The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the use of business intelligence applications in accounting, particularly in invoice handling, and the resultant disruption and technical challenges. Traditionally a manual process, accounting has fundamentally changed with the incorporation of BI technology that automates processes and allows for sophisticated data analysis. This study addresses the lack of understanding about the strategic implications and nuances of implementation. Data was collected from 467 accounting stakeholder surveys and analyzed quantitatively using correlational analysis. Multiple regression was utilized to investigate the effect of BI adoption, technical sophistication on operational and organizational performance enhancements. The results show a weak association between the use of BI tools and operational enhancements, indicating that the time for processing invoices has decreased. Challenges due to information privacy and bias were significant and negative on both operational and organizational performance. This study suggests that a successful implementation of a BI technology requires an integrated plan that focuses on strategic management, organizational learning, and sound policies This paper informs practitioners of how accounting is being transformed in the digital age, motivating accountants and policy makers to better understand accounting as it evolves with technology and for businesses to invest in concomitant advances.
Green cosmetics made from organic ingredients are becoming increasingly popular due to their environmentally friendly nature. However, research on consumer behavior towards green cosmetics is rare, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Previous studies have primarily focused on female consumers, and little is known about the behavior of male consumers. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the behavior of both male and female consumers towards green cosmetic products and analyze the factors that affect their purchase behavior. This study employs a quantitative approach with deductive reasoning and collects data through a questionnaire from major cities in Pakistan. The study finds that eco-awareness, social influence, price-quality instructions, health consciousness, and the need for uniqueness significantly influence consumer purchase behavior when buying green cosmetics. Interestingly, price sensitivity does not significantly affect consumer purchase behavior as consumers are willing to pay for high-quality green cosmetics. Based on the findings, the study recommends promoting eco-awareness and health consciousness among consumers through educational campaigns and workshops launched by the government and the private sector. Future research can explore factors such as age, gender, and specific generations like millennials and Generation Z, as well as packaging, branding, and product design to promote environmentally friendly and health-conscious products. Additionally, comparative studies between countries can identify universal and region-specific factors, and examining the overall impact of green cosmetic products on the environment can highlight areas for improvement in sustainability.
In this study, we are interested in WCM (working capital management) strategies and profitability in the UK furniture manufacturing sector. Observing the period from 2007 to 2023 of public companies panel data has found that extreme (aggressive and conservative) and moderate (moderate) WCM approaches are associated with firm performance. The results indicate that a conservative WCM investment policy augments liquidity and profitability and thereby confirms that maintaining liquidity is conducive to operational efficiency. Novel to the literature and considering economic externalities and technological progress, the analysis carries important implications for academics and working capitalists concerning profitability enhancement via better WCM.
The food supply chain in South Africa faces significant challenges related to transparency, traceability, and consumer trust. As concerns about food safety, quality, and sustainability grow, there is an increasing need for innovative solutions to address these issues. Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising tool to enhance transparency and accountability across various industries, including the food sector. This study sought to explore the potential of blockchain technology in revolutionizing through promoting transparency that enable the achievement of sustainable food supply chain infrastructure in South Africa. The study found that blockchain technology used in food supply chain creates an immutable and decentralized ledger of transactions that has the capacity to provide real-time, end-to-end visibility of food products from farm to table. This increased transparency can help mitigate risks associated with food fraud, contamination, and inefficiencies in the supply chain. The study found that blockchain technology can be leveraged to enhance supply chain efficiency and trust among stakeholders. This technology used and/or applied in South Africa can reshape the agricultural sector by improving production and distribution processes. Its integration in the food supply chain infrastructure can equally improve data management and increase transparency between farmers and food suppliers.There is need for policy-makers and scholars in the fields of service delivery and food security to conduct more research in blockchain technology and its roles in creating a more transparent, efficient, and trustworthy food supply chain infractructure that address food supply problems in South Africa. The paper adopted a qualitative methodology to collect data, and document and content analysis techniques were used to interpret collected data.
Farm households in developing countries are often involved in a variety of livelihood income-generating activities to achieve basic needs and enhance food security. However, little attention has been given to investigating the effect of livelihood diversification strategies on the adoption of agricultural land management practices. This study explored the nexus between livelihood diversification and Agricultural Land Management (ALM) practices in the Southern Ethiopian Highlands. Data for this study were gathered through a structured questionnaire, interviews, and focus group discussions. A total of 423 sample respondents were selected by using multistage random sampling techniques. The data were analyzed using the Inverse Herfindahl Hirschman Diversity Index (IHHDI), the multinomial logit model (MNL), and the probit regression model. The findings of the study revealed that on-farm income activities are the most dominant livelihood income strategies (69.1%), followed by non-farm (21%) and off-farm (9.64%). The multinomial logit model analysis demonstrated that variables such as sex, education, family size, distance to market, land size, extension contact, membership in cooperatives, and household income were the major drivers of farmers income diversification activities (p<0.05). The results of the probit analysis indicated that income from crop production, daily labor work, rents from farmland, and farm assets have a positive and significant effect on households' decisions to implement ALM practices. In contrast, incomes from remittance and migrant sources have a negative but statistically significant impact on the adoption of ALM measures. The farm household sources of income-generating strategies substantially affected the adoption intensity of ALM measures. Income generated from the on-farm sector alone cannot be considered a core income-generating activity for households or a means of achieving food security. Therefore, land management policies and program implementations should consider farmers’ livelihood diversification and income-generating strategies. In addition, such interventions need to promote sustainable farming practices, enhance innovation, and related measures for the adoption of ALM measures to ensure land sustainability.
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