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Article
Publication date: 14 October 2019

Shem Wambugu Maingi

The purpose of this paper is to understand the causes and effects of overtourism within the East African region. The paper examines how national governments address the problem of…

1450

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the causes and effects of overtourism within the East African region. The paper examines how national governments address the problem of overtourism in East Africa and determines underlying principles and best practice in sustainable tourism certification, local governance and management in dealing with overtourism.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the objectives, the researcher conducted an exploratory experience survey research design. The study examines the different articles in the subject area and interview findings of practitioner respondents. Based on a review of the existing dimensions of overtourism, the effects of overtourism and local governance, the study sought to derive a holistic (systemic and integrated) perspective on the subject matter.

Findings

The paper presents valuable evidence from industry practitioners on the effects of overtourism in East Africa by classifying the effects as psychological, physical, economic and socio-cultural. Further, the paper examines how East African governments address the problem of overtourism and gives recommendations on ways to enforce, govern and coordinate implementation of tourism regulations and policies in East Africa.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to address overtourism in the context of East Africa, examining different local and innovative approaches to dealing with the impacts of overtourism in an East African context.

Details

Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, vol. 11 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-4217

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 August 2013

Andrew Parris

This paper describes World Vision ' s motivation, context, experience, and learning in improving processes in East Africa. It demonstrates that Lean and Six Sigma TQM…

1203

Abstract

Purpose

This paper describes World Vision ' s motivation, context, experience, and learning in improving processes in East Africa. It demonstrates that Lean and Six Sigma TQM approaches apply to an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) operating in East Africa, and that they can deliver significant process improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

The findings come from initiating process improvement in World Vision in East Africa, observing and reflecting on this experience, and measuring improvements achieved through process improvement projects conducted by World Vision East African staff.

Findings

The INGO and East African contexts provide unique challenges to and demonstrate a strong need for process excellence. However, a standard process improvement approach can be used. A key segment of World Vision staff in East Africa has caught the vision of process excellence, understood and applied TQM concepts and tools, and significantly improved key processes, for example, reduced by 40-80 per cent the average time to procure items and recruit new staff. We have reduced annual expenses by nearly $1,000,000. Such improvements help World Vision to achieve better outcomes with existing funding, people, and other resources.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates that Lean and Six Sigma apply to and are vital for both NGOs and the East African context. It describes World Vision Process Excellence and improvements achieved. It presents challenges faced and lessons learned along the way. Finally, it calls on others to join the Lean Six Sigma TQM journey in NGOs and East Africa.

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2022

Lauren Johnston and Joseph Onjala

This purpose of this paper is to explore China’s choice to focus early Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Africa outreach on Eastern Africa. The BRI specifically seeks to achieve ten…

Abstract

Purpose

This purpose of this paper is to explore China’s choice to focus early Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Africa outreach on Eastern Africa. The BRI specifically seeks to achieve ten economic and policy objectives, as outlined in the two launch speeches of 2013. In terms of realising these, the economic development and digitisation levels, that progress of the demographic transition, and the important security context of the sub-region, logically make East Africa relatively important to BRI in continental context. Kenya specifically is important in being an African frontier therein, and, also, because it shares a few important borders with landlocked countries, including Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda, alongside a strategic coast and ports. From this lens, as well the fact that in the Ming Dynasty Chinese fleets reached what is modern-day Kenya, China’s early BRI outreach to Africa having had a historical precedent in initially focusing on Eastern Africa, might be usefully understood.

Design/methodology/approach

To realise that aim a comprehensive survey of related literature and policy documents, in Chinese, English and Swahili, was undertaken and relevant data compiled and analysed.

Findings

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, first, this paper is the first to argue that the Belt and Road Initiative in Africa may build on abstract long-run logic in terms of economics, demographic change and security. This provides a contrary perspective to the pre-existing established “debt trap diplomacy” and no consistent logic narratives. Second, it is the first to offer a synthesised analysis of the BRI in Africa, East Africa specifically, looking across economic, demographic and security angles.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a synthesis of development and regional economics literature that forges some prospective rationales only. It is not an empirical research paper drawing very specific and definitive conclusions.

Practical implications

Amid widespread geo-economic tensions and uncertainty, around the Belt and Road Initiative in particular, this paper offers a new economic development-oriented logic for the choice of an important node of the China's Belt and Road Initiative, that of East Africa, Kenya especially. This may impact existing related narratives and policy responses.

Social implications

Equivalently to the above this may then have an impact on the ground in East Africa and beyond.

Originality/value

The first such or even close to synthesis.

