Understanding project management in natural resource investments from a legal perspective

This thesis reports the findings of modern day trench and strategies related to project management- in this case, natural/sustainable resource investment projects analysed from a legal or why not a lawyer’s perspectives. In a bid to further distinguish this from a scientific piece, the research proposals and analysis drown here involves empirical judgement based on the rightful holistic legal approach. The framework includes analysis or experience stemming from a high profile foreign investment project or public procurement project dope the Chad-Cameroon Pipeline Project (a project for the construction of an oil pipeline from Chad to the coast of Cameroon for storage and subsequent exportation to the world market; herein after referred to as “The Project”), whose improper management/execution has (is) produced a rather negative effect on nearby land, environment, nature and the local inhabitants thereby casting a gloomy cloud on, among others, the existing human rights standards. Conducted interview and data analysis in this research build-up, proved most of the findings here. Also, constructive criticism and research analysis of which majority indicate the absence of a solid legal framework from The Project, forms the basis of a proposed generalised knowledge of ideas, suggesting a subsequent adoption in future investment projects of similar nature. The conclusive remarks offer and recommend advocates of legal, development and environmental studies a chance to uphold its course while calling on fellow academicians to engage more in associated works all in a bid to change the mind-set of governments and those in authorities as such engaged in related works

ASSESSING THE ROLE OF ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE ON WORKFORCE CREATIVITY; AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SUPPORT STAFF OF UNIVERSITY OF BAMENDA, CAMEROON

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which organisational culture affects the creativity of the support staff of the University of Bamenda. Methodology/Design/Approaches: The study employed primary data collected through self-administered questionnaires made up of structured questionnaires and unstructured interview. A total of 109 questionnaires were administered to the four selected work functions namely Secretariat staffs, Finance staffs, Health unit staff and Computer unit/Records staffs of the University of Bamenda. A total of 100 questionnaires were recovered making a response rate of 91.7%. These questionnaires were quoted using the Likert scale and analysed with the aid of the SPSS software. Findings: The findings show that changes in people-oriented culture, team culture, stable culture, and innovative culture are responsible for 54% changes in the creativity of support staff in The University of Bamenda with r2= 0.54. The descriptive research design was used and the Ordinary Least Squares regression technique employed to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that there was a significant effect of organisational culture on the creativity of support staff in The University of Bamenda. That is people-oriented culture, teamwork, stable culture, and innovative culture significantly contributed to employee’s creativity at the University of Bamenda. Research Limitations: This work is limited to the University of Bamenda, located in Bambili which is an Anglo-Saxon University there by ignoring other university staffs of the French culture. Practical implications: Based on the findings, the study recommended that the University should encourage teamwork, delegation of responsibility and work innovations at the job site by practicing management by objectives (MBO). If implemented, the university will experience a more creative workforce among its support staff. Originality/Value: This study’s research questions and methods are new to the line of Assessing the role of Organisational Culture on Workforce Creativity among University of Bamenda support staffs. Article visualizations

Factors Influencing People’s Intention to Adopt E-Banking: An Empirical Study of Consumers in Shandong Province, China

E-Banking is growing at an unprecedented rate and has become a truly worldwide phenomenon, offering convenience, flexibility and interactivity for those that can, and know how to access it. This is clearly evidence in China. However, despite such growth and popularity, some users still have reservations about using Information and communication technology (ICT) in their daily banking activities, perhaps due to deep routed cultural factors that cause consumers to question the efficacy of such changes. Through the application of a technology acceptance framework, and empirical evidence from 52 E-Banking user questionnaires and four key market segment interviews, the research explores the factors that influence consumers’ intention to adopt E-Banking in Shandong Province of China. The findings highlight that perceived usefulness and perceived credibility are significant factors which have a positive influence on consumers’ intention to utilise E-Banking, while perceived ease of use and perceived cost are less significant. Unpacking the reasons for resistance to the use of E-Banking highlighted that “difficult to operate”, “unnecessary to use it” and “worry about the security” are key drivers and therefore challenges for the service providers. Based on the results, recommendations are drawn for banks, involving focusing on the significant factors, avoiding weaknesses and optimising strengths of E-Banking and ultimately developing more accurate market positioning strategies to align and manage consumer expectations and maximise potential acceptance

Proceedings of the African Diaspora Conference on Sustainable Development

The authors urge the Western donor organizations to facilitate and support the take up of such more sustainable models

Innovation management in Portuguese and Cameroon micro and small companies – implementation of balanced scorecard management tool

