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Authors:Hafiz Wasim Akram Abstract: This study presents the status of the burgeoning global halal market, challenges it faces, and opportunities available for stakeholders. The study is based on primary and secondary research, and found that the US$2.1trillion halal market is projected to reach US $3 trillion by the end of 2023 at a compound annual growth rate of 6.11 per cent. The present market size will more than double if Islamic financing is brought under the ambit of the halal market. Though the uncharted territory has a lot of potential to be tapped, it is also afflicted with multifaceted challenges such asa lack of global consensus (ijama).It is recommended that a harmonized system (HS)code-like mechanism be adopted to capture trade figures of products that conform to halal principles. PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Oloyede Obagbuwa; Farai Kwenda Abstract: This study investigated factors that influence the spending habits of university students. The study utilised primary data collected through structured questionnaires from a sample of 479 students from the College of Humanities and College of Law and Management Studies at the University of KwaZuluNatal. Nine independent variables, namely, financial knowledge, financial attitude, gender, age, financial aid, years at university, racial groups, family background and course of study, were regressed against spending habits; the dependent variable. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression.. The study found that financial attitude has a significant influence on students' spending habits. The study found no statistically significant difference in the spending habits of male and female students; students majoring in business and nonbusiness-majors and among different racial groups. PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Tendai Douglas Svotwa; Charles Makanyeza Abstract: The study applied the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) theory to understand the Black Friday shopping behaviour of Generation Y consumers in Botswana. There is a dearth of studies that have examined the mediating effect of the organism (O) on the relationship between the stimulus (S) and the response (R). Majority of the studies concentrated on examining the S-O and the O-R relationships. Using data from a cross-section of 391 consumers, the study employed structural equation modelling to test the research hypotheses. The study found that social influence has a negative effect on customer value perception. It was found that social convenience has a positive effect on customer value perception while customer value perception positively influenced customer loyalty. The study also found that customer value perception mediates both the effects of social influence and social convenience on customer loyalty. The study has implications for theory, practice and future research. PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Mornay Roberts-Lombard; Lebogang Makola, Tholakele Nkosi Sizakele Mabhena Abstract: The study explores the delight phenomenon by investigating customer delight, its antecedents and its postcedents in the cell phone industry of South Africa. Data was collected from 450 customers of cell phone companies who considered themselves satisfied overall with their cellular service provider. This study extends the model proposed by Roberts-Lombard and Petzer (2018) and attempts to substantiate their findings in South Africa through applying the extended model in a parallel industry context. The results indicate that perceived employee service delivery skills and perceived value are important antecedents of customer delight and that there is a meaningful relationship between customer delight and customer loyalty in a business-to-consumer (B2C) setting in South Africa. The study adds value by informing cellular service providers how the service delivery ability of employees and the value perception of customers influence their customer delight experience and ultimately their loyalty to the service provider. PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Delphin Kamanda Espoir; Nicholas Ngepah Abstract: A number of empirical studies have attempted to understand the effects of inequality on productivity through various channels such as human capital and political stability but have overlooked the efficiency linkage. This study utilises a stochastic frontier approach and a single-stage maximum likelihood estimation of a true fixed effects and true random effects model to investigate the effects of inequality on total factor productivity across the 52 districts of South Africa. The results obtained from the baseline regressions indicate that inequality has positive effects on technical inefficiency. This implies that an increase in inequality would exerts a negative effect on technical efficiency and therefore total factor productivity. In order to mitigate the negative effects, the study suggests that a mixture of pro-poor policies should be accentuated, as they might positively increase the earnings of those who are at the bottom of the distribution. PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Modjadji Matilda Mashapa; Eugine Tafadzwa Maziriri Abstract: This study identified environmental factors that influence perceptions of urban ecotourism among host communities, with specific reference to city parks in South Africa's Gauteng Province. This research adopted a quantitative approach, using the survey methodology in which 378 community members from Ivory Park, Ebony Park and Kaalfontein were given