Research Symposium 2019, Health Disparities: Community Engagement

With the theme of “Health Disparities: Community Engagement,” this symposium aims to showcase the work done by researchers here in the Valley and beyond toward improving the health and well-being of the communities they serve and society as a whole

Factors affecting the success of development projects:A behavioral perspective

This dissertation sought to examine behavioral-related critical success factors in the context of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) sector development projects in Ethiopia. The dissertation applied both a cross-sectional survey design and an experimental design in separate settings, and it is organized in five chapters. The first chapter introduces the study, describes the context, and offers a brief methodology of the study. Using a field survey, the second chapter highlights the role of team-building in explaining the relationship between project managers’ transformational leadership and project success. The study finds that team-building significantly mediates the relationship between project managers’ transformational leadership and project success. The study also indicates that both project managers’ transformational leadership and team-building are determinants of success in development projects in the NGO sector. The third chapter of the dissertation presents another empirical study on the moderating role of team problem-solving in the adverse influence of project uncertainty on project success. The finding of this study indicates that team problem-solving significantly reduces the negative influence of project uncertainty on project success for longer projects. The fourth chapter discusses an experimental study on the role of project beneficiaries’ psychological ownership in mediating the relationship between participation in pre-implementation phases of a project (particularly needs assessment and planning) and behavioral intentions to sustain the project. This study highlights the importance of project beneficiaries’ psychological ownership in the relationship between genuine participation and required behavioral intention to ensure project sustainability. The fifth chapter of the dissertation, Conclusions, contains a summary of empirical findings, a discussion of the overall implications, both for theory and for practice, and limitations and future research directions

Determinants of user continuance intention towards mobile money services : the case of M-pesa in Kenya

Includes bibliographical referencesThe turn of the millennium witnessed the uptake and proliferation of mobile technology in developing regions. This occurrence has provided a medium for mobile telecommunication vendors within the region to create and offer services that are now accessible across socio-economic classes. A notable case of a widely adopted mobile technology-enabled service in the developing world is a mobile money service in Kenya called M-pesa. Since its inception, M-pesa has witnessed a mass adoption which has generally been attributed to prior lack of access by majority of individuals' in the country to affordable regulated financial services. M-pesa's presence has now been anticipated to afford a larger population the initial opportunity to harness economic benefits such as: increase money circulation, increase employment opportunities, facilitate social capital accumulation, facilitate savings, and promote financial autonomy, amongst others. Also, M-pesa based transactions in Kenya are reported to exceed those of western union globally. Whilst M-pesa presently vaunts large user adoption numbers, it is the first of its kind in the region to amass such achievement. Further, historically: products and services of similar nature to M-pesa have been unsustainable. A case of M-pesa's demise would have dire implication for the Kenyan economy and 30% of the households in the country that rely on it for remittances. To understand this phenomenon, extant studies have examined the drivers of adoption of this service but have slacked in subsequent investigations to understand user continuance with the service. As such, the information systems literature cautions that initial adoption of technology, although crucial, does not guarantee sustained use. Therefore it is imperative to investigate drivers of continuance. In general, extant research has not focused on investigations of user continuance intention in Africa. In response, this thesis presents an African based study on the determinants of user continuance intention towards M-pesa. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to i) identify and discuss factors from the literature that are most likely to influence user continuance intention towards M-pesa, (ii) develop a research model that is grounded in theory, (iii) test the model within the sample context to identify the antecedents and determinants of user continuance intention towards M-pesa in Kenya. A broad, critical review of the relevant literature provided basis for hypothesized relationships between the identified factors. A formal survey of users of M-pesa in Kenya comprised the phase of data collection and resulted in a usable data set of (n=434). The data collected from the respondents within Kenya was relied upon to test the hypotheses. The survey instrument used to measure the study's constructs was developed via a process of literature review, expert pre-testing, pilot testing, and statistical validation. Partial Least Square and Artificial Neural Network analyses were used to examine the study's measurement and structural model comprising variables of : behavioural beliefs (post-usage usefulness, confirmation, satisfaction), control-beliefs (utilization and flow), object-based beliefs (perceived task-technology fit, system quality, information quality, and service quality), and attitudinal belief (trust). Collectively, the afore-listed ten independent variables and one dependent variable (continuance intention) comprised the study's model. Four of the independent variables (utilization, satisfaction, flow, and trust) were hypothesized to directly determine continuance intention. Of these four, all emerged as determinants of continuance intention. However, trust emerged as the strongest determinant, subsequently, utilization, flow, and satisfaction respectively. The result was unexpected, as satisfaction (a behavioural belief) has been presented in the extant literature as the dominant determinant of continuance intention but does not hold a consistent predictive strength in a developing world. Its predictive power was diluted by trust, utilization, and flow amongst the Kenyan sample. The study's model revealed an R² of 0.334. The analyses demonstrated that user continuance intention is determined by factors across object, control, attitudinal, and behavioural beliefs. The unexpected finding of the rankings of predictive strength of the factors turns a new leaf and introduces areas of further inquiry in future studies. The study concludes with realized contributions to theory and important guidelines for current and future technology-enabled service vendors in developing regions

"Democratic" foreign policy making and the Thabo Mbeki presidency : a critical study

South African foreign policy is not made in a bubble; as a democracy since 1994, its outward orientation is theoretically subject to lobbying and pressure from outside groups as well as jockeying among bureaucratic entities. This study applies the principles of Foreign Policy Analysis, a theoretical framework that attempts to unpack the processes through which governments’ foreign policies are made, to South Africa to determine whether foreign policy making is in reality open to outside inputs, or whether the foreign policy arena—as in many countries globally—is an elite reserve. The thesis has a specific focus on the 1994-2008 period, during which time Deputy President (1994-99) and later President (1999-2008) Thabo Mbeki dominated government’s foreign policy formulation, to determine whether South Africa’s democratic transition was accompanied by “democratization” of the foreign policy making process compared to the apartheid government. In addition, the thesis sought to disaggregate the various actors involved in the process—both from the influencing and decision making sides of the coin—to analyze their individual roles in influencing foreign policy, both pre- and post-1994. The thesis found that the dominant actor in South African foreign policy, both before and after 1994, was the national leader (Prime Minister before 1984; President thereafter) or, on occasion, his chosen delegate if the leader was disinterested in the external realm. This is in part because South African Constitutions vest most decision-making power in the executive, in line with international norms, but also due to a lack of pressure by non-governmental actors. While South Africa’s post-apartheid dispensation allows for greater inputs by the public and other outside actors, the practice of influencing foreign policy—either through the ballot box or through concerted pressure between elections—changed very little. Public engagement on foreign policy, already weak, did not improve after 1994. Parliament, despite having a dedicated committee on the issue, showed itself largely disinterested, as did the broader ANC. The press, business, the ANC, and most civil society organizations similarly showed little desire to weigh in on foreign policy beyond isolated instances. Only academia consistently attempted to influence policy during the Mandela and Mbeki administrations, with mixed results. Ultimately, blame for this lack of change appears to lie mostly with outside actors themselves, who during the first 14 years of democracy failed to take advantage of political space opened to them. In examining Thabo Mbeki specifically, the thesis found that he took advantage of this leeway to dominate the foreign policy debate and rarely went out of his way to open the foreign policy debate any more than he had to. He gave short shrift to the inputs of pressure groups; had no time for the press or business; and dominated the ANC and its parliamentary caucus. Mbeki had a clear and well-defined worldview, and he had little time for people or organizations with decidedly different views. That said, those close to Mbeki, and even outsiders—notably from the academic community—paint a far more nuanced picture of the man, as someone who would listen and engage with others on foreign policy, at least if he believed they had done their homework on the issues in question. Hence, portrayals of Mbeki as a “dictator” in the foreign policy realm appear to be overstated.Political SciencesD. Litt. et Phil. (African Politics

An in-depth study of employees’ work engagement. Theoretical and practical implications for the governance of religious organisations

Currently, religious organisations constitute an unexplored context that represents a fundamental role of the service sector in areas such as social services, education, and health. These organisations exhibit a series of peculiarities that, in some respects, differentiate them from other entities. They are defined by the services they provide and the particular way they perform them. The transmission of values that prevail in their institutional culture is part of their mission and shapes their operations. These organisations could be desirable to individuals who identify with their foundational values. From this perspective, an essential factor in the governance of these institutions and a pivotal element in the fulfilment of their mission is their employees’ identification with their work. Employees may be authentic and live their spirituality at work and engage with the institution’s values. In this context, servant leadership is by excellence the leadership in these organisations. Servant leaders care about their workers’ benefits, put their needs first, and consider them in decision‐making

Safety communication, safety culture, and safety leadership on safety participation among manufacturing employees

