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From Profit To Purpose: How Corporate Social Responsibility Transforms Rural Communities In Kenya
Abstract: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved globally from philanthropic acts to strategic initiatives with social, environmental, and economic implications. In Kenya, CSR is often applied philanthropically, with limited integration into long-term development strategies, especially in rural areas. This study investigates the social impacts of Rabai Power Company’s (RPL) CSR initiatives on sustainable rural development and corporate... [...] Read more
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Unlocking Trade-Led Growth in West Africa: The Moderating Role of Institutional Quality in a Dynamic Panel Analysis
Abstract: This study examines the conditional effect of trade liberalization on economic growth in West Africa, with a particular focus on the moderating influence of institutional quality. A panel dataset covering 16 West African countries over the period 2017–2022 is employed to estimate a dynamic growth model using the System Generalized Method of Moments (System-GMM), which effectively addresses endogeneity and growth persistence. Robustness checks... [...] Read more
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Adaptive Leadership Styles and Organizational Performance: Evidence from Local NGOs in Ethiopia
Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the influence of leadership styles on the performance of local NGOs in Ethiopia. A mixed-method design, combining descriptive survey and correlational approaches, was employed. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 276 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and 199 board chairpersons from systematically sampled local NGOs. Responses were analyzed using SPSS through... [...] Read more
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An Analysis of Factors Affecting Media Freedom At The South African Broadcasting Corporation
Abstract: This study used a descriptive research design and qualitative research methodologies to investigate the factors affecting media independence at the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The study employed purposive sampling to pick four directors, four editors, and four journalists from the South African Broadcasting Corporation utilizing non-probability selection. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The results indicate... [...] Read more
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The Application of Garden Therapy In Social Work Practice for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders In South Africa
Abstract: Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a significant challenge in South Africa, with high relapse rates despite the availability of various treatment approaches. Garden therapy, although underutilized in social work, has shown potential as a therapeutic intervention that promotes personal growth, resilience, and holistic rehabilitation. This review explores the potential application of garden therapy in social work practice with male substance... [...] Read more
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Misunderstanding Suffering: Witchcraft Misconceptions, Myths, And Hidden Reality of Substance Abuse In Black African Communities
Abstract: This study investigates the myths and misconceptions surrounding witchcraft and their influence on substance abuse, with particular attention to the long-term negative effects on treatment and recovery. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to ensure transparency, comprehensiveness, and unbiased reporting. A content analysis approach was employed, drawing on literature... [...] Read more
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Determinants of Takaful Demand: The Role of Macroeconomic and Human Development Indicators in Muslim Countries
Abstract: This study investigates the macroeconomic and socio-economic determinants influencing the demand for Takaful (Islamic insurance) across selected Muslim countries between 2004 and 2016. Despite the growing global interest in Islamic finance, Takaful remains underdeveloped compared to other sectors such as Islamic banking and Sukuk. This research aims to identify the key factors affecting Takaful uptake by examining the effects of real interest... [...] Read more
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Strategic Human Resource Management and Brain Drain in Nigeria: An Empirical Study of Retention Practices and Workforce Mobility (2020–2024)
Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices and the ongoing brain drain of skilled professionals in Nigeria. Drawing on Human Capital Theory and Strategic HRM frameworks, the research employs a mixed-methods design that integrates quantitative labor market data from 2020 to 2024 with qualitative insights from 80 participants, including HR professionals and expatriates. The findings... [...] Read more
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Under Pressure to Perform: How Social Cues in Academia Shape Perfectionism Among Early-Career Scholars
Abstract: Perfectionism is increasingly recognized as a socially driven psychological experience shaped by workplace environments. Drawing on and extending the dual-cycle model of perfectionism developed by Goodwin et al. (2025), this qualitative study investigates how social cues within academia influence the development of maladaptive and adaptive perfectionism among early-career scholars. Based on in-depth interviews with 42 participants, including... [...] Read more
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Understanding AI Adoption In Education: The Role of Readiness, Confidence, And Social Influence Among Pakistani Students
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore the key factors influencing Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in education among Pakistani university students. Specifically, it examines how AI Readiness (AIRD), AI Confidence (AICF), and Social Influence (SI) affect students’ Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU), and how these perceptions shape their Attitudes toward AI (ATT). The study also investigates the mediating roles... [...] Read more
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How Good Is Entrepreneurs' Optimism For Creative Performance? Role Of Entrepreneurs' Experience And Environmental Dynamics
Abstract: This study investigates the relationship between entrepreneurs’ dispositional optimism and the creative performance of their new ventures. While optimism is generally regarded as a positive entrepreneurial trait, this research explores whether excessive optimism may, under certain conditions, undermine creative outcomes. Drawing on social cognitive theory, the study surveyed 1,000 new ventures across Pakistan using a stratified random... [...] Read more
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Rituals of Openness: Vulnerability Practices in Multidisciplinary Professional Settings Beyond Healthcare
Abstract: Professional cultures often valorize control, expertise, and emotional composure, rendering vulnerability a counter-normative and high-risk act. While recent scholarship has begun to conceptualize vulnerability as a relational strength, less is known about how professionals in non-clinical, multidisciplinary settings practice and interpret emotional disclosure. Building on the process model introduced by Bouchard et al. (2025), this study... [...] Read more
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The Relationship Between Host Community And Tourism Development: Tripoli-Lebanon As A Case Study
