DEMOCRATIC BACKSLIDING AND INTERNATIONAL DEMOCRACY PROMOTION IN THE POST-LIBERAL ERA

Author: Diing Dau Chol Diing, Emmanuel Kuloba Anyanzwa

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed how democratic backsliding promotes international democracy in the post-liberal era. Using a mixed-methods research design, the study quantitatively analyzed data provided by Freedom House, Varieties of Democracy, and Polity IV, and finally qualitatively analyzed data provided by international responses, multilateral democracy mechanisms, and aid conditionality policies. The study also analyzed international trends between 2000 and 2024. The findings of the study indicated that democratic decline has become widespread and subtle. It also characterized democratic decline with executive aggrandizement, manipulation of elections, weak judicial independence, restricted civil society, and media capture, as opposed to abrupt authoritarian takeovers. The study also found that democracy-promotion actors and activities face increasing constraints caused by sovereignty-based narratives, decreasing liberal international institutions, and geopolitical competition. Quantitative evidence illustrated a decrease in liberal democracy in multiple regions. Qualitative evidence showed uneven sanctions, election observation, regional governance frameworks, and aid conditionality across regions. The article concluded that democracy promotion is relevant, but the adoption of a post-liberal environment is required to address the issue of increasingly fragmented international influence, as domestic actors become the main determinants of democratic trajectories. The article also concluded that stronger support for civil society, regional democracy promotion initiatives, independent media, and local accountability institutions is regarded as being more sustainable as opposed to depending on external pressure only. The article also concluded that despite democratic backsliding showing a trend of decreasing, the effectiveness of democracy-promotion approaches, if properly applied, could strengthen democratic resilience. 

Keywords: Africa, democracy promotion, democratic backsliding, Freedom House, governance, Polity IV, V-Dem.

RISING MIDDLE POWERS AND THE CHALLENGE TO LIBERAL INTERNATIONAL ORDER: A COMPARATIVE HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF TURKEY, BRAZIL, AND INDIA

Author: Diing Dau Chol Diing, Emmanuel Kuloba Anyanzwa

ABSTRACT

This article analyzed the relationship between rising middle powers and challenge they pose on liberal international order. The analysis involved the study of international organizations voting behavior, evolving alliance formations, and trade reorientation. The article used comparative historical analysis to provide findings concerning the phenomena in Brazil, India, and Turkey. Analytically case studies reflected different regional settings, level of institutional embeddedness, and strategic traditions. The central argument was that middle powers reject liberal order but at different degrees (selectively contest liberal order hierarchy, norms of governance, and distribution of authority). Despite contesting, these rising middle powers continuing to enjoy aspects of liberal international order. The article traced changes in foreign policy documents, trade, security alignments, leaders’ speeches, and multilateral engagement patterns over time. Turkey was found to have more transactional and autonomous posture. Brazil was found to have oscillation between pragmatic engagement and multilateral revisionism. Finally, India had calibrated SA signaling a pattern challenge in the liberal international order. These challenges were found to be constrained by continuing utility of international rules, economic interdependence, and institutional costs. The paper was significant as it contributes towards knowledge concerning order transition. The article led to findings that informed the understanding of the rise of middle powers as revolutionary spoilers as opposed to being selective hedgers and reformers. The behavior of middle powers revealed tensions inside liberal internationalism, especially visibly seen in the study of South–South cooperation, voting coalitions, and regional diplomacy. The article concluded that liberal international order is challenged by both its margins and powers seeking a greater voice without completely abandoning the same system.

Keywords: Brazil, India, Turkey, liberal international order, Middle powers.

MIGRATION GOVERNANCE AND BORDER EXTERNALIZATION IN EUROPE–AFRICA RELATIONS 

Author: Diing Dau Chol Diing

ABSTRACT

This article assessed how migration governance relates to border externalization using Europe–Africa relations as an example. The article conducted a policy analysis of the European Union–Africa migration compacts, border control funding, and partnership agreements. The article also combined the policy analysis results with a systematic review of policy effectiveness studies, human rights reports, and migration statistics from international organizations. The article argues that border externalization is a defining feature of modern migration governance, shifting migration control beyond Europe's territorial frontiers to African states through readmission arrangements, conditional financing, security cooperation, and capacity-building. Despite these measures responding to irregular smuggling and migration, evidence shows that they continuously displace risks, intensify human rights concerns, and weaken asylum access in transit contexts. The article identified three key results. First, it was found that externalization expanded via institutionalized cooperation platforms (such as trust funds, bilateral migration deals, and mobility partnerships. Second, it was also established that externalized controls’ effectiveness was uneven, with some routes showing short-term suppression. However, route diversification, continued departures, and displacement effects persist. Third, substantial human rights costs have been reported, with an increase in cases of detention, pushbacks, racialized violence, abuse, and mortality at sea and along transit corridors. The paper concluded that migration governance within Europe–Africa relations remains a dominant issue, mainly focused on containment instead of conducting effective cooperation. To address the issue, the article recommended the use of more sustainable frameworks or frequent pathways that will provide partner-state accountability, and stronger alignments between development objectives, migration management, and human rights.

