10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900095
Original Research Article
Sep 13, 2024
This study addresses the transformation of African firms through the integration of BOS within supply chain management models. BOS focuses on creating uncontested market spaces by making competition irrelevant through innovation, a strategy that can be particularly beneficial for African firms facing infrastructure, technology, and logistical challenges. The purpose of this study is to conduct a systematic review to explore how BOS can improve the growth and competitive positioning of African firms by improving their supply chain practices. A systematic literature review, guided by the PRISMA framework, was employed to gather and analyze relevant literature published between 2018 and 2023. The review included a comprehensive search of databases, rigorous screening for eligibility, and thematic analysis to identify key themes related to the integration of BOS in supply chain management for African firms. The findings reveal that integrating BOS into supply chain management enables African firms to address operational challenges, improve competitive positioning, and promote sustainable growth. The strategic alignment of BOS principles with supply chain practices encourages innovation, operational efficiency, and the creation of new market spaces. Key themes identified include collaboration, competitive advantage, supply chain resilience, and sustainable practices. The study concludes that BOS integration into supply chain management can significantly improve the operational efficiency and competitive advantage of African firms. This approach not only addresses the unique challenges faced by these firms but also opens new avenues for market growth and sustainability. The insights gained from this review provide valuable guidance for both academics and practitioners aiming to optimize supply chain operations and achieve sustainable development in the African context.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900094
Special Issue
Sep 02, 2024
Special Issue S8: “FDI Inflows in the Brazilian Economy”
The ability of FDI to spur economic modernization in the recipient economy has been widely acknowledged in the literature. Brazil stands out as the region that receives the most foreign investment in Latin America. Studies on the effects of FDI in Brazil are still in the early stages, though. The impact of FDI on the local labor market and the average worker income in the host region is examined in this study. To achieve this, we used the first regional-level FDI database in the nation and specifically examined the effects of FDI in the area with the highest industrial concentration: the state of São Paulo. This is the first study to examine while considering FDI in the area, the relationship between employment and income at the municipal level in the state of São Paulo. The findings support the claim that the presence of multinational corporations raises the standard of employment, particularly in fields that demand skilled labor. A favorable environment for FDI can leverage the economic and social development of host regions and support the formulation of local policies. This also emphasizes FDI as a vehicle for increasing employment and valuing the workforce, adding to the body of existing literature and supplying information for forthcoming research on the topic.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900092
Original Research Article
Aug 26, 2024
The changes brought on by the fourth industrial revolution call on leaders to adopt 21st-century skillsets to navigate the changing workforce landscape. While equality in the workforce has seen strides towards equal participation of men and women in the workforce, women are still documented to be underrepresented in managerial positions. This article consists of a systematic review of literature aimed at analyzing leadership styles within the modern workforce, with a specific focus on female equality and leadership. The research question from which this paper emanates is: How does the Fourth Industrial Era shape a context for female leadership ascension? Framed through Harro’s cycle of socialization and Trait theory, this paper seeks to analyze current literature to examine the barriers women face in the workplace in their subsequent influence on industry 4.0 practice.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900091
Original Research Article
Aug 22, 2024
Talent retention in HE has become highly significant in recent years as HEIs find it challenging to attract and retain academic talent in a competitive environment. Academic leadership significantly impacts the promotion, attraction, and retention of academic talent in HEIs. This study aims to determine the optimum leadership style for talent retention within a faculty at a South African HEI. A qualitative descriptive research design with interpretivism as its foundation was employed to gain an understanding of the phenomenon of leadership and talent retention within a faculty in a HEI. Data were collected from eight lecturers within the faculty at the HEI using purposive sampling. Individual interviews were conducted using Microsoft Teams. The data source consisted of these interview transcripts. The population studied included lecturers from the faculty of the South African HEI. Data analysis was performed using thematic analysis to identify several major themes related to leadership and talent retention. These themes include the current leadership style of managers contributing to academics wanting to leave their current jobs, as well as the leadership style that academics prefer to prevent turnover. The findings revealed that the leadership style of current managers contributes to academics wanting to leave their current employment and that specific leadership styles were identified as factors preventing academics from leaving the organization. Based on the findings, pertinent recommendations for institution management concerning retaining talented academics within the framework of South African higher education could be made.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900093
Special Issue
Aug 17, 2024
Special Issue S8: “FDI Inflows in the Brazilian Economy”
