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The advocacy-growth nexus: the case of the Egyptian banking sector
(Emerald Insight, 2014) Abdel-Baki, Monal A.
Purpose – The Egyptian banking sector has acted as an arena for multiple alliances, some of which bred crony capitalism and others acted as growth alliances. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of private sector advocacy in the Egyptian banking sector on macroeconomic performance, with the prime aim of designing an Egyptian-centric roadmap outlining precepts of good advocacy between bankers, policymakers and businesses. Design/methodology/approach – The study uses a two-stage model. In the first stage an advocacy construct is developed using confirmatory factor analysis. In the second stage the relationship between advocacy and macroeconomic growth is measured by running a set of parsimonious regressions. Findings – The empirical results show a strong relationship between advocacy and growth, albeit not on inflation rates, suggesting that an innovative set of public policy instruments is needed to promote private advocacy efforts and to institutionalise private-public partnerships. This is an innately pressing mission for the new government to mitigate the impact of the double-digit inflation that has prevailed since the Triple-F – food, fuel and finance – Crisis of 2006. Practical implications – The ousted Egyptian government failed to protect its citizens from crony alliances and corruption, be it abuse of public resources or unfair access to bank credit. Hence, the prime aim is to design a future roadmap for the endorsement of effective growth alliances between businesses, bankers and policymakers. The recommendations proposed by this study would prove helpful to future public policymakers in the fulfilment of the macroeconomic aspirations of the Egyptian society as well as to other emerging and developing nations that share similar problems. Social implications – The research addresses how reforms can be designed in an egalitarian fashion to direct credit to growth enhancing and job-generating sectors since a prompt treatment of these problems at their roots is apt to minimise the probabilities of future social turmoil. This is apt to assist the Egyptian people to transition to a truly democratic society and to convert street rebellions into inclusive institutional activism. Originality/value – This paper adds to the literature a measurable construct gauging the relationship between advocacy in the banking sector and growth. Another contribution is the set of policies proposed to institutionalise rightful advocacy efforts.
Analysing factors influencing women unemployment using a random forest model
(2022-12-30) Adeliyi, Timothy; Oyewusi, Lawrence; Epizitone, Ayogeboh; Oyewusi, Damilola
The unemployment crisis has been a persistent issue for both development countries, resulting in an economic indicator deficit. Women are at a disadvantage and continue to encounter significant obstacles to gaining employment. Nigeria, like many other developing countries with high unemployment rates, has a 33% unemployment rate. Consequently, there has been minimal research on the factors that affect women's unemployment. As a result, the purpose of this study investigates the factors women's unemployment in Nigeria. Although the Random Forest model has been widely applied to classification issues, there is a gap in the literature's use of the random forest as a predictor for analyzing factors influencing women's unemployment. The random forest model was employed in this study because of its characteristics such as strong learning ability, robustness, and feasibility of the hypothesis space. As a result, the Random forest prediction model was benchmarked with seven different cutting-edge classical machine learning prediction models, which include the J48 pruned tree, Support Vector Machine, AdaBoost, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, Logistic Model Tree, Bagging and Random Forest. The experimental results demonstrate that Random Forest outperformed the other seven machine learning classifier models using ten commonly used performance evaluation metrics. According to the study's findings, age groups, ethnicity, marital status, and religion were the essential factors affecting women's unemployment in Nigeria.
Community-based tourism in rich and poor countries : towards a framework for comparison
(African Journals Online, 2015-12) Giampiccoli, Andrea; Jugmohan, Sean; Mtapuri, Oliver
This article is conceptual based on a perusal of academic journal articles and books on matters related to Community-based Tourism (CBT). It contends that CBT is a very important tool for local economic development, community development, empowerment and the attainment of social justice. It observes disparities between rich and poor countries in terms of endowments and how the multiple dimensions of poverty can confound how tourism can be experienced in different contexts. It posits an eight Es model which represents the fundamental pillars upon which to judge a CBT for purposes of support, monitoring and evaluation. The eight E are Endogenous (emphasising a reliance on local resources); Environment – (reflecting the importance of caring for the environment, and broader environmental conditions and infrastructure); Education – (to advance skills and education); Empowerment – (which embraces economic, psychological, social and political empowerment); Equity – (for equitable distribution and re-distribution of both benefits and resources); Evolving – (always improving and changing to take advantage of dynamic opportunities); Enduring – (for long term sustainability) and supporting Entrepreneurship – (for innovation, creativity and viability). The framework/model is also significant as it provides a common ground upon which the understanding of CBT could be carried at international and national level. The model can be customised to take into account local conditions; it is flexible and all-encompassing with potential to be used for rating facilities.
