Microfinance institutions play a key role in any country’s economic development. These institutions generate most of their income from interest on loans. However, they are exposed to different types of risks including loan default whose management would ensure their survival. Furthermore, they continue to face a rise in loan defaults leading to higher nonperforming loan ratios estimated at 32.9%. The main objective of this study was to establish the influence of loan repayment period on loan performance in microfinance institutions in Nakuru City, Kenya. The study was anchored on Credit Default Theory and employed a descriptive survey research design. The study targeted 6 microfinance institutions and the unit of observation was 152 employees. Using statistical formula, a sample of 110 respondents was obtained which was allocated proportionately. Simple random sampling was then used to target the respondents in each of the microfinance institution. Data was collected using questionnaires. Before inferential analysis, the data was tested to ascertain that it met the various assumptions of regression. The study established that loan repayment period [r=.774] had a strong positive correlation with loan performance. Furthermore, the R-square value of 0.599 indicated that the loan repayment period explained 59.9% of variation in loan performance. The study concluded that loan repayment period was a significant predictor of loan performance.
Inflation and Rising Commodities Prices: Its Repercussions to Hotels Original Research Article Country Philippines
Pages 09-16
Arabella C. Ignacio || Amniela S. Sambolawan || Mary Joy W. Segui || Ara Mae T. Cuison
This study investigates the impact of inflation and rising commodity prices on hotel operations in Davao City. A structured survey was distributed to 376 hotel employees to assess their experiences and perceptions regarding inflation’s effects on cost control, workforce, and marketing strategies. Results indicate that inflation has a significant, though not extreme, impact on hotel operations, with a mean score of 3.76 and a standard deviation of 0.369, reflecting a strong consensus among respondents. While inflation is not perceived as the most severe challenge, it has caused noticeable disruptions across hotel functions. Furthermore, a weak positive correlation (r = 0.221, p = 0.000) was found between inflation and rising commodity prices, suggesting a measurable but limited relationship. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for hotels in refining pricing and marketing strategies to remain competitive. The study supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By highlighting the operational challenges posed by economic shifts, the research underscores the need for innovation and resilience in the hospitality industry amid inflationary pressures.
Factors Influencing Reliable Water Supply to Households In Kenya: A Case Study of Turkana North Sub-County. Original Research Article Country Kenya
Pages 17-28
Naker Mele Fredrick || Dr. Patrick Kasyula || Dr. Godfrey Mwamba
Background: Reliable water provision and supply are crucial for the health and economic well-being of humans and animals. Adequate reliable water supply contributes to sustainable environmental outcomes, supporting both domestic consumption and economic activities essential for human well-being. Despite numerous efforts by local and international stakeholders engaged in water supply projects, household health and economic stability remain threatened by unreliable water access. This study evaluates the factors influencing reliable water supply to households, focusing on Turkana North Sub-County.The specific objectives of the study include assessing the influence of water source management and water infrastructure on reliable water supply in Turkana north sub county.
Methodology: A descriptive survey research design was adopted, targeting 13,119 household heads (including men, women, kraal leaders, child-headed households, religious leaders, key informants, opinion leaders, chiefs, and county administrators). A sample size of 388 households was determined using a standard sample determination formula. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Water source management (β = 0.170, p = 0.001) had a positive but moderate influence on reliable water supply. Similarly, water infrastructure (β = 0.553, p = 0.001) had a positive and significant influence on reliable water supply.
Implication: There is need to encourage community participation in water management to increase accountability and local stewardship of resources. Implement conservation practices, such as rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge, to optimize water availability and prevent resource depletion. Implement advanced technologies for leak detection, water loss reduction and remote monitoring to enhance infrastructure efficiency. Improving water storage, distribution systems, and monitoring technologies is critical. Investment in smart water management solutions can significantly enhance supply.