Abstract: This study examines the dynamic relationship between tourism development and the host community, highlighting the dual potential of tourism to generate socio-economic opportunities while posing cultural and social challenges. Emphasizing the principles of sustainable tourism, the research underscores the importance of community participation, acceptance, and equitable benefit-sharing in ensuring tourism initiatives are both effective and... [...] Read more
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The Hidden Costs of Success: The Impact of Professional Careers on Parenting and Child Well-Being in Professional Families
Abstract: This systematic review examines how professional parents manage parenting responsibilities amid demanding work schedules and increasing career pressures. In recent years, much of professional parents' time has been consumed by work-related obligations, often at the expense of parenting and family engagement. This imbalance is reflected in parents’ behaviors towards their children, as the pursuit of professional success frequently carries... [...] Read more
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The Cultural Nature of Mourning In South African Black Families: A Systematic Review
Abstract: This systematic review investigates the cultural nature of mourning among Black South African families. The study focuses on the unique cultural dimensions that shape grieving processes within diverse South African communities. Given the country’s rich tapestry of ethnic groups and religious affiliations, mourning practices vary significantly across regions and social groups. These variations are particularly pronounced in rural areas, where... [...] Read more
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Black African Families’ Perceptions of A Girl Child Raised By A Single Father: Exploratory Study
Abstract: This study aims to explore how Black African families perceive single fathers raising girl children, addressing persistent cultural beliefs that question fathers' capability to nurture and care for daughters independently. By examining these perceptions, the study seeks to dispel myths and raise awareness within diverse ethnic groups where cultural customs remain deeply valued. The systematic review employed the PRISMA methodology to ensure... [...] Read more
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COVID-19 And The Informal Sector In South Africa: Lessons, Challenges And Benefits
Abstract: This paper examines the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on informal trading in South Africa. This paper argues that the phenomenon of unemployment has always been a factor that pushes people to become informal traders, pre and post-COVID-19 outbreak in South Africa. However, as far as Covid-19 could have posed critical to the nation’s economy, this paper further asserts that the covid-19 brought major positive contributions to the citizenry,... [...] Read more
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Environmental And Health Implications of Waste Disposal Sites In The Lesotho Lowlands
Abstract: Many Southern African countries, including Lesotho, face severe health and environmental issues attributed to waste disposal. The purpose of this study is to assessed the environmental and health impacts on residents living in proximity to disposal sites in the lowlands of Lesotho. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, using a semi-structured questionnaire and observation method. A mapping device was used, and photographs were... [...] Read more
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Financial Inclusion, Household Decision-making and Child Health Outcome in Nigeria
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the impact of financial inclusion and household decision-making on child health outcomes in Nigeria. Specifically, it explores how financial inclusion—measured through mobile phone usage for financial transactions, bank account ownership, and mobile digital payment methods—interacts with women's decision-making power regarding earnings and household purchases to influence child health. Using data from the 2018... [...] Read more
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Challenges of ICT Integration in Social Work Practicums in African Higher Education: A Systematic Review
Abstract: This systematic review explores the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in enhancing social work practicums within higher learning institutions across developing African nations. Key challenges identified include the absence of clear institutional policies for ICT integration, insufficient funding for welfare organizations, particularly from the South African Department of Social Development, and unreliable internet access... [...] Read more
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Validating Instructional Practice Scale For Instructors In Some Selected Ethiopian Public Universities
Abstract: The primary aim of this study was to validate the Instructional Practice Scale (IPS) for university instructors in the context of Ethiopian public universities. Recognizing the importance of reliable and contextually appropriate measurement instruments for effective instructional methods, we sought to ensure the IPS was both valid and reliable. The study employed a descriptive survey methodology, gathering data from 1,254 instructors across... [...] Read more
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The Ravaging Effects of Online Gambling on The Social Functioning of Male Breadwinners In African Families
Abstract: This systematic review examines the ravaging effects of online gambling on the social functioning of male breadwinners in African families. Online gambling negatively impacts the social functioning of male breadwinners in African families. The researcher realized that online gambling among male African breadwinners leads to habitual neglect of the family and deterioration in socialization. As a result, the way African families function... [...] Read more
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Views On Gender-Based Violence And Femicide: Implications For Policy And Practice Interventions
Abstract: As an initial step toward developing a responsive and adequate service delivery to the victims of GBVF, this exploratory formative research was conducted to examine perspectives of GBVF among the South African Police Service (SAPS) and community members in the Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) policing area. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was used for a bigger study, to evaluate a comprehensive case-management intervention in the KZN. This paper... [...] Read more
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Parody Facebook Accounts as Facilitators of Fake News: Perceptions of South Africa
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of Facebook as a platform for reporting fake news. Researchers investigated the following problem: Facebook users tend to disseminate fake news, adversely affecting the credibility of content posted on Facebook as factual information. Facebook is misused by individuals who post fake news fabricated to degrade the integrity and credibility of others. However, organizations and other community... [...] Read more
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Social Media’s Influence on the Attitudes of Younger Daughters-in-Law towards their Mothers-in-Law: A South African Context
Abstract: This systematic review explores social media’s influence on the attitudes of younger daughters-in-law towards their mothers-in-law within the South African context. The researchers carried out the “Preferred Reporting Items for the Systematic Review and Meta-analysis” guidelines as a research methodology. The scientific search databases such as Google Scholar, EBSCOhost, ResearchGate, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Sabinet and Taylor & Francis... [...] Read more