The Potential of Scientific Machine Learning in Geotechnics and Engineering Geology

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Women Entrepreneurship in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: The Case of Ethiopia

This research article examines factors that influence the long-term survival and viability of a random sample of 500 micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) located in five geographical regions of Ethiopia based on a 6-year long follow-up study. The objective of the study is to identify key predictors of long term survival and viability in small businesses and enterprises in Ethiopia, and to find out if small businesses and enterprises operated by male entrepreneurs perform better than those operated by female entrepreneurs in Ethiopia. Data was gathered on key determinants of survival such as access to finance, managerial skills, level of education, level of technical skills, ability to convert profit back into investment, etc. between 1996 and 2001. Econometric methods such as Kaplan-Meier survival probability curves and the Cox proportional hazards model were used for data analysis. 221 of the 500 businesses in the study (44%) were operated or owned by women. 110 of the 500 businesses in the study (22%) had failed at the end of the study period. The majority of businesses that failed were operated by women (78%). Female-headed firms that ceased operation had an average lifetime of 3.2 years, while male-headed firms that ceased operation had an average lifetime of 3.9 years. Businesses that failed were characterized by inability in obtaining loans from formal money lending institutions such as commercial banks (61%), inability to convert part of profit back into investment (46%), poor managerial skills (54%), shortage of technical skills (49%), and low level of education (55%). Based on hazard ratios estimated from Cox regression, businesses operated by women were 2.52 times more likely to fail in comparison with businesses operated by men

The Uptake of E-Commerce Services In Johannesburg

The aim of study was to assess the pace of adoption and quality of E-Commerce services that are provided to customers in Johannesburg, South Africa.  Data was collected from 180 E-Commerce enterprises operating in Fourways, Eastgate and Rosebank. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance model (MANOVA) with maximum likelihood estimation was used for comparing the three business districts of Johannesburg with regards to the average cost of services and the average length of time required for providing services to customers.  The adequacy of E-Commerce services provided to customers was assessed based on criteria defined by Bonson et al. [1]. The study showed that there was no significant difference among the three business districts of Johannesburg with regards to both variables of comparison (cost and time). The results showed that the pace of adoption of E-Commerce services in the three business districts was significantly influenced by a combination of technological and organisational factors. The study has shown that E-Commerce enterprises in Johannesburg need assistance from the City of Johannesburg in areas related to infrastructure, economic incentives, skills-based training, and monitoring and evaluation

Factors that Undermine Service Delivery by Civil Engineers in South African Local Municipalities

The objective of study was to identify and quantify key predictors of job satisfaction among civil engineers working in South African local municipalities. The design of study was cross-sectional, descriptive and evaluative. The study was conducted against the background of shortage of suitably qualified, adequately motivated and skilled civil engineers working in local municipalities. The degree of job satisfaction of respondents was assessed by using a composite index developed by Turkyilmaz, Akman, Ozkan and Pastuszak (2011) for conducting a similar study. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analyses were used in the study. As part of the quantitative aspect of study, data was collected from a stratified random sample of size 250 civil engineers working in various South African local municipalities. As part of the qualitative aspect of study, individual in-depth interviews were conducted with 37 civil engineers working in various local municipalities. Four focus group interviews were conducted as part of the study. Data was collected by using a structured, pretested and validated questionnaire of study. Quantitative data analyses were conducted by using methods such as frequency tables, cross-tab analyses (Pearson’s chi-square tests of associations) and binary logistic regression analysis. The results showed that 171 of the 250 respondents who took part in the study (68.40%) were satisfied with the job that they were performing in the various local municipalities, whereas the remaining 79 of the 250 respondents in the study (31.60%) were not satisfied with their jobs. Based on results obtained from cross-tab analyses at the 5% level of significance, the degree of job satisfaction of civil engineers at the workplace was significantly and adversely affected by too much workload, poor working conditions, lack of budget for construction projects, low salary and remuneration, lack of training opportunities, lack of cooperation and appreciation, too much bureaucracy and red tape, short duration of service, and poor relationship with supervisors, in a decreasing order of strength. Results obtained from binary logistic regression analysis showed that the degree of job satisfaction of civil engineers at the workplace was significantly and adversely affected by 3 factors. These 3 factors were too much workload, poor working conditions, and lack of budget for construction projects in a decreasing order of strength. Results obtained from individual and focus group in-depth interviews led to similar findings

