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Volume 15, Issue 3, September 2025 |
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Irene HANDEWI Riau University, Pekanbaru Indonesia Yesi Mutia BASRI Riau University, Pekanbaru Indonesia Hariadi YASNI Riau University, Pekanbaru Indonesia Peli Astri DIANTI Riau University, Pekanbaru Indonesia Feisya SALSABILA Riau University, Pekanbaru Indonesia Rahmi ALFINA Riau University, Pekanbaru Indonesia DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/beman/2025.15.3-01 |
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Tourism MSMEs make a large contribution to economic growth, but in fact, some tourism MSMEs have problems that they are unable to be consistent or even unable to maintain their business continuity. This study aims to determine and examine the effect of entrepreneurial orientation and social capital on the performance of tourism MSMEs with sustainable competitive advantage as mediation. The population of this research is tourism MSMEs in Kampar Regency, Riau Province. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires with 133 respondents who were managers of tourism MSMEs. Data analysis was conducted using the SEM-PLS approach using SmartPLS4 software. The results showed that entrepreneurial orientation and social capital affect tourism MSMEs, both directly and indirectly through sustainable competitive advantage as a mediator. This research realizes that entrepreneurial orientation and social capital are factors that contribute to the success of tourism MSMEs and sustainable competitive advantage plays an important role in creating opportunities that can improve performance. |
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2. EFFECTS OF BUDGET DEFICIT AND MONEY SUPPLY ON INFLATION IN NIGERIA Adekunle Abass ADEWALE
Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Oye-Ekiti Nigeria DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24818/beman/2025.15.3-02 |
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This study explores the relationship between budget deficit, money supply, exchange rate, interest rate, and inflation in Nigeria over the period from 1991 to 2023. The study adopted an ex-post facto approach with data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria to apply the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model. The research establishes that Nigerian inflation levels rose as the money supply increased thus showing a direct positive correlation between these economic variables. Exchange rate fluctuations lead to inflationary pressures in the economy because they create significant inflation effects. The budget deficit affects inflation only through its indirect influence which stems from its effect on money supply. The research reveals that interest rates generate inflationary effects which remain noticeable while being less influential compared to other factors. The data demonstrates why monetary authorities need to control both monetary base fluctuations and currency exchange rate fluctuations because such actions drive price increases. It is recommended that the Nigeria's government prioritize budget deficit reduction combined with currency stability mechanisms and monetary policy standards that should fight inflation together with promoting a stable economic framework. Security experts can use the study findings to develop strategic inflation controls for Nigeria's changing economic framework.
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Idrees HASAN Salahaddin University - Erbil, Erbil Iraq Saman OTHMAN Soran University, Erbil Iraq
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/beman/2025.15.3-03 |
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This research explores the relationships between aspects of AI powered marketing at chatbot interface, personalization, and recommendations and how they impact Xiaomi smartphone users’ perceptions of customer engagement (cognitive, affective, and behavioral), and brand loyalty in the City of Erbil. This relationship has been evaluated using survey data from a heterogeneous sample of consumers utilizing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling PLS-SEM and found a good model fit. The analysis confirms the significant positive impact of AI powered marketing on customer engagement in each of its three dimensions. Additionally, all three dimensions of engagement were found to be positive significant predictors of brand loyalty with affective engagement being the dimension with the most significant direct effect. The analysis of total effects also reinforced previous research on the role of perceived personalization as a strong predictor of brand loyalty. The findings add to the growing body of research in digital marketing and consumer behavior as well as provide useful managerial recommendations to brand managers competing in the highly competitive, technology driven marketplace. |
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4. WORK-LIFE BALANCE AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE: A TREATISE ON ZIMBABWEAN ACADEMICS Hazel MUBANGO Women's University in Africa, Harare
Zimbabwe Hlanganipai NGIRANDE University of Venda, Thohoyandou
South Africa Regis Misheal MUCHOWE Durban University of Technology, Durban
South Africa DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/beman/2025.15.3-04 |
