Cocoa is important for the economy and rural development of Ghana. However, small-scale cocoa production is the leading agricultural product driver of deforestation in Ghana. Uncertain tree tenure disincentivizes farmers to retain and nurture trees on their farms. There is therefore the call for structures that promote tree retention and management within cocoa farming. We examined tenure barriers and governance for tree resources on cocoa farms. Data was collected from 200 cocoa farmers from two regions using multistage sampling technique. Information was gathered on tree ownership and fate of tree resources on cocoa farms, tree felling permit acquisition and associated challenges and illegal logging and compensation payments on cocoa farms. Results suggest 62.2% of farmers own trees on their farms. However, these farmers may or may not have ownership rights over the trees depending on the ownership of their farmlands. More than half of the farmers indicated they require felling permits to harvest trees on their farms, indicative of the awareness of established tree harvesting procedures. Seventy percent of the farmers have never experienced illegal logging on their farms. There is however the need to educate the remaining 30% on their rights and build their compensation negotiation powers for destructions to their cocoa crops. This study has highlighted ownership and governance issues with cocoa farming and it is important for the sustainability of on-farm tree resources and Ghana’s forest at large.

The COVID-19 epidemic caused unexpected complications, complexities and challenges in higher educational institutions (HEIs). In order to promote and strengthen the role of women leadership, this study aimed to clarify the unique challenges faced by female leaders at Saudi HEIs during the epidemic, find possible solutions to these challenges, and provide policy as well as management implications. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, examining 27 records (i.e., research papers, articles and conference studies). The data were qualitatively analysed and categorized based on themes like challenges faced, opportunities recognized, and solutions proposed. Findings highlighted women leaders in Saudi HEIs grappled with multiple challenges, including technological barriers, cultural constraints, and increased workloads. Merging challenges with solvable strategies offers a forward-looking perspective, advocating for systemic changes that can shape a resilient and inclusive future for HEIs in Saudi Arabia.

This research study aims 1) to create a structural equation model for sports sponsorship of halal products in Thailand and 2) to examine the direct and indirect influence of variables that are components of the structural equation model for halal products, specifically in the context of becoming a sports sponsorship for halal products in Thailand. The study focused on a sample group of Thai Muslims interested in watching and following the news and participating in Thai sporting events. The researcher chose a sample size of 400 participants from this population, excluding backup data gathering and data analysis, to ensure the questionnaire’s quality and dependability. The results of the data analysis from the structural equation model created show that it is consistent with empirical data. The results of the statistical hypothesis test reveal that the level of religious adherence and the level of awareness of entering into sponsorship have both direct and indirect influences on consumer attitudes and purchase intentions with statistical significance at 0.01. It can also be identified that if a sponsor increases awareness among Muslim viewers through branding or product presentations in events that feature halal symbols or indicate compliance with religious standards, it will lead to a more positive attitude and higher purchase intentions. This insight can be applied to marketing promotion in administrative regions or countries where the majority of the population is Muslim.

This study delves into the nuanced impact of leadership styles on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) performance in Northeast China. It aims to discern how transformational, transactional, and authoritative leadership approaches influence organizational outcomes, framed within the context of sustainable leadership theory. Employing a quantitative methodology, the research analyzes survey data from employees across various SOEs to assess the relationship between leadership styles and company performance, including aspects such as job satisfaction, employee motivation, and operational efficiency. The findings reveal a clear dichotomy: transformational and transactional leadership styles positively correlate with improved performance metrics, fostering an environment of innovation, motivation, and job satisfaction. Conversely, authoritative leadership is shown to detrimentally affect these same metrics, potentially hindering organizational growth and employee morale. This research contributes to the broader discourse on leadership and organizational performance by highlighting the critical role of leadership style in enhancing the sustainable development of SOEs, particularly within China’s socio-political and economic fabric. Practical implications suggest a shift towards more adaptive, employee-centered leadership approaches to spur performance and sustainability in SOEs. The originality of this study lies in its specific focus on the Chinese context, offering insights into the leadership dynamics within SOEs and proposing actionable strategies for fostering leadership that align with sustainability and organizational excellence principles.

Purpose—In the business sector, reliable and timely data are crucial for business management to formulate a company’s strategy and enhance supply chain efficiency. The main goal of this study is to examine how strong brand strength affects shareholder value with a new Supplier Relationship Management System (SRMS) and to find the specific system qualities that are linked to SRMS adoption. This leads to higher brand strength and stronger shareholder value. Design/Methodology/Approach—This study employed a cross-sectional design with an explanatory survey as a deductive technique to form hypotheses. The primary method of data collection used a drop-off questionnaire that was self-administered to the UAE-based healthcare suppliers. Of the 787 questionnaires sent to the healthcare suppliers, 602 were usable, yielding a response rate of 76.5%. To analyze the data gathered, the study used Partial Least Squares Structural Equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques. Findings—The study’s data proved that SRMS adoption and brand strength positively affected and improved healthcare suppliers’ shareholder value. Additionally, it demonstrates that user satisfaction is the most significant predictor of SRMS adoption, while the results show that the mediating role of brand strength is the most significant predictor of shareholder value. The results demonstrated that internally derived constructs were better explained by the ANN technique than by the PLS-SEM approach. Originality/Value—This study demonstrates its practical value by offering decision-makers in the healthcare supplier industry a reference on what to avoid and what elements to take into account when creating plans and implementing strategies and policies.