Corporate social responsibility in the mining sector in Zimbabwe.
(La Nuova Italia Editrice, 2023-01-31) Musariwa, Priscilla; Rampersad, Renitha; Govender, Nereshnee
Zimbabwe like any other developing country, invests funds in supporting the upliftment of communities and in social programmes that enhances community development. The increasing rate of unemployment and low skills level poses a threat to sustainable development. To support a strategic shift towards impactful results, organisations with the help of the government need constructive and efficient Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy, which is simple and user friendly. This can assist project managers and company managers to improve effectiveness and efficiency of CSR programmes. Using a qualitative approach, this study examined the nature of CSR in the mining sector in Zimbabwe to understand the challenges that are faced by mining companies. This paper can be used to design a CSR policy that lead to the planning and implementation of programmes in the mining sector that yield impactful results. Using purposive sampling, four CSR managers were selected from two Zimbabwean mining companies (Zimplats and Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond mining Company). Data was collected through semi structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that mining companies in Zimbabwe are involved in CSR initiatives, but they are faced with a number of challenges including lack of participation from the communities and limited financial resources.
Destination South Africa: comparing global sports mega-events and recurring localised sports events in South Africa for tourism and economic development
(Taylor and Francis, 2015) Giampiccoli, Andrea; Lee, Seungwon; Nauright, John; Nauright, John
This contribution examines the comparative value of sport mega-events such as the 2010 FIFA (FeÂ´deÂ´ration Internationale de Football Association) World Cup of soccer held in South Africa and recurring sporting events (SPEs) such as the Comrades Marathon held each year in KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa. Through an examination of case studies of the World Cup and regional SPEs in South Africa, with particular focus on Durban and surrounding areas of KwaZulu-Natal, we seek to expand debate on the efï¬ cacy of various SPEs on tourism and local and regional economic development strategies. We present a detailed literature review of the role of these events to economic development and impacts on tourism and legacy planning then examine extant data produced around the 2010 World Cup (realising that we only have a partial picture to date) and compare that to SPEs held regularly in the region. Our aim is to generate intelligent debate around the role of sports and tourism in economic development strategies and suggest that alternative focus will yield more sustainable and predictable returns that locate beneï¬ ts in host communities.
Moving beyond the 3S's—Sun, Sea, and Sand : an interpretation of the Tourism Development Strategy Framework for Abu Dhabi, U.A.Eb
(The Arab World Geographer, 2014-12) Giampiccoli, Andrea; Mtapuri, Oliver;
This article unpacks the development of Abu Dhabi as a tourist destination, looking at its diversification strategy from the perspective of an oil-dependent economy attempting to move away from oil dependency. Based on a review of academic literature, government documents, and online sources, it fills a gap in understanding the growth trajectory Abu Dhabi has chosen in overcoming oil dependency. Abu Dhabi has gone beyond the 3S's to incorporate cultural tourism among its value propositions, as well as shopping and architecture; its strategy for sustainable tourism development embraces the economic, environmental, cultural, and social pillars of development. This article postulates a framework of tourism development for Abu Dhabi that shows movement beyond the 3S (or other multiple-S) model based on tourism attractions; the framework is important to inform both practice and policy with respect to tourism development in the U.A.E. and elsewhere in the world.
The role of international academic professionals in the development of entrepreneurial universities in South Africa : Government funded universities perspective
(Open Journal Systems, 2018-10) Mutanda, Mary; Lekhanya, Lawrence Mpele; Moyo, Sibusiso
There is a wide belief and acceptance from leading government and business experts that small enterprises and entrepreneurship are the key components to unemployment and poverty alleviation in any country. Unfortunately, high unemployment levels, low entrepreneurial activity and high small business failure rate have become the main characteristics of the South African economy. Post-school education is partially blamed for the dropping levels of entrepreneurial activities in the country. South Africa’s tertiary education system continues to focus on producing job-seekers instead of job creators. This problem has forced South African Universities to explore more on their potential of becoming more entrepreneurial, but lack of academics in the field of entrepreneurship has been found to be a hindrance to success in this agenda. To avert this obstacle, it is reiterated that internationalisation is key to any university entrepreneurship strategy, and therefore universities are encouraged to internationalise through attracting international entrepreneurial staff. The purpose of this literature review paper is twofold. The first part explores the role played by international academic professionals in the establishment of entrepreneurial universities in South Africa, while the second aims at evaluating the state of entrepreneurship development in higher education and the potential of South African universities becoming more entrepreneurial. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative research techniques (mixed method). The study reveals that South African universities should internationalise if they are to succeed in the entrepreneurial strategy. In addition, it is found that foreign academics have the required skills and bring in the diverse expertise needed for the establishment of entrepreneurial universities. Moreover, the presence of international academics has enhanced entrepreneurship mindset of local staff and students. It is recommended that universities should establish entrepreneurial institutes which are affiliated to them in order to drive this initiative and that the establishment of entrepreneurial universities is the way to go in South Africa if the country is to beat poverty and unemployment.