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The study examines the relationship between work-life balance and gender equality amongst academics in Zimbabwe. Although women have made progress in entering the workforce alongside men, many still face significant barriers preventing them from reaching top leadership positions, making achieving gender equality in the academic workspace seem unattainable. Although much research has been conducted on the gendered consequences of work-life balance, there is a lack of focus on this phenomenon because most of these studies are centered on industrialized countries. This study employed a quantitative research approach, utilizing stratified and judgmental sampling techniques to gather data from a total of 74 respondents who were affiliated with an academic institution within a private university in Zimbabwe. Data was collected using a 10-item questionnaire on work-life balance and a 9-item questionnaire on gender equality. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 29, employing descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The study findings suggest a direct correlation between work-life balance and gender equality. The study contributed to the discussion and conversations surrounding work-life balance in the academic community in Zimbabwe. |
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5. A SURVEY OF TALENT DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS WITHIN APPAREL MANUFACTURING COMPANIES IN KENYA Susan MUGO Mount Kenya University, Thika Kenya Henry YATICH Mount Kenya University, Thika Kenya Appolonius KEMBU Mount Kenya University, Thika Kenya
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/beman/2025.15.3-05 |
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There is an emerging research stream among scholars exploring how organizations and countries can cultivate talent so as to enhance innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. In developing countries such as Kenya, and specifically in apparel manufacturing sector, there is a gap on the impact of talent development interventions on operational performance. The objective of this paper is to assess the extent of alignment of investment in talent development interventions and achievement of key performance indicators in the apparel manufacturing industry. The research methodology includes quantitative methods where a questionnaire was used for collection of primary data. Major findings indicate seven of the nine talent development interventions have an impact on operational performance. The study underscores generic approach of developing talent and supports the revised model which is customized to meet the local industry needs. |
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Ci-Yun HONG Feng Chia University, Taichung City Taiwan Chang-Jung KUO Feng Chia University, Taichung City Taiwan Lu-Ming TSENG Feng Chia University, Taichung City Taiwan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/beman/2025.15.3-06 |
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This study examines life insurance agents’ awareness of ethical issues, ethical attitudes, and behavioral intentions toward selling health insurance to unhealthy customers. The study further examines how ethical attitudes and intentions are influenced by sales compensation, performance pressure, and underwriting policies of insurance companies. Full-time life insurance agents completed questionnaires during regular meetings. Using partial least square (PLS) regression, the results indicate that awareness of ethical issues influences the ethical attitudes and behavioral intentions of life insurance agents. Ethical attitudes are the most important variable affecting behavioral intentions. The study also finds that the stringency of the life insurance company's underwriting policy is a significant factor influencing life insurance agents’ ethical attitudes. Life insurance agents who knowingly sell health insurance to unhealthy customers may cause financial harm to the life insurance companies, and other honest customers may need to pay higher rates in the future as a result of this behavior. The findings of this study may serve as a reference for insurance regulators and life insurance companies. The findings also add to the literature on insurance fraud and support the idea that underwriting policies can influence the ethical attitudes of life insurance agents. |
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7. ANALYSIS OF MARKETING STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE OF TIER ONE LISTED BANKS IN KENYA
Amos Andama NYAMOKO Mount Kenya University, Nairobi Kenya
Maria MUNG'ARA Mount Kenya University, Nairobi Kenya
Oscar SANGORO Mount Kenya University, Nairobi Kenya
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/beman/2025.15.3-07 |
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The objective of the study was to determine the influence of marketing strategies on performance of tier one listed banks in Kenya. By examining how marketing strategies affect performance, appropriate resource allocation towards marketing effort would be achieved leading to enhanced performance of the banks. Market segmentation theory anchored the study with various studies suggesting that performance of banks was crucial for a nation's economic sustainability but there remained disagreement on how marketing strategies influence performance. This lack of consensus pointed to an information vacuum which this study sought to fill. Employing a descriptive cross-sectional survey based on positivist philosophy, 88 respondents were surveyed using a standardized questionnaire. Data analysis encompassed descriptive and inferential statistics using mean, standard deviation and correlation analysis while findings were displayed in frequency tables. The model explained a statistically significant 53.8% of the variation in performance of the banks leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. It was suggested that bank executives should focus on marketing strategies to enhance competitiveness. Additionally, regulatory authorities should support non-conventional distribution channels including online platforms to drive growth. Future research on impact of digital marketing on performance of banks was recommended. |