IGBO APPRENTICESHIP MODEL AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN ABIA STATE

The study examined the effect of the Igbo apprenticeship model on Entrepreneurship Development in Abia state. The specific objectives were to; examine the effect of skills acquisition on entrepreneurship development and evaluate the effect of training on entrepreneurship development in Abia state. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. A questionnaire design with a 4-point Likert scale was used to collect data. Using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to the acquired data (SPSS 28.0). Analysis was conducted using simple linear regression analysis.  The result revealed that Skills acquisition has a significant effect on entrepreneurship development with a value of (F = 29.618; p = 0.002), and also, Training had a significant effect on entrepreneurship development with avalue of (F = 21.371; p = 0.003) in Abia state. The study concluded that the Igbo apprenticeship model had a significant and positive effect on entrepreneurship development in Abia State. The study recommended that the government and relevant agencies should recognize and provide institutional support to the Igbo apprenticeship model

ASSESSING SOUTH AFRICA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Environmental sustainability is essential element of the global focus based on 26th UN climate change conference, 2021. Essentially, recent rapid economic growth in South Africa (SA) has created verifying environmental sustainability. Sequel to this, this study assesses SA economic growth and Foreign Direct Investment, implications for environmental sustainability span over 1986-2022. Environmental Kuznet Hypothesis is the framework adopted for the study using ARDL techniques to assess the long-run connection amid the variables. The findings signify that rises in economic growth creates more carbon emissions, then begins to fall at a particular level, thereby confirming Environmental Kuznet Hypothesis for SA. The causality approach signifies that Foreign Direct Investment, urban population and economic growth contribute significantly to carbon emission threshold in SA. Essentially, future researchers may choose to adapt the study to Sub-Saharan Africa and incorporate one or more control variables

LACK OF CONSUMER ADOPTION OF CONVERSATIONAL ROBOTS IN THE ONLINE MARKETPLACE FOR U.S.-BASED CUSTOMERS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Artificial intelligence technology continues to grow, with 2025 expected to exceed $17 billion USD in investments. Chatbots, or conversational robots, are a popular form of artificial intelligence technology used in marketing that involves consumer spending projected to surpass$72 billion USD by 2028. However, consumer reactions to chatbots continue to be a challenge despite marketers’ excitement. The problem addressed by this study was the lack of consumer adoption of conversational robots in the online marketplace. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the lack of consumer conversational robots in the position of Facebook users in the United States. The chosen framework for this research was the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), introduced by Alfred Davis in 1989 to assess users’ attitudes toward technology by measuring their perspectives of perceived use and perceived ease of use. Two research questions were developed to address the research problem. The methodology used was a qualitative case study design, which permitted five open-ended interview questions to answer the two research questions by interviewing 20 participants. Participants were recruited via Facebook, followed by 20 interviews spanning over two months. All interviews were recorded and transcribed using NVivo 15 software and later analyzed using an open-coded inductive thematic analysis to generate categories and themes. Results revealed that consumers desire improved personalization of chatbots and reduced screen interference during their online shopping experiences. Implications of the study indicated the following: 1) perceived usefulness showed no significant relationship with consumers, 2) frustration, annoyance, impatience, intrusiveness, and mistrust were key reasons for avoiding text-based chatbots, 3) user satisfaction with chatbot interactions impacted online purchase intention, 4) consumers perceived chatbots as not useful due to their limited human-like interaction, lack of helpfulness, and inability to address questions sufficiently, and 5) increased anthropomorphism can positively influence user engagement and comfortability. Recommendations for practice and future research include web developers and marketers refining how chatbots are deployed on a webpage, artificial intelligence developers evolving chatbot personalization, and researchers expanding this study by exploring commonalities in specific demographic groups to uncover deeper insights on chatbot adoption

THE IMPACT OF CYBERLOAFING ON THE EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING OF PSYCHIATRIC NURSES IN SAUDI ARABIA

