International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science

The proliferation of technology has innovated new ways of saving and investing money: online savings and investment platforms [OSIPs]. Predicting the intention to adopt Fintech has triggered the interest of many researchers in academia and industries. The primary objective of this study was to examine factors influencing the intention to adopt OSIPs in Nigeria by using data gathered from 640 digitally active citizens from selected cities in Nigeria. Reliability and validity tests were conducted through construct reliability and discriminant validity, respectively, through WarpPLS. Data were computed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version) 24 and analyzed with structural equation modeling via WarpPLS. The findings of this study showed that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and social influence significantly affect attitude while facilitating conditions predict intention to adopt. It was also found that attitude significantly influences the intention to adopt OSIPs. The paper also discusses the study’s research limitations and presents implications for theory and practice.

The study sought to determine the influence of human resource planning on firm performance of firms listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya. The study was anchored on human capital theory and shareholder value maximization theory. The research design used was a cross-sectional survey while the study population constituted all the 68 listed firms at the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) as in May 2017. The target population included the head of human resources and finance directors in all the listed firms. The sample size comprised of 136 respondents, and data was collected through structured questionnaires to meet the objectives of the study. Responses were tabulated, coded, and processed by the use of a computer Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) to analyze the data. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyze the data. To test hypotheses, a simple linear model was used to test significance between the independent and dependent variable. The study findings revealed that the relationship between human resource planning and firm performance was positive and statistically significant and hence rejected the null hypothesis. The study concluded that the type and strategy of the firm, succession planning, matching skills with jobs and skills inventory are human resource planning indicators influencing the performance of firms listed in the NSE. It is therefore recommended that firms should continue to practice and maintain adequate human resource planning as it plays a fundamental role in achieving the objectives of the organizations.

This paper analyzes the total factor productivity developments in the Middle East banking, by drawing on the experience of Jordanian banks at the start of the new millennium. In order to control for the effects of different specifications of banking technology on the results, this study estimates the productivity and efficiency growth scores under two alternative approaches, production and intermediation models. On average, under the former model, we found 79% technical efficiency and 3.2% productivity growth, while under the later model we found 92% technical efficiency and 3.3% productivity growth for the sector. One implication is that the Jordanian banks can obtain considerable resource savings if they can catch up with the best practice banks. Among the organizational forms operating in this emerging market, we found that commercial banks generally outperform both investment and Islamic banks in terms of efficiency and total factor productivity growth.

Understanding the effects on the overall well-being of the communities affected by the Pak Mun Dam construction would fill in the gaps in existing knowledge and facilitate a deeper discussion of the factors that impact overall wellbeing. The Pak Mun Dam was finished in 1994 and from that point on there have been changes affecting local residents. This study attempts to understand the impact of those changes from a well-being perspective using primary data collected from residents in villages close to the dam site. Structural Equation Model (SEM) was a method for this research analysis.  Results from a structural model show that social and economic well-being are important factors that impact the overall well-being of the affected residents from the Pak Mun Dam area. Furthermore, we discuss how information from 20 items within seven dimensions of the well-being measurement model can be used to develop more efficient strategies and policies to increase well-being capital.

To obtain a comprehensive view of the apparel disposal behaviors of young U.S. consumers, this study evaluated antecedents of apparel disposal behaviors using a framework based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA), categorization theory, and prior literature. Data were obtained from a convenience sample of undergraduate students at a large U.S. Midwestern university through a self-administered online survey. A final sample of 358 usable surveys was analyzed through the use of structural equation modeling (SEM) with Amos. The results supported the proposed relationships between environmental apparel knowledge and attitude toward sustainable methods of apparel disposal. In addition, the proposed relationships between attitude and apparel disposal intention (intention to discard, donate, reuse, or resell) were all supported except for intention to resell. While the results showed a significant and positive relationship between subjective norms and intention to resell or donate apparel, no significant relationship was shown between subjective norms and intention to reuse or discard apparel. In addition, subjective norms were a positive and significant antecedent of attitude. Lastly, respondents’ intention to engage in a particular apparel disposal behavior corresponded with the actual apparel disposal behavior.

The successful achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) largely depends on human behavior. Will people act sustainably when they consume, work, travel, or simply go about their lives? Only if the answer is yes can we truly make progress toward sustainability. Research into what influences SDG-supportive behavior has identified several factors. However, some studies emphasize knowledge, others highlight economic barriers, and still others focus on traits and psychological factors—rarely all at once. In this paper, we aim to broaden this perspective. By reviewing multiple sources, we develop and empirically test a comprehensive model of sustainable behavior. We propose that awareness of sustainability issues influences how individuals interpret and understand societal challenges. At the same time, a person’s motivational orientation will determine whether they internalize sustainability values as their own beliefs and develop positive attitudes toward the SDGs. Nonetheless, even if individuals strongly believe in sustainability, their actions also depend on other factors. Using data from the Japan Household Panel Survey on Sustainable Development Goals, this study constructs psychometric measures and creates a nomological framework to examine the mechanisms behind the formation of sustainability behavior. The findings suggest that prosocial peace orientation and awareness of sustainability issues positively influence sustainability values and attitudes, which, in turn, shape sustainability behaviors.