detailed questionnaires. The collected data were analysed utilising exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and structural equation modelling, by means of the Smart PLS software. The results of the exploratory factor analysis showed that, for the environment impact construct, four factors were extracted: rules, nature conservation, participation and environmental benefits. The results of the structural equation modelling established that there is a positive and significant PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Alfred Mukong; Nikanor Shiwayu Teresia Kaulihowa Abstract: This paper investigated the determinants of the gender gap in financial inclusion in Namibia, a country where women are more financially included than men. We employed the probit model to identify the determinants of financial inclusion and the Fairlie decomposition to examine the contribution of these factors to the gender gap in financial inclusion. The results suggest that the observed gender gap in financially included is insignificant. We found that individual characteristics such as financial literacy, educational attainment and proximity to financial institutions, contribute positively and significantly to the observed gender gap. Thus, any policy action geared towards improving the level of financial inclusion of disadvantaged women should focus on enhancing their level of education, financial knowledge and access (proximity) to financial institutions. However, the contribution of other individual and household characteristics cannot be completely ignored. PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Rexford Kweku Asiama; Anthony Amoah Godson Ahiabor Abstract: The study analyzes the influence of mobile money business on the growth of non-performing loans in Ghana. Quarterly time-series data from 2000-2018 are used. This secondary data was obtained from the the New International Database of Financial Fragility and the Bank of Ghana online database. In the absence of data on quarterly volumes of mobile money transactions or the estimated number of firms, we present groundbreaking macro-level evidence of how mobile money business operations contribute to the problem of nonperforming loans in Ghana. We estimated an autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL) and find that mobile money business operations positively influence non-performing loans in Ghana. This influence persists in the long-run and raises some policy implications for the banking sector in the country. The paper recommends the need for regulators to develop a policy that creates a well-connected and transparent financial system. PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Patient Rambe; Nnamdi O. Madichie Abstract: University campus-based community radio stations (CRS) are widely acknowledged as vehicles for supporting grassroot social and economic development. Despite these stations' popularity, the emerging technologies they exploit to advance such development initiatives, including their exact impact on their economic and social sustainability, remains a grey area. The objectives of this study are two-fold. First, to establish the social media applications that university-based CRS in South Africa employ in fulfilling their broadcasting mandates. Second, to examine how the utilisation of these applications impact the economic/ financial and social sustainability of these stations and their listenership. Drawing insights from in-depth interviews with presenters, station and programme managers, the study found limited appropriation of WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, station websites, livestreams and podcasts for content programming and broadcasting. Furthermore, while it was unclear how social media livestreaming contributed to economic sustainability, its effects on social sustainability found expression in connecting advertisers to livestreams to support real-time advertising. The implications of these are discussed. PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:S. K. Fianko; S. Afrifa Jnr S. Afrifa Jnr T.C. Dzogbewu Abstract: The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between social awareness and relationship management as the interpersonal dimension of Goleman‘s emotional intelligence and their ability to predict effective leadership in the Ghanaian banking industry. Using a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, a sample size of 307 employees was determined for the study from six commercial banks selected from Ghana‘s Club 100 rankings. A multi-stage sampling technique was used in the selection of the banks, their branches and employees who participated in the study. Standardized questionnaires served as the instruments for data collection. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the data. A significant positive relationship exists between social awareness and leadership effectiveness as well as relationship management and leadership effectiveness. The results also showed that demographic variables (gender, age, educational level, tenure) significantly moderated the relationship between social awareness and leadership effectiveness as well as relationship management and leadership effectiveness. PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Nnamdi O. Madichie Abstract: Dear Professor Okoe Amartey, thanks for availing yourself for this interview considering the current ongoing crisis and the implications for Universities in Africa. AJBER: May I start by asking you a few questions regarding the background of the University of Professional Studies (including its launch year, gaps in