In Malaysia, industrialization alongside with the proliferation of the population has resulted in an increase in occupational injuries at workplace. According to the latest statistics, the reported accidents stated that out of 10,000 employees, 99 employees have been involved in workplace accidents. An accident does not happen by chance as it is an interplay between several factors in an organization. Thus, employees’ safety participation is important to raise employees’ awareness for a safer workplace. This research aimed at examining the moderated mediation effect of safety leadership on the relationship between safety communication and safety participation through the safety culture among employees of Malaysian manufacturing companies. A total of 442 operators from electrical and electronic factories in Negeri Sembilan were chosen as respondents of the study. The variables were examined using the Safety Participation Scale, Safety Communication Scale, Safety Culture Scale, and Safety Leadership Scale. Data were analyzed using simple linear regression, multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and path analysis using AMOS Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), while analytic approach to examine moderated mediation was conducted using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) 18.0 software. The findings revealed that safety culture plays significant roles as mediator as well as safety leadership in the relationship between safety communication and safety participation. It was found that moderated mediation exists when safety leadership strengthened the relationship of safety communication and safety participation through safety culture. Several limitations of this study were noteworthy. Firstly, the feedbacks may be biased in self-reported questionnaire, which solely depends on respondents’ perceptions rather than direct observation to the phenomenon of interest. Secondly, the findings were not able to represent the different population as the results they only valid and reflect the characteristics of the targeted population which is Malaysian manufacturing employees. According to the findings, it is recommended that proactive safety communication, good safety leadership, and positive safety culture should be practiced in organizations. These increase employees’ willingness to participate in safety activities for ensuring safer workplace

Community of Inquiry (COI) and Self-Directed Learning (SDL) in Online Environments: An Exploratory, Correlational and Critical Analysis of MOOCs. Introduction to Cybersecurity MOOC Case Study

L’objectiu d’aquesta recerca multi-paradigmàtica és presentar un anàlisis exploratori, correlacional y crític dels MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) entesos com a comunitats d’aprenentatge participatius i descobrir el rol que l’aprenentatge autònom juga dins d’aquest marc. La recerca combina dades quantitatives i qualitatives i junt amb el marc teòric actual afegeix novetats en el cap de l’educació a distancia y les noves formes d’oferir cursos a distància. Els nostres resultats mostren diferencies estadístiques entre els estudiants que participen en diferent nombre de tests i el seu nivell d’aprenentatge autònom (p=0.003). Presentem informació demogràfica y les visions dels estudiants relacionades amb les tres presencies de la comunitat d’aprenentatge participatiu (presencia social, cognitiva y del instructor). L’estudi consta també de les opinions dels experts sobre el disseny dels MOOC i el seu valor pedagògic. Les nostres conclusions finals indican que els MOOC son entorns d’aprenentatge diferents en relació amb els entorns tradicionals a distancia, creen una comunitat d’aprenentatge participativa diferent i atrauen perfils d’estudiants diferents. Suggerim millores en el disseny pedagògic per a ajudar als estudiants a ser mes autònoms y per alinear els continguts del curs. La taxonomia de Marzano és suggerida com a marc pedagògic per a millorar el disseny dels MOOC i el grau de satisfacció dels alumnes.El objetivo de esta investigación multi-paradigmática es presentar un análisis exploratorio, correlacional y crítico de los MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) entendidos como comunidades de aprendizaje participativo y descubrir el role que el juega el aprendizaje autónomo dentro de este marco. La investigación combina datos cuantitativos y cualitativos, y junto con el marco teórico actual añade novedades en el campo de la educación online y los nuevos métodos para ofrecer cursos a distancia. Nuestros resultados muestran diferencias estadísticas entre los estudiantes que toman parte en diferente número de tests y su nivel de aprendizaje autónomo (p=0.003). También presentamos información demográfica y las opiniones de los estudiantes relacionadas con las tres presencias de la comunidad de aprendizaje participativo (presencia social, cognitiva y del instructor). El estudio consta también de las opiniones de expertos sobre el diseño de los MOOC y su valor pedagógico. Nuestras conclusiones finales indican que los MOOC son entornos de aprendizaje diferentes en relación con los entornos tradicionales a distancia, crean una comunidad de aprendizaje participativo diferente y atraen perfiles de estudiantes diferentes. Sugerimos mejoras en el diseño pedagógico para ayudar a los estudiantes a llegar a ser mas autónomos y para linear los contenidos del curso. La taxonomía de Marzano es sugerida como marco pedagógico para mejorar el diseño de los MOOC y el grado de satisfacción de los estudiantes.The purpose of this mixed method research is to present an exploratory, correlational and critical analysis of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) understood as COI (Community Of Inquiries) and uncover the role that SDL (Self Directed Learning) plays within the mentioned framework. The research combines quantitative and qualitative data and together with a current literature snapshot adds insights in the field of online education and its new content delivery forms. Our findings show statistical differences between students taking different number of quizzes and their level of SDL (p=0.003). We present demographic information and students views related with the three presences in the COI (social, cognitive and teaching presence). Experts’ views on MOOC designs and value are also collected. Our final conclusion points out that MOOCs are different content deliver environments from traditional online courses and they shape a different COI and attract different students profiles. Design improvements are also suggested to empower students to become independent learners and improve alignment in the course. Marzano’s taxonomy is the suggested pedagogical approach to improve MOOC design, and students’ satisfaction

