Factors Affecting the Uptake of Life Insurance in Botswana

The low uptake of life insurance is a matter of significant concern both within Africa and globally due to its aims to investigate the factors contributing to the poor adoption of life insurance products in Botswana. Through a survey conducted among 800 randomly selected individuals representing diverse genders in Botswana, with an 80% response rate, this study sheds light on the factors that hinder the uptake of insurance products in the country. The findings indicate that the low adoption of insurance products in Botswana can be attributed, at least in part, to various factors including low income, pervasive poverty, limited insurance awareness and education, and inadequate regulatory oversight

An Examination of the Human Factors in Cybersecurity: Future Direction for Nigerian Banks

Information and communication technology has become necessary for conducting business operations and ensuring business survival in Nigerian banks. However, this has come with some encumbrances, as this technology is vulnerable to attacks due to technical or human factors. These human factors have been very challenging for organizations due to their multi-dimensional nature and the fact that humans have been responsible for most cybersecurity incidents. Resolving issues arising from cybersecurity incidents is expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, this study is crucial as it will enable Nigerian banks witnessing increased attacks to take preventive measures and reduce the enormous expenditure required for remediation. This study adopts a literature review approach, reviewing previous studies on human factors in cybersecurity to determine the factors responsible for successful cyber-attacks and their suggested mitigations. The findings categorize these human factors into social engineering, poor information security culture, risky password practices, stress, burnout, and security fatigue. The study presents mitigations but notes that training and cybersecurity awareness are the most common reoccurring pre-emptive actions recommended. This research is significant as very little prior research has been conducted in this area targeted at the Nigerian banking sector. Practically, the findings of this study are expected to point Nigerian banks toward the critical human factors that they need to concentrate on to minimize the success rate of cyber-attacks and reduce the associated costs of recovering from these attacks

A Review on the Integration of Industry 4.0 Technologies in Management Accounting: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities for Enhancing Business Performance

This literature review critically delves into the symbiotic relationship between Industry 4.0's technologies and management accounting, accentuating challenges and opportunities in the dual facets of pursuing enhanced business performance in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era. The key research problem revolves around effectiveness in harnessing the technologies of Industry 4.0 to management accounting. The review takes the shape of introducing readers through a comprehensive overview of the technologies of Industry 4.0, presenting theoretical framework and methodological rigour to ensure integrity. The core section contains the findings and discussion, for, as emerging challenges of adaptation and privacy are reviewed with some carefulness and some exciting new possibilities for automation, for data-driven decision-making, and innovation in business models. The paths of collaboration and strategic alignment then arise as conduits to efficiency and growth and so take their place in the unsurpassed record of business performance. Free writing in terms of business performance implications, the manuscript defends that exploring challenges and opportunities serve as a platform for attaining financial gains. And these are just not claims but are backed with real-time case discussions and application to authenticate the context. This concludes the review synthesising points of contentions and pointing out knowledge gaps by presenting a robust research agenda for any future scholar setting stage going forward in this dynamic field. Basically, this manuscript does not just synthesize the intricate intersection of Industry 4.0 and management accounting but accentuates the paramount significance in such interfaces. It leads the organizations to a promising future with improved business performance among the landscape of Industry 4.0 and management accounting with practical insights and recommendations. Keywords: Industry 4.0, Management Accounting, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automation, Data-driven Decision Making, Business Performance,  and Technology Integration DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/15-6-01 Publication date: June 30th 202

Constraints to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Recovery

Purpose: This review paper was done to understand the major constraints to Micro Small and Medium Enterprises’ (MSMEs) recovery in Malawi following the impact of COVID-19, discuss implications, and propose policy recommendations. Design/methodology/approach: A systematic review of literature, both grey and from peer reviewed journals was used to identify the major constraints exerted on MSMEs following the onset of COVID-19.  Findings: The major constraints to MSMEs’ recovery include disruptions in supply chain, demand for increased use of technology and innovation, lack of access to capital on information on opportunities/ emerging markets, increased health and safety requirements. Research limitations/implications: The unavailability of data on MSMEs’ contribution to the growth and scholarly publication on pre- and post-recovery in Malawi. Practical implications: This study proposes review of fiscal and monetary policies to align with MSMEs growth needs. Originality/value: This is a review paper. Paper type: A literature review

Evaluation of Struthio camelus eggshell as an in vitro alternative to extracted human teeth in preliminary screening studies on dental erosion

Abstract Objectives This in vitro work investigates the potential of ostrich eggshell as a substitute for extracted human teeth in preliminary screening studies on dental erosion. Additionally, it aims to demonstrate the potential of ostrich eggshell compared to human enamel in evaluating the efficacy of a preventive agent in protecting against dental erosion, using an artificial mouth model. Methods The experiment utilized 96 erosion testing specimens from each substrate, human enamel, and ostrich eggshell. The specimens were subjected to six different experimental regimens of increasing erosive challenge, simulating the consumption of an acidic drink. The acidic drink was delivered at a consistent volume and duration range. Both artificially stimulated and unstimulated saliva flowed throughout the experimental regimens. Surface hardness was measured using a Through‐Indenter Viewing hardness tester with a Vickers diamond, while surface profiling was done using a surface contacting profilometer with a diamond stylus. An automated chemistry analyzer system was used to detect calcium and phosphate ions. Results The study found that ostrich eggshell specimens demonstrated predictable surface loss, hardness drop, and ion loss due to the acidic challenge. Meanwhile, enamel appeared to fall short in terms of surface hardness predictability. The transient hardness loss phase, which manifests as an overlooked decrease in surface hardness despite significant ion and structural loss, may explain this phenomenon. Conclusions The experiment showed that assessing surface loss is essential in addition to hardness testing, particularly as certain experimental conditions may produce a false perception of tissue recovery despite the actual surface loss. By analyzing the response of ostrich eggshell specimens to erosive challenges, researchers were able to identify an “overlooked” reduction in hardness in enamel specimens. The differences in the structure, chemical composition, and biological response to erosion in the presence of artificial saliva between enamel and ostrich eggshell could explain their distinct behaviors

Using Gagne's theory and Peyton's four-step approach to teach inferior alveolar nerve block injection

Developing skills in performing inferior alveolar nerve block injection is an essential element of the dentistry undergraduate curriculum. As a dental faculty staff member working in the conservative dentistry department, I provide preclinical and clinical teaching for dental students. This study presents a lesson plan for this injection technique using a combination of Gagne's nine events of instruction and Peyton's four-step approach. Gagne's nine events of instruction identified the mental conditions of learning that are necessary for effective learning when adult students are presented with various stimuli. This model is based on the nine instructional events used during a teaching session. These are gaining attention, defining learning objectives, stimulating recall of prerequisite learning, presenting the stimulus material, providing learning guidance, practice, providing feedback, assessing the performance, and enhancing retention and transfer. Peyton's four-step approach is a model for teaching practical skills. These are demonstration, deconstruction, explanation, and performance. Each step in this lesson plan is carefully arranged with relevant activities to suit learners with various learning styles using Gagne's theory, while Peyton's approach is incorporated to teach the actual skill. This lesson plan is particularly relevant for tutors designing injection techniques teaching for undergraduate dental and medical students and fresh graduates. In all, this lesson plan also serves as a template on which many other practical skill teachings can be subsequently modeled. The flexible adoption of Gagne's nine events of instruction in combination with other instructional models such as Peyton's approach facilitates the planning of effective clinical teaching sessions

Assessment of dental clinical simulation skills: Recommendations for implementation

Undergraduate dental students acquire their clinical skills through the hands-on training on phantom heads. This is essential to develop their skills and experience and to ensure they can undertake safe and competent dental procedures on patients. However, the literature lacks a comprehensive approach capable of assessing dental clinical simulation skills objectively and at the same time incorporating all the tools necessary for effective learning. A brief overview of the literature regarding clinical skills assessment was performed to define specific recommendations for implementation of dental clinical skills assessment tools. Selected best theories and methods for a successful package of tools were gleaned from the existing medical and dental literature. This paper defines specific recommendations for implementation of dental clinical skills assessment tools necessary for effective teaching of tooth cavity preparation in clinical simulation laboratories. The recommended approach of comprehensive assessment was broken down into three main components (1) clinical simulation skill assessment, (2) self-assessment, and (3) student feedback and reflection. The conclusions and recommendations offered herein are intended to enhance course design and current teaching methods in dentistry rather than replace them. The following recommendations were made: (1) Dental schools need to seek to ensure that valid and reliable standard settings are applied to their assessments which, if accomplished, are very likely to enhance their educational outcomes. (2) It is important to get students to understand and positively respond to feedback which can be achieved by creating a module culture in which students are encouraged to share and discuss their mistakes openly. Proper feedback will ensure better performance and improved self-assessment skills. (3) Staff members should utilize a more consistent pattern of feedback and review their techniques periodically to continually improve the teaching process. Such recommendations, if enforced thoroughly, would be helpful in aiding tutors and course instructors assess dental clinical simulation skills components objectively and identify the clinically weaker students

SMME Crisis Resilience: A Snap Literature Review of the COVID-19 Era

This paper is a snap literature review on the crisis resilience of small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. SMMEs are considered significant drivers of economic activity in both the developed and developing worlds. It is therefore important to keep an eye on what goes on in the SMME sector in the interest of preserving them as well as enhancing their performance thereby ensuring their continued contribution to economic activity. The recent COVID-19 pandemic provides an appropriate proxy for examining various business and management aspects, including SMME crisis resilience. This study examined sources, mainly peer reviewed journal papers, from around the world, focusing on determining the nature of challenges experienced by SMMEs during COVID-19, the crisis resilience strategies employed, and their effectiveness. This provided an evidence-based starting point for the formulation of robust recommendations to promote the building of resilience into SMMEs anywhere. The study found that the least researched contexts of SMME resilience are industry-specific, African, and the developing world. Additionally, SMMEs were found to be generally vulnerable to various challenges during crises. During COVID-19, SMMEs responded by adopting different strategies which were effective to varying degrees based on context-specific factors such as access, policies, and regulations. Consequently, more context-specific empirical resilience studies are needed especially in the least researched contexts like Africa and the developing word. Keywords: SMME, crisis resilience, resilience strategy, challenges, strategy effectiveness, COVID-19. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/16-5-08 Publication date: June 30th 202