the markets and the challenges). PubDate: 2020-12-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Fayth A. Ruffin Abstract: Remaining true to our AJBER mandate, this issue advances empirical research that not only informs theory, policy and practice but also demonstrates how the findings can help beneficially shape the lives of Africans. This issue contributes to knowledge production under four main areas: finance, economics, entrepreneurship and management. In this issue we also feature a practitioner’s view obtained through an interview. As to finance, microfinance institutions (MFI) can be key role players in socio-economic development across the continent. Adamsa and Tewari trace the impact of 71 MFIs across 10 countries and over a decade. Empirical evidence shows that, on the one hand, regulation positively impacts MFI sustainability and depth (reaching poorer clients). On the other hand, regulation negatively impacts MFIs’ breadth (wider outreach performance). This suggests that policies and regulations should be co-created by MFIs and government yet informed by empirical research such as this article. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Abdulai Adams; Devi Datt Tewari Abstract: The proliferation of microfinance institutions (MFIs) with a great drive to mobilise deposits from the public has made regulation of the sector an important issue. This study investigates the impact of MFI regulation on their sustainability and outreach performance in selected sub-Saharan African countries using 551 observations covering 71 MFIs across 10 countries for a period of 10 years. Using the dynamic generalised method of moment estimation technique, the study found empirical evidence that regulations have positive significant impacts on both the sustainability and depth of outreach performance of MFIs. In terms of magnitude, the impacts are greater on sustainability than on the depth of outreach. The study recommends that managers and board of directors of unregulated MFIs should take steps to get them regulated through proper budgeting to meet regulatory costs, minimum capital requirements, and engage more with regulatory authorities. Also, regulatory authorities (central banks) should step up the monitoring and supervision and ensure full compliance with regulatory guidelines by MFIs to help protect depositors and the financial system as a whole. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Lindokuhle T. Zungu; Lorraine Greyling Mashapa S. Sekome Abstract: This study analysed the nonlinear effects of government spending on economic growth in 10 Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries from 1994 to 2017, using BARS theory. The study employed panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model to determine the threshold at which excessive government expenditure hampers economic growth. The empirical findings show that a nonlinear effect exists between government expenditure and economic growth, where the size of government expenditure is found to be 25.40% of GDP, above which government expenditure causes a decline in economic growth in the SADC region. The findings confirm the existence of the BARS inverted U-shape. This study proposes that policymakers ought to formulate prudent fiscal policies that encourage government expenditure, which would improve growth for those countries below the estimated threshold point. Those countries approaching the threshold point need to monitor their government spending so that it does not surpass the threshold. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Thamaga Edwin Letsoalo; Thobeka Ncanywa Abstract: The South African economy is characterized by hardships such as high levels of income inequality, poverty, slow growth rate, and high currency volatility for trade, to name a few. External financial flows such as remittances have been documented to play a role in the development process of host countries, as they represent a major financial vehicle for poverty alleviation, particularly in the low- and middle-income economies. It is on that note that this paper seeks to find out if remittances can influence trade in the South African economy. An econometric methodology that includes an autoregressive distribution lag (ARDL) and Granger causality techniques were employed to test for this relationship. The ARDL bounds test confirmed the existence of a long-run cointegration between the set of variables. Evidence from the results show that in the long run, migrant remittances are positively related to trade and significant at 1% level of significance. The short-run results show that remittances are negatively related to trade in South Africa and statistically significant at less than a 5% level of significance. The Granger causality test confirmed a one-way causality link between remittances and trade. This implies that encouraging remittances promote trade which can assist in correcting the ills of the economy and ultimately boosting the economy. This study recommends that the South African government should engender more openness, enact laws to promote remittances, lower costs of remitting money, and create remittance policies for everyone (domestic and foreign) to live together. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Oluwafemi Dele-Ijagbulu; Chukuakadibia Eresia-Eke Menisha Moos Abstract: Unemployment is a socio-economic challenge in many countries, and small businesses are continually touted as vehicles for economic growth and job creation. However, this is largely dependent on the entrepreneurial orientation (EO) of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) which intensifies business performance. Although EO, as a consolidated construct, has been widely related to business performance, employment growth (EG) is rarely examined as a possible consequence of a firm’s EO. Therefore, this study interrogates the dimensions of EO and how each relates with EG in SMMEs. Using a quantitative research methodology that relied on data collected from 1, 031 respondents, the study revealed that the relationships between the dimensions of EO and EG were statistically-significant for medium-sized businesses (MSBs) exclusively; and not for other categories of SMMEs. Essentially, the study illuminates the relationships between the dimensions of EO and EG and advocates for increased support to MSBs, in the quest to address unemployment in a developing economy context. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Cashandra Mara Abstract: The lingering global financial downturn and our innovative capability when under pressure, has created new demands through the sharing economy market, the most popular brands being Airbnb and Uber. Access to information technology and internet applications on mobile phones accelerated the adoption rate of this latest technological ‘novelty’, albeit slowly in Africa. Lawmakers have failed to regulate the emergence of micro-entrepreneurs, the increasing use of shared services and the often-violent backlash from traditional providers. This empirical paper analyses the opportunities and challenges of the sharing economy in South Africa and contributes to theory and practical knowledge in the field. Interviews with 26 stakeholders confirmed that while the sharing economy offers entrepreneurs opportunities and users convenience and choices, innovative programs such as ‘homeshare’ (Airbnb) and ‘rideshare’ (Uber) are challenged by violent competitive threats. However, if carefully balanced, the sharing economy can create harmony and growth opportunities. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Gbenga Wilfred Akinola; Josue Mbonigaba Abstract: The East African Community (EAC) summit outlines the broad strategic development objectives for the member countries to be pursued in 2021. The objectives include, among other aspirations, improved industrial productivity among members. Given the role of human capital in productivity, this inclusive productivity cannot be achieved if: (i) the productivity of member countries does not co-move together in the long run; (ii) countries have accumulated differing human capital over time; (iii) intra-migration is not adequately productive; and (iv) an environment where unskilled youth with an increasing degree of unemployment exists. As a result, this article investigated the impact of health and higher education, as a proxy for human capital, on productivity among selected EACs with data from 1980-2015. The study conducted cointegrated tests and adopted the panel autoregressive distributive lag (P-ARDL) as the estimating technique. The findings indicated a strong long-run relationship among all the variables under investigation. The result highlighted that countries had developed different quantities of human capital, and as a result, the productivity of their human capital is limited and constrained in promoting notable inclusive growth that can benefit from intra-migration. To enhance the productivity effect of human capital, policymakers in East Africa should aim to balance the growth of human capital across regions. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Emmanuel Okofo-Dartey; Farai Kwenda Abstract: Managers over the years have remained dominant forces in firms’ investment decision-making processes, including decisions relating to mergers and acquisitions (M&As) transactions with different aims and objectives in mind. The effect of managerial discretion on firms’ investment decisions concerning profit maximization are varied. This study, therefore, investigated the impact of managerial discretion on the profitability levels of acquirer firms from emerging markets. Using a firm-level data of 160 acquirers, selected from 10 emerging markets sourced from the Bloomberg Terminal, and employing the ordinary least squares technique, the results of the study show that the managerial discretion exercised by managers of emerging market acquirers negatively impact these acquirers’ profitability levels. Therefore, the boards of these firms need to put in place monitoring and disciplinary measures to regulate managers' activities. This is because they have control over firms' resources and have discretionary powers over how to allocate them for unprofitable investments such as bad M & A deals to suit their interest at the expense of shareholders. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Olugbenga Joseph Oluwole; Solomon Omonona Themba Q. Mjoli Abstract: One of the major behavioural concerns facing organisations globally, particularly in Nigeria, is counterproductive work behaviour (CWB), which previous studies identified as an attitudinal reaction of perceived job insecurity. Very few empirical studies in Nigeria have tried to explore the connection and the variable that can cushion the negative effects of job insecurity on CWB. This study, therefore, explored the moderating role of occupational self-efficacy (OSE) on the job insecurity-CWB (and its sub-dimensions) relationship among bank employees in Nigeria. Using convenience sampling technique, a total of 380 participants were sampled through a structured questionnaire method after the participants gave their informed consent. The results showed a significant positive relationship between job insecurity and CWB, job insecurity and sabotage, job insecurity and withdrawal behaviour, job insecurity and production deviance, and job insecurity and abuse. The results further showed a significant positive relationship between OSE and CWB, OSE and withdrawal behaviour, and OSE and abuse. The hierarchical multiple regression results showed a significant interaction effect of OSE on the job insecurity-CWB relationship, and significant interaction effects of OSE on the job insecurityabuse relationship. These findings provide an insight for organisational management on the implication for work environments characterised by uncertainty of long-term employment tenure and the need to create a resourceful work environment. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Karabo Mpho Theledi; Takalani Eric Mudzanani Abstract: The South African retail industry is characterised by intense competition and a wide variety of imported products from all over the world. The retail industry plays a vital role in the economy of the country. The South African retail company, TopT (PTY) Ltd, is positioning itself with a view to becoming a dominant player in the South African retail industry in the decades to come. The purpose of this study was to investigate in-store experience and customer loyalty in the retail sector, using TopT as a case study. The requisite data was collected from a sample of 385 customers of TopT in the Gauteng Province. The data was then analysed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that the quality of services provided by TopT stores promotes customer loyalty, thus indicating a positive attitude on the part of the company’s customers towards the company. In addition, the results revealed that promotional measures undertaken at the company’s stores drive customer loyalty. The study findings gave rise to insights into both prevailing customer loyalty towards the company and store experiences at TopT stores. The implications of the study should also be of benefit to other retail companies in South Africa. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Christian D. Pentz; Ronel du Preez Liezel Swiegers Abstract: Online shopping in South Africa is expected to grow in the future and the assumption can be made that especially younger (Generation Y), technologically enabled consumers will contribute to this growth. Owing to a paucity in research in this field, the aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the general online behaviour, and the online shopping behaviour in particular, of a cohort of South African Generation Y consumers. A two-phased approach was followed using students from a large South African university as respondents. The findings showed that access to the Internet was not a concern for the respondents and that they considered themselves as ‘technologically enabled’. A large number of respondents, however, indicated that they used the Internet to browse for products, but that they did not regularly purchase products online. The insights gained by this study’s findings can guide online retailers in South Africa to develop more robust marketing strategies to effectively meet the requirements and expectations of their younger online consumers. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Maigana Amsami; Siddiq Balal Ibrahim Abdelsalam Adam Hamid Abstract: Research works investigating the mediation of customer gratitude on the influence of philanthropic corporate social responsibility on customer loyalty in the banking context in northeast Nigeria, are limited. Hence, this paper tested the mediating role of customer gratitude on the relationship between philanthropic corporate social responsibility (PCSR) and customer loyalty in the retail banking industry of Nigeria. Cross-sectional research design was used, data were collected from a sample of 430 individual customers of the Nigerian retail banks, and hypotheses were tested using linear regression and Sobel test. The results revealed a significant positive influence of PCSR on customers’ loyalty, and also partial mediation of customer gratitude on the relations between PCSR and customers’ loyalty was observed. The study concluded that customer gratitude mediated the dynamics between PCSR and customer loyalty among the surveyed retail banks. It is therefore recommended that managers of Nigerian retail banks should enthrone PCSR activities in their operation in order to generate feelings of gratitude in customers with a view to establishing lasting customer loyalty. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Nnamdi O. Madichie Abstract: Okpaise KennethFinancial Advisory Manager,AIICO Insurance Plc., Lagos, NigeriaDear Mr. Okpaise, thanks for availing yourself for this interview considering the ongoing crisis. I know you are very time-constrained so I am going to keep this short and limit the questions to no more than six. PubDate: 2020-09-01T00:00:00Z
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Authors:Ntokozo Nzimande Abstract: It gives me pleasure to present to you the second issue of the African Journal of Business and Economic Research (AJBER) for the year 2020. This issue comprises of eleven articles, with topics covering a wide-range of issues such as fiscal policy, entrepreneurship, SMMEs, exchange rates, labour unions, among others. Moreover, the articles included in this issue cover five different Africa countries: South Africa, Lesotho, Nigeria, Kenya, and Zimbabwe; and one covering the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. PubDate: 2020-06-01T00:00:00Z
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