Major Causes of Girls’School Dropout from General Primary Schools and Related Challenges in South Wollo and Oromia Zones in Amahara Region, Ethiopia

Though many researchers have been concerned with school dropout issue for both girls and boys, dropout pattern significantly differs by the gender of the students. This study clarifies the factors that contribute to the increasing dropout rate of children, particularly among girls by interviewing research participants and making a detailed review of available literature. Most past researches and reviews on the school dropout issue have been carried out regardless of the gender of the students. Twenty-five primary school students (10 boys and 15 girls), ten school teachers (including school directors) and twenty parents were interviewed for the study. That made the total research participants fifty-five. Dropout rate does not occur through a single factor; it is a composition of several factors. A number of studies have been conducted on girls' dropout issue based on particular regions, societies and cultural perspectives in various parts of the world. In this study, Ianalyzed the factors contributing to the dropout of girls and concluded thatthe major factors are (1) economic factors: e.g. poverty and migration to foreign countries to earn   (2) household level factors: e.g. child labor (3) school level factors: e.g. distance and (4) cultural factors: e.g. early marriage. Keywords: School dropout, girls' education, educational inequality. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-10-03 Publication date: April 30th 202

Work engagement amongst academics in Jordan

This study examined the direct relationship between workload, work pressure, autonomy, social support, performance feedback and work engagement. The study also investigated the mediating effect of job satisfaction on the relationship between workload, work pressure, autonomy, social support, performance feedback and work engagement. Finally, the study examined the moderating effect of trust on the relationship between job satisfaction and work engagement. A total of 700 questionnaires were personally distributed to respondents from four universities in Jordan (Mu’tah University, The University of Jordan, The Hashemite University and Yarmouk University) after permission was granted by the university management. Out of the 700 questionnaires distributed, 567 questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 81%. However, only 532 questionnaires were usable for further analysis. The hypotheses for direct and mediating effect were tested using multiple regression analyses, and the hypotheses for interacting effect were tested using hierarchical multiple regression. The results for direct relationship showed that workload and work pressure were negatively related to work engagement and job satisfaction, while, autonomy, social support and performance feedback were positively related to work engagement and job satisfaction. The results also showed that job satisfaction was positively related to work engagement. Meanwhile, the findings for mediating effect showed that job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between workload, work pressure, autonomy, social support, performance feedback and work engagement. Furthermore,the results from hierarchical multiple regressions showed that trust quasi moderated the relationship between job satisfaction and work engagement. The research results reported in this study suggest the need for autonomy, social support and performance feedback to enhance academics’ work engagement and satisfaction, whereas, too much workload and work pressure will decrease academic’s work engagement and satisfaction. Apart from that, the university management also need to consider the role of job satisfaction and trust when planning for enhancing academics’ work engagement

Leadership Style and Teacher Job Satisfaction: Empirical Survey from Secondary Schools in Somalia

The current study investigated the impact of transaction leadership style, transformational and laissez-faire on teacher job satisfaction; the study utilized explanatory and descriptive deign to analyze 200 respondents from secondary school teachers in Mogadishu, Somalia.  The study developed three hypotheses to test the impact of independent variables on dependent variable; to test the hypothesis the researchers utilized regression analysis and checked the outliers and collinearity and no violation were found. The research found that the three dimensions of leadership style had significant and positive impact on teacher satisfaction in Secondary school in Mogadishu, Somalia.This study can contribute to assist the school leaders to carry out leadership activities and give space to teachers to take their own decision while they are running their teaching work to maintain and enhance the job satisfaction of the teachers in their workplace. Keywords: Transactional, transformational, laissez-faire, Teacher satisfaction, secondary schools, Somali

Assessing the Financial Accountability of the Somali Federal Government Organizations

Building robust financial accountability system is an essential step in making the Federal government of Somalia (FGS) a more effective institution that is able to deliver basic public services to the people of Somalia. The purpose of this study is to assess the financial accountability in the FGS. The study collected data from six federal institutions employing questionnaires. Seventy civil servants participated in the study. The Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation. The study found that the system of financial accountability in the FGS is improving. The study recommends to the FGS to upgrade internal controls and financial reporting systems, publish significant budget information in a regular and timely manner to the public; promote public participation in the budget process and strength the auditor general to carry out its functions effectively. Keywords: Accountability, Financial matters, Federal government, Somali

The Influence of Entrepreneurship Training and Financial Grant on Youth-Owned Enterprises in Somalia

Entrepreneurship and business creation are a growing alternative for young people whose age group often faces a labor market with double digit unemployment rates. It plays a crucial role in driving economic development and job creation. The study therefore sought to establish the effects of entrepreneurship training and financial grant on youth-owned enterprises.Descriptive research design was selected in this study because it would allow the researcher to gather numerical and descriptive data to assess the relationship between variables. Simple random sampling was used to select a total of 83 youth enterprises for a population of 110 youth entrepreneurs. Questionnaire was used as the main data collection instrument and statistical packages for social sciences was employed for coding and analyzing the data. From the findings of the study it was that the trainings provided helped the enterprises of the youth and that they got an idea of establishing plans and managing businesses. The entrepreneurship promotions of youth in Somalia enhanced the youths’ living condition, and that they get economic freedom of which they can also help with their households, the creation of the job enabled the youth to cover their needs, also the grants offer foundation as the business starts.In conclusion the knowledge spillover theory of entrepreneurship posits that entrepreneurship is a response to investments in knowledge and ideas by incumbent organizations, Entrepreneurship development is the process of improving the skills and knowledge of entrepreneurs through various training programs.  The provision of training and grants empowered the youth to fight with poverty. The study recommended that the entrepreneurship training programmes should be repeated for the youth and that the Entrepreneurship development programs should first identify the local market. It is recommended to analyze and then design unique ideas based on the needs of the surroundings. Keywords: entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship training, youth

