Peer-reviewed international research papers published open-access with EOI assignment and global indexing across engineering, computer science, environmental science, social sciences, and more.
This study is about a labor conflict occurring in a Brazilian company involving an employee who suffers from physical and mental health problems. This study analyzes two labor lawsuits and the negotiation process that led to a settlement, examining how trust, time pressure, litigation uncertainty, and integrative negotiation affected the achievement of a negotiated solution. A descriptive single-case-study design was used to analyze the interactions among the employee, the employer, the lawyers, and the institutions of the Judicial System throughout the negotiation process to reach a mutually accepted solution. This study shows that, through strategic negotiation, it is possible to create value under uncertainty, within a context of conflict, and with opposing interests, while reaching solutions that meet one party's financial claims and the other's urgent human needs.
This article analyses the judicial negotiation that took place between a wholesale watermelon distributor from Goiás and the produce wholesale box owner from Rio de Janeiro’s CEASA market who had entered into an informal commercial transaction. The single-case study used a descriptive research design. The environment in which commercial transactions were conducted was characterized by a large number of informal transactions, which were conducted based on trust and an attempt to maintain a good name, in other words, a good reputation. In this type of negotiation, where significant uncertainties surrounded evidence admissibility, debt collection, and future business relations, the available data still allowed us to follow the stages of negotiation that concluded with a judicial agreement. The findings showed that, in the specific environment in which the negotiation took place, trust, reputation, credibility, emotions, and step-by-step agreements to settle the dispute were all crucial. The article thus contributes to the body of knowledge on negotiation, conflict management, commercial trust, and maintaining business relations. It also aims to provide research findings with practical implications for those involved in such disputes, as well as contributions to academic research, focusing on commercial reputation as a strategic asset in highly informal market environments.
Pourquoi le cantonnement de combattants ou la destruction d’un camp sont-ils si souvent interprétés comme des preuves de stabilisation, alors que la capacité de violence peut se recomposer ailleurs et autrement ? Cet article répond à cette question par une comparaison structurée de la Force de résistance patriotique de l’Ituri (FRPI) et des Forces démocratiques alliées (ADF) entre 2020 et 2025. Il soutient que l’efficacité d’une politique de stabilisation dépend moins de son intensité que de son ajustement organisationnel au groupe visé. La FRPI est principalement enchâssée dans une arène locale comme réseaux communautaires, et médiations politico-militaires tandis que les ADF combinent clandestinité, mobilité transfrontalière, coercition interne et connexions jihadistes transnationales. Une analyse documentaire de 50 sources scientifiques, institutionnelles, juridiques et spécialisées est conduite selon une comparaison structurée et focalisée. Les résultats documentaires montrent que l’accord conclu avec la FRPI en 2020 a créé une possibilité réelle de conversion organisationnelle, mais que sa crédibilité demeure tributaire de l’exécution du désarmement, de la réintégration et des garanties locales. À l’inverse, l’état de siège et l’opération Shujaa ont exercé une pression territoriale sur les ADF sans que la destruction de positions visibles suffise à démontrer le démantèlement de leurs réseaux. L’article conceptualise ainsi une illusion du recul territorial : confondre déplacement spatial, fragmentation ou mise en sommeil avec démobilisation durable. Il propose d’évaluer la stabilisation à partir de la transformation des capacités reproductives de la violence et de la sécurité humaine, et non du seul recul géographique d’un groupe armé
Abstract
This study investigates the integration of PMBOK® Guide practices and agile methodologies regarding cost and schedule management in software development projects. The research addresses the complementarity between traditional project management processes as outlined in the PMBOK® and the iterative, incremental approaches of agile methodologies, aiming to identify integration strategies that optimize cost and schedule control. The methodology employed combines a literature review, case studies, and qualitative analysis. The results indicate that the synergy between these frameworks enhances adaptability to change, improves financial and schedule control, and increases stakeholder satisfaction. It is concluded that an integrated approach is essential for the success of software projects in dynamic and complex environments.
Public security service delivery remains a major concern in rapidly growing urban areas, where increasing security challenges require collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, communities, private actors and civil society organizations. This study assessed the effect of multi-sectoral coordination on public security service delivery in Kasarani Sub County in Kenya. The study was motivated by the need to establish whether coordinated interventions by different security stakeholders lead to more effective, responsive and reliable public security services. Multi-sectoral coordination was operationalized through peace-building programmes, joint conflict mediation and community awareness campaigns, while public security service delivery constituted the dependent variable. The study adopted an explanatory research design. The target population included 210 respondents, which included members of the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Unit, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, National Government Administrative Officers, County Government officials, Community policing committees and civil society organizations. A sample size of 138 was determined using the Yamane formula with a 5% margin of error, while stratified random sampling was used to ensure representation of the various groups of stakeholders. Structured questionnaires containing five-point Likert scale items were used to gather primary data. Data were coded and analysed using SPSS version 28, where descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while Pearson correlation and regression analysis were used to test the correlation between the study variables. The findings demonstrated that a multi-sectoral approach has a positive and statistically significant effect on the delivery of public security services, with an unstandardized coefficient of B = 0.267 and a standardized coefficient of β = 0.255. The study concluded that there is a need to strengthen peace-building programs, joint conflict mediation and public awareness campaigns to enhance public security services in Kasarani Sub-County. The study suggests improving institutional cooperation, sharing of information and joint security action among the stakeholders involved.