Cyberloafing, or the use of the internet in the workplace for non-work-related purposes, is an increasingly common problem in the field of professional development. Nurses face a variety of stressors, including workload and patient conflict, which can negatively affect their emotional wellbeing. While cyberloafing may provide some temporary relief, widespread use could lead to reduced productivity and increased disease transmission. This study aims to examine the impact of cyberloafing on the nurse’s emotional wellbeing in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study will be conducted among about 200 psychiatric nurses, randomly selected from mental health hospitals in Saudi Arabia using sample size equation based on the expected cyberloafing prevalence from the similar study. Data will be collected using self-reported questionnaire including demographic and professional characteristics, Cyberloafing Scale and Positive and Negative Affect Schedule - Short Form (PANAS-SF). Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 28.0. Ethical issues will be considered. The study is expected to demonstrate that moderate levels of cyberloafing may be relieving in the short term, whereas excessive use may be associated with greater distress and dissatisfaction with the job. The findings will inform workplace policies on preventing cyberloafing and emphasize the relationship between nurses’ emotional wellbeing

NEW EDUCATION PROGRAM IN VALUES EDUCATION: TÜRKİYE CENTURY MAARIF MODEL

In 2024, Türkiye put into effect the Türkiye Century Maarif Model Curriculum, which was completed in 2023. The curriculum has sparked significant debate since its publication. Each discipline has contributed its own perspectives, leading to extensive discussions on the subject. The main reason for the most vocal debate is the title and principle of the Maarif Model for the Turkish Century. The name Maarif has not been heard in Türkiye for a long time, and as a model, it was put forward for the first time in 2024. The most striking point of the Maarif Model education is the perspective it develops in terms of values education. This perspective integrates the targeted human model and philosophy into all curricula in Türkiye. Maarif Model, which is examined within the framework of values education, was analyzed in this study in order to understand its basic elements, present its disciplines and explain its impact for Türkiye. Document analysis, one of the deductive analysis approaches, was used as a method in the study. The entire study was selected from the “Common Text of Curriculum” published by the Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye and translated into English

THE IMPORTANCE OF NAMES: A FOLLOW UP

This study aims to investigate the significance of students knowing each other's names in fostering interpersonal communication, community, identity, and psychological safety within Japanese tertiary EFL classrooms, as well as its impact on academic and social success. Identity is both personal and social (Vignoles, 2017), and students can gain a strong sense of self when reflecting on it. Furthermore, the rapport established through the learning of names can lead to a sense of belonging (Cooper et. al, 2017). Over a two-and-a-half-year period, feedback was collected from participants in ten mandatory tertiary English courses at a Japanese university, including advanced Global Skills, advanced Reading and Writing, and intermediate Listening and Speaking classes. Drawing on U.S.-based research on identity and the use of "name tents" to enhance belonging, research focused on the effect of  using mnemonics as a memory strategy for learning names in the author’s EFL classes. Establishing whether parallels from learning names existed, including any sense of belonging, was investigated. Peer to peer interaction rather than student-teacher interaction was also a main focus. Analysis revealed that a number of students felt that knowing their classmates' names contributed to a more positive learning environment, aligning with similar findings from international studies. The study underscores the importance of name recognition in creating a supportive classroom atmosphere, indicating potential benefits for student engagement and success. This research is in its preliminary stages, with plans for a more rigorous analysis of the collected feedback to further explore the implications of name recognition on student experiences and outcomes. Considering students generally have a positive outlook towards the activity in English, its use could be considered more widely in other classroom situations

