Ahmed-Nor Mohamed Abdi, Ismail Mohamed Jamal and Nurulhasanah Abdul Rahman
This study examined public perceptions of law enforcement agencies in Mogadishu, Somalia. Specifically, the researchers examined the predictors of public trust in the police in…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examined public perceptions of law enforcement agencies in Mogadishu, Somalia. Specifically, the researchers examined the predictors of public trust in the police in Somali post-conflict contexts.
Design/methodology/approach
Data were collected through an online cross-sectional survey of 425 Mogadishu residents. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the data and test the hypothesized relationship.
Findings
The results revealed that perceived police accountability, performance and professionalism significantly and positively influence public trust in the Somali police force.
Practical implications
This study provides practical recommendations for Somalia’s policymakers and law enforcement agencies. It emphasizes the importance of implementing stronger accountability systems, programs to enhance performance and training in professional conduct as key approaches to restoring and maintaining public confidence in the police force. These initiatives are crucial for preserving social stability and ensuring public safety in a society recovering from conflicts.
Originality/value
This study fills a significant gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive framework that combines performance and social learning theories to explore public trust in the police within a post-conflict context. The findings contribute valuable knowledge on the factors that can enhance public trust in law enforcement in countries recovering from conflict, particularly Somalia.
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Mohamed Abdi and Ajit Pal Singh
The purpose of this study is to explore the total quality management (TQM) practices and identify their effect on the nonfinancial performance (NFP) in the automotive engineering…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the total quality management (TQM) practices and identify their effect on the nonfinancial performance (NFP) in the automotive engineering industry in Ethiopia. Despite many studies investigating the relationship between TQM practices and NFP, rare research has been conducted on TQM in automotive industries, making this a hugely unexplored field.
Design/methodology/approach
The data underlying this study was collected using more than 500 self-administered questionnaire survey, distributed to the employees working under different departments and factories under one automotive engineering industry. Extensive data screening and refinement processes for discarding irrelevant items for the questionnaire (Likert five-point scale) were carried out. The data was employed to test the proposed theoretical model, established with the objective of assessing the effect of TQM practices on the NFP in the case industry. Empirical validated relations have been proofed for previously done researches that there were positive relations between the TQM practices and NFP. Different statistical tools applied include descriptive data analysis, correlation analysis, mean scale test, reliability analysis and factor analysis, and finally, two models were developed based on structural equation modeling by using SPSS and AMOS-26 software.
Findings
Results found in this study were quite surprising. Initially, there was a total of ten TQM factors. The six independent factors survived from factor analysis only two factors (employee involvement and innovation) were contributing to the NFP. The study was acted as a performance evaluation system to track the industry NFP. Although the study focused on the effect of TQM practices, for more results it is recommended to conduct a 360-degree further research study to reveal the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and challenges of the case industry performance.
Research limitations/implications
Every research has its own limitations. The way the analysis is conducted in this study ensures that the limitations do not compromise the validity of the results obtained. Control variables (industry type, size, age, process type and technology used) are not considered in the research which may affect the results obtained. The study included the automobile industry alone, so the obtained results cannot be generalized to other industries.
Practical implications
The positive relationship between the TQM practices and NFP measures indicates the importance of each of these practices in improving the industry. Researchers/managers/practitioners can use this developed model periodically to understand where the industry stands in the quality management journey. They can also analyze the effect of TQM practices on financial as well as operational performance measures. The research findings can also motivate the top management of the industry for better planning of goals, to arrange resources in time, in pursuit of improving quality, employee and industry performance.
Originality/value
The Ethiopian manufacturing industry is required to improve their manufacturing and service quality, in order to enhance their productivity and boost their competitiveness in an international market, which is the basis of this study. This study signifies one of the first attempts to empirically explore this linkage between TQM and performance in the Ethiopian automotive industry context.
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The decision follows weeks of unrest in the Ethiopian Somali National Regional State (ESNRS), capped by the August 6 resignation of regional President Abdi Mahmoud Omar ‘Iley’…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB236781
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the relationship between the Internet Financial Reporting (IFR) levels and corporate characteristics. It is assumed that the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the relationship between the Internet Financial Reporting (IFR) levels and corporate characteristics. It is assumed that the relationship between the disclosure level and its determinants is known. Nevertheless, the results of the empirical studies confirm that it is a naive assumption. As a result, the author suggests refusing the conventional methods of econometric analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
The research methodology consisted of four stages: First, the author tried to select the “best” model using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Second, the author checked out the stability of the relationship between corporate disclosure level and its determinants. Third, the regression analysis was used. Finally, the author proposed a “genetic-fuzzy system” for studying the determinants of corporate disclosure. The firms' yearly data collected consisted of a random sample of 152 Tunisian companies' websites.
Findings
The results show that the variables that should be used to explain the level of IFR are firm size, ownership concentration, firm performance and liquidity. The Chow forecast test shows that there is a significant and large difference between the actual and the predicted values. Consequently, the author suggests using non-parametric methods, particularly a methodology based on fuzzy logic concepts and genetic algorithms. This technique would allow the author to discover the true form of the relationship between the disclosure level and its determinants. Regarding the hypotheses of this study, the findings of the “genetic-fuzzy system” validate all the hypotheses. Indeed, the arguments of the agency theory, the signaling theory, and the political cost hypothesis were supported using the “genetic-fuzzy system.”
Originality/value
The originality of the paper lies in providing a new research methodology based on several statistical tools for dealing with an important research topic in accounting and finance, i.e. the determinants of IFR. The results of this study can be considered as a starting point to develop a unified methodology.