Impact of Interface Characteristics on the Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness of Digital Library Adoption among Post-Graduate Students in Somalia

The Main objective of this paper was to investigate the impact of interface characteristics—terminology and screen design—on the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of digital libraries among post-graduate students in Somalia. Convenient sampling method was adopted for sample selection and a structured questionnaire was distributed on July, 2014. The study found out that terminology used on the digital library interface has a positive influence on its perceived ease of use. Also, screen design has much impact on the perceived ease of using digital library. Finally, a positive correlation between perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness was found. These findings imply that some factors such as exclusion of technical terms and jargons to enhance ease of use of digital libraries should be taken into consideration (when planning and building digital libraries). Keywords: Digital library, Terminology, Screen Design, Perceived ease of use, Perceived usefulnes

Determinants of Trade Balance in Somalia: Regression Analysis using Time Series Data

The study focuses on the Analysis of the Main determinants that have an impact on trade balance. Specifically this study focus on the main cause of Trade deficit in Somalia by analyzing the impact of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), exchange rate and inflation rate; In this study The Ordinary Least Square method (OLS) under the E-View 7.1 software has been used for the econometric analysis with a sample period spanning from 1970-2010. This study adopted the two-country imperfect substitute model of Rose and Yellen which analyses the relationship of the real exchange rate and the trade balance.The regression result showed that there is only foreign direct investment variable impact on trade balance in Somalia. Foreign direct investment had negative impact on trade balance in Somalia. The other factors include exchange rate and inflation rate had no impact on trade balance in Somalia. According to the result, there are some recommendations to solve the trade deficits problem in Somalia. The government should keep the policies stable to attractive more investors and should have policies to support export such as investment incentive and taxes incentive. Keywords: FDI, trade balance, Somalia, exchange rat

Financial Management Practices and Financial Performance of Service Companies in Somalia

The objective of this study was to witness the effect of the financial management practice on the financial performance services companies in Somalia. This study viewed the effect of financial management practice of all the mechanisms of financial management those were specifically; working capital, investment decision and financial decision of the services companies in the Mogadishu area. The study employed explanatory and descriptive research design. A sample of 145 respondents was selected using the stratified sampling technique.. The data collected through a cross sectional questionnaire.The findings discovered that Working capital, investment decision, are significant determinants of financial performance of the services companies in Somalia. The findings indicated that the most important variable in the model was investment decision (β = 0.544). This was followed by working capital management (β = 0.419), while financial decisions were (β= -0.010.), these showed rejected. The study, therefore, recommends that services companies in Mogadishu needed to have Working capital management policy and investment decision policy which were impacted positively on the overall financial performance. Keywords: Working capital management, Investment decision and financial decision and financial performance. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-4-0

Motivational Factors and Performance of Women Entrepreneurs in Somalia

This paper examines the impact of motivational factors on performance of women entrepreneurs, the objectives of this study is to examines the motivational factors of women entrepreneurs in Banadir region and to analyze the performance of women entrepreneurs. As sample of 125 women entrepreneurs involved small and medium enterprises, This study found that self recognition and economic necessities are the major factors that motivate Women entrepreneurs also this study revealed that the performance of Somali women owned business are somewhat low due to women perform their business in terms of independence and social recognition compared to men. The findings also showed that there is moderate correlation among motivational factors and performance of Women entrepreneurs in Banadir Region but the relationship is not high because of women are not motivated in terms financial performance. Keywords: Motivational factors, women entrepreneurs, business performance SME in Banadir region, Somalia

Service Quality Provided by Higher Education Institutions in Somalia and Its Impact on Student Satisfaction

This study attempts to examine the relationship between service quality dimensions (tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy) and students’ satisfaction. Furthermore, this study is also examining critical factors in service quality dimensions (tangibility, responsiveness, reliability, assurance and empathy) that contribute most to the satisfaction of the students. The study employed both purposive and stratified sampling technique by using a set of questionnaire that was distributed 120 undergraduate students in three of the universities in Mogadishu (SIMAD, MUQDISHO and BANADIR). However the study found that there is a positive significant relationship between service quality dimensions and students’ satisfaction. The study also found that Empathy has significant relationship with student’s satisfaction in the students’ perception of service quality rendered by their universities. Finally the study concludes that assessing level of satisfaction and continuous improvements of the quality of services that universities of Mogadishu provide to their students will help management and other staff of these universities to reach organizational success. Keywords: Service quality, Student satisfaction, higher education, tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance, empathy, Mogadishu