10.18639/MERJ.2020.961352
Original Research Article
Jan 31, 2020
The Kenyan private health sector is one of the most developed in Sub-Saharan Africa and is highly critical in healthcare delivery. It is estimated 47 percent of the first quintile of income earners utilize the private facility for healthcare needs and 33 percent of women seek family planning (FP) services in this sector. However, the cost of healthcare services has been a great impediment to service utilization. To improve service quality and increase access, social franchising, interventions on the demand side such as the use of insurance and vouchers, and supply of subsidized medical products on the supply side are intended to reduce the cost of services. This study sought to investigate the impact of interventions of social franchisors on the cost of healthcare in private facilities in Kenya. The study used primary data collected from 215 individuals living within catchment areas with private health facilities using researcher-administered questionnaire. The main franchisors included in this study were Sustainable Health Foundation (CFW) and Population Services Kenya (Tunza). Results revealed that women whose primary motivation to visit private facilities included FP services, need of a lower cost of treatments, and quality services had higher odds of choosing franchised health facilities. Propensity score matching (PSM) using three matching criteria—nearest neighbor, kernel matching, and radius matching of 0.01—indicated that individuals seeking children’s health services and 3-month FP methods paid similar amounts in either franchised or nonfranchised health facilities. However, there was a huge cost variance for long-term FP methods where women paid significantly less, implying that social franchisors’ main impact is on long-term FP methods. The cost variance was due to vouchers utilized by some respondents hence, incurring zero cost in franchised facilities. Therefore, the study recommends the expansion of social franchising membership and the use of the voucher system for financially incapable consumers.
10.18639/MERJ.2020.961199
Original Research Article
Jan 30, 2020
Globally, the health sector is an area that any government must focus on since health is a right of every human being. Kenya particularly initiated the idea of devolution and the Big Four Agenda to ensure service delivery to citizens was achieved. Nevertheless, the situation in the public health sector has been encountering challenges due to dissatisfaction of personnel culminating in strikes. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of the working environment on service delivery in the health sector in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study was guided by the person–environment fit theory. The descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. The target population was derived from public hospitals in Nyeri County. Proportionate stratified random sampling was utilized, where 141 respondents were targeted, comprising doctors, clinical officers, and nurses. Data was collected using a closedended questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted at Mukurwe-ini Hospital to enhance the validity and reliability of the data-collection instrument. A Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.7 was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics from the 78.7% respondents. The findings established that the working environment had positive and significant effects on service delivery (b1 5 0.476, p-value 5 0.000) at the 5% level of significance, hence rejecting the null hypothesis. The study further established that the public health sector in Kenya should address the drug shortage, medical staff working hours, and machine maintenance as they would adversely affect quality of service delivery. The study recommends that the public health sector should provide health workers a conducive working environment and all necessary tools and equipment to enable them to discharge their duties effectively with a view to enhance service delivery to patients. Future research should focus on the importance of on–the-job training for effective service delivery in the public health sector.
10.18639/MERJ.2020.870688
Original Research Article
Jan 21, 2020
There have been massive research works done on the concept of market timing and selectivity skills that are applied by the fund managers to optimize the returns to the fundholders/investors/clientele. The fact that still remains unidentified/studied is the factor(s) that are influential enough for the maximization of returns. There is a general perception that investors will only look upon the returns but the very factor that may influence that return is yet to be analyzed. This study focuses on gaining an insight into whether there is any correlation that exists between the fund manager’s selection or/and market timing abilities that, in turn, can be useful to the investors also in finding out which fund and fund manager to be trusted for investment.
