé a été utilisé pour évaluer la contribution des agents concernés dans l’économie de la province. L’évaluation de la performance de chaque maillons de la filière a été faite grâce à l’analyse de l’enveloppement des données.

L’étude révèle que l’activité du café génère une valeur ajoutée et un résultat net d’exploitation positif pour tous les acteurs. Certains acteurs ont atteint une efficacité d’échelle alors que d’autres montrent l’inefficacité d’échelle.

L’activité caféicole est rentable et viable pour tous les agents. Les maillons présentant une inefficacité d’échelle devraient améliorer leurs rendements d'échelle.