International Journal of Business and Management (IJBM)

Transparent procurement practices and performance of medical supply chain in Kenya

Maurice Juma Atiende — 2025-01-04

The performance of medical supply chain is vital in ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery of healthcare products, directly impacting patient outcomes and the efficiency of health systems. This study investigates the effect of transparent procurement practices on the performance of medical supply chain in Kenya, with a focus on addressing the pervasive corruption and inefficiencies documented in the sector. A descriptive research design was adopted, utilizing both primary and secondary data collected through questionnaires administered to 100 supply chain management officers within 13 Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) under the Ministry of Health. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between transparent procurement practices and medical supply chain performance, with transparency accounting for 48.6% of the variance in performance (R² = 0.486, p < 0.05). Transparent procurement was found to mitigate stockouts, reduce procurement delays, and enhance accountability in resource allocation. These results underscore the importance of institutionalizing transparency measures in public procurement to enhance the efficiency and integrity of Kenya’s healthcare supply chain. The study recommends the adoption of an end-to-end digital procurement systems, training of procurement personnel, and stricter enforcement of public procurement laws and regulations to combat corruption and inefficiencies. These efforts will improve healthcare service delivery and contribute to public health resilience, especially in crisis situations. The findings provide valuable insights for policy and practice, emphasizing the need for transparency in public procurement systems.

A quantitative analysis of level of sustainability disclosure in corporate annual reports of Indian companies

Shaima Thassim — 2025-01-13

The importance of corporate sustainability disclosure is growing because of social and environmental concerns. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in India have caused serious problems with the quality of air and water. This study examines the level of sustainability disclosure in the annual reports of Indian companies, focusing on environmental, social, and economic commitments in line with frameworks like GRI and BRSR-SEBI. The objective of the study was to examine the degree to which businesses in India publish information about their sustainability policies and efforts in their annual reports. A multistage sampling technique was used to sample the top 50 Indian companies covering the 2021–2022 fiscal year from 11 sectors. Descriptive and content data analysis techniques were employed using mean, median, and standard deviation. Findings revealed that the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is the most widely adopted framework, followed by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). Furthermore, almost all the companies practiced environmental disclosure, particularly greenhouse gas emissions and climate impact and energy usage. The study concluded that sustainability disclosure varies across different sectors and Indian corporations. The study recommended strengthening the adoption of standardized reporting frameworks like GRI, IIRC, and BRSR-SEBI through regulatory incentives or rules that emphasize their benefits. Furthermore, it was recommended that Indian companies should include external certifications and recognitions in their annual reports to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and enhance the credibility and transparency of their sustainability reporting.

Managing copyright in the digital art industry: A cross-border licensing model for China and the EU

Zekun ling — 2025-01-14

This paper explores the legal complexities surrounding copyright protection in the digital art industry, focusing on cross-border licensing agreements between China and the European Union (EU). The rise of online art platforms has enabled broader dissemination of artworks but has also raised concerns about unauthorized use. By analyzing intellectual property laws and case in both regions, this research proposes a licensing model tailored to the unique requirements of digital art exhibitions. The model emphasizes balancing artists’ rights with platform operations and offers a structured framework for online art licensing agreements. Through a comparative analysis of legal frameworks, the study highlights differences in enforcement strategies and provides practical guidelines for art licensing agreements in cross- jurisdictional contexts. This research contributes to intellectual property discussions and offers a tool for both artists and digital platforms to navigate legal challenges in the digital era.

A bibliometric analysis of work-life balance policies on employee performance

Shaista Noor — 2025-01-15

Work-Life Balance (WLB) Policies aim to balance employees' work and family life is a growing concern in developing nations compared to developed economies. This paper aims to provide a clear view of current dynamics and research diversification of literature in the field of work-life balance (WBL) policies on employee performance by using bibliometric analysis. Scopus database has been used for carrying out the bibliometric analysis based on 100 research papers published from 2000 to 2023 to see the trends of publications. The prominence of research is evaluated by publication trend, publisher, country, universities/research institution, frequency of citation and different keywords related to work-life balance, policies, and employee performance. The number of publications continues to increase after the year 2008. The region of reviewed papers is Nigeria, Kenya, the USA, the Philippines, India, Spain, South Africa, Romania, Jordan, Australia, Netherlands, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Canada, Pakistan, and Malaysia. The United States, Spain and Nigeria have the highest rate of research publications, and the USA, Kenya, Nigeria Spain Netherlands Sweden, Bangladesh, and Romania countries focused on variables work-life balance policies, flexible working arrangements, workplace support, employee performance, employee satisfaction, retention, and organizational performance. The most common term used in the research is work-life balance policies. The novelty of this research paper is on the subject of WLB policies on employee performance using varied bibliographic approaches. Future studies avenues and recommendations and the study's limitations were also examined.

Influence of organizational structure and training programs on the implementation of aeronautical information management system

Gloria beth Muthoni — 2025-01-17

This study investigated the effects of two elements of the McKinsey 7S model on strategic practices (one hard element - organizational structure, and one soft element - staff training programs) on the implementation of Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) in the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). The objectives of the study were to determine the influence of training programs and organizational structure on the successful implementation of AIM in KCAA. The study draws upon two theoretical frameworks to reinforce the variables under investigation: the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM) and the McKinsey 7S model. TAM delves into technology acceptance, while the McKinsey 7S model provides a comprehensive lens for assessing the impact of strategy, structure, systems, staff, skills, style, and shared values on AIM implementation. The target population for this study was 1,630 individuals directly involved in AIM implementation within KCAA. The sample size, determined based on Krejcie and Morgan's table, comprised 310 respondents who were selected using a clustered random sampling technique. The study utilized an explanatory research design. Bivariate correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore relationships and gain insights into the study variables. The results revealed significant positive effects of organizational structure and training programs on AIM success. This interpretation sheds light on the nuanced dynamics that contribute to the successful implementation of AIM within the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority. The study concludes that investing in comprehensive training and optimizing organizational structures significantly enhances AIM implementation. The findings affirm the positive impact of training programs and organizational structure on AIM success, emphasizing their intrinsic connection. The study recommends that aeronautical organizations prioritize comprehensive training and the optimization of organizational structures.