Advances in Social Sciences and Management

Phytodiversity and Therapeutic Value within Traditional Communities of Luozi, Democratic Republic of Congo

2025-07-28T15:53:04+01:00

The ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants is being carried out in the Luozi region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The aim is to promote, conserve and even perpetuate endogenous knowledge and know-how, the basis of socio-cultural identity. Ethnobotanical data collection is based on a survey and personalized interviews involving local people in the 10 sectors. The group of informants, of all genders and aged at least 19, totaled 2,296 people. The survey revealed 146 medicinal species in 129 genera and 59 families, of which the Fabaceae are the most represented. According to ethnobotanical indices, Sarcocephalus latifolius, Morinda lucida, Chromolaena odorata and Crossopteryx febrifuga are the most popular taxa. Classification by disease area reveals that the group of symptoms, signs and ill-defined morbid states is the most important in terms of the number of indications and citations. In terms of therapeutic indications, malaria is the most popular in terms of the number of plant citations. Leaves are the most cited organs in terms of the number of recipes. Although the drugs are administered orally (pers os), the decoction remains by far the most common form of preparation. The people of the Luozi sectors do not form a single community when it comes to using plants in traditional medicine. Two distinct communities can be identified, depending on the medicinal species used from one sector to another.

Challenges of Adopting Sustainable Entrepreneurship Practices in Ifrane Hotels- Morocco

2025-08-11T14:19:42+01:00

This paper discussed challenges of adopting sustainable entrepreneurship practices in Ifrane hotels- Morocco. It assumes that adopting sustainable entrepreneurship practices will contribute to the realization of economic, social and environmental goals of Ifrane hotels. The research question addressed the extent to which lack of awareness and understanding of sustainable entrepreneurship concept, financial constraints, seasonality and low patronage and imposition of high taxes and levies constitute a challenge in adopting sustainable entrepreneurship practices in Ifrane hotels. A cross-sectional survey research design was used in the generation of primary data for the study. A sample size of 272 was determined from a population of 850 hotel employees using Yamane (1964), sample size determination formula. The sample size was selected from the population of study using simple random (shuffling and selection of cards without replacement) method. The results indicated that lack of awareness and understanding of sustainable entrepreneurship, financial constraints, seasonality and low patronage and imposition of high taxes and levies constitute a challenge in adopting sustainable entrepreneurship practices in Ifrane hotels. It concludes that hotels in Iframe are not achieving sustainable entrepreneurship goals due to the challenges associated with adoption of sustainable entrepreneurship practices. It therefore recommends among others: enlightenment to create more awareness about the concept, financial support for hoteliers to modernize facilities, government reduction of taxes and levies for hoteliers, use of energy-efficient, water conservation and waste minimization systems, increasing community engagement and offering more employment opportunities to residents of host community.

Exploring the Effects of Livelihood Programs on Radicalization and Migration Among Youth in Somalia

2025-08-23T04:50:43+01:00

Somalia's prominent "youth bulge" presents both a significant opportunity for national reconstruction and a potential source of instability if left unaddressed. Persistently high youth unemployment, estimated at 60-70%, creates conditions of marginalization that render young people vulnerable to high-risk behaviors, including recruitment by extremist groups and engagement in perilous irregular migration. While numerous livelihood interventions have been implemented, a critical gap exists in understanding their effectiveness from the subjective perspective of the youth they are designed to serve. Current studies frequently center on quantitative results instead of the qualitative processes by which these programs impact individual decision-making. This paper presents a qualitative study to investigate this gap. The objective is to examine the perceived effects of youth livelihood programs on reducing the factors leading to radicalization and migration in urban Somalia. The anticipated results encompass a nuanced comprehension of efficient program elements and the formulation of actionable suggestions to guide the development of more youth-centered and contextually sensitive policies and interventions.

Ethnographic Analysis of ‘SPEAKING’ and Textuality in the Conversation between Jesus Christ and the Thieves on the Cross