Environmental performance of naturally ventilated library buildings in Bauchi, Nigeria

Naturally ventilated libraries (NVLs), which have been in existence since 1948 in Nigeria, are common types of library buildings in Africa that depend on wind flow through window openings for ventilation. Their propagation was propelled by chronic shortages and unreliable electric power supply. However, there is limited information about the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) performance of NVLs which is essential for the health, comfort and productivity of library users. The objective of this research is to investigate indoor environmental performance of NVLs with the aim of promoting their use. Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) was carried out in four academic NVLs in Bauchi to assess their indoor environmental performance. The study used a 3-way interaction concept to form an integrated assessment of passive characteristics, environmental conditions and library users’ perception to achieve the objectives of the study. A mixed mode approach was used as the methodology. A range of data collection techniques were used namely: observation and walk through, interview, physical measurement of IEQ variables and a survey questionnaire distributed to 593 respondents. From the observation, the result shows that cross ventilation is the dominant ventilation system prevailed in the case study buildings. The spatial configuration of the study spaces was in line with cross ventilation principles. A neutral temperature of 27.70°C and thermal comfort range of 27.20°C to 28.28°C were identified in the study halls. Multivariate statistical analysis of Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) inferred from the NVLs indoor environmental performance model showed that indoor environmental conditions has a direct and significant effect on the indoor performance. The NVLs indoor environmental quality performance model has a large effect size of 0.45. No complaint was expressed from the library users about excessive environmental discomfort. The outcomes of the three objectives established that the indoor environmental quality performance of NVLs is comfortable to the users. The study concludes that the NVL buildings in Nigeria are acceptable and patronized by the library users. Therefore, the use of NVLs should be maintained and promoted. The research also proposes design recommendations for NVL’s policy makers and aid architects and building design professionals in promoting low-energy library design

The influence of website design features and consumer characteristics on internet banking adoption in Saudi Arabia

Recent years have seen rapid growth of Internet technology and its incorporation into many areas, including banking. Despite the potential advantages offered, however, adoption of Internet Banking (IB) has been relatively low. This thesis aims to enhance understanding of customers' adoption of IB, with particular reference to commercial banks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It investigates the rationale for and current status of IB in the KSA. Then, taking as a framework the Decomposed Theory of Planned Behaviour (DTPB), with the additional construct of website features, it investigates what factors may influence Saudi customers' adoption of IB, including the potential impact of website features at different stages of the customer's decision-making process (DMP).The research targeted policy makers, IB managers and clients in all 11 commercial banks operating in KSA. Data were collected in two phases, each containing qualitative and quantitative elements. In phase one, focused on the bank perspective, interviews were held with 11 bank officials, to explore the thinking behind their IB provision and website design. Then, content analysis was used to investigate the features of 22 websites – 1 corporate and 1 individual site for each bank. In phase two, semi-structured interviews (N = 40) were used to explore bank clients' perceptions of IB, and their responses used to inform a survey, delivered online and through bank branches, of IB users' (N = 651) and non-users' (N = 409) attitudes and behaviours in relation to IB.Results showed that bank managers attempted to attract and support clients throughout the DMP, and this was reflected in website content. However, support was constrained by some erroneous assumptions about clients, and the regulatory environment. Obstacles to IB use included psychological, marketing, educational, technical, cultural and linguistic barriers. IB non-users' intention to try IB was influenced by Trust and Subjective Norms, while users' intention to continue was influenced by perceived Relative Advantage and Compatibility, Ease of Use, Self-Efficacy, Resource Facilitating Conditions and Website Characteristics. Attitudes to IB also differed by clients' gender, age, income, education and Internet experience.Implications are drawn for technology adoption and e-marketing theory, and recommendations are made to government, the central bank and commercial banks to enhance the functionality and attractiveness of IB

12th EASN International Conference on "Innovation in Aviation & Space for opening New Horizons"

Epoxy resins show a combination of thermal stability, good mechanical performance, and durability, which make these materials suitable for many applications in the Aerospace industry. Different types of curing agents can be utilized for curing epoxy systems. The use of aliphatic amines as curing agent is preferable over the toxic aromatic ones, though their incorporation increases the flammability of the resin. Recently, we have developed different hybrid strategies, where the sol-gel technique has been exploited in combination with two DOPO-based flame retardants and other synergists or the use of humic acid and ammonium polyphosphate to achieve non-dripping V-0 classification in UL 94 vertical flame spread tests, with low phosphorous loadings (e.g., 1-2 wt%). These strategies improved the flame retardancy of the epoxy matrix, without any detrimental impact on the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites. Finally, the formation of a hybrid silica-epoxy network accounted for the establishment of tailored interphases, due to a better dispersion of more polar additives in the hydrophobic resin