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Research Article
Development of High - Tech Agriculture in Do Luong District: Current Situation and Suggested Solutions
Tran Dieu Linh,
Tran Thi Hoang Mai*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
126-135
Received:
5 May 2025
Accepted:
27 June 2025
Published:
18 July 2025
Abstract: In the context of global digital transformation and the increasing need for sustainable agriculture, high-tech agriculture (HTA) has become a strategic direction for many developing countries, including Vietnam. Do Luong district in Nghe An province possesses favorable natural conditions and a large labor force, yet its agricultural sector has struggled to modernize due to land fragmentation, capital limitations, and weak technological integration. This study aims to assess the current status of HTA development in Do Luong, identify major obstacles, and propose feasible solutions. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, combining secondary data from 2015–2024 with stakeholder analysis and SWOT methodology, which the research evaluates both crop and livestock production practices. Although several HTA initiatives have been introduced, such as greenhouse vegetable cultivation, automatic irrigation, and VietGAP certified supply chains, their adoption remains modest and uneven. The study is grounded in the Agricultural Innovation Systems framework and the technology acceptance model to provide both theoretical and comparative perspectives. Findings highlight multiple challenges, including lack of skilled human resources, limited institutional support, and unstable market conditions. In response, the paper suggests integrated solutions focusing on land consolidation, digital transformation, human resource training, and policy reform. The research offers a roadmap to support sustainable and inclusive agricultural modernization aligned with Vietnam’s Industry 4.0 agenda.
Abstract: In the context of global digital transformation and the increasing need for sustainable agriculture, high-tech agriculture (HTA) has become a strategic direction for many developing countries, including Vietnam. Do Luong district in Nghe An province possesses favorable natural conditions and a large labor force, yet its agricultural sector has stru...
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Research Article
Dynamics of Income Inequality in Yaounde and Its Surroundings: An Analysis Based on the Management of the COVID-19 Crisis
Albert Ze*,
Barnabe Okouda
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
136-143
Received:
27 June 2025
Accepted:
10 July 2025
Published:
28 July 2025
Abstract: In Cameroon, the crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic has found a society characterized by income inequalities, the response to which had to be taken into account to enable the country to pursue its objective of the vision towards emergence by 2035. It is in this context that this study aims to evaluate the effects of the measures to manage the COVID-19 crisis on the dynamics of income inequalities in Yaounde - the political capital and second largest metropolis in the country - and its surrounding areas with more than 4 million inhabitants during the period from 2019 to 2022. For this purpose, we use the Income Equality index (ER), which is an innovative indicator that we designed based on the literature. This index measures the perceptible income gaps between individuals. Between 0 and 1, a value that tends towards 1 shows that there is not a considerable gap between individuals' incomes; and a value that tends towards 0 is considered a significant degree of inequality. To assess the effects of the response measures on income inequality, a principal correspondence analysis was conducted. This analysis allowed us to see the similarities between municipalities and the correlations that exist between the different variables. As the data from the latest Cameroon Household Survey (ECAM 5) of the National Institute of Statistics conducted in 2021 have not yet been published for updating, data collection from households was carried out on a sample of 1,000 households spread across 10 municipalities. According to the results, a low dynamic of income inequality was recorded in half of the municipalities in our sample and no effect of crisis management measures was found on these income inequalities.
Abstract: In Cameroon, the crisis linked to the COVID-19 pandemic has found a society characterized by income inequalities, the response to which had to be taken into account to enable the country to pursue its objective of the vision towards emergence by 2035. It is in this context that this study aims to evaluate the effects of the measures to manage the C...
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Research Article
The Impact of Border Management Strategies on the Reduction of Illicit Trade at Kenya’s Busia One Stop Border Post
Kennedy Obumba Ogutu*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
144-152
Received:
26 June 2025
Accepted:
9 July 2025
Published:
30 July 2025
Abstract: This study evaluated the impact of border management strategies on illicit trade reduction in Kenya’s one stop border post of Busia. A descriptive research design was used. The target population comprised community members living along the border, law enforcement officers, and relevant government officials such as chiefs and immigration officers, all of whom had valuable information regarding the issue. Purposive sampling was used to select the residents along Kenya-Uganda border and they were 156 in total. Purposive sampling was also used to select law enforcement officers, chiefs, and immigration officials. The questionnaire used was researcher-administered. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from the residents while interview schedule guides were used to obtain information from law enforcement officers, chiefs, and immigration officials. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient (r) at α =0.05 level of significance. The results obtained from Kenya’s one stop border post of Busia revealed that corruption and weak enforcement mechanisms were the primary factors driving illicit trade along the Kenya-Uganda border. Smuggling routes also played a significant role, facilitating the illegal movement of goods. Additional contributors include cross-border demand, political instability, inadequate infrastructure, and poverty, each exacerbating the problem to varying degrees. Statistical analysis showed the critical role of technological adoption, inter-agency collaboration, and stringent border control measures in mitigating illicit trade. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficients demonstrated strong negative correlations between these variables and illicit trade prevalence, indicating that increased adoption of technology, enhanced inter-agency cooperation, and stricter border inspections significantly reduced illicit trade. Recommendations included implementing robust anti-corruption measures, equipping and training border officials, investing in advanced surveillance technologies, and fostering inter-agency coordination with integrated policies to ensure a comprehensive and unified approach to combating illicit trade.