An investigation into factors that affect the efficient management of wastes generated by food outlets in Pretoria, South Africa

The study aimed at investigating the factors that affect the efficient management of wastes produced by food outlets in Pretoria, South Africa. This was with a view of providing empirical data and information with respect to the causative factors responsible for the visible environmental pollution by wastes and materials from food outlets. Data was gathered from a representative sample of 332 food outlets on socio-economic, demographic, environmental, sanitary and health related variables that are related to waste management and efficiency in the disposal of solid and liquid wastes. Data entry and analysis was performed using statistical procedures such as frequency tables, Pearson’s chi-square tests of association and binary logistic regression analysis in the statistical package STATA version 10. Odds ratios estimated from logistic regression analysis were used for identifying key factors that affect efficiency in the proper disposal of waste. Results obtained showed that 18 % of the 332 food outlets in the study were generally inefficient in waste disposal. Based on odds ratios estimated from binary logistic regression analysis, wrong perception (a factor of 10.88), failure to provide trash cans to customers (a factor of 3.15), the operation of food outlets by non-owners or managers (a factor of 2.33), and failure to practice source reduction of waste (a factor of 2.25) are the top 4 influential factors that affect the proper management of waste at the 332 food outlets in the study.Environmental SciencesM. Sc. (Environmental Management

Vitenskapelig maskinlæring kan bidra til bedre løsninger innen geoteknikk og ingeniørgeologi

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Efficiency and social capital in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: the case of Ethiopia

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDThis study extends the existing literature on how social networks enhance the performance and sustainability of small enterprises. More specifically, the study isolates and investigates the mechanisms through which social capital helps with the growth and survival of MSMEs. The evidence presented in this study strongly suggests that an indigenous social network widely practiced in Ethiopia, the "iqqub", contributes significantly to the start-up, survival and development of urban MSMEs.South Afric

Pattern and treatment outcome of patients with achalasia cardia after Modified Heller’s Myotomy: experience from Ethiopia

Background: Although achalasia condition occurs in males and females with equal frequency, there are studies reporting that there is a male predominance even in Ethiopia. There appears to be striking international variations with significant differences between countries with respect to prevalence, occurrence in different sex and age groups and clinical features. The main objective of this study was to determine the pattern of clinical presentation and demographic characteristics and to assess the surgical treatment outcome of patients with achalasia. Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective review of medical records and theatre operation register notes of patients operated for achalasia of cardia at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa. Selected socio- demographic variables, clinical presentations, radiologic imaging, post-operative course and final outcome were recorded on a structured format. Data was entered, cleaned and edited using EPI info version 3.5.1 for windows and analyzed using SPSS version 15 for windows. Frequencies, percentages, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were applied to describe and compare the difference between sex, age and dysphagia scores. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used to evaluate the surgical treatment outcome after patients underwent Modified Heller’s Myotomy (MHM). Results: A total of 46 patients’ records that were operated for achalasia were reviewed, of whom 56.5% were males, 52.2% were of younger age (52.2%) with a mean of 26.4 years (Range: 14 – 65 years). Thirty eight (82.6%) patients suffered from grade 3-4 dysphagia. Higher dysphagia score, with no significant statistical difference, was predominantly seen among the young (87.5%) and female (95%) patients. Severity of symptoms of dysphagia was significantly reduced after Modified Heller’s Myotomy (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Slight predominance of male sex and younger age group was found among patients operated for achalasia. Modified Heller’s Myotomy was found to be effective in alleviating symptoms of achalasia

Predicting Users’ Responses of Public Utility Services - Multivariate and Neural Network Analysis - A Case Study

This research addresses the problem of predicting the user’s responses through multivariate choice (MVC) and neural network (NN) frameworks for predicting quality, quantity and overall User satisfaction of public water supply organization, BWSSB (Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board) in Bangalore - India for policy initiatives. The MVC study identifies statistically significant factors that explain users’ loyalty to express satisfaction and voice to express dissatisfaction. The MVC model correctly predicts 85% of satisfied customers across satisfaction dimensions.&nbsp; Wald test on 1940 responses confirms that there exits cross equation correlation across quality, quantity and overall Users’ satisfaction dimensions and thus appropriateness of MVC framework over traditional logit for predicting the user responses. NN framework outperforms the econometric model with 94% correct classification of user responses. The study opens up potential research opportunities for applying the advanced analytical frameworks for predicting user responses in various public and private settings for Policy initiatives so that the service providers could improve their service delivery