This study examines the impact of wage disparities on employee performance within Zimbabwe's telecommunication industry using advanced structural equation modelling techniques informed by recent post-pandemic organizational behaviour research. A quantitative research approach was employed, collecting data from 227 respondents across various job levels in Harare through structured questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling, incorporating recent methodological advances in measurement invariance testing and multi-group analysis. Results reveal significant wage differentials with employees perceiving substantial unfairness in wage distribution. The structural model demonstrates that wage disparities significantly impact employee performance, with regulatory frameworks and economic instability identified as primary contributing factors. Organizations should adopt AI-enhanced transparent compensation systems and implement performance-based wage structures informed by recent Environmental, Social, and Governance frameworks to enhance employee satisfaction and organizational performance. 

Access to clean and safe water remains a critical development priority under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. However, water service providers in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, continue to experience performance challenges associated with governance, infrastructure limitations, and leadership effectiveness. This study examined the moderating effect of employee engagement on the relationship between exemplary transformational leadership and the performance of selected water and sewerage companies in Kenya. Grounded in transformational leadership theory, the three-component theory of work engagement, and the balanced scorecard framework, the study adopted a positivist philosophy and a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 328 employees drawn from 13 public water companies operating under the Athi Water Works Development Agency using structured questionnaires. Exemplary transformational leadership was measured through three practices—modeling the way, challenging the process, and empowering followers—while employee engagement was assessed through vigor, dedication, and absorption. Organizational performance was evaluated using indicators of service quality, economic efficiency, and operational sustainability. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and moderated multiple regression analysis were conducted using SPSS version 27. The findings revealed that exemplary transformational leadership and employee engagement significantly and positively influenced water company performance. Importantly, employee engagement significantly moderated the relationship between exemplary transformational leadership and performance (β = −0.689, p < .05), indicating a buffering effect in which leadership had a stronger impact under conditions of low engagement. The study contributes to leadership and public sector management literature by empirically validating the moderating role of employee engagement within Kenya’s water sector. It recommends integrating employee engagement strategies with leadership development initiatives to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability in water utilities.

The research analyzes in depth how Beyond Budgeting influences financial results across the South African non-ferrous metal industry. The research solves the challenge of outdated budget systems alongside marketplace insecurities and operational obstacles in the examined sector. The 60-month period from 2020 through secondary financial statement analysis of non-ferrous metal firms constitutes the research approach. Financial performance analysis used a sample set of statements to conduct t-tests on paired data points for examining budgeting practice associations. Beyond Budgeting brought better revenue results to organizations but proved minimally effective in increasing profitability when associated with growing cost diversity levels. Beyond Budgeting produced enhanced revenue results but did not create substantial changes in operating profit numbers. Traditional budgeting methods proved unfit for handling the changing non-ferrous metal market environment because they produced erroneous financial prediction results. The study findings indicate South African non-ferrous metal firms should implement Beyond Budgeting for their revenue flexibility but must maintain cost control systems for profitability sustainability. Organizations should combine traditional budgeting components with Beyond Budgeting principles to attain financial security as well as market responsiveness according to research findings. Financial managers require training in adaptive budgeting and organizations should install real-time tracking systems which effectively regulate cost variances.

This study investigates the key factors influencing warehouse inventory performance at Eskom Distribution in the Gauteng Cluster using factor analysis. The aim is to identify critical elements that impact inventory management effectiveness and enhance operational performance. Eskom faces challenges in inventory control, including forecasting inaccuracies, procurement risks, and technology integration limitations, despite advancements in Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) and Reorder Point (ROP) models. This research applies a quantitative approach with a positivist paradigm, using simple random sampling to select 144 respondents from a target population of 230 employees involved in inventory management. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to uncover the factors affecting warehouse performance. The study identifies three major components—operational efficiency, inventory accuracy, and record-keeping—that account for the majority of variance in performance outcomes. These findings are aligned with previous studies emphasizing the role of accurate inventory data, efficient operations, and technology in enhancing warehouse functioning. The implications suggest that Eskom and similar organizations should invest in advanced inventory management systems, improve staff training, and adopt real-time tracking solutions. Further research could explore how external disruptions and emerging technologies, such as AI and blockchain, influence inventory performance across various sectors. This study contributes valuable insights to the field of inventory management within the public sector, offering practical recommendations for improving warehouse efficiency and reducing operational delays.