The study’s purpose is to evaluate the influence of some factors of the model of planned behavior (TPB) and the perceived academic support of the university on the attitude toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention of students. The results of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) linear structural model analysis with primary data collected from 1162 students indicated that entrepreneurial intention is influenced by attitude toward entrepreneurship, subjective norm, perceived educational support, and perceived concept development support. In addition, this study also found the positive influence of perceived educational support, concept development support, and business development support on attitude towards entrepreneurship. Interestingly, the influence of perceived business development support on entrepreneurial intention was rejected, and personal innovativeness is demonstrated to promote an attitude toward entrepreneurship. Notably, this study also highlights the moderating role of personal innovativeness on the relationship between attitude toward entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial intention. Based on these findings, several implications were suggested to researchers, universities, and policymakers.
The state delivery of affordable and sustainable housing continues to be a complicated challenge in Africa, and there is a need to encourage private sector participation. As a result, this study examines the risks associated with private sector participation in affordable housing and supporting infrastructure investment and the strategies towards mitigating the risks from an Afrocentric perspective. The evidence from a systematic literature review was coupled with the opinion of an international expert panel to address the paper’s aim and provide recommendations for developing improved housing and supporting infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa. The review outcomes and the qualitative data from the panel discussion were analysed using thematic analysis. The results revealed that market dynamics, land supply and acquisition constraints, cost of construction materials, unsupportive policies, and technical and financial factors constitute risks to affordable housing in the region. Mitigation strategies include leveraging joint efforts, strengths, and resource bases, increasing access to land and finance for private sector participation, developing a supportive government framework to promote an enabling environment for easy access to land acquisition and development finance, local production of building materials, research and technology adoption. In line with the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030 targets and principles, reforms are required across the housing value chain, involving the private sector and community. Application of the study’s recommendations could minimise the risks of affordable housing delivery and enhance private sector participation.
Since 2007, Peru has implemented results-based budgeting in order to ensure the quality of public spending in State entities and that the population receives goods and services in a timely manner; However, the demands of the current legal and regulatory context require a progressive application to budget processes such as that of the National Penitentiary Institute, which is basically focused on the allocation of resources by the central government, the collections it receives for penitentiary work. and the TUPA; Likewise, it requires strategic programming based on results, refining the procedures for programming, formulation, execution and evaluation of the budget. The objective of this research work is to describe the relationship between results-based budget management and the quality of spending in the Altiplano-Puno Regional Directorate of the National Penitentiary Institute in the period 2019. To achieve the objective, the descriptive explanatory method was used; in addition, the questionnaire and documentary analysis were used as a data collection instrument to determine the relationship between the study variables. Finally, it is concluded that the results-based budget is significantly related to the quality of spending, which means that the entity managed to apply the results-based budgeting methodology efficiently, obtaining an improvement in the quality of spending, consequently focusing on the optimization of the use of financial resources to achieve the strategic objectives of the penitentiary administration in this region. This approach seeks not only to guarantee the correct execution of spending, but also to maximize its positive impact on the management and conditions of penitentiary centers. In this way, a results-based budget approach must be implemented and ensuring the quality of public spending will allow the Office Regional Altiplano Puno of the INPE use its resources more effectively, achieving the objectives of prison security and rehabilitation and improving conditions in penitentiary centers. The adoption of efficient and transparent management practices will contribute significantly to a more responsible and results-oriented public administration.
Higher education (HE) consists of both conventional and non-conventional methods of learning. Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is a non-conventional system where teachers (often referred to as facilitators) are physically not present. The conduct of practical in engineering and science education using ODL remains a challenge due to inadequate technology and the dispersion of the students, which results in a graduate skills gap in ODL programs. There is a possibility of using a cloud computing set-up, as well as platforms for the creation of simulated virtual practical settings (virtual laboratories-VLs), which could be accessible by ODL engineering and science and education-based students notwithstanding their locations. This paper adds to existing knowledge on VLs and discusses these inadequacies in engineering and science education with emphasis on the enhancement of online and collaborative learning, as well as the possible laboratory (lab) requirements. In addition, the paper highlights contemporary trends and some issues in VLs and remote labs.
The menace of road traffic accidents (RTAs) has become a major constraint to development in most developing countries because of driving behaviour. This study examines the effects of road users’ education programmes on driving behaviour toward RTA reduction in Nigeria. Data for the study were collected by random sampling of 287 respondents. The respondents comprising road safety officers and drivers were selected at six (6) zonal headquarters of the Federal Road Safety Commission. The questionnaire presented seventeen (17) statements in a 5-point Likert scale for the respondents to rank in order of importance as they have influenced driving behaviour. The data collected were analysed using exploratory factor analysis to identify the most significant effects of road user education on driving behaviour. The study found that road user education programmes have influenced driving behaviour by improving bad driving acts, maintaining good vehicle conditions, and obeying road communication signs. The finding implies that appropriate driving behaviour will reduce road traffic accidents.
Climate change is an important factor that must be considered by designers of large infrastructure projects, with its effects anticipated throughout the infrastructure’s useful life. This paper discusses how engineers can address climate change adaptation in design holistically and sustainably. It offers a framework for adaptation in engineering design, focusing on risk evaluation over the entire life cycle. This approach avoids the extremes of inaction and designing for worst-case impacts that may not occur for several decades. The research reviews case studies and best practices from different parts of the world to demonstrate effective design solutions and adjustment measures that contribute to the sustainability and performance of infrastructure. The study highlights the need for interdisciplinary cooperation, sophisticated modeling approaches, and policy interventions for developing robust infrastructure systems.
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