Strategic Leadership Practices and Performance of Regulatory State Corporations in Nairobi County, Kenya Original Research Article Country Kenya
Many regulatory state corporations in Kenya have faced declining performance, undermining their sustainability. This study aimed to determine the influence of strategic leadership practices—specifically strategic direction, talent development, innovativeness, and Strategic Cognitive Capacity—on the performance of regulatory state corporations in Nairobi County. Guided by Strategic Leadership Theory, Human Capital Theory, Innovation Diffusion Theory, and Resource-Based View Theory, the study adopted a descriptive research design. Data was collected from 184 management employees across 46 state corporations using stratified and simple random sampling. Primary data was gathered via questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 24, employing descriptive and inferential statistics, including multivariate linear regression. Findings indicated that all four leadership practices significantly influenced performance, explaining 75.4% of its variation. Talent development emerged as the most impactful factor (B = 0.412, p = 0.000), followed by innovativeness, Strategic Cognitive Capacity, and strategic direction. Correlation analysis supported these results, with talent development showing the strongest positive relationship (r = 0.835, p = 0.004). The study concluded that investing in talent development, innovation, and cognitive skill enhancement, alongside strategic planning, can significantly improve organizational performance. It recommended strengthening these areas and proposed future research on external environmental factors, additional performance variables, and longitudinal studies for deeper insights.
Analysis of Exhaust Emissions from Life Cycle Assessment in Smes Pork Skin Crackers in Tabanan Original Research Article Country Indonesia
Pages 65-69
Cindi Yolita Dewi Sinaga || I Gusti Ayu Lani Triani || I M. M Wijaya || Lutfi Suhendra || Ni Putu Suwariani
One of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tabanan produces pork rind crackers on a home-based scale located among residential areas. The production capacity reaches 100 kg of pork skin/day, which in the process produces liquid waste, exhaust emissions, and leftover materials. The problem faced by this MSME is the high exhaust emissions due to the use of LPG and electricity in the production process, which contributes to environmental pollution. This study aims to analyze the exhaust emissions from pigskin cracker production and assess its impact on the environment. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method was used to measure the environmental burden caused by the production stages with a gate-to-gate approach, including the use of raw materials, energy, and production by-products. The data was calculated using Open LCA software with the IPCC 2013 GWP 100a calculation method to obtain the equivalent carbon dioxide emission value (CO₂e)Based on the results of the study, it was found that this micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) generates total emissions of 484.24 kg CO₂e in one daily production cycle. Of the entire production process, the frying stage was recorded as the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, caused by the high consumption of LPG fuel. This shows that the use of energy in the form of fossil fuels still dominates and is a major factor in the formation of carbon emissions. To reduce these emissions, several mitigation strategies were proposed, including reducing LPG consumption through energy efficiency, optimizing the performance and thermal efficiency of production equipment, and installing a simple air filter system to retain particles and pollutants. Once Liquefied Petroleum Gas( LPG) consumption has been reduced, the utilization of scrubber technology is recommended as a further solution to filter flue gas from contaminant compounds before it is released into the atmosphere. Scrubbers function as air pollution control devices that are able to reduce the content of harmful emissions, thereby reducing the negative impact on the environment. This research is expected to serve as a reference for MSME actors, especially in the food industry sector, in designing more efficient and environmentally sustainable production systems. The implementation of the results of this study is also in line with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the local level, which contributes to sustainable development targets, particularly in the aspects of responsible production and consumption and action on climate change.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Brand Satisfaction among Hotel Sectors in General Santos City Original Research Article Country Philippines
This research explored the influence of Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) on Brand Satisfaction among hotel sectors in General Santos City. Environmental Responsibility and Ethical Responsibility were used as the indicators for CSR, while brand image and brand equity were used as the indicators for Brand Satisfaction. The respondents of the study were 385 hotel guests in General Santos City. The information was collected between August 2024 and November 2024 by means of face-to-face interviews. The researcher also utilized an online survey and quick response code scanning for certain hotels that are implementing environmental sustainability. Descriptive correlation method was utilized in this study utilizing several statistical treatments to achieve the objectives of the study. Frequency and percentage were utilized to describe the demographic data of the respondents; Weighted mean and standard deviation use to describe the CSR and brand satisfaction level. Pearson Product moment correlation was used to determine the significance of the association between the two variables. On the other hand, difