10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900101
Original Research Article
Dec 05, 2024
Driven by the Green Revolution, the use of pesticides in Brazil has increased dramatically, transforming the rural complex into an agro-industrial complex, generating large-scale production of monocultures and strengthening agribusiness production chains. Despite the economic benefits, the intense use of pesticides leads to concerns, including a lack of training, technical difficulties and environmental and social vulnerabilities. The study focuses on analyzing the impact of these pesticides on production in the state of Paraná by comparing the census years between 2006 and 2017 and investigates the spatial dynamics of agricultural production using the Moran's I test. The results highlight the influence of neighboring communities on agricultural production values and highlight regional interdependence. The model underlines the importance of sustainable regional planning and highlights spatial lag as a key factor in promoting regional cooperation. Hence, expenditure was positive both in the local effect and for the effect caused in the neighborhoods. Still, the pesticide use variable itself became ambiguous for analyzing production due to its problems.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900100
Original Research Article
Nov 21, 2024
The article examines the issue of attracting Chinese FDI to Russia in the context of the Belt and Road initiative implementation. It is shown that in recent years, the influx of Chinese FDI into the Russian economy has decreased significantly. However, on the background of active trade cooperation between the two countries, the potential for Russian-Chinese investment cooperation remains extremely high, including in the transport sector, which is very important for the Belt and Road initiative.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900099
Original Research Article
Oct 10, 2024
The large increase in skilled professional migration between countries in recent years poses new challenges for policymakers. It is important to observe how this phenomenon impacts South Africa due to its unique socio-economic context. One may also reason that as much as globalization has resulted in the easy movement of labor, in the case of South Africa, most of the push factors driving brain drain are a combination of structural and socio-economic dynamics. The aim of the paper is to explore the factors that contribute to the migration of skilled professionals and, furthermore, the long-term implication of brain drain on the sustainable development of the South African economy by collecting pre-existing textual data. Evidence from reviews suggests that globalization has contributed to brain drain in emerging economies. Many emerging markets are experiencing significant human skill losses, which in turn has a negative impact on their development. Furthermore, the reviews have emphasized the contributing factors to the migration of highly skilled professionals to other countries. In addition, findings reveal that the migration of skilled professionals poses a threat to South Africa's development objectives. To overcome this challenge, it is important to deter skilled professionals from leaving and encourage them to return by addressing concerns like safety and security.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900098
Original Research Article
Oct 08, 2024
This study investigates the poor financial performance of South African municipalities, which is often reflected in widespread disclaimer audit outcomes. The primary aim is to identify strategic financial management practices that can enhance the financial performance of municipalities within the NMMD Council. The Auditor General has pinpointed key vulnerabilities, namely procurement and irregular expenses, revenue management issues, and weaknesses in investment and asset management, all contributing to financial inefficiencies. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with senior officers in selected NMMD municipalities using an exploratory case study design. The data was analyzed using NVivo 12 Pro. Key findings highlight the need for effective leadership and governance, emphasizing the importance of distributing power among financial officers to prevent fraud and corruption. Functional financial management systems, internal audit units, and effective audit committees are essential for sound financial management and governance. Addressing shortcomings in procurement processes and investing in human resource training is necessary to minimize non-compliance and enhance financial management. The study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring, risk management, and a zero-tolerance approach to corruption to ensure sustainable financial performance. Legal proceedings should address financial misconduct, with disciplinary actions taken against those found guilty. Municipalities will continue to fail unless consequence management is implemented and enforced.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900097
Original Research Article
Oct 04, 2024
This article aims to examine the policies guiding reading instruction and investigate how these policies are implemented in the FP to gain a deeper understanding of teachers’ experiences in this area. Implementing reading policies effectively in the FP is crucial for fostering early literacy skills, which form the foundation for lifelong learning. However, teachers often encounter various challenges that impact the successful application of these policies. This article explores the complexities associated with implementing reading policies within the FP, specifically focusing on the Lichtenburg Circuit in the North West Province. The Lichtenburg Circuit, a unique educational setting within the North West Province, provides a valuable multiple case study for examining these challenges and identifying effective solutions. Utilizing a qualitative case study approach, the research focused on the perspectives of Subject Advisors, Principals, HoDs, and FP teachers in three primary schools within the Lichtenburg circuit. Thirteen participants were purposively selected, and data were collected through document analysis, observations, and interviews. Thematic analysis revealed that the CAPS is the primary policy used for reading instruction, yet it lacks explicit directives on teaching reading, leading to challenges in implementation and application by teachers. By investigating the experiences of English Home Language this article aims to uncover the specific difficulties teachers face and assess the support mechanisms available. The findings will offer insights into improving policy implementation and enhancing literacy outcomes for young learners. The objective of this article is to identify and analyze the key factors that influence teachers’ implementation of reading policies in the FP. This article aims to understand how various contextual, professional, and institutional elements shape teachers’ approach to applying reading policies in their classrooms. By examining these factors, the article seeks to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by teachers in translating policy into effective practice, ultimately contributing to the development of more supportive and practical strategies for improving reading outcomes in the FP. The purpose of this article is to investigate and evaluate the challenges and solutions in implementing reading policies, using the Lichtenburg Circuit in the North West Province as a multiple case study. The article also seeks to uncover the specific challenges that teachers encounter in implementing these policies and to analyze how these obstacles impact the effectiveness of reading instruction. The article aims to provide insights and recommendations for improving the implementation of reading policies to better support FP teachers.
10.18639/MERJ.2024.9900096
Original Research Article
Oct 03, 2024
Entrepreneurship among the youth can be linked to the pursuit of eradicating poverty by creating employment opportunities to reduce youth unemployment and advocate for social change through entrepreneurship. This study investigates the perceptions of the youth regarding entrepreneurship in South Africa. In an area with distinct socio-economic dynamics and obstacles, it is critical to comprehend how the youth see entrepreneurship and its potential as a career route. This study aimed to determine the elements that influence young people's views on entrepreneurship, as well as the obstacles they face and the potential role that they can play in effecting social change through entrepreneurship. A purposive sampling technique was applied for the selection of a maximum of twenty young adults from a township to participate in focus group interviews to ascertain the perceptions of entrepreneurship among the youth. The transcriptions of the data recordings were verbatim, and thematic data analysis was performed following the coding of the data. Findings indicated that there are barriers to entry perceived as obstacles to pursuing entrepreneurship, which include the lack of mentorship, financial resources, and educational opportunities focused on entrepreneurship. Notwithstanding, the findings also reveal that the youth have a positive perception of entrepreneurship and show a strong willingness to pursue it as a career path.
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.