Keywords: Multi-sectoral coordination, peace-building programmes, conflict mediation, community awareness campaigns, public security service delivery, Kasarani Sub-County.
Abstract
Do ESG performance and renewable energy consumption actually work together to lower carbon emission intensity, or does one channel carry most of the load? We examine six East African countries—Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda—over 2005–2023, using a balanced panel of 114 country-year observations and a composite sovereign ESG index built via principal component analysis from the World Bank's Sovereign ESG framework, tested through Fixed Effects with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors alongside System-GMM.
The results split sharply. Renewable energy consumption shows a robust negative effect on carbon intensity under both FE-DK (β = −0.037, p < 0.001) and System-GMM (β = −0.020, p < 0.001). The composite ESG score, however, shows no meaningful effect. Decomposed into pillars, only governance carries a negative coefficient (β = −0.358), significantly different from the social pillar (p = 0.048) pointing to institutional capacity, not environmental or social policy, as the real driver. A renewable-governance interaction is positive (β = 0.049, p < 0.001): renewables' abatement power weakens somewhat as governance improves, though it stays negative throughout. We read this as a composition effect, as better-governed economies shift from traditional biomass toward modern renewables that have already displaced the easiest fossil substitutions.
The paper offers the first FE/System-GMM analysis of this relationship for East Africa, with a clear implication: governance reform is a precondition for climate policy to pay off
Keywords: ESG performance; renewable energy; carbon emission intensity; East Africa; System-GMM
This study presents a verification and validation audit of a compressible Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) workflow for transonic flow over the RAE2822 airfoil and develops a rigorous uncertainty-aware extension for future multi-model assessment. The documented CFD work uses a two-dimensional RAE2822 geometry, an external-flow domain, the standard k–ε turbulence model with wall functions, near-wall y⁺ assessment, two mesh levels, and comparison with experimental pressure trends. The source record demonstrates reasonable qualitative agreement and modest changes between the initial and refined meshes. A detailed data-integrity audit, however, identifies a critical benchmark-consistency issue: the supplied solver screenshots show Mach 0.675 and two different Reynolds-number calculations (1.330×10⁶ and 6.851×10⁵), whereas the canonical RAE2822 Case 9 benchmark is commonly documented at Mach 0.729, Reynolds number 6.5×10⁶ and angle of attack 2.31°. Consequently, the present record cannot be treated as a completed quantitative validation of the canonical case. No unsupported error, uncertainty interval, or turbulence-model ranking is fabricated. The paper establishes the completed baseline evidence, documents the discrepancy, defines a reproducible three-level, multi-model verification/validation protocol, and specifies quantitative Cp, shock-location, grid-convergence and uncertainty metrics required for a defensible final CFD study.
This manuscript uses mixed methods analysis of procurement data, supply chain performance indicators, and stakeholder interviews from 2019 to 2024 to examine how fluctuations in donor funding and the implementation of parallel procurement policies fundamentally changed the efficiency, resilience, and long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s public health supply chain system. The findings highlight critical vulnerabilities in supply chain continuity, inventory management, and equitable distribution of essential medicines and health commodities, while provide evidence-based recommendations for strengthening organizational capacity, harmonizing procurement process, and establishing sustainable funding mechanisms to reduce donor dependence and ensure continuity of health care delivery in Nigeria’s health facilities.
Artificial intelligence investment and model development have become sharply concentrated in a small number of firms and countries even as the field's most influential design philosophy, human-centered AI, argues for the opposite: systems built around human control, understanding, and benefit. This paper examines that tension. Drawing on Stanford HAI's 2025 and 2026 AI Index Reports, it documents the scale of AI's economic and technical concentration, including record corporate investment exceeding $580 billion in 2025 and the industry's production of over 90 per cent of notable frontier models. It then reviews the academic foundations of human-centered AI, principally Ben Shneiderman's two-dimensional framework for reliable, safe, and trustworthy systems, and situates Stevens Institute of Technology's new Human-Centered AI master's program within that lineage. The paper argues that concentration and human-centeredness are not merely in tension but are becoming empirically linked: countries and populations with the deepest AI investment report comparatively lower trust in the technology, suggesting that scale alone does not produce the legitimacy human-centered design is meant to secure. The paper closes with a practitioner's reflection on applying human-centered principles to AI adoption in resource-constrained business and logistics settings.
Improper medication use remains a common health problem among adolescents,largely due to limited understanding of how to properly obtain,use,store,and dispose of medicines. Adolescents tend to self-medicate without adequate information, increasing the risk of dosing errors, improper storage,and unsafe disposal of expired medicines.A community service activity themed "Education on Medication Use in Adolescents" was conducted to improve students' understanding of the DAGUSIBU concept
The activity used teaching materials titled "Medication Use in Adolescents" and involved 100 students from SMA Negeri 6 Jakarta. Knowledge was assessed through a pre-test before the education session and a post-test afterward, covering five main DAGUSIBU indicators.