Keywords: Africa, border externalization, European Union, external borders, human rights, irregular migration, migration governance.

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING TECHNIQUES AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE: A CRITICAL GLOBAL LITERATURE REVIEW

Ampurire, B., Nuwagaba, A. & Watsema, B.

ABSTRACT

Management commitment is the organisational mechanism through which this article critically examines the global literature on management accounting techniques and operational performance. It challenges the widespread but overly linear claim that adopting costing, budgeting, performance measurement and strategic analysis techniques necessarily improves efficiency, quality, flexibility, innovation, and delivery. Drawing on an integrative reading of foundational and recent research, the review synthesises four streams: traditional planning and control techniques, strategic and non-financial techniques, digitally enabled management accounting, and sustainability-oriented accounting. Across these streams, positive associations are common, but the causal evidence is weaker than the volume of supportive findings suggests. Much of the literature is cross-sectional, based on managers’ self-reports, and framed at the firm level even though accounting practices and operational outcomes frequently operate at process, plant, team, and product levels. The review argues that management accounting should be understood as an information-use capability rather than a portfolio of installed tools. Operational gains depend on configurational fit among technique sophistication, information quality, managerial competence, behavioural use, organisational strategy, technological infrastructure, and environmental uncertainty. Misfit can generate dysfunctional target pressure, information overload, gaming, rigidity, and high implementation costs. The article develops an integrative framework in which management accounting techniques influence operational performance through decision quality, organisational learning, resource discipline, and coordination, while context and managerial competence condition those mechanisms. It concludes with a global research agenda centred on longitudinal and multilevel designs, objective operational data, under-represented emerging economies and agro-processing sectors, and explicit investigation of failure, abandonment, and unintended consequences. 

Keywords: Management accounting techniques, operational performance, management control, contingency theory, digitalisation, critical literature review.

EFFECT OF WORKING CAPITAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF LISTED AGRICULTURAL FIRMS IN NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE. A MODERATING ROLE OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES 

Nyantika, R. B., Nyangau, A., Onwong’a, M.

Working capital is a financial matrix that represents operating liquidity available to a business and has direct relationship with the performance and cash of a firms for a period not exceeding one year it’s also referred as net working capital which simplifies the difference between company’s current assets and liabilities in a short term period relating to the next one year period which is reversible. Financial performance of the Agricultural sector in 2018 was 6.1% where as in 2019 was 3.6%. This represented a decline in financial performance by 2.5%. The decrease in performance was associated with inefficient application of working capital management practices. The main objective was to examine the effect of account receivable management on financial performance of listed agricultural firm in Nairobi securities exchange. It was supported by operating cycle theory, transaction costs theory, agency theory and transaction cost economics theory. The study adopted descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 505 comprising of top management, accounting and finance department and procurements department of the listed agricultural firms at 31st Dec 2020 in NSE. The sample size for this study was 319 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. Primary data was obtained by closed questionnaires while secondary data was collected using a data collection sheet. Collected data was analyzed through descriptive (mean and minimum, maximum and standard deviation), and inferential statistics (correlation analysis and regression analysis). The  study  established  that, accounts receivables had a strong but negatively correlated relationship with financial performance of listed agricultural firms in Kenya r=-.450(**), p=.000<0.01. The study concluded that, cash conversion cycles controls the ability of firms to spend outside their budget. Further, the study recommended that listed agricultural firms should have in place modern and technologically advanced inventory management systems. This system would be able increase efficiency and effectiveness reduces turnaround time and improves financial performance. Key Words: 

Keywords: Working capital management, account receivables, financial performance

ECONOMIC POLICIES AND DEVELOPMENT IN SUDAN (2000-2013)

Abdulrahman, B. M. A 

ABSTRACT

Economic policies have been played a vital role on development in Less Developed countries (LDCs). This study investigates from an empirical point of view the impact of economic policies on development in Sudan during the period 2000-2013. Economic policies represent by (Money supply, Interest rate, and Taxation and government expenditure) variables while gross domestic product (GDP) represents economic development. For this purpose data were collected from various sources namely Central Bank of Sudan, Central Bureau of Statistics, Taxation Chamber and ministry of Finance. By using e-views and applying ordinary less squares method to a linear form of the model, the obtained results showed that economic policies have significant impact and effect on development in Sudan during the period (2000-2013). Key Words: Economic, policies, development, gross domestic product, data.

INTEGRATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR ENHANCED FAULT DETECTION IN POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS: A SMART GRID APPROACH 

Nijat Taghizad, Pietro Lio 

ABSTRACT 

The primary objective was to integrate artificial intelligence for enhanced fault detection in power transmission systems: a smart grid approach; which was tested by establishing a new way of detecting faults within electrical systems; filling in the gaps of current research and work done within the field; classifying the type of faults according to their nature (gate-codes from the dataset), and evaluate the model’s accuracy in classifying these faults; and comparing different types of machine learning models, including traditional ones that utilize established algorithms and a custom deep learning model. The study used experimental research designs. The methodology and procedure involved using a deep learning model aimed at enhancing fault prediction capabilities. The study utilized a simulated dataset representing a three-phase transmission line to enrich training data for a neural network. The main outcomes indicated that the neural network achieved higher accuracy in fault detection compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, the integration of machine learning algorithms into electrical systems promises a more robust and reliable fault detection mechanism, reducing false alarms and improving operational efficiency. In conclusion, machine learning transforms fault diagnostics in electrical power systems, paving the way for more advanced monitoring solutions. 

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, fault detection, integrating, power transmission systems, and smart grid approach.

ADVANCEMENTS IN AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION IN SPACE EXPLORATIONS THROUGH ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW 

Aida Ildirimzade, Pietro Lio

ABSTRACT 

New generation technology has the potential to increase the space exploration industry’s efforts. The adoption and implementation of autonomous navigation is becoming increasingly effective with the integration of artificial intelligence. The application of artificial intelligence in space exploration is vast, ranging from automating rocket launches, rocket landings, research, communication, mobility among other activities. By influencing machine techniques and learning, the algorithm systems can process and sensor an immense amount of databases and information. The most important aspect of artificial intelligence is the ability to  autonomously navigate in space exploration. Because of the cost of assembling the facilities and operating space missions, artificial intelligence has to be created in such a way that its decision making capability superceeds that of humans and human error during real space exploration. For this to be successful, different researches have been conducted on both simulations and real life space exploration missions to determine if artificial intelligence is equipped and effective in conducting a successful space exploration. This study investigated the effectiveness of advancement in autonomous navigation in space through artificial intelligence. The objectives of the study were: to; identify the type of autonomous navigation technologies in space through artificial intelligence; evaluate the use of autonomous navigation in space through artificial intelligence; performance of autonomous navigation in space through artificial intelligence. The study used systematic review, which is a type of qualitative research design that involves identifying scholarly journals aligned with the topic of this study. In terms of the inclusion criteria, the researcher selected journals published between 2023 and 2024. The study also included sources that were conducted using primary data collection methods such as observations, simulations, and real life experiments or practices in relation to the topic of the study. In terms of the exclusion criteria, the study disregarded databases containing raw and inconclusive data, in addition to studies that also conducted systematic review of the issue being studied. A total of 14 sources were searched and therefore provided the target population. Out of the targeted sources, the study selected 9 sources that were reviewed and findings established. This raised a 64.29% response rate which was considered adequate to proceed with data analysis, presentation, and intepretations. The risk of bias was determined using the Robvis methods. Robvis visualizes is an inclusion and exclusion tool during a systematic review. Data analysis was conducted using comparative data analysis. The study presented the findings using narratives, numerically created tables, and figures. The study's findings were as follows: 

Keywords: Advancement, autonomous, navigation, space, exploration, and artificial intelligence.

THE ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL DRIVERS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ADOPTION IN MONITORING TAX COMPLIANCE AT THE KRA

Kivuti, J. W. & Minja, D.

