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Feb 17, 2025

Comparative analysis of zinc precursors in the hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide hollow spheres

Zinc oxide (ZnO) hollow spheres are gaining attention due to their exceptional properties and potential applications in various fields. This study investigates the impact of different zinc precursors Zinc Chloride (ZnCl₂), Zinc Nitrate [Zn(NO₃)₂], and Zinc Acetate [Zn(CH₃COO)₂] on the hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO hollow spheres. A comprehensive set of characterization techniques, including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis, was utilized to assess the structural and morphological features of the synthesized materials. Our findings demonstrate that all samples exhibit a high degree of crystallinity with a wurtzite structure, and crystallite sizes range between 34 to 91 nm. Among the different precursors, ZnO derived from Zinc Nitrate showed markedly higher porosity and a well-defined mesoporous structure than those obtained from Zinc Acetate and Zinc Chloride. This research underscores the significance of precursor selection in optimizing the properties of ZnO hollow spheres, ultimately contributing to advancements in the design and application of ZnO-based nanomaterials.

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Sept 2, 2024

Exploration of the overconfidence behavior of millennial generation stock investors using the social network theory approach

Indonesia’s stock market has seen an increase in investment due to the ease of investing and the availability of information about stocks on different social media platforms. This research uses a social network approach to analyze overconfidence behavior in millennial stock investors. This research uses a descriptive quantitative method. The population used in this study are capital market investors in the Greater Solo area who are millennials (<30 years). The number of stock investors in the Greater Solo area is 60,542 investors. The sampling technique in this study was non-probability sampling using purposive sampling. This research uses the AMOS SEM (Structural Equation Model) analysis tool. The conclusion of this study is that millennial investors’ overconfidence behavior increases influenced by financial literacy. investor skills. family ties and friendship ties. The contribution of this research can be applied to understand and educate millennial investors in order to overcome overconfidence behavior so that they can anticipate the losses received. This research may have implications for improving Behavioral Finance Integration Incorporating insights from behavioral finance into investment strategies can help mitigate the negative effects of overconfidence. The limitation in this study is that the scope used in the study is only in the greater solo area.

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Sept 2, 2024

Evaluating how and why the Government of Rwanda failed to achieve middle-income status (MICS) in 2020: Lessons for other African countries

In the 1960s, many East Asian Tiger countries, such as Taiwan, Malaysia, China, etc., faced unfavourable socio-economic conditions like those facing many African countries such as Rwanda. For example, in the 1960s, Singapore was classified as an undeveloped country, with its GDP per capita standing at less than $320. However, all these countries managed to reach a development level like that of Western and North American countries (such as the U.S. and Canada), within a space of less than 15 years. Today, Singapore’s GDP per capita has risen to an incredible $84,501, making it the sixth highest GDP per capita in the world. With Vision 2020, President Kagame promised that Rwanda, which he referred to as “the African lion”, would cruise faster to the middle-income country status faster than Singapore and other middle income status countries, most of which are in East-Asia in less than 20 years. Thirteen years after the introduction of Rwanda’s Vision 2020, President Kagame dashed off the Wall Street Journal and other western media which often referred to Rwanda’s economic development as “the economic tiger of Africa” in his 2013 famous statement as follows: “There is a view that development is a marathon, not a sprint. We do not agree. Development is a marathon that must be run at a sprint. In our pursuit of progress, we have, of course, looked to East Asia’s so-called “tiger” economies for inspiration. But Africa’s experience is unique, and we must now define our own destiny. So, while being described as an “African tiger” is a welcome recognition of how far Rwanda has come, perhaps it isn’t quite right. After all, our continent has its own big cat. Step forward, the new lions of Africa.”. To achieve this objective between 2000 and 2020, Rwanda’s GDP per capita needed to increase from 254.94 USD (2000) to $1240 (in 2020), and the GDP growth rate was to grow consistently between 7% and 10% for a period of 20 years (2000–2020). The objective of this article is to critically analyse how the Government of Rwanda failed to achieve its promise of achieving a middle-income status (MICS) between 2000 and 2020. In 2000 the Rwandan president Paul Kagame launched Rwanda’s Vision 2020. This was a long-term framework for Rwanda’s development in 20 (i.e., 2000–2020). The idea behind Rwanda’s leadership was to imitate whatever Singapore did to become a developed country in just 15 years after its independence in 1965. Blatantly stated, President Paul Kagame wanted to turn his country into the Singapore of Africa. The IMF states that “Vision 2020 was the longer-term socio-economic development framework that sought to transform Rwanda into a middle-income country by 2020”. There is no doubt that Rwanda has made some developmental strides through the implementation of Vision 2020 as an instrument for operationalisation for the Singaporean-modelled developmental state over the past 20 years and has succeeded in some areas. However, the Government of Rwanda has failed in many areas and has failed to achieve the prestigious MICS in 2020. Therefore, among the many gaps in the current literature that this research seeks close is to find out what were some of the accomplishments that Rwanda’s Vision 2020 was unable to achieve? Why did the Government of Rwanda fail to achieve middle-income status within 20 years? What insights can other developing countries gain from Rwanda’s Vision 2020 experience? This study is a significant contribution to the current theoretical knowledge as it sheds light on the reasons behind the Government of Rwanda’s failure to achieve middle-income country status in 2020, a topic that has been largely ignored by the Government’s documents and the media. Despite Rwanda’s Vision 2020, there has been no scientific study to date that has attempted to deal with this topic. Therefore, this study, titled “Why the Government of Rwanda failed to achieve middle-income status (MICS) in 2020” is likely the first of its kind. By addressing