Results showed an increase in the average knowledge score from 95.0 to 98.7, an increase of 3.7 points or 3.89% relatively.The largest improvement occurred in the "Obtain Medicine Properly" indicator, with a 7 percentage-point increase. This education proved effective in improving adolescents' understanding of safe and rational medication management.
Plastic manufacturing sector, play an essential role in the Kenyan economic growth, but like any other sector, it faces both internal and external threats on competitiveness and sustainability in a bid to sustain performance. The sector is also characterized by several social, ethical, environmental and legal concerns that affect various stakeholders, and who have become sensitive in holding the firms accountable for their activities. The study aimed at determining the influence of corporate social responsibility practices on the organizational performance of the plastic manufacturing industries in Nairobi County Kenya. The specific objectives were; To determine the influence of philanthropic practices on organizational performance in the plastic manufacturing industry in Nairobi County Kenya, to determine the influence of environmental practices on organizational performance in the plastic manufacturing industry in Nairobi County Kenya, to analyze the influence of ethical practices on organizational performance in the plastic manufacturing industry in Nairobi County Kenya, and to evaluate the influence of legal practices on organizational performance in the plastic manufacturing industry in Nairobi County Kenya. The study was anchored by the stakeholder theory, supported by legitimacy theory and the social contract theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design targeting employees and managers from 100 plastic manufacturing firms listed by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). Out of 240 distributed questionnaires, 192, were fully completed and usable, yielding an effective response rate of 80%. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis included mean and standard deviation. The inferential statistics involved Pearson correlation analysis, which showed strong positive correlations between the independent variables and organizational performance. Collectively, all the four dimensions explained 79.6% of the variance in organizational performance with Philanthropic responsibilities being the most implemented, exerting the strongest influence followed by ethical environmental and legal responsibility practices. The study concluded that corporate social responsibility practices have a positive impact on organizational performance of plastic manufacturing companies in Nairobi County Kenya. The study recommended that firms should prioritizes philanthropic programmes, urgently strengthen environmental initiatives, which lagged behind, embed ethical conduct into core strategy and treat legal compliance as a baseline rather a differentiator. Policy makers and industry bodies should introduce incentives and collective programmes to accelerate environmental and philanthropic CSR adoption.
The increase in global population, alongside an increased incidence of accidents and skeletal diseases, has become the main reason for increase in research effort at alternative materials for developing new implantable materials. However, research on agricultural waste as suitable substitute material replacing limestone and other synthetic source of calcium oxide has been ongoing to include clam shell, mussel shell, eggshell but with a limited search on industrial by-product such as Plaster of Paris waste being generated from different industries. The main objective of this research is to chemically disintegrate plaster of Paris cast into CaCO3 for utilization in bioactive glass ceramics production. Plaster of Paris cast were collected, scraped from dry clay slurries, reduced in size to powder, then ammonium bicarbonate solution of five different concentration from 10-30%w/v was prepared and the powdered Plaster of Paris added and left for 36 hours for complete reaction, decantation was done then filtration using filter paper, dried in an oven at 110OC for an hour, then the sample residue was characterised by XRF, MP-AES, and FT-IR. The result of analysis revealed the material was majorly Calcium oxide ranging from 68.097 to 85.757%, with increase in concentration of ammonium bicarbonate, the toxicity test shows the presence of arsenic oxide range from 0.201 to 0.439 ppm which is below the allowable limit of 3 ppm, the FT-IR confirmed the material to be Calcium carbonate with vibration at 877.2 cm-1, 711.9 cm-1, and 670.9 cm-1. The finding implies the material obtained is predominantly CaCO3, with acceptable toxicity and the further confirmation of the material as CaCO3 through FT-IR.
Purpose of the Study: This study examined the effect of market penetration strategy on the organizational performance of selected supermarkets in Nairobi County, Kenya.
Statement of the Problem: The retail sector contributes significantly to employment and trade. However, increasing competition, shifting consumer preferences, supply chain challenges, and financial mismanagement have affected the performance of retail chain stores.
Methodology: A descriptive and explanatory research design was adopted on a target population comprising management personnel from ten selected retail chains, Eastmatt, Carrefour, Chandarana Food plus, Quickmart, Tumaini, Naivas and Cleanshelf supermarket, which were selected for their multiple selling points and urban presence within Nairobi County. The study targeted 112 staff across top, middle, and low management levels to gain a holistic view of decision-making and operational practices. A census approach was used, and primary data were collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential techniques were utilized in data analysis.
Results: Market penetration strategy had a positive and significant effect on the organizational performance of selected supermarkets in Nairobi County (β = 0.153, p = 0.004).
Conclusion: Advertising and promotional campaigns enhance organizational performance.
Recommendation: Retail chains should enhance advertising and promotional efforts for brand visibility and loyalty.