Strategies for building resilience to hazards in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems: The role of public private partnerships
(Elsevier, 2014-07-15) Johannessen, Ase; Rosemarin, Arno; Thomalla, Frank; Gerger Swartling, Åsa; Stenström, Thor-Axel; Vulturius, Gregor
The aim of this paper is to enhance understanding of how the resilience of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) systems to hazards can be improved. In turn, this aims to inform different strategies for public and private partnerships (PPPs). In a new approach, to acknowledge the multi levelled nature of resilience; risk at the relevant levels are taken into account, (regional/river basin, urban area, and individual). For these levels, we first describe the different components of risk, vulnerability and resilience of the WASH system that influence people's exposure to hazards. We illustrate these components using examples from case studies in the literature. Using a social learning lens - a crucial ingredient of resilience - we examine opportunities for reducing risks through improving public–private engagement. These are presented as strategies which could guide invest-ment decisions: As pressures from climate change and development add up, businesses must become aware of the risks involved in operating and investing without considering ecosystem health, both in terms of the services they provide for mitigating floods and droughts, as well as in terms of the development approaches that define how ecosystems are managed (e.g. “making space” for, rather than controlling water). There is a need to develop an institutional culture that strives towards greener and more resilient urban environments with the help of various quality assurance methods. Partnerships must reach the poorer customer base, encourage informal small entrepreneurs, and boost financial mechanisms (e.g. micro-insurance, micro-finance) to support the most vulner-able in society.
Theorising open curriculum charges as pathway to responsiveness in South African higher education
(BRILL, 2020-12-14) Fomunyam, Kehdinga George; Khoza, Simon Bheki; Fomunyam, Kehdinga; Simon, Bheki
Curriculum discourse in South African higher education has always involved debates around responsiveness and how best to make the curriculum respond to local needs. This was amongst the reasons for the call to decolonise the curriculum. With encounters in education being a function of the curriculum at play, it follows that the curriculum shapes the educational experience, and how prepared students are for the job market, be it to create employment or to seek such. With the rate of unemployment in South Africa increasing, the nation needs graduates who are job creators, not jobseekers. The open curriculum offers an excellent pathway for educational encounters which are not only responsive, but uniquely career-oriented. This chapter adopts Aoki’s conceptualisation of the curriculum as lived experience, making three fundamental arguments. First, the chapter argues that there is a need for the deconstruction of academic curriculum standardisation. Second, the chapter argues for an itinerant curriculum; and lastly, the chapter argues for curriculum encounters propelled by responsive curriculum matters in the South African higher education. The chapter concludes that career pathways have been hindered by poor curriculum choices. Such has been engendered by curriculum standardisation and hegemonic curriculum practices adopting a one-size-fits-all approach. For a higher-education curriculum to be responsive, students, as co-constructors or creators of knowledge, need to be part of the process, driving the change they want to see in their future.
Women in selected rural municipalities: Resilience and agency against vulnerabilities to climate change
(Taylor and Francis, 2014-11-03) Meyiwa, Thenjiwe; Maseti, Thandokazi; Ngubane, Sizani; Letsekha, Tebello; Rozani, Carina
The role of rural women in eradicating poverty and ending hunger has been recognised by both scholars and practitioners. There is an acknowledgement that women serve a critical role in the agricultural labour force, subsistence farming, and rural development in sub-Saharan Africa, yet their central role in food security has been largely ignored, particularly in policy (Govender, 2012). Although much of the labour of rural women is not nationally defined as economically active employment these women still spend long hours in undervalued productive and reproductive work to ensure the well-being of their households. Linked to this role is the challenge of dealing with rapidly changing climatic conditions. Women assume primary responsibility in fetching water and wood for meal preparation, and in tilling the ground. They are among the most vulnerable groups to climate change as a result of their precarious environmental livelihoods. Using data from a workshop with rural women to discuss climate change and qualitative interviews with rural women in selected rural communities in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal we explore the meaning of climate change. We report on the way climate change is understood, its effects on rural livelihoods and some responses to climate change problems experienced by the women in the communities. The women in the rural communities highlight that there are also social problems that have arisen from water scarcity. As a result of the household division of labour, rural girls confront particular challenges as they need to search further from home for water and are exposed to the risk of gender violence.