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Oct 9, 2024

Modern farming techniques in enhancing rice production: Insights from the anchor borrowers’ programme in Ebonyi state, Nigeria

This work centres on the contribution of the Nigerian government’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programmes on rice production in the country. This study employs quantitative methodology and with a primary objective to dissect the efficacy of modern farming techniques facilitated by the Anchor Borrowers’ Programmes (ABP), evaluates the advantages and disadvantages inherent in rice production under this programme. Conducted within the agricultural landscape of Ebonyi State, Nigeria, this study adopts a cross-sectional survey approach to gauge the symbiotic relationship between rice production and the ABP. Targeting a cohort of rice smallholder farmers who have directly benefited from the program, the work employs stratified random sampling and purposeful selection techniques to guarantee comprehensive representation within a population of 400 respondents. This study utilizes the mixed-methods approach to data collection, including structured questionnaires administered to rice farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. This research tests hypotheses by utilising statistical tools such as regression analysis. The outcome of this study underscores the imperative for continued support and refinement of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme. Moreover, it elucidates the pivotal role of financial institutions and agricultural lending agencies in equipping farmers with the requisite skills and resources. Ultimately, this study affirms the crucial role of modern farming methodologies in propelling rice production within Ebonyi State, Nigeria. It recommends that young school leavers, especially those in the rural areas should also be encouraged to venture into agriculture through schemes such as the ABP, bank financing and innovative financing so as to help the Federal Government achieve its economic diversification drive.

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Oct 30, 2024

Enhancing work efficiency and the performance of export companies through competency development

This study aims to examine the influence of employee and entrepreneur competencies on work efficiency and performance of export companies at the Nong Khai border checkpoint. The research conducted is a quantitative survey. The population for this study includes employees and entrepreneurs from the cross-border export service industry, exporters, and freight forwarder agents operating at the Nong Khai border checkpoint. A non-probability sampling method was employed to select participants. The sample size was Cochran estimated using Cochran’s formula. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 385 logistics employees and entrepreneurs selected through purposive sampling. The questionnaires were distributed to employees and entrepreneurs from the export entrepreneurial industry, cross-border export service providers, exporters, and freight forwarder agents at the Nong Khai border checkpoint. The findings revealed that employee and entrepreneur competencies have a direct influence on the work efficiency and performance of export companies. The study concludes that enhancing the competencies of employees and entrepreneurs positively impacts work efficiency and the overall export performance of the company. The research suggests that entrepreneurs should prioritize training and competency development for employees to further improve work efficiency.

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Oct 16, 2024

Transferability of the competences acquired in the elite athlete career to the project manager role analysis

What personal competences of successful project managers are determined by their former career as an elite athlete? To answer the question, comprehensive research is carried out, implemented as part of the EEIG-EU/P-Kr/06.12/23 project. The primary aim is to establish conclusively which particular personality traits, identified and analysed using the Big Five Inventory-2 and supplemented by structured interviews, directly contribute to the success of former elite athletes transitioning into roles as effective project managers. We found that successful project managers who were also elite athletes possess personality traits that can be identified as positive determinants of success in either sport or professional careers. Among these personality traits, we can include a low level of neuroticism and a high level of conscientiousness, then extraversion and agreeableness. This paper contributes to a nuanced understanding of how the realms of sports and management intersect and overlap. The presented paper can serve as a basis for further research in the field of personality psychology and management studies.

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