Key words: Market Penetration Strategy, Nairobi County, Organizational Performance , Selected Supermarkets
Les établissements d’enseignement supérieur doivent publier des informations académiques, recevoir des candidatures et diffuser des travaux scientifiques sans exposer leurs données ni accorder des privilèges exces-sifs aux gestionnaires du site. Cette étude décrit la conception d’un portail web dynamique pour l’ISTM Nyankunde et examine la manière dont les exigences éditoriales ont été traduites en contrôles techniques. La démarche suit une méthode de recherche orientée conception. Elle part des besoins institutionnels, construit un artefact en PHP et MySQL, puis vérifie sa conformité fonctionnelle par l’inspection du code, du schéma de données et des parcours d’administration. Le portail sépare les responsabilités entre quatre rôles, impose un circuit de validation des contenus, protège les formulaires par jeton de session, utilise des requêtes préparées et contrôle les fichiers téléversés par type MIME et taille. Les publications scientifiques sont rattachées à une revue et à un numéro avant leur mise en ligne. Le téléchargement de chaque article peut être autorisé séparé-ment ; lorsqu’il est désactivé, un lecteur en canvas limite l’interface publique aux quatre premières pages et neutralise les commandes usuelles d’impression et d’enregistrement. Les consultations, téléchargements et actions administratives sont journalisés. L’analyse montre qu’une architecture légère, compatible avec XAMPP, peut couvrir les besoins essentiels d’un institut tout en améliorant la traçabilité. Elle montre aussi que les restrictions appliquées dans le navigateur ne constituent pas une gestion numérique des droits et doi-vent être complétées par des contrôles serveur, des sauvegardes testées et une surveillance opérationnelle.
ABSTRACT
Urban wetlands are increasingly recognized as critical ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable urban development. Yet, their degradation remains widespread, particularly in rapidly growing African cities. Nyandungu Eco-Park in Kigali, Rwanda, represents one of the country’s flagship wetland restoration initiatives, rehabilitating over 120 hectares of degraded wetland through reforestation, hydrological rehabilitation, pollution control, and community engagement. This study assessed restored wetland components and their impacts on ecosystem conservation outcomes between 2010 and 2025. A mixed-methods design was employed, integrating household surveys (n=286), key informant interviews, field observations, and multi-temporal satellite imagery analysis. Results revealed significant ecological improvements: wetland expansion (+29.19 ha), forest cover increase (+42.18 ha), and complete elimination of cropland (-35.05 ha). Respondents reported high perceived effectiveness of restoration components with means and standard deviations (M=4.14, SD=1.09) and conservation outcomes (M=4.26, SD=1.08). Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive association between restoration components and conservation outcomes (r=0.979, p<0.01), explaining 95.9% of variance. These findings confirm that integrated wetland restoration substantially enhances ecosystem services, biodiversity, and climate resilience in urban contexts. The study recommends strengthening long-term ecological monitoring, scaling up restoration in other urban wetlands, and deepening community participation to sustain conservation gains.
Abstract:_x000D_
This study examines the evolving role of individual researchers within the framework of contemporary academia, which is predominantly characterized by interdisciplinary collaboration and institutional structures. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this research integrates a bibliometric analysis of two million Scopus- indexed papers (2010–2023), ten case studies of high-impact solo researchers, and semi-structured interviews with 50 scholars to assess the unique contributions of "The One Researcher" to scientific progress. The findings indicate that solo-authored papers, while receiving 23% fewer citations on average, demonstrate a 2.1- fold higher variance in impact, with 18% of Nobel Prize-winning papers (2000–2020) solo-authored. Qualitative insights underscore the systemic undervaluation of independent work despite its association with conceptual innovation and risk-taking._x000D_
Collaborative research excels in scalability and reproducibility but often dilutes radical ideas. This study advocates policy reforms, including dedicated funding streams for solo researchers and journal sections for high-risk work, to foster a hybrid academic ecosystem.
Cette étude analyse la journée du 6 avril 1921 comme un acte fondateur du kimbanguisme, en articulant ses dimensions historiques, croyantes et symboliques. À travers une approche historico-culturelle et une méthodologie herméneutique intégrée, l'article reconstitue le déroulement de la guérison de Nelly Nkiantondo et les interprétations théologiques et politiques qui en découlent. Il montre que cette date, désormais reconnue comme jour férié en République démocratique du Congo depuis 2023, constitue un repère mémoriel et un vecteur de lutte pour la conscience africaine. La symbolique de la guérison — la « tête » restaurée représentant l'intelligence et la dignité des Noirs, les « jambes » douloureuses traduisant l'incomplétude du salut — offre une herméneutique de la condition postcoloniale. L'article conclut sur l'importance de cette journée comme matrice de libération culturelle et spirituelle, et sur la nécessité d'une appropriation critique de cet héritage pour l'émancipation durable de l'Afrique.