Details

Journal of Chinese Economic and Foreign Trade Studies, vol. 15 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-4408

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 August 2017

Erick Rading Outa, Peterson Ozili and Paul Eisenberg

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative value relevance of accounting information arising from the adoption of converged and revised International Accounting…

1301

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relative value relevance of accounting information arising from the adoption of converged and revised International Accounting Standards (IAS)/International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in East Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The research applies “same firm year” design for identification of the effects of changes in accounting standards. A model similar to Ohlson’s price model and random-effects GLS are used to estimate R2 of the regressions of share prices on book values and earnings.

Findings

The results show that accounting information prepared from revised and converged IAS/IFRS display higher value relevance and also increased following the revision and convergence of IAS/IFRS. The cross-product term is more significant in the post-revision/convergence period thus providing further evidence for increased value relevance after the revision of IAS/IFRS. The results are robust to various models and show that value relevance in East Africa is relatively lower than that of the developed markets.

Originality/value

The current study provides empirical evidence that value relevance increases with converged/revised IAS/IFRS based on quasi natural experimental setting in East Africa. The authors also extend the debate on whether value relevance is relevant in emerging markets, which are regarded as imperfect markets with few regulations, weak enforcement and limited sources of information. The results may be useful to accounting preparers, regulators, investors, standard setters and countries seeking to adopt IAS/IFRS in developing countries.

Details

Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-1168

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 12 February 2021

Caroline Njeri Wanyoike and Matilda Maseno

This paper aims to investigate the motivations of social entrepreneurs in East Africa to create a social enterprise and their identified links to successful social…

6642

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the motivations of social entrepreneurs in East Africa to create a social enterprise and their identified links to successful social entrepreneurship in East Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed a qualitative method by performing thematic analysis on a set of interviews on social entrepreneurs from East Africa who are Ashoka fellows.

Findings

The findings suggest that intense personal experiences linked to past-life events as well as a high achievement orientation towards improving livelihoods and creating impact serve as key triggers for social entrepreneurship. Successful entrepreneurship focusses on system change at national and local levels. Their success is also seen when the social entrepreneurs have achieved their mission and are no longer needed; thus, they become irrelevant. The paper discusses the implications of these findings on the model used for sustainable social entrepreneurship in East Africa.

Practical implications

Based on an exploratory research on Ashoka fellows, the study adds insight to their motivations and success which can be used in a wider scale study of the same.

Originality/value

The authors advance the scarce empirical research on East African social entrepreneurs, link success factors of social entrepreneurship to a recent framework on motivation to engage in social entrepreneurship and stimulate further research in the area. The study contributes to the literature on social entrepreneurship by linking success factors of social entrepreneurship to a recent framework on motivation to engage in social entrepreneurship.

Details

New England Journal of Entrepreneurship, vol. 24 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2574-8904

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 16 March 2020

Akilou Amadou and Tchamsé Aronda

Recent works on the structural transformation of developing countries usually include only a few countries because of the availability of data. Beyond the resulting lack of…

Abstract

Purpose

Recent works on the structural transformation of developing countries usually include only a few countries because of the availability of data. Beyond the resulting lack of representativeness, these works also hit a strong disparity between the labour reallocation patterns of sub-regions. This paper devoted to sub-Saharan Africa, evaluates the performance of sub-Saharan Africa, as a whole, in structural transformation using a more exhaustive database and highlights key disparities that exist between the performances of sub-Saharan African sub-regions.

Design/methodology/approach

With a database covering 43 sub-Saharan African countries classified into 4 sub-regions, the paper uses the shift-share method over the period 1991–2012 with sub-periods of 1991–2000 and 2000–2012.

Findings

Results show that labour reallocation in sub-Saharan Africa occurred, though weakly, towards more productive activities over the period 1991–2012. Results also show a significant disparity between sub-regions' labour reallocation pattern. While East Africa has experienced a labour reallocation towards more productive activities, West Africa has seen a labour reallocation towards activities experiencing an increase in productivity. Central Africa and Southern Africa experienced a labour reallocation towards less productive activities, and these activities know, moreover, a decrease of productivity.

Practical implications

Findings suggest that any political strategy purposing to coordinate structural transformation in sub-Saharan Africa will result in a failure if countries' peculiarities are not taken into account.

Originality/value

This paper offers a representative picture of sub-Saharan Africa's structural transformation and illustrates disparities between its sub-regions' performances.

Details

African Journal of Economic and Management Studies, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-0705

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 March 2023

Amrita Saha, Filippo Bontadini and Alistair Cowan

The purpose of this paper is to provide an early assessment of India’s South-South cooperation for trade and technology (SSTT) with East Africa, focusing on Ethiopia, Rwanda…

1284

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an early assessment of India’s South-South cooperation for trade and technology (SSTT) with East Africa, focusing on Ethiopia, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. It aims to analyse the role of SSTT in providing support to targeted sectors.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines SSTT, focusing on India and East Africa over a specific period (2000–2016) of its emergence, and extends the public sponsorship literature in international business (IB) to better understand the relationship between SSTT and value addition – applying to a particular case study of SSTT interventions in spices.