10.18639/MERJ.2020.961742
Original Research Article
Jan 10, 2020
This research is motivated by the convenience for consumers to move from an online site to another online site when shopping online. This makes consumers vulnerable to switching to other online shopping sites. This study aims to determine the role of e-satisfaction in mediating the effect of e-service quality and e-wom on e-loyalty in online marketplace customers in the city of Denpasar. The sampling method in this study is nonprobability sampling with a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected from 120 respondents who met the criteria of having made an online shopping transaction at least three times on an online marketplace site and is domiciled in Denpasar City. The analytical method used is path analysis estimated using statistical software. The results showed that e-service quality had a positive and significant effect on e-satisfaction; e-wom has a positive and significant effect on e-satisfaction; e-service quality has a positive and significant effect on e-loyalty; e-wom has a positive and significant effect on e-loyalty; e-satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on e-loyalty; e-satisfaction is significantly able to mediate the effect of e-service quality on e-loyalty; and e-satisfaction is significantly able to mediate the effect of e-wom on e-loyalty. The contribution that can be given by the author is to enrich and complete the study of online marketing especially in developing countries and especially Bali; increasing online sales is important to be studied more.
10.18639/MERJ.2019.961704
Review Article
Jan 06, 2020
Special Issue S4: “Global Trade Wars - A Case of Sino-US Trade War”
The trade war, which antagonizes today the United States and China, questions the free trade principle in international trade. To show the dangerousness of this trade war for the world economy, this paper explores the theoretical limits of the comparative advantage principle by analyzing the limitations of the applicability of the comparative costs and endowments criteria. We conclude that the international trade theories not based on the comparative advantage principle are the exception to the rule and therefore, cannot be used to justify the American positions, except to introduce a certain degree of political considerations. Specifically, we show that the international trade theories, other than the Ricardian theory and the HOS factorial theory, are exceptions to the applicability of the comparative costs and endowments criteria. In light of this argument, one should seek explanations of the war-like trade logic of the Trump Administration in the international political economy. In this perspective, international trade is no longer necessarily a positive-sum game.
10.18639/MERJ.2020.962097
Review Article
Jan 03, 2020
Innovation public policy has an essential role in influencing the competitive capacity of companies and is strongly associated with their ability to innovate and the way they are organized. As important as the technological organization of work is the social dimension, namely, involvement, participation, and commitment of the workforce, as these are, par excellence, factors that contribute to creating added value and differentiation for companies. In this sense, the concept of innovation depends on an integrated vision between the human dimension and the other multiple dimensions that innovation can assume. Public policies, besides the goal of creating a more modern and competitive business and industrial context, also are focused on the development of the workforce, not only in digital competences but also in soft skills. This type of skill contributes to creating a more innovative context and a culture of innovation. This article’s goal is to make a global overview of innovation and the public policies to promote the modernization of companies and influence the way they contribute to economic growth.
10.18639/MERJ.2020.958657
Original Research Article
Jan 02, 2020
This paper employs a combination of unit root tests and fractional integration techniques using the ARFIMA(p,d,q) model to test rational bubbles, which implies herd behavior, in Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The results in the paper strongly support the evidence of herd behavior in the daily, weekly, and monthly price aggregates. Moreover, the paper also investigates the degree of conditional volatility persistence using FIGARCH(p,d,q) specification to show that the persistence of shocks to stock price and dividend yield volatilities is short-termed.
10.18639/MERJ.2020.961567
Original Research Article
Jan 02, 2020
In the era of globalization and making headway in innovation, educational establishments and industries are confronting new difficulties as well as openings in the zone of transferring knowledge. The stipulation for students and lecturers has changed significantly and they anticipate becoming competent enough to use new technology for researching. With the growing pace of technology, the faculty, students, and managers are becoming more hi-tech-oriented as never before, which is resulting in more demand for research and training. Training will help the academia–industry to compete in the global environment as well as cater to international students and fulfill their needs too. However, to remain competent globally, knowledge transfer has become the need of the hour to disseminate knowledge and provide inputs to solve business problems. Knowledge transfer between educational institutions and industry is considered as an important driver of innovation and economic growth, as it eases the commercialization of new scientific knowledge within firms. Knowledge transfer denotes facilitating the sharing of the mentioned knowledge with one another. The paper will emphasize on a methodical literature review of the academia–industry interface in order to identify various factors contributing to their effectiveness. The primary data was collected through a questionnaire survey done on a sample of 100 employees working in various educational institutions and industries of Moradabad city, Uttar Pradesh, India and analyzed with the help of various statistical tools. The study also aims to identify the impact of key success factors on employee compliance with knowledge transfer. The researcher also evaluates the impact of employee compliance with knowledge transfer on organizational effectiveness. The contribution of this study will help both educational institutions and industry to better understand the knowledge transfer systems.