ABSTRACT
Background: Foodborne diseases contribute significantly to the global burden of illness. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 600 million people worldwide become ill after consuming contaminated food each year, resulting in around 420,000 deaths.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 54 food factories distributed across six localities in Khartoum State. A sample for microbial analysis was taken to representative the food industries localities of Khartoum State where one sample from each locality was taken. For the food samples, 25 g were blended with 225 ml saline peptone water (0.1% peptone and 0.9% NaCl) and decimal dilutions were prepared (Messer et al., 1992).Aerobic plate counts (APC) was carried out according to Stevenson and Segner (1992). Thermotolerant coliforms was investigated by the most probable number (MPN) technique using three tubes according to Hitchins, Hartman, and Todd (1992). Tubes showing gas production in EC broth were streaked on eosin metylene blue (EMB) agar to investigate the presence of Escherichia coli.Colonies appearing bluish with greenish metallic sheen on EMB plates, characteristic of E. coli, were confirmed by biochemical tests of IMViC. Staphylococci TNase-coagulase positives were investigated according to Lancette and Tatini (1992) on Baird Parker agar supplemented with tellurite and egg yolk emulsion. TNase testing were performed using DNase agar supplemented with agar, trisHCl, o-toluidine blue and calcium chloride (Be Santana, et al, 2009).
Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard errors.
Results: The food stuff industries in Khartoum State showed that the microbiological examination of 134 samples revealed bacterial contamination in approximately 47.0% of samples. The predominant isolates were Escherichia coli, followed by Staphylococcus spp., while Salmonella spp. was detected less frequently.
Conclusion: Microbial contamination in food factories is largely linked to inadequate hygiene and sanitation practices rather than isolated contamination events. The results are consistent with previous studies conducted in Sudan and other developing countries, confirming that E. coli and Staphylococcus spp. continue to be the most common indicators of poor food handling and processing conditions.
Keywords: Microbial contamination, food stuffs, Khartoum State, 2020.
ABSTRACT
Background: Food safety and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance are essential for preventing food contamination and protecting public health. This study assessed the compliance of food stuffs industries to health requirements and specifications in Khartoum State, Sudan.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 54 food factories distributed across six localities in Khartoum State. Data were collected using structured GMP and food safety assessment checklists covering personal hygiene, food preparation, storage, sanitation, facility conditions, pest control, and personnel practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard errors.
Results: The average number of products handled per factory was 2.5 ± 0.24, with a mean workforce of 87.1 ± 5.4 employees and an average of 60.4 ± 4.0 health cards. None of the factories possessed a valid health license. Compliance with personal hygiene requirements was generally poor, with only 24.1% of employees practicing proper handwashing and 9.3% of factories providing adequately equipped handwashing facilities. Food preparation practices were inadequate, particularly regarding sanitation of food-contact surfaces (37.0%) and the use of appropriate food-handling utensils (18.5%). Deficiencies were also observed in food storage, equipment sanitation, dishwashing facilities, lighting, sanitation infrastructure, and pest management. Nevertheless, high compliance was reported for water supply (100%), sewage disposal (100%), plumbing systems (92.6%), waste disposal (98.1%), and several GMP requirements, including appropriate manufacturing conditions (92.6%). Personnel training in hygiene and contamination prevention was insufficient across most indicators.
Conclusion: Food factories in Khartoum State demonstrated acceptable compliance with several infrastructure and GMP requirements; however, substantial deficiencies were identified in personal hygiene, sanitation practices, employee training, food handling, and contamination prevention measures. Strengthening regulatory enforcement, improving hygiene infrastructure, enhancing employee training, and implementing continuous monitoring and inspection programs are recommended to improve GMP compliance and ensure food safety.
Keywords: Compliance, Food stuffs industries, Health requirements, Specifications, Khartoum State, 2020.
Kenya’s manufacturing sector plays a significant role in industrialization, employment creation, export development, and economic transformation. However, multinational manufacturing firms continue to face performance challenges amid increasing expectations regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. This study examined the effect of corporate sustainability strategies on the performance of multinational manufacturing firms in Kenya, focusing on environmental, social, and governance sustainability strategies.
The study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional explanatory research design and was anchored on the Triple Bottom Line Theory, Stakeholder Theory, Resource-Based View Theory, and Legitimacy Theory. The target population comprised 116 multinational manufacturing firms in Kenya. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression.
The findings revealed that environmental, social, and governance sustainability strategies had positive and statistically significant effects on firm performance. The regression model explained 63.1% of the variation in firm performance (R² = 0.631) and was statistically significant. Social sustainability was the strongest predictor of firm performance (β = 0.386), followed by environmental sustainability (β = 0.241) and governance sustainability (β = 0.184).
The study concludes that integrating ESG sustainability strategies enhances the performance and competitiveness of multinational manufacturing firms in Kenya. It recommends increased investment in employee welfare, environmental innovation, resource efficiency, and effective governance systems to support sustainable long-term organizational performance.