Mestrado APNORThe requirements of an increasing globalized and competitive economy lead managers to make comparison across countries in different continents in different markets which can rapidly bridge the gap of their lacking skills, knowledge and problems faced. To assert the adequate management skills and success of micro and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), this study elaborates and diagnoses both micro and SMEs in Cameroon (Africa) and Portugal (Europe). It is safe to say that the micro and SMEs sector has been the engine of economic growth in many countries and not just to both the economies of Portugal and Cameroon. As a result of its ability to create jobs, generate revenue, reduce poverty and drive economic growth. The management of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to a large extent depends on the organizational structure and development of innovative practices. This study focuses on comparing the management structure, innovative practices and evaluating the economic-financial arm and the competitive strengths in Micro and SMEs in Portugal, Europe and Cameroon, Africa. This study was necessitated in order to make compares between Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in two countries in two different continents. The study also looks at how the introduction and importance of innovation enhances performance and better management of SMEs. In the present work, a Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for both enterprises were successfully developed as a management control system with several indicators identified that will effectively clarify the objectives and strategic mission within both organizations. These qualitative findings may help strengthen innovation strategies of these small businesses, which could produce greater profitability and growth. Thus, after analysis, it can be proved that the performance of the enterprises and its employees can be improved by implementing the BSC model. Finally, the study concludes by proposing recommendations for future Balanced Scorecard initiative in both enterprises in order to overcome the potential barriers to ensure its beneficial use.As crescentes exigências de uma economia globalizada e competitiva conduzem os gestores e empresários à necessidade de realizar comparações entre diferentes mercados, para colmatar algumas lacunas de informação. Neste trabalho desenvolve-se uma análise entre duas empresas, classificadas como micro e pequenas empresas (PMEs), estando uma delas sedeada em Portugal e a outra nos Camarões. A escolha das empresas para a realização desta investigação recaiu em empresas desta dimensão, dada a sua representatividade no tecido empresarial de cada um dos mercados em análise. Efetivamente, tanto as micro como as PMEs constituem o motor do crescimento económico em muitos países, uma vez que são um veículo para a criação de emprego (muitas vezes o próprio emprego), geram receita e contribuem para a redução da pobreza. No entanto, a sua gestão e o seu sucesso dependem, em grande medida, da sua estrutura organizacional, que muitas vezes é reduzida, e do desenvolvimento e implementação de práticas de inovação. Neste sentido, este estudo concentra-se na comparação da estrutura de gestão, na avaliação económico-financeira e da competitividade (realizada na fase do diagnóstico) e nas práticas associadas à inovação, através da implementação do instrumento de gestão estratégica Balanced Scorecard (BSC), das empresas participantes, que se situam em dois continentes diferentes, e que por isso, têm caraterísticas muito distintas. Desta forma, foi desenvolvido um sistema de controlo de gestão, com a identificação de vários indicadores, devidamente alinhados com a missão, visão e estratégia das empresas, permitindo a integração e o fortalecimento de estratégias de inovação em ambas as organizações, o que se poderá traduzir num potencial de crescimento e num aumento do lucro esperado. Constata-se que o desempenho das empresas e dos seus colaboradores se encontra aprimorado com a implementação deste instrumento, uma vez passaram a existir indicadores e objetivos escritos e mensuráveis, reportados ao ano, e passíveis de serem revistos periodicamente

CRITICAL FACTORS OF CLOUD ACCOUNTING ACCEPTANCE AND SECURITY FOR PROSPECTIVE ACCOUNTANTS: TAM EXTENSION

Cloud computing technology can change the business structure, including accounting, through cloud computing. However, cloud accounting has problems, especially those related to data, which affect user acceptance of cloud accounting. Based on these problems, this research aims to test the acceptance of cloud accounting. The object of this research focuses on cloud accounting users to prospective accountants who are still at the undergraduate degree, with a total of 123 respondents. The questionnaire was distributed via google form and then analyzed using PLS using data processing through SmartPLS. The findings of this study indicate that perceived ease of use and security can influence the intention to using cloud accounting. Meanwhile, perceived usefulness not able to control the choice to use cloud accounting. This is because prospective accountants still consider cloud as a learning medium to not guarantee uncertainty in using cloud accounting

Determinants of Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Disease Diagnosis for Improving Health Sector Services in Tanzania: A Case of Muhimbili National Hospitals

The study was conducted at Muhimbili national Hospitals to assess the use of Artificial Intelligence in Disease Diagnosis for Improving Health Sector Services in Tanzania. Specifically, the study was interested to assess factors affecting AI adoption in public hospital, examine health workers perception on AI adoption in public hospital and find out effectiveness of AI adoption in proper diagnostic of diseases for improving patient health in public hospitals. The study guided by Technology Acceptance Model. It employed quantitative research approach and survey research design. A sample size of 47 respondents was used where questionnaire were used in data collection. The study revealed that artificial intelligence was useful in diseases diagnosis as it provides accurate information pertaining to patient health; it is quicker in diseases diagnosis and quicker in predicting and diagnosis of patient health. The findings also posited that artificial intelligence is effective in monitoring heart attack and asthma in real time, AI is effective in managing health services, AI is also effective in improving diagnostic and patient. The study recommends the government to provide health workers with training regularly on how to use AI in diseases diagnosis

The mediating effect of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use in the acceptance of e-training in the Nigerian civil service

This study examined the mediating effects of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU) in the acceptance of e-training in the Nigerian civil service. Modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) for developing countries was used to examine the influence of perceived cost, computer self-efficacy, technological infrastructures, internet facilities, power supply, organisational support, technical support and government support in the acceptance of e-training. Cross-sectional research design was utilized and data was collected from 450 heads of department in the federal ministries in North Central and North Western zones in Nigeria. Partial Least Square (PLS) of the Structural Equation modelling method was used for analysis where both the measurement model and structural model of the research framework were tested. Results of the measurement model analysis indicated reliability and validity of the study constructs. The structural model results indicated that out of the 26 relationships hypothesized, only 13 were supported: 9 for direct relationships and 4 for mediating relationships. It was found that PU, PEOU, perceived cost and technological infrastructure were significantly related to e-training acceptance. Likewise, computer self-efficacy, technological infrastructure, power supply and technical support were significantly related to PEOU. Furthermore, it was found that PU partially mediated the relationship between PEOU and e-training acceptance. PEOU also partially mediated the relationship between technological infrastructures but fully mediated the relationship between power supply, technical support and e-training acceptance. These findings showed the importance of these factors in encouraging e-training acceptance in various departments and agencies in the Nigeria civil service. This study will be beneficial for policy makers in the public service in developing policies regarding e-training. Limitations encountered were the inability to include other sections of the public service as well as other zones in the countr