ABSTRACT 

Kenya Revenue Authority has embarked on adopting AI technologies in order to make its tax compliance monitoring procedures more modern and minimize cases of tax evasion. Nevertheless, the continued tax evasion, the underreporting, and non-filing makes one ask whether these technologies are adopted and were implemented effectively. This research examined the role of organizational drivers in artificial intelligence adoption in monitoring tax compliance at the KRA. The survey was directed by Technology Organization-Environment (TOE) framework Theory. The target population comprised 852 individuals, consisting of 732 compliance staff and 120 Business Systems and Technology, Enterprise Management (BSTEM) staff in the Nairobi region that were at the heart of the tax compliance operations. Stratified sampling based on Yamane formula was used to sample 272 participants because of representativeness and data saturation. So as to analyze quantitative data, descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, whereas qualitative data of interviews and open ended answers were analyzed on a thematic basis. A descriptive type of research design was used. Quantitative and qualitative information was gathered via structured and semi-structured questionnaires as well as interview schedules. The results demonstrate that an R-value of 0.729 establishes a solid positive association between the independent factors (technological drivers, organizational drivers, and environmental drivers) and the dependent variable (artificial intelligence adoption in monitoring tax compliance at the Kenya Revenue Authority). The research shows that technological drivers, which include system efficiency, data processing capabilities, and analytics tools, have the greatest impact on AI adoption. Staff capacity and internal policies and management support also serve as essential factors that determine successful execution of organizational objectives. The study recommends that KRA should enhance its technological infrastructure through continuous staff training and capacity development and better internal coordination while developing AI initiatives that match changing regulatory and policy requirements to achieve complete AI adoption success in tax compliance monitoring. 

Keywords: Organizational Drivers, Artificial Intelligence

EFFECT OF ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT PRACTICES ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF UASIN GISHU, KENYA 

Chegugu N. Rasto and Dr. Yusuf kibet

ABSTRACT 

Integrating e-procurement in hospitals’ supply chain units has made it possible to conduct procurement practices effectively as compared to the manual methods of recording procurement and general conducting of procurement functions. However, the performance of hospitals in delivering high quality of services has reduced due to lack of an e-procurement system in some hospitals. Hospitals with e-procurement systems also face challenges which include poor quality of goods and services, lack of timely delivery of supplies and delayed payments of suppliers and leaking funds where systems fail, forcing management to use manual practices. The study adopted the use of diffusion of innovation theory institutional theory. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of e-procurement practices on organizational performance. The research objectives were: to find out the effects of e tendering, e-invoicing and e-payment on organizational performance of hospitals within the county government of Uasin Gishu County. The study employed a descriptive survey of 5 hospitals. The sample size was 367 respondents. Questionnaires were the main types of data collection tools. The data collected was then coded and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22. The study used both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was then presented in tables of frequencies and percentages. On e-tendering, the study found that there is increased competitiveness in the tendering bid for the hospital; On e invoicing, the study found that the adoption of e-invoice is able to indicate charges from purchasers to suppliers; Concerning e-payment, the study found that e-payment makes it cheap to promptly pay suppliers on supply delivery due to fewer charges incurred upon sending money through e banking systems. The study recommends that hospitals should use a joint policy in the establishment of similar systems of selecting and issuing tenders as a standard procedure to ensure high levels of performance. All hospitals should automate the practice of invoicing so as to promote transparency and record management since it will be easier to track records or identify payments to be made to suppliers. All payments should be carried out using e-payment as this will provide a safe and cheaper means of transactions. 

Keywords: E-tendering, E-invoicing, E-Payment, Performance, E- Procurement Practices

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES: A KEY ANTECEDENT OF RESILIENCE AMONG AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION PLATFORMS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA 

Mugarura, Y., Sang, P. & Maingi, J,. 

ABSTRACT 

The increasing quest for project success has accelerated demand for collaboration among project network actors to guarantee their resilience. However, since most project networks are temporally endeavours, there is need for creating and maintaining effective interactions that guarantee success of future projects. Sustaining interactions on these networks is a complex governance question due to the unique nature and interests of actors. Among these challenges is the diverse cultural orientations of various actors. This study sought to investigate the effect of cultural attributes on resilience of project networks among agricultural innovation platforms in Central and South western Uganda. The study was anchored on the systems theory and positivism research philosophy adopting explanatory research design. The target population comprised of 220 AIP actors drawn from farmer representatives, traders/processor, researchers, government agents, extension agents, and NGOs in central and Southwestern Uganda. A sample of 132 respondents was drawn from this population using stratified sampling technique. Primary data was collected via semi-structured questionnaire. Collected data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential analysis. The fitness of the model was measured using F-statistic while the predictive power of the model was measured using R2. The significance of the variable coefficient was determined at 0.05 significance level. Results showed that largely, cultural attributes of norms, values, and power distance should be embraced. A positive correlation existed between resilience of project networks and cultural attributes, and cultural attributes significantly predicted resilience of project networks. The study recommends that AIP leaders should promote the practice of cultural attributes such as network norms, values, and power distance as key components of network governance. This study contributes towards designing a management approach that is able to accommodate and take full advantage of potentialities that come with dynamism and complexity like cultural attributes among project networks. Since the study was restricted to Central and South western Uganda, it is proposed that other studies be conducted in the whole country or indeed other countries to validate generalizability of results. render success of projects implemented thereon a distant reality. It is thus indispensable to have proper structures within networks that anchor their sustainable operation. One of the ways to anchor network operation and resilience is by systematically accommodating diverse cultural attributes of the different actors (Muller, 2017). This involves facilitating interaction amongst various actors in a manner that their unique cultural attributes are deeply embedded in the network interconnectedness. Actor diversity often derived from their personal and organizational background, when well harnessed allows pooling of a variety of ideas and innovations. Therefore, to attain a resilient network (depicting innovativeness, sustainability and reproduction); there is need for adaptive management approaches that engender cultural diversity of actors (Gielen, Salas & Cuadrado, 2017). To understand relational dynamics of actors in a network, one needs to recognize the fundamental organizational aspects related to power relations, normative and value systems. Such systems define cultural orientations of actors thereby shaping the nature and direction of their relationships (Nederlof & Pyburn, 2012). Cultural attributes concept derives its origin from the famous Hofstede (2005) cultural dimensions model. The model identified four cultural dimensions, that is, individualism vs collectivism (values), power distance, uncertainty avoidance (norms) and masculinity versus femininity. Collectivism vs individualism was conceptualized as the extent to which a person pursues individual goals as opposed to collective goals, while uncertainty avoidance focuses on regulating behaviour in order to minimize levels of stress in society. 