Findings

The paper highlights SSTT as a pathway to support value addition in global value chains (GVCs). Trade between India and East African countries has grown, with three developments over the period of analysis in particular: shifting trade patterns, growing share of intermediate goods trade and differences in GVC insertion. However, East African exports are largely of lower value. Capacity building to support processing capability and thriving markets can encourage greater value addition. Preliminary findings suggest early gains at the margins, as SSTT interventions have been focusing on capacity boosting with buffering and bridging mechanisms for increased volume of trade. Moving up the value chain however requires that specific value-enhancing activities continue to be targeted, building on regional capacities. Our high-level case study for spices suggests that activities are starting to have a positive effect; however, more focus is needed to specifically target value creation before export and in particular higher levels of processing.

Practical implications

While findings are preliminary, policy implications emerge to guide SSTT interventions. There is capacity for building higher value-added supply chains as is evident among East African countries that trade with each other – future SSTT programmes could tap into this and help build capacity in these higher-value value chains. Future SSTT programmes can take a comprehensive approach by aiming at interventions at key points of the value chain, and especially at points that facilitate higher value addition than initial processing. An example is that Ethiopia and Rwanda are likely to benefit from an expanded spice industry, but the next phase should be towards building processing for value-addition components of the value chain, such as through trade policies, incentivising exporters to add value to items before export. From a development perspective, more analysis needs to be done on the value chain itself – for instance, trade facilitation measures to help processers engage in value chains and to access investments for increasing value add activities. (iv), Future research should examine more closely the development impacts of SSTT, namely, the connection between increased trade, local job creation and sustained innovation, as it is these tangible benefits that will help countries in the Global South realise the benefits of increased trade.

Originality/value

The paper underlines how the SSTT approach can contribute to the critical IB and GVCs literature using a theoretical grounded approach from public sponsorship theory, and with a unique lens of development cooperation between countries in the global south and its emerging impact on development outcomes in these countries.

Details

Critical Perspectives on International Business, vol. 19 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-2043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 31 December 2015

Graham Baldock

– This paper aims to examine the perception of corruption across Europe, Middle East and Africa across a small population of Compliance employees within a global organisation.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the perception of corruption across Europe, Middle East and Africa across a small population of Compliance employees within a global organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey consisting of 18 open and closed style questions and those using the Likert scale to measure perceptions was used in this research. Some of the questions were designed to enable supporting commentary to be provided.

Findings

This paper has only compounded the general published view of non-governmental organisations and academics that corruption is real and widespread and affects society, irrespective of age, culture or geographic location.

Research limitations/implications

This study was targeted at a Compliance function within one organisation. Even though all the respondents would have had the same training, their perception might not be the same as individuals in the same country who were not employed within the same organisation.

Practical implications

This may benefit companies from a training perspective, as it demonstrates the variety of opinions that exist within one organisation. It may also be of interest to organisations such as Transparency International, who conduct periodic research into the perception of corruption.

Social implications

This research highlights the differences of opinion just within one organisation and thereby demonstrates the difficulties faced in tackling corruption.

Originality/value

As this research was conducted from an internal perspective within one organization, it provides a unique insight into the views and opinions of employees across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Details

Journal of Financial Crime, vol. 23 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1359-0790

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1998

Cephas Odini

The article gives an overview of recent library and information developments in East Africa. Discusses the prevailing local conditions and decries the declining state of libraries…

607

Abstract

The article gives an overview of recent library and information developments in East Africa. Discusses the prevailing local conditions and decries the declining state of libraries in East Africa. Highlights the initiatives taken by the Eastern African governments and international organizations such as UNESCO and IFLA to try and stop the rot of libraries and information systems. Recognizes the positive role played by professional associations in supporting library development. Offers the East African governments a challenge to appreciate the importance of literacy and provision of adequate funding to establish and maintain the infrastructure of service and acquisition of resources.

Details

Library Management, vol. 19 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-5124

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2001

Stephen M. Mutula

The East Africa sub‐region comprises the three states of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania which belong to the sub‐regional economic bloc, the East African Cooperation (EAC). Under the…

1578

Abstract

The East Africa sub‐region comprises the three states of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania which belong to the sub‐regional economic bloc, the East African Cooperation (EAC). Under the framework of EAC, the member states’ development agenda emphasizes development of infrastructure and technological capacities as critical dimensions in the realization of a single market and investment area. EAC envisions the need for sub‐regional integration in the development of information systems and information networks in all sectors of their national economies. This paper discusses Internet access in the sub‐region as an important component in the realization of the sub‐region’s vision. Problems hindering Internet access are identified and the future outlook assessed.

Details

Library Review, vol. 50 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0024-2535

Keywords

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