10.18639/MERJ.2019.eS4.BAI
Editorial Note
Dec 31, 2019
Special Issue S4: “Global Trade Wars: A Case of Sino–US Trade War”
In the 21st century, trade has been recognized as the most significant vehicle for accelerating the pace of growth and development for a country, irrespective of developed or developing in particular, and global economy, in general. Accordingly, trade disputes and wars that have come out as the biggest issues for the global trading system are a matter of great concern. This is because the very purpose of creating World Trade Organization (WTO) is being defeated, that is “promotion of multilateral trading system”. Trade disputes and wars that are being combined with the “build up in leverage and higher asset unit values” may have emerged out as a deterrent to world trade and the same in turn may affect the existing global trading system to a greater extent. It has become sin-quo-non to have minimum possible trade wars among the major trading economies across the world. In the past decade, we have already seen that two contributory factors, namely leverage and asset prices, which were responsible for the 2008 crisis. The same situation has started coming up. Hence, the global leaders must pay attention on both the issues on war footing. Otherwise, the situation may become worse and out of control. It is an undisputed fact that world growth has been strong and sound during the last few years. However, on the one hand, the matter of concern for global players is how long it will remain strong and sound; on the other side, the persisting elevated asset price could be justified on the basis of strong and sound economic growth in general, world trade in particular, across the world.
10.18639/MERJ.2019.961306
Review Article
Dec 13, 2019
Special Issue S4: “Global Trade Wars - A Case of Sino-US Trade War”
This article aims to study international trade specificity and the main activities of Chinese companies in US markets. It addresses the strategic tools of companies and their application in a global and very competitive market, framed by public policies and governments’ strategies. It explores the principles of the internal and external environment of the countries. The main research question is: what are the dimensions of a model to potentiate the US–China Companies? The principal methodology used in this research was a literature review, and the analysis was based on the papers that research the theme US and China trade relations. The findings reflect that international trade is conditioned by the government politics, and there are several other obstacles that a US or Chinese company need to overcome: (a) economic forces; (b) technological forces; (c) political–legal forces; (d) sociocultural forces; and (e) physical forces.
10.18639/MERJ.2019.954696
Review Article
Nov 19, 2019
During decades of isolation beginning from 1962 and lasting till 2011, Myanmar seriously suffered from international sanctions. Ruled by the military regime, the country was doomed to economic and social failure. Studying the process of its transformation seems to be very interesting both from business and scientific points of view, and this is the main purpose of the paper. The literature and information about Myanmar’s reforms are considerably limited and it is deeply justified to contribute to the knowledge on this fast emerging country. The methodology used in this article is based on the analysis of the existing statistical data, coming from international reports and statistic yearbooks. The basic parameters of these analyses concern macroeconomic and social indicators. Comparisons with The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries are critical for the conclusions drawn in this article. On its way to the formation of a democratic society Myanmar faced a lot of problems. Some of them, such as the unsolved Rohingya refugee crisis, have had a bad effect not only on domestic reforms, but also a global effect, sometimes recognized as an international crisis. For business, Myanmar is one of the fastest growing economy in the world with a population of 51 million, which makes it an attractive market. The GDP per capita in Myanmar is low, so the domestic market guarantees a growing demand.