Keywords: Cultural attributes, norms, values, power distance, and resilience.

CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES: A KEY ANTECEDENT OF RESILIENCE AMONG AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION PLATFORMS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH WESTERN UGANDA 

Mugarura, Y., Sang, P. & Maingi, J,. 

ABSTRACT 

The increasing quest for project success has accelerated demand for collaboration among project network actors to guarantee their resilience. However, since most project networks are temporally endeavours, there is need for creating and maintaining effective interactions that guarantee success of future projects. Sustaining interactions on these networks is a complex governance question due to the unique nature and interests of actors. Among these challenges is the diverse cultural orientations of various actors. This study sought to investigate the effect of cultural attributes on resilience of project networks among agricultural innovation platforms in Central and South western Uganda. The study was anchored on the systems theory and positivism research philosophy adopting explanatory research design. The target population comprised of 220 AIP actors drawn from farmer representatives, traders/processor, researchers, government agents, extension agents, and NGOs in central and Southwestern Uganda. A sample of 132 respondents was drawn from this population using stratified sampling technique. Primary data was collected via semi-structured questionnaire. Collected data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential analysis. The fitness of the model was measured using F-statistic while the predictive power of the model was measured using R2. The significance of the variable coefficient was determined at 0.05 significance level. Results showed that largely, cultural attributes of norms, values, and power distance should be embraced. A positive correlation existed between resilience of project networks and cultural attributes, and cultural attributes significantly predicted resilience of project networks. The study recommends that AIP leaders should promote the practice of cultural attributes such as network norms, values, and power distance as key components of network governance. This study contributes towards designing a management approach that is able to accommodate and take full advantage of potentialities that come with dynamism and complexity like cultural attributes among project networks. Since the study was restricted to Central and South western Uganda, it is proposed that other studies be conducted in the whole country or indeed other countries to validate generalizability of results. render success of projects implemented thereon a distant reality. It is thus indispensable to have proper structures within networks that anchor their sustainable operation. One of the ways to anchor network operation and resilience is by systematically accommodating diverse cultural attributes of the different actors (Muller, 2017). This involves facilitating interaction amongst various actors in a manner that their unique cultural attributes are deeply embedded in the network interconnectedness. Actor diversity often derived from their personal and organizational background, when well harnessed allows pooling of a variety of ideas and innovations. Therefore, to attain a resilient network (depicting innovativeness, sustainability and reproduction); there is need for adaptive management approaches that engender cultural diversity of actors (Gielen, Salas & Cuadrado, 2017). To understand relational dynamics of actors in a network, one needs to recognize the fundamental organizational aspects related to power relations, normative and value systems. Such systems define cultural orientations of actors thereby shaping the nature and direction of their relationships (Nederlof & Pyburn, 2012). Cultural attributes concept derives its origin from the famous Hofstede (2005) cultural dimensions model. The model identified four cultural dimensions, that is, individualism vs collectivism (values), power distance, uncertainty avoidance (norms) and masculinity versus femininity. Collectivism vs individualism was conceptualized as the extent to which a person pursues individual goals as opposed to collective goals, while uncertainty avoidance focuses on regulating behaviour in order to minimize levels of stress in society. 

Keywords: Cultural attributes, norms, values, power distance, and resilience.