Rapid urbanization is transforming landscapes across developing countries, creating substantial pressures on agricultural land, ecosystems, and urban environmental sustainability. This study assessed the spatial and temporal patterns of urban expansion and associated land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics in Kigali City, Rwanda, between 2000 and 2024. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing analysis with semi-structured interviews involving seven key informants from urban planning, land administration, environmental management, and related institutions. Multi-temporal satellite imagery was classified using supervised classification techniques, while the Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) was used to quantify changes in built-up areas. Classification accuracy was assessed using 300 reference points. The results showed substantial urban transformation over the study period. NDBI analysis indicated that total built-up area increased from 111.05 km² in 2000 to 317.15 km² in 2024, representing a 185.6% increase. High-density built-up areas increased particularly rapidly, from 2.74 km² to 141.19 km². Supervised LULC classification similarly showed an increase in built-up land from 58.65 km² to 400.91 km². Cropland experienced the largest decline, decreasing from 320.80 km² to 151.02 km², equivalent to a 52.9% reduction. Forest cover declined substantially until 2016 but recovered by 2024, producing a net increase of 21.9% over the study period. Wetland cover increased from 48.04 km² to 81.19 km², representing a 69.0% increase, while grassland remained relatively stable overall. Road network density increased from 1.16 km/km² to 3.17 km/km², while population increased substantially during the study period. The findings indicate that Kigali's urban expansion has been associated with substantial conversion of agricultural and other non-built land, although environmental restoration and urban greening interventions appear to have supported recovery of some natural land-cover categories. Key informants identified infrastructure development, land speculation, settlement expansion, and planning and enforcement challenges as important influences on urban growth. The study highlights the need for compact urban development, protection of peri-urban agricultural land, stronger land-use enforcement, continued wetland restoration, and spatially integrated infrastructure planning.
This project aims to implement an innovative advertising strategy by leveraging the potential of a secure Wi-Fi network, specifically a MikroTik hotspot equipped with a captive portal. This device will be deployed within the Matadi Higher Institute of Education. We are pursuing a single, overarching objective: to increase the ISP's visibility among the residents of the city of Matadi.
(i) By carrying out this project, we hope to achieve the following results:
(ii) Significant increase in the number of students over the next few years;
(iii) Generation of additional revenue through advertising;
(iv) Improvement of the ISP's brand image among the city's population.
In conclusion, this innovative advertising strategy used by the Matadi ISP is a unique opportunity to reach or convey information to people without having to visit the site. This way of working will allow the Higher Institute of Education of Matadi to stand out from the competition, in order to increase the number of students thanks to innovative technology never used before.
Keywords: MikroTik, Captive Portal, Hotspot
Authentic spoken interaction is widely valued in English language teaching, yet many teachers find it challenging to work with the multimodal complexity of real communication in classroom settings. While authenticity has been extensively discussed in general ELT, less attention has been paid to how learners can engage productively with interaction in which meaning is shaped not only by linguistic choices but also by tone, gesture and interactional organisation. Drawing on classroom experience, this article explores practical ways of helping learners notice linguistic and non-linguistic cues in short extracts of authentic spoken interaction. Using a medical context as an illustrative case, it shows how carefully structured classroom work can make multimodal input manageable without oversimplifying it. Teachers reported increased learner confidence and awareness of how speakers shape meaning in real time, with emerging effects on students’ own classroom interaction. The article offers realistic ways of integrating authentic spoken interaction into classes.
Effective Project Quality Management (PQM) is critical for the success of geotechnical engineering bridge construction projects, yet limited empirical evidence exists on how PQM strategies specifically influence project performance in Rwanda. This study examined the effect of four PQM strategies: customer focus, stakeholder engagement, data-driven decision-making, and process standardization on the performance of geotechnical engineering bridge construction projects, with a case study of Kanyonyomba Bridge in Bugesera District, Eastern Province (2015–2025). The study was guided by Deming's Theory of Quality, Stakeholder Theory, and Total Quality Management (TQM) Theory. A descriptive and correlational mixed-methods research design was adopted, and a census approach was applied, targeting all 151 stakeholders involved in the project, including project managers, site engineers, geotechnical engineers, technicians, contractors, quality control officers, local government officials, and regulatory stakeholders. A 100% response rate was achieved. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, document reviews, and site observations, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression in SPSS Version 28 at α = 0.05. Instrument validity was confirmed by a Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.87, and reliability by a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.80 (overall). Overall project performance was rated highly (composite mean = 4.23, SD = 0.85), indicating success across time, cost, quality, durability, and stakeholder satisfaction indicators. Customer focus had a very strong positive effect (R² = 0.888, β = 0.617, p = 0.000); stakeholder engagement had a strong positive effect (R² = 0.592, β = 0.751, p = 0.000); data-driven decision-making showed a moderate but significant effect individually (R² = 0.397, β = 0.659, p = 0.000), though it was not statistically significant in the combined model (β = -0.010, p = 0.746); and process standardization demonstrated a very strong positive effect (R² = 0.857, β = 0.838, p = 0.000). All four null hypotheses were rejected at p = 0.000. The combined model explained 93.7% of the variation in project performance (R² = 0.937, F = 546.95, p = 0.000), with process standardization (β = 0.431) and customer focus (β = 0.428) as the strongest combined predictors. The study concludes that PQM strategies significantly enhance bridge construction project performance in Rwanda, and recommends that RTDA and MININFRA strengthen ISO 9001 adoption, enforce customer-aligned geotechnical standards, and promote inclusive stakeholder engagement throughout project lifecycles.