2025-09-08T20:36:11+01:00

This study undertakes an ethnographic and textual analysis of the conversation between Jesus Christ and the thieves on the cross, as portrayed in the Synoptic Gospels. Integrating Dell Hymes’s SPEAKING model with principles of textuality, the research examines how communicative actions within this sacred speech event are shaped by socio-cultural contexts and structured through linguistic coherence. The SPEAKING framework facilitates an exploration of the setting, participants, purposes, and genre of the crucifixion dialogue, highlighting the contrasting roles and intentions of the repentant and impenitent thieves. Textuality analysis evaluates cohesion, coherence, intentionality, and inter-textual connections, revealing how the dialogue functions as a meaningful, unified text imbued with theological significance. Findings indicate that the interaction exemplifies ritualized communication embedded within socio-religious norms of first-century Judea and reflects core Christian themes of judgment, mercy, and redemption. The repentant thief's plea and Jesus's promise embody pragmatic and theological dimensions of faith and salvation, while the mocking thief symbolizes rejection and despair. This integrative approach unpacks how the conversation operates simultaneously as a culturally situated speech event and a carefully constructed biblical text. The study contributes to biblical linguistics, ethnography of communication, and discourse analysis by demonstrating the effectiveness of combining ethnographic and textual frameworks to analyze sacred dialogue. The study exhumes knowledge of how language functions as a medium of identity, belief, and social action in religious narrative, offering valuable insights for interdisciplinary research into ancient communicative practices and theological discourse.

From Household to Public Sphere: Women Farmers, Gender Inequality, and Collective Mobilisation

2025-09-30T12:27:08+01:00

The MAIs Project – Women Farmers in Inland Territories – aimed to empower and promote the civic and associative participation of women farmers in S. Pedro do Sul and Sabugal, contributing to the advancement of gender equality in these regions. Using a participatory approach grounded in the principles of community development, activities were structured along three axes of intervention: personal/social, technical, and collective. This article analyses gender inequality in civic participation and highlights popular education as a key tool for strengthening collective action. When considering community mobilisation in rural contexts, it is essential to recognise the role of trust-based networks and the coordination between public policies and local actors. Women farmers face structural barriers that limit their engagement in the public sphere, including the burden of domestic and agricultural labour and persistent patriarchal norms. Thus, the centrality of labour and the gendered division of responsibilities emerged as key factors in understanding patterns of political participation and the development of collective action.

The Green Transition Must not be Delayed /There is no More Time to Lose

2025-09-11T19:45:22+01:00

Last year,2024, was the warmest on record, and the forecast for the future is unfavorable, with a new record likely to be set. Severe storms, torrential rains, and devastating fires tested all continents.The climate crisis is here and showing its worst face, with enormous economic devastation and human losses. The consequences of climate change are becoming more apparent and more adverse every year. For the past 45 years, the issue of climate change has been a concern to scientists and those involved in planning development policies. At the United Nations and European Union levels, efforts continue to contain the increase in average global temperatures. However, some underestimate the risk and insist on drilling for fossil fuels and using coal. Fortunately, a majority continues to work on alternative forms of energy that will reduce or balance the risk at some point. This article outlines the most significant policies to implement and the direction humanity should take to prevent Earth's living conditions from becoming unlivable.

Intangible Factors in China-US Relations towards Taiwan Issue

2025-09-14T07:03:57+01:00

The Taiwan issue remains one of the most complex disputes in China-US relations, where strategic rivalry collides with regional and global security concerns. Beyond material power, intangible factors influence the dynamics across the Taiwan Strait. This article seeks to identify and analyze intangible factors in China-US relations regarding Taiwan through the lens of constructivism. The study focuses on three key elements: Chinese identity and historical narrative, which support Beijing's call for reunification; democratic values and American identity strategy, which shape Washington's approach to Taiwan; and media and discourse, which influence public perception and policy debates. Furthermore, ongoing scholarly disputes about these elements are investigated, exposing how contested meanings and constructed identities contribute to tensions and chances for dialogue. The findings indicates that comprehending the Taiwan issue necessitates paying attention not just to material interests, but also to how intangible factors are socially generated and replicated in China-US-Taiwan interactions.

Public Procurement in the German Construction industry and Opportunities for Small Businesses