In an era marked by rapid globalization and intricate economic interconnections, FDI has emerged as a critical driver of economic growth in many developing nations. Brazil, as the largest economy in Latin America, has witnessed significant fluctuations in FDI inflows over the past decades. The question of whether FDI can stimulate domestic investment remains a topic of considerable interest among economists, policymakers, and scholars. This study delves into the complex relationship between FDI and domestic investment in Brazil, employing historical data, economic indicators, and existing scholarly research. Brazil, as a prominent emerging economy and a global economic force, has consistently attracted international investors and governments. The nexus between economic development and FDI has garnered global attention. FDI not only involves the allocation of financial resources from foreign entities but also entails technology transfer, managerial expertise, and access to international markets. While these inflows have the potential to stimulate local investment, economic growth, and job creation, concerns exist regarding their possible displacement or crowding-out effect on domestic investments. Understanding the intricate correlation between FDI and domestic investment in Brazil is of paramount importance, shaping investment policies within the country and offering valuable insights for other emerging economies seeking to strike a balance between foreign and domestic capital. This study examines the impact of FDI on domestic investment in Brazil, analyzing historical data, economic indicators, and existing literature to provide a comprehensive understanding of this complex relationship. The research draws on economic theories such as the neoclassical growth hypothesis, endogenous growth theory, and crowding-out hypothesis to explore the potential effects of FDI on domestic investment. It considers the regional disparities in FDI distribution and the sector-specific impacts of FDI in Brazil. Additionally, the study evaluates the role of government policies, trade openness, and financial development in moderating the relationship between FDI and domestic investment. Ultimately, this research aims to shed light on the multifaceted dynamics between FDI and domestic investment in Brazil. By addressing the positive and negative aspects of this relationship, it seeks to provide valuable insights for policymakers, economists, and businesses not only in the Brazilian context but also for other nations navigating the challenges and opportunities of FDI. The findings contribute to the global discourse on the impact of FDI on a nation's economic trajectory and offer guidance for informed policy decisions.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900090
Special Issue
Jul 26, 2024
Special Issue S8: “FDI Inflows in the Brazilian Economy”
The onset of the 21st Century has observed the rise of economies earlier characterized as developing economies. The adoption of the LPG program by most of these developing countries in the late 20th century observed them achieving substantially higher growth rates in their economies. Based on various economic performance indicators, Brazil, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been Classified among the top emerging market economies. At the same time, Bahrain and Oman are also considered emerging market economies. This Paper is an effort to study the trade and investment relations between the GCC countries and Brazil. The Paper examines the export and import relations between GCC Countries and Brazil. The Paper also looks into the investment relationship between them. Thus, the Paper discusses various aspects of economic relations between GCC countries and Brazil.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900089
Original Research Article
Jul 11, 2024
The objective of the present study is to test for pricing efficiency in equities of individual information technology companies in the emerging Indian market, where the sector holds an important place in the domestic economy and is a significant contributor to the country’s exports. The fifty-six companies currently comprising the BSE IT index are studied for the possible presence of persistence in returns. Employing all continuously available price data for these firms, the Hurst exponent is estimated using three fractal analysis techniques, viz., rescaled range, roughness length, and wavelets. Persistence or “long memory” is unambiguously detected in eleven, or roughly 20% of the return series; antipersistence is detected in the case of two series. The results suggest that not all Indian information technology securities are priced efficiently and that there exists the potential for investors to exploit a long-memory characteristic in those stocks to extract excess profits from trading rules based on historical price information.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900088
Special Issue
Jun 03, 2024
Special Issue S8: “FDI Inflows in the Brazilian Economy”
This study analyzes the relationship between FDI and the IBC-Br from 2003 to 2022. Our objective is to examine the effect of FDI on Brazil´s economic activities. Thus, we look also for a connection between the Brazilian Central Bank’s leadership in each period and the FDI effect on IBC-Br. To explore this, we employ an approach based on the Granger Causality Test and copula models that encompass Gaussian, t-Student, Gumbel, Frank, and Clayton functions. Our findings indicate that in the short term, FDI exerts some influence on IBC-Br, while the reverse relationship is not observed. Furthermore, using the Clayton Copula function, we identify the dependency of causal relationships between the variables, particularly in extreme economic scenarios. These discoveries contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics between FDI and economic activity in the different periods of the Brazilian Central Bank’s leadership.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900087
Special Issue
May 28, 2024
Special Issue S8: “FDI Inflows in the Brazilian Economy”
Brazil has long depended on IFDI to boost economic growth. Its membership in the BRICS grouping since 2001 has increased links with two of the world’s fastest-growing economies – China and India. However, Brazil has not been a strong economic performer within the BRICS group, attracting only a modest share of IFDI both globally and intra-group, in part because of its high cost of doing business. Brazil’s primary benefits of BRICS membership have come from increased trade, involvement in alternative governance arrangements, and broader support from China. Economic reforms, both domestically and internationally, are critical to Brazil’s continuing success in attracting IFDI.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900086
Original Research Article
May 13, 2024
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of internal and external hiring practices as tools for strategic human resource management in the Zambian Insurance industry. The investigation analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of both internal and external hiring strategies, with a specific focus on their impact on organizational performance and employee development. Through an extensive examination of existing literature, interviews with industry professionals, and a survey of senior executives responsible for recruitment and selection processes in the Zambian Insurance sector, the study gathered data from a sample of both large and small insurance companies operating in different regions of Zambia. This ensured that the entire industry was represented. The study provided valuable insights into the strategic considerations and outcomes of internal and external hiring in this specific context, enhancing our understanding of effective human resource management practices in the Zambian Insurance industry and offering recommendations for improving talent acquisition strategies. The study also looked at the possibility of turning the human resource function in the surveyed industry from a 'day-to-day' issue to a more strategic aspect of the business through a comprehensive hiring plan and the use of internal recruitment with employee retaining strategies. In conclusion, the research findings suggest that the Zambian insurance sector has the capability to utilize both internal and external candidates as a strategic approach. The decision to choose between internal and external hiring is influenced by various factors, including financial considerations, the immediate need to fill a vacant position, the desire to bring in fresh expertise, and the compatibility with the company's culture. Internal hiring offers several advantages for the Zambian insurance industry, such as cost savings, reduced recruitment time, and the ability to foster employee growth and loyalty within the organization. Conversely, external hiring brings in new perspectives, skills, and experiences that may not be readily available internally.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900085
Short Communication
Jan 11, 2024
Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Latin American economies are a blend of emerging and developing economies, characterized by regional imbalances and socioeconomic differences. Foreign Direct Investment and Trade has been important for the growth prospects of both the economic region. In this short commentary, we attempt to study the dynamics of FDI and Trade for ASEAN and Latin American economies.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900084
Original Research Article
Jan 05, 2024
The link between training and employee performance is critical to human resources management. Though studies have demonstrated the influence of training on employee performance, few studies have attempted to explore this relationship in Tanzania. This study aimed to examine the impact of training on employee performance. The study further explored factors affecting training programs at Kigamboni Municipal Council. A mixed-method approach was applied to explore the phenomena. Both probability and non-probability sampling techniques were applied to obtain respondents for this study. Questionnaires and interview tools were used to collect data. A total of 95 respondents were selected for the quantitative study, and a total of 15 interviewees were selected for the qualitative study. Qualitative data was analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis technique. Findings indicate that employees see the influence of training on job performance. Even though respondents see the importance of training on job performance, minimal training programs were believed to affect their performance negatively. The study revealed several factors affecting the implementation of training programs. The study concludes that it is vital for organizations to strategically manage employees’ training programs to ensure that the majority of employees realize their full potential and improve the overall performance of an organization.
10.18639/MERJ.2023.9900083
Review Article
Dec 26, 2023
The book builds on an important issue of talent acquisition and management in the South African region. Particularly, the focus of different chapters is on the challenges faced in the education system of South Africa. Tracing the developments through the school system to the application of Maslow’s Need Hierarchy theory and entailing other such issues, a comprehensive outcome is suggested for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the people involved in institutions. In the post-COVID-19 world, a new era of competition has been unleashed, including the employees’ decisions; one of the chapters entitled “Buy, Build, or Borrow a Talent” highlights the contemporary issue. The post-COVID-19 scenario of the world is focused on Industrial Revolution 4.0, and the book addresses the challenges and issues of job security and its impact on talent acquisition. The chapters in the book serve a great need of the world grown out of the pandemic, addressing issues pertaining to organizational culture in the context of the changing scenario. As a research-based book, each chapter considers an important element of talent management from a different perspective. The chapters will keep readers intrigued by the recent pieces of evidence linked with fundamental concepts and conventional theories of human behavior.
10.18639/MERJ.2023.9900082
Original Research Article
Nov 17, 2023
This paper investigates the extent to which the national economic initiatives introduced in post-apartheid South Africa were successful, why they were removed and why they were unsustainable or indefensible. In order to address the research questions, this study used a qualitative design involving the views of government officials who participated in the formulation of national policies. A total of six officials for each strategy (RDP, GEAR, ASGISA, NGP, NDP, and DDM) were sampled purposively in order to generate rich information on the performance of each policy considered and the decision to replace the policy. A semi-structured survey form was developed for this purpose. The study results show that none of the economic strategies were able to change the trajectory of South Africa’s economic development decisively. The key reasons are the removal of the economic strategies before they achieved the stated objectives potential, the inability to adjust and refocus strategies continuously, and a lack of implementation and monitoring capacity. The study contributes to the understanding of how South Africa’s economic development strategies performed and why they were removed. This informs future approaches to the development and management of economic strategies. The findings suggest that there must be sound and consistent public management to drive and coordinate implementation in order for economic development initiatives to be effective.
10.18639/MERJ.2023.9900081
Original Research Article
Nov 14, 2023
The global role of outbound logistics in supply chain processes and supply chain distribution cannot be overemphasized. Reviewed literature has shown that empirical tests have been done in relation to outbound logistics and profitability. However, minimal research work has been done on establishing the link between outbound logistics and profitability, particularly among sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya. Semi-systematic review was utilized using secondary data.. The literature reviewed in this study was in regard to sugar manufacturing firms in Kenya published between 2011-2021. The philosophy guiding this study was positivism which is a deductive approach. The review established a significant positive influence of outbound logistics on the profitability of the firms. Evidence links the profitability of sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya and outbound logistics. It was recommended that the firms enhance their focus on outbound logistics in order for their profitability to continue to improve. Researchers can increase activity on this subject and context.