Keywords: Project Quality Management, Customer Focus, Stakeholder Engagement, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Process Standardization, Geotechnical Engineering, Bridge Construction, Rwanda.
Microfinance is widely used as a financial-inclusion mechanism for households and small enterprises that face barriers to conventional banking. This study examined the role of microfinance in poverty alleviation among low-income households in Kigali City, Rwanda, with particular attention to microcredit, micro saving, micro insurance, financial literacy and education, entrepreneurship and business services, and sustainable livelihood practices. A mixed-methods design was used. Quantitative data were collected through a structured questionnaire from 306 respondents, while qualitative evidence was obtained through semi-structured interviews with four microfinance managers. Descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) were used to summarize respondents' perceptions, and the qualitative material was analysed thematically. The study reports consistently positive perceptions of microfinance services and poverty-related outcomes. Among the service dimensions, microcredit was rated positively (average of item means = 4.11/5), while micro saving and micro insurance also received high ratings (4.30 and 4.24, respectively). Economic empowerment and income-related outcomes were similarly rated highly (4.31 and 4.30). Respondents also reported positive environmental practices (4.06). The thesis further reports a strong multiple relationship between the microfinance predictors and poverty reduction (R = .875; reported R² = .765). However, the archived statistical tables contain internal inconsistencies between sample size, regression degrees of freedom, R², ANOVA sums of squares, and some coefficient significance values. These figures should therefore be re-run from the original dataset before publication. Overall, the qualitative findings indicate that integrated financial services, financial education, business support, and follow-up can strengthen economic resilience and livelihood opportunities. The study recommends broader outreach, simpler and more affordable loan procedures, stronger financial literacy and entrepreneurship support, and greater attention to sustainable business practices.
Keywords: microfinance; poverty alleviation; financial inclusion; Kigali City; Rwanda; sustainable livelihoods.
Urban expansion in Kigali City has exceeded the capacity of conventional wastewater treatment, increasing reliance on wetlands as informal nature-based systems. This study assessed the treatment performance of Rwampara Wetland through integrated vegetation analysis (NDVI, 2014–2025), land use/land cover (LULC) mapping, water quality monitoring, and statistical modelling. Satellite imagery revealed a marked ecological transition: cropland declined from 24.51 ha to 0.56 ha and built-up area from 11.01 ha to 0.30 ha, while forestland, grassland, and wetland vegetation expanded to 18.83 ha, 20.30 ha, and 25.01 ha respectively. NDVI values (0.041–0.406) indicated progressive vegetation recovery. Water quality analysis showed significant pollutant reduction along the wetland flow path: total suspended solids decreased by 61.78%, turbidity by 71.70%, and oil & grease by 57.61%, while dissolved oxygen increased by 47.37%. Microbial contaminants declined (E. coli by 36.43% and faecal coliform by 46.11%), though levels remained above Rwanda Standards Board and WHO thresholds. Correlation analysis revealed strong negative associations between NDVI and turbidity (r ≈ -0.82), TSS (r ≈ -0.79), E. coli (r ≈ -0.87), and faecal coliform (r ≈ -0.89), with a strong positive correlation to DO (r ≈ +0.84). Findings confirm Rwampara Wetland as an effective but pressured treatment system, underscoring the need for wetland conservation, restoration, and integration of NDVI water quality monitoring into Kigali’s urban wastewater management.
The analysis of the deal for a given enterprise relies more on the important quantity of data coming from its Web site market. This analysis may be done by exploiting the data warehouse (DW) or on a side and the data mining tools or data search for a classification (Profiling) of customers on the other side, because to make decision requires a deep understanding of turnover and the enterprise facts.
This article describes the conception, the architecture and some functionalities of tool helping to take decision about the management of imports and exportations on an e-commerce site on a newly installed market of KALAMBAMBUJI port situated between LUNDA-NORTE (a Province in the Republic of Angola) on a side and Kasai-central (a province in the Democratic Republic of Congo) on the other side.
Key words:
The modernization of information systems represents a major strategic challenge for public institutions facing the continuous growth of data and increasing requirements in terms of security and information availability. At the Provincial Assembly of Kasaï Central, data management was mainly carried out manually, leading to information loss, weak data security, administrative delays, and operational inefficiency.
In this context, this article presents the design, implementation, and effective deployment of a Data Center within the Provincial Assembly of Kasaï Central. The study is based on a descriptive, analytical, and technical approach, including an audit of the existing system, the design of the Data Center architecture, the installation of equipment, the configuration of servers and network devices, and the functional validation of the system.
The results demonstrate that the deployed Data Center now enables centralized, secure storage, processing, and continuous availability of institutional data. The implemented solution significantly improves information security, accelerates document processing, and ensures continuity of administrative activities. Despite certain constraints related to resources and the operating environment, the project was successfully completed.