OCEAN FOR LIFE AND THE MISSION TO INCREASE INCOME FOR TARGET COMMUNITIES AROUND THE GULF OF THAILAND: ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The "Ocean for Life" project by PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) aims to conserve and restore marine ecosystems while supporting economic growth and improving the quality of life in coastal communities. To achieve this, PTTEP has implemented a marine aquaculture learning center and a seafood product development project in 17 provinces around the Gulf of Thailand. The goal is to boost the income of participating communities.  To ensure the project's effectiveness and standards, PTTEP commissioned Thammasat University's Research and Consulting Center to study and evaluate the income of the target communities. The study found that the ongoing marine learning center project significantly increased marine life, leading to higher fish catches and helping to preserve local fishing jobs and reduce migration. However, the value of the catch did not increase proportionally with the amount caught. Key factors affecting income include boat operating expenses and maintenance costs, which vary by boat size and type.   Although the seafood product development project increased the quantity and variety of processed seafood, it did not significantly boost income for members compared to the learning center project. This is due to the abundance of similar products in the market, limited distribution methods, and inconsistent pricing. The research center recommended improvements in research and project development to help "Ocean for Life" achieve its future objectives

BRIDGING THE GAP: MALE AGING, CONSUMER BEHAVIOR, AND STRATEGIC MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES

This study explores the psychological perceptions of aging traits in men and their impact on consumer behavior and marketing strategies, addressing a gap in prior research predominantly focused on women. This research adopts a qualitative approach through one-on-one in-depth interviews, involving 30 participants from diverse age groups. Findings indicate that key aging traits in men include gray hair, baldness, wrinkles and spots, changes in body shape (e.g., beer belly), psychological and behavioral aging, and odor associated with aging. These traits not only signify physical and behavioral aging but also influence men's self-confidence and perceptions of their social roles. Unlike women, men’s anxiety about aging is more centered on fears of declining social value and health, profoundly affecting their professional capabilities and image management needs. This research bridges the gap in understanding men’s aging psychology and consumer behavior, offering theoretical and practical insights for developing precise marketing strategies targeting male audiences. It also promotes dual benefits of commercial and social value by aligning with gender equality and aesthetic diversity, providing a reference for future cross-cultural studies on men’s aging

OIL PRICES, EXCHANGE RATE VOLATILITY AND FDI INFLOWS ON THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF GHANA: WAVELET TECHNIQUE AND ARDL APPROACH

Ghana, like many other developing economies, is intricately connected to global economic trends and fluctuations. This paper investigates the influence of oil prices, exchange rate volatility and FDI inflows on Ghana’s economic growth. Moreover, it determines the level of interdependencies and the lead/lag connectedness among the variables. The study utilizes time series data from 1995 to 2022 and applies the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model as well as Wavelet Multiple techniques (Wavelet Multiple Correlation (WMC) and Wavelet Multiple Cross-Correlation (WMCC)). Based on the ARDL model, oil prices and exchange rate volatility adversely impact Ghana’s GDP. However, FDI inflows reveal a positive and significant relationship to GDP. Using the Wavelet model, the WMC result demonstrates stronger interdependence among the variables. Finally, the outcome from WMCC indicates that the exchange rate is the dominant variable without any lag that plays a pivotal role in determining the coherence among the economic indicators. Therefore, the study suggests that investment in renewable energy, diversification of export products and markets, enhancement of exchange rate framework, promotion of local content and linkages, and monitoring and evaluation of anti-corruption measures should be encouraged to boost the economy of Ghana

“EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: SCORES AND INFLUENCING FACTORS CASE STUDY OF A STATE ENTERPRISE IN THAILAND”

This research aims to study the engagement assessment index and analyze the factors influencing employee engagement in a state enterprise in Thailand. The study employs a quantitative research method, using a questionnaire as a data collection tool from a sample of 855 employees. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics, including Multiple Regression Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings revealed that the overall employee engagement score, measured by the Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS), indicates a need for improvement. The majority of employees fell into the 'Passive' group (37.80%), followed by the 'Detractor' group (33.60%), and the 'Promoter' group (28.70%). Further analysis indicated that engagement in terms of 'Say' was rated as excellent, 'Strive' as good, while 'Stay' required improvement. Factors such as organizational attitude, direct supervisors and executives, acceptance, career opportunities, welfare, and work environment positively influenced employee engagement