2025-09-22T15:02:40+01:00

Every year, several hundred billion euros are spent on public contracts throughout Germany. Compared to 2018, in 2019 the total amount of public and private construction projects increased by 28.5%. The reason for this is the renovations, but also the new buildings. In these services, all benefit, especially the larger companies. Only a few small companies take part in the tendering process. Is this possibly due to corrupt structures that always decide in favor of the same companies? Is it possibly these corrupt structures that are responsible for the millions of euros in additional orders every year, or is this due to the size of smaller companies that are unable to accept orders due to a lack of personnel? The term "public contracts" is still mostly foreign to small companies. Many companies therefore do not know what the underlying framework conditions are and what requirements have to be met. In the current construction industry, price is the most important factor when awarding contracts. In order to be able to submit as low a bid as possible, the financially strong companies below the profitability threshold and ultimately generate profit via supplementary orders. This leads to a monopolization of large construction companies and a lack of opportunities for smaller companies with weaker capital. How strong the larger companies actually are is not controllable, since liquidity was covered by loans. Here also the question arises, what could have happened if the banks suddenly cancelled the tolerated overdrafts or loans. In order to be able to guarantee economic efficiency, personnel is reduced and the planning as well as the preparation for the award of contracts is handed over to freelance architects and engineering offices. Service specifications prepared by these firms are reviewed and approved. Here also the question arises whether the examinations take place thoroughly or only randomly. Does the intervention violate neutrality Many small companies criticize the procedure for awarding public contracts without giving specific reasons for their criticism. The uncertainty and fear threshold to participate in a public procedure is large with the majority of the smaller enterprises. Often no participation in such an award procedure takes place due to larger lack of knowledge and lack of transparency of the procedure. This paper aims to show why public procurement structures are a poor starting position for small businesses and how they can be improved.[1] The more transparent the awarding process is and the more correctly the requirements are presented by all parties involved, the more costs will be kept in check and no company will be discriminated against. In 2018, the construction industry contributed 5.3% to the overall gross value creation of the economy. The share of gross domestic product used for construction investment was almost twice as high, at 10.3%. The construction industry's share of total employment was 5.6%. Since the end of the construction crisis in 2005, the share figures have increased significantly again. As a result, in 2018 the construction industry is still ahead of such important industrial sectors as vehicle manufacturing, mechanical engineering and the chemical industry in terms of both production and employment. The construction industry thus remains a key sector for Germany.[2]

From Local to Global: How Social Media and Emerging Technologies are Reshaping Women Entrepreneurship in Lagos Markets?

2025-09-22T15:06:37+01:00

This research examines how social media and new technologies contribute to women’s entrepreneurship in Lagos, Nigeria. By looking at data from surveys and studying conversations online, the research analyses how women entrepreneurs in Lagos’ main markets use technology to improve their businesses. The study recruited 895 women from various sectors in fashion, food retail and beauty services and looked at six physical locations: Yaba, Ikorodu, Bariga, Lagos Island, Surulere and Ojuelegba. We used a multistage method to pick people from each of the major socio-economic strata in Lagos. Besides the survey, the study examined social media activity on five online groups covering Yaba, Idumota, Orile Coker, Ojuelegba and Lagos Island on Facebook over 12 months. Researchers looked at the daily activity, member discussions and message goals by watching the site in a non-disruptive manner, from selling products to networking. Results suggest that smartphones and WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook are main tools for communicating, marketing and growing a business. Digital literacy, the cost of devices and barriers from different cultures are still ongoing problems. It becomes clear from the results that many people use digital platforms in different ways and this is especially true in lower-interest markets which may require additional support and training to close the digital gap. It also offers new viewpoints on how women can involve themselves in digital tools, run enterprises and benefit from social media in promoting growth within their organisations.

In-service Training, the Impact on Catering Officers’ Performance Mediated by Service Innovation Performance in Ghana

2025-09-24T14:38:39+01:00

This research examined in-service training, the impact on catering officers’ performance mediated by service innovation performance. The study employed survey research approach with structured questionnaires. The study used 284 participants. Structural equation modelling supported with maximum estimator with AMOS was used to establish the relationship between the variables. This result reveals a significant relationship between the employees’ perception of access to training, benefits of training, support for training and employee’s performance. There was mediation effect of service innovation performance between the relationship among the constructs. This research provides important management and theoretical implications for the hospitality industry.

C Suite Accountability and Employee Performance Assessments in a U.S. Defense Contractor: A Qualitative Single Case Analysis

2025-09-24T18:26:45+01:00

This qualitative single-case study examined the relationship between C-suite accountability and the design and effectiveness of employee performance assessments in a rapidly expanding defense contracting firm. Although performance assessments are widely regarded as essential to organizational effectiveness, the defense sector presents distinct regulatory and security challenges that complicate their consistent execution. Using semi-structured interviews, a brief survey, and direct observations with 15 overhead employees across diverse roles, the study employed a constructivist orientation to capture nuanced perspectives. Findings indicated that C-suite leadership exerted a decisive influence on assessment quality, while frontline supervisors played a pivotal role in daily performance communication. Revenue-linked pressures altered both the timing and depth of evaluations, reflecting the “cost of making money” within compliance-driven procurement cycles. Informal assessments frequently shaped compensation and administrative actions, yet formal processes lagged behind the firm’s accelerated growth. Moreover, communication gaps emerged, with support staff often perceiving limited executive recognition of their contributions. The study concludes that executive accountability is closely associated with clearer expectations, enhanced supervisory coaching, and consistent feedback. Formalized appraisals were shown to function not only as governance mechanisms but also as cultural signals in a regulated industry. The research highlights the importance of sequenced performance management roadmaps, transparent communication, and explicit linkage of performance measures to strengthen engagement, retention, and audit readiness.