The article concludes that the effective realization of a Data Center constitutes a viable and sustainable solution for the modernization of public institutions and represents a key lever for improving governance and administrative performance.
At Day 21, Mind Shift 360 produced significantly greater improvement than PMR on every measured outcome (all p < .001 unless stated). Perceived stress (PSS-10) fell 46.5% with Mind Shift 360 versus 21.0% with PMR (Cohen's d = 1.87); repetitive negative thinking (PTQ) fell 43.2% versus 16.7% (d = 1.67); state anxiety (STAI) fell 31.0% versus 13.0% (d = 1.36); sleep quality (PSQI) improved 49.0% versus 22.9% (d = 1.61); and psychological wellbeing (WHO-5) rose 73.3% versus 35.8% (d = 1.60). Comparable between-group advantages favoring Mind Shift 360 were observed for anger control, emotional balance, work–life balance, focus, screen time, resting heart rate, blood pressure, RMSSD, SDNN, and respiratory rate. Averaged across ten core psychological and behavioural domains, Mind Shift 360 produced a mean 21-day improvement of 59.9% versus 29.0% for PMR at the same time point — approximately double. A single supervised session produced significant immediate relaxation gains in both arms, with a larger gain for Mind Shift 360 (post-session VAS 8.30 vs. 7.24, d = 1.55). Adherence (90.6% vs. 84.7%, p < .001) and satisfaction (8.8 vs. 7.9 out of 10, p < .001) were higher for Mind Shift 360; adverse events were mild, transient, and equally infrequent in both arms (3/45 each). Descriptively, PMR's own scores continued to improve out to Day 90 (e.g., PSS-10 to 16.1, WHO-5 to 19.5), reaching levels statistically indistinguishable from Mind Shift 360's Day-21 endpoint (PSS-10 p = .31; WHO-5 p = .60)
Face aux crises structurelles et aux mutations globales du XXIe siècle, le cadres traditionnel d’analyse macroéconomique s’avère insuffisant. Cet article examine la trajectoire historique et conceptuelle des politiques macroéconomiques, en théorisant le passage du célèbre « carré magique » de Nicholas Kaldor vers un « polygone stratégique des possibles ». Fondée sur la théorie de l’économie du bien-être et la correction des défaillances de marché, la politique économique contemporaine ne peut plus se restreindre aux seuls objectifs de croissance du PIB, de plein emploi, de stabilité des prix et d’équilibre extérieur. Elle doit désormais intégrer des impératifs multidimensionnels et interconnectés, notamment la transition écologique, la santé publique, la souveraineté numérique et la résilience. En combinant une approche institutionnelle à une formalisation géométrique inspirée de la topologie mathématique et des programmes d’optimisation primal-dual, ce travail modélise la déformation de l’espace stratégique sous l’effet des chocs conjoncturels. L’article opérationnalise ce modèle par le biais d’indicateurs de développement standardisés, transformant l’octogone obtenu en un véritable tableau de bord de l’efficience publique. Ce cadre renouvelé offre un instrument central de gouvernance systémique pour piloter des trajectoires de développement durables, inclusives et résilientes face à l’incertitude globale.
Collective consciousness is a fundamental component of social cohesion, civic responsibility, and sustainable national development. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), several social phenomena such as corruption, disregard for traffic regulations, environmental pollution, verbal violence, and various forms of incivility appear to reflect a weakening of shared civic values. This study examines citizens' perceptions of collective consciousness in the DRC and explores the role education can play in strengthening it.
The study is based on a survey conducted among fifty-six (56) respondents from different socio-professional backgrounds. Data were collected through a questionnaire combining closed-ended and open-ended questions. Findings reveal that most respondents perceive collective consciousness as weak or only occasionally present within Congolese society. The most frequently reported manifestations include littering in public spaces, corruption, verbal aggression, and non-compliance with traffic regulations. Respondents identify lack of civic education, impunity, poor leadership, and insufficient public awareness campaigns as the major causes of this situation.
The results further highlight the central role of schools in promoting civic values through moral education, discipline, and community-based activities. Participants strongly believe that educational institutions should play a more active role in shaping responsible and engaged citizens.
The study concludes that strengthening collective consciousness in the DRC requires coordinated efforts involving the government, educational institutions, families, media organizations, religious institutions, and citizens themselves. Educational reform, effective law enforcement, and exemplary leadership emerge as key conditions for fostering responsible citizenship and sustainable social transformation.
In the field of computer science, decimal-binary conversion is an essential operation that allows for the translation of numbers between the binary and decimal systems. Traditional conversion methods, such as successive division and the use of powers of 2, have been widely used for the binary representation of decimal numbers. However, these methods can sometimes seem complex and tedious, especially for learners encountering binary numbers for the first time. In response to this challenge, a new conversion method has been developed, aimed at simplifying these processes and improving conversion efficiency. This innovative approach not only facilitates the simplification of conversion but also makes learning about numerical bases more engaging and accessible. By integrating this method into educational and professional practices, we can hope for better mastery of numerical conversions and ongoing advancements in the processing of digital data.
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