Original Research Article
Nov 15, 2019
Financial inclusion has remained a critical driver toward poverty reduction in an economy. There has also been much focus on financial inclusion of women as they tend to be marginalized by the mainstream financial institutions. Kenya on its part has achieved high levels of financial inclusion. Access to bank services has been easy and at a low cost. Till 2016, access to credit has also been easy for all persons with bankable ideas in all sectors including agriculture for either gender. However, this changed after the review of the Banking Act that introduced the interest rate capping in the financial market. The purpose focused on increased collateral requirement and additional customer information requirements on the financial performance of women-owned Agribusiness small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The target population of this study was 950 licensed women SMEs with a sample of 274 licensed SMEs. From the study, collateral requirement due to interest rate capping had a negative and statistically insignificant effect (r 5 20.114, p 5 0.079) on the financial performance. On a positive note, the study found that additional customer information requirement due to interest rate capping had a positive and statistically significant contribution (r 5 0.437, p 5 0.000) on financial performance of agribusiness SMEs. The study concluded that effective maintenance of financial records not only helps SMEs access credit but also help them improve performance. This study strongly recommends capacity building among women on maintenance of financial records as it will improve access to credit and performance of their businesses.
10.18639/MERJ.2019.958453
Review Article
Nov 07, 2019
Special Issue S4: “Global Trade Wars - A Case of Sino-US Trade War”
To comprehend Sino–US trade relations, this research article decrypts the trade relations among China and the United States from the American government perspective (Presidency of Donald Trump). The American government claims that the Chinese government’s high import levies and subsidies to Chinese firms cause the Sino–US trade war, bringing about economic misfortunes in the United States. The American government thus contends that forcing high levies on Chinese products (imports) can be corrective measures for Chinese governments’ actions. This research article discovers that the American administration overestimates the deficits. Measures for diminishing China’s imports cannot raise the American employment rate; on the contrary, China furnishes the United States with high caliber and low-cost products and services. Although China is one of the top investors for the United States, Chinese capitalists tend to capitalize the surplus by investing in American ventures and bonds. However, American administration limits Chinese capitals because of security concerns supported by various other nations (i.e., France, Germany, Britain, Australia, the European Union, Australia, Canada, and Japan). The fear for Chinese capitalists due to China’s moving up to the high end of the value chain is an outcome of economic advancement. Consequently, the two nations should restrategize Sino–US trade patterns by developing trade and economic co-ordination by means of trade arrangements.
10.18639/MERJ.2019.953623
Review Article
Oct 21, 2019
Special Issue S4: “Global Trade Wars - A Case of Sino-US Trade War”
Globalization today can convincingly be said to have reached its pinnacle. However, with the world turning into a global space of homogeneity the stakes of survival have risen up too. The various forms of environmental degradation culminating into climate change have been accelerated due to globalization. This review discusses one such form of global environmental degradation that poses a serious threat to the health of citizens in the Global South. The phenomenon being talked about here is that of global waste dumping, a practice that has caught up roughly over the past four decades. The context that helps in illustrating the same is the United States–China trade war, narrowed down to the recent ban imposed by China and India on the import of plastic waste. As a reaction to excessive plastic waste dumping from Global South to Global North, 180 nations agreed in Geneva to add mixed plastic scrap to the Basel Convention. However, as will be shown in this review, the burden has only shifted to even poorer nations who willingly buy plastic waste from countries of Global North. The phenomenon of dumping plastic waste can be explained through the distinction between the developed and developing countries understood in the dualist taxonomy of Global North and Global South.
Original Research Article
Oct 11, 2019
It is known that the service quality is the main parameter of every service providing organization for survival. Therefore, the organizations must evaluate their service quality periodically and plan for improvement. While evaluating their service quality, companies should rely not only on the end users’ evaluations but also on the gap between the service providers’ perception and the customers’ perception about the service quality level. The study aims to compare the service providing perceptions of department/unit managers and the service quality evaluations of students at private universities. For this purpose, we used the ServQual survey questionnaire to assess all service providing academic and administrative units of Tishk International University (formerly known as Ishik University). The data have been collected in two phases; first, we gave the ServQual survey questionnaire to managers and employees of each department/unit. The survey contained questions about the opinions of managers and employees about how quality service has been delivered in their unit. In this context, cafeteria, students’ affairs, dean of students, academic department of student, and accounting unit were evaluated. Second, ServQual was modified for the students to evaluate the service quality that they perceive in those units. Finally, the evaluated results of the managers and the students were subtracted from each other, and the gap was determined. Based on the results, we gave some suggestions to the administration.