Shadow Accountability under Hybrid Algorithmic–Human Management: Consequences for Psychological Safety, Autonomy, and Middle Management

2025-09-25T09:32:09+01:00

Purpose: The paper addresses a gap in the literature: while research has examined algorithmic management, psychological safety, and middle-management discretion separately, little is known about how accountability is redistributed through governance artifacts under hybrid algorithmic–human arrangements. Aims: The primary aim is to theorize how accountability allocation, purpose signaling, and explainability influence psychological safety, autonomy, and discretion. A secondary aim is to identify status inferences and discretion boundaries as mediators linking governance to climate outcomes. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative meta-synthesis of Q1/Q2 articles (2023–2025) was conducted across organizational behavior, HRM, information systems, and organization theory. Transparent inclusion criteria, PRISMA-style screening, and JBI appraisal produced a final corpus of 36 studies. Coding combined a priori constructs with inductive theme development. Findings: Four themes emerged: shadow accountability in dashboards and appeals; compression of middle-management discretion under metricized oversight; fragile psychological safety shaped through purpose and transparency; and status externalities that dampen voice. Recent field and experimental studies confirm heterogeneous productivity gains and displacement risks. Limitations of the study: Reliance on published research limits visibility into emerging contexts and precludes effect-size estimation. Practical implications: Role-anchored accountability maps, override rights, and recognition practices can preserve candor and trust. Originality/value: The framework extends algorithmic-management theory through governance design and provides actionable pathways for creating psychological safety.

The Dayton Peace Agreement: A Temporar Framework for Peace and the Need for Constitutional Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina

2025-09-29T17:28:47+01:00

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the Dayton Peace Agreement, signed in 1995 in Dayton, Ohio, which brought an end to the three-and-a-half-year war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the agreement undeniably succeeded in halting the armed conflict, it also entrenched deep ethnic divisions and established a complex and often dysfunctional political system that continues to generate crises and political deadlock to this day. Instead of serving as a transitional framework toward a democratic, civic-oriented state, the Dayton structure has become a permanent constitutional setup that undermines the equality of all citizens, regardless of their ethnic background. In conclusion, the author calls for a more decisive role from the international community, as well as a domestic political consensus, to transform the current system into a functional, citizen-based democracy. Only through such reform can Bosnia and Herzegovina ensure lasting peace, political stability, and a viable European future. This topic, although researched multiple times over the years, remains unresolved with full implementation still pending. The goal of this paper is to continuously highlight the existing problems and inadequacies of the Dayton Peace Agreement until genuine reform and timely execution are achieved. Through an analysis of legal and political aspects, the paper emphasizes the urgent need to amend and adapt the agreement to ensure long-term stability and fairness in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Particular attention is given to overcoming outdated ethnic divisions that hinder the creation of a unified civic state. The role of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) is underscored in correcting past interpretations and enforcing reforms that guarantee equality for all citizens.

The Role of Ambidextrous Innovation in Enhancing Business Adaptability Amidst Nigeria's Economic Challenges

2025-09-30T01:27:03+01:00

This study explores the role of ambidextrous innovation in enhancing business adaptability amid Nigeria’s challenging economic environment. Using qualitative data from structured interviews with business leaders across sectors including banking, oil and gas, manufacturing, project management, and small-scale enterprises the research investigates how firms balance the dual imperatives of exploration and exploitation. Findings reveal that while firms widely recognize the necessity of ambidextrous innovation for survival and competitiveness, adoption is shaped by sector-specific dynamics and constrained by internal resistance to change, managerial rigidity, and insufficient investment in research and development. Respondents emphasized that innovation is driven primarily by market pressures, technological shifts, and the imperative to remain sustainable in a volatile economic landscape. Despite challenges, firms that actively integrate both incremental and exploratory innovation approaches are better positioned to diversify offerings, withstand shocks, and respond to shifting customer demands.The study contributes to the ongoing discourse on innovation strategy by offering contextual insights into how ambidexterity is understood and operationalized in a developing economy. It highlights the variability in implementation across sectors, reinforcing the need for tailored innovation approaches that reflect distinct industry realities.Based on the findings, it is recommended that firms build leadership capacity that supports innovation, institutionalize change management practices, and invest strategically in R&D infrastructure. Policymakers should implement sector-sensitive innovation support mechanisms and create an enabling environment that lowers barriers to dual innovation practices for firms of varying sizes and capabilities.