Abstract: This study evaluated the impact of border management strategies on illicit trade reduction in Kenya’s one stop border post of Busia. A descriptive research design was used. The target population comprised community members living along the border, law enforcement officers, and relevant government officials such as chiefs and immigration officers, a...
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Research Article
Unpacking the Technical Determinants of Performance Information Use in Nonprofits: The Role of Training, Employee Involvement, and System Quality
Chongmyoung Lee*
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
153-162
Received:
3 July 2025
Accepted:
18 July 2025
Published:
30 July 2025
Abstract: In response to growing demands for accountability and increasing competition within and across sectors, nonprofit organizations have adopted a variety of performance measurement approaches. However, measuring performance alone does not guarantee the success of measurement initiatives, and their intended benefits depend on the effective use of performance information. Given the variation in performance information use across nonprofits, it is essential to understand the factors that facilitate its use. Drawing on survey data from 134 California-based nonprofits (a 16.7% response rate from a randomly selected sample of 802 organizations), this study examines how technical aspects of performance measurement systems influence performance information use, both directly and indirectly. The findings underscore the critical role of targeted training programs that build staff capacity to collect, analyze, and apply performance information effectively. Equipping employees with these skills fosters the data-informed decision-making. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of involving staff in the design and implementation of performance measurement system. When employees help ensure that the system remains relevant, up to date, and integrated into daily operations, its overall quality improves. Ultimately, the research identifies high-quality performance measurement systems as a key driver of performance information utilization. When performance data are generated through well-designed systems, nonprofit managers are more likely to trust and use the information effectively. These insights offer practical guidance for nonprofit leaders aiming to strengthen their performance measurement efforts.
Abstract: In response to growing demands for accountability and increasing competition within and across sectors, nonprofit organizations have adopted a variety of performance measurement approaches. However, measuring performance alone does not guarantee the success of measurement initiatives, and their intended benefits depend on the effective use of perfo...
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Review Article
Licensing Women into the Economy: A Gendered Review of Kenya National Trade Policy and Socio-economic Empowerment of Women Traders in Nairobi County
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 3, September 2025
Pages:
163-176
Received:
9 July 2025
Accepted:
21 July 2025
Published:
7 August 2025
Abstract: Globally, trade has proven to be a key promoter of Sustainable Development Goal number 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment. Women dominate the informal trade sector, through which they contribute to growth and development. While regional and national trade frameworks have adopted gender-responsive reforms, licensing practices remain poorly aligned with the lived realities of women. The interface between trade policies and the realities of women traders shows a critical gap in how licensing creates a systemic barrier to their formalization, decent work, and economic mobility. The World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the African Union's trade framework, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), advocate for gender-responsive trade policies. Subsequently, Kenya National Trade Policy (KNTP), undertakes to mitigate gendered barriers to women traders. Despite progressive policy frameworks, licensing complexities continue to disadvantage women entrepreneurs and remain a critical hurdle to inclusive formal trade. This literature review examines the implications of trade licensing strategies under the KNTP on the socio-economic empowerment of women traders in Nairobi County. Anchored in feminist political economy, the review synthesizes empirical and policy literature on gendered informality in urban trade. Key themes include licensing as a structural and cultural barrier, informality as a rational livelihood strategy, the role of gender norms in shaping compliance, and the implications of weak inter-agency coordination. The review reveals a persistent gap between policy intent and implementation, underscoring the limitations of current formalization strategies. It argues for a shift toward simplified, localized, and gender-anchored licensing reforms that prioritize accessibility, care-sensitive infrastructure, and the inclusion of women's voices in trade governance. The study contributes to current policy debates on inclusive trade, institutional reform, and economic empowerment for women in the informal economy.
Abstract: Globally, trade has proven to be a key promoter of Sustainable Development Goal number 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment. Women dominate the informal trade sector, through which they contribute to growth and development. While regional and national trade frameworks have adopted gender-responsive reforms, licensing pra...
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