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The Central Somalia formation conference took place in Adado and swore in its regional assembly members on June 22. However, June was a fraught month for the federal process. The…
Details
DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB200641
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Kenya has experienced far more militant violence than neighbouring Ethiopia or Uganda, although the militant group has targeted all three countries, and all three engage in…
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DOI: 10.1108/OXAN-DB198780
ISSN: 2633-304X
Keywords
Geographic
Topical
Beth Fouracre, Joseph Fisher, Richard Bolden, Beth Coombs, Beth Isaac and Chris Pawson
The purpose of this paper is to present insights into the way in which system change can be activated around the provision of services and support for people experiencing multiple…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present insights into the way in which system change can be activated around the provision of services and support for people experiencing multiple disadvantages in an urban setting.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is informed by a thematic analysis of reflections, reports, learning logs, interviews and experiences of those “activating” system change in the Golden Key partnership in Bristol between 2014 and 2021.
Findings
Four themes are identified, including “creating the conditions for change”, “framing your involvement”, “investing in relationships” and “reflective practice and learning”. For each of these, an illustrative vignette is provided.
Practical implications
Practical recommendations and reflective questions are provided with suggestions of further considerations for applying this approach in different contexts.
Originality/value
This paper describes an original approach of activating and supporting people to do system change to improve the lives of people facing multiple disadvantages.
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Razali Haron and Galad Mohamed Barre
The purpose of this study is to examine the acceptability of tawarruq in the banking industry in Somalia, focusing on awareness, need, compatibility, relative advantage…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the acceptability of tawarruq in the banking industry in Somalia, focusing on awareness, need, compatibility, relative advantage, behavioral attitude and the role of Shariah scholars. This study is governed by the Theory of Islamic Consumer Behavior.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey was conducted involving 150 customers of Islamic banks in Mogadishu, Somalia. This research adopts a quantitative methodology, using descriptive and survey analyses by employing SPSS 23. Smart-PLS-4 SEM was used to test the six hypotheses established in the study.
Findings
This study provides evidence that the customers of Islamic banks in Somalia are looking forward to Islamic banks offering tawarruq in the country. Respondents viewed tawarruq as a very attractive product compared to other existing products of Islamic banks in the country. The need for tawarruq, its compatibility and relative advantage have a positive and significant influence on the intention to use tawarruq products for cash financing purposes, whereas customer awareness, behavioral attitudes and the role of Shariah scholars have insignificant influence.
Practical implications
The findings of this study can be beneficial to all Islamic financial institutions in Somalia by applying tawarruq contract to facilitate cash financing.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by enhancing the awareness of tawarruq in Somalia. The study also shed light on the need of Islamic banks’ customers on tawarruq for cash financing purposes in Somalia.
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Henda Abdi and Mohamed Ali Brahim Omri
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of web - based disclosure on the cost of debt for the MENA region setting.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of web - based disclosure on the cost of debt for the MENA region setting.
Design/methodology/approach
The sample of this paper consists of 237 MENA listed non-financial companies for the year 2017. Multiple regression models were used to examine the impact of online disclosure on the cost of debt. Content analysis is used to measure the extent of web-based disclosure.
Findings
The results reveal that there is a negative and significant association between the web-based disclosure and the company’s cost of debt. These results support the hypothesis of the economic utility of the information disclosed on the website for creditors in this region.
Practical implications
The results of the study have important implications for managers in the MENA region. It is necessary for managers to improve the company’s transparency through web-based disclosure. The companies must benefit from the different technologies offered by the Internet in order to offer to the creditors unlimited access to up to date information. In fact, web-based disclosure may mitigate the information asymmetry, the uncertainty of creditors and, consequently, reduces the cost of debt. 10; 10;Moreover, the results of the study provide empirical evidence for the advantages of voluntary web-based disclosure. The results highlight the importance to companies and regulators of understanding the benefits of using the website as a means of information disclosure. The regulators in MENA countries can rely on these results to establish suitable policies to improve the quality of web-based disclosure. The regulators need also to put in rules in relation to the online disclosure. In fact, an understanding of web-based disclosure is important for regulators and companies. Given the positive effect of online disclosure (the reduction of the cost of debt), knowledge about the economic consequences of web-based disclosure would enable companies in the MENA region to optimize their online disclosure policies.
Originality/value
This study, added to the existing literature by examining the consequences of online disclosure practices in MENA countries. Most previous studies conducted in this region were limited to analyzing the determinants of the company’s web-based disclosure. This paper would extend the literature on the online disclosure practices by investigating the association between these practices and the cost of debt in a developing economics: the MENA region. Previous studies were limited to testing this association only in developed countries.
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Henda Abdi, Henda Kacem and Mohamed Ali Brahim Omri
This paper aims to examine the factors influencing the extent of information disclosed on the companies’ websites in the Middle East region.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the factors influencing the extent of information disclosed on the companies’ websites in the Middle East region.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses multiple regression models to examine the impact of some companies’ characteristics (company size, leverage, profitability, size of the audit firm, ownership concentration) on the extent of online disclosure. The study was conducted on 170 listed companies in seven countries (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Turkey). The website content was analyzed during the period from September 2015 to December 2015.
Findings
The results reveal that the most important factors influencing the level of Web-based disclosure are company size, leverage and the size of the audit firm.
Practical implications
The results of the study will help regulators to formulate policies about Web-based disclosure as they offer insights into the characteristics of those companies which do and do not meet investors’ demands for online information. Thereby, the regulators might expect that the Middle East companies engage in the online reporting to be larger, have higher debt levels and audited by a big-four audit firm.
Originality/value
This study, added to the existing literature by analyzing seven countries in the Middle East region, allows having a clearer idea on the online disclosure in this region as a whole, which has not been examined before. In this paper, to assess the information’s disclosure on the website, the study has been interested in all of the information presented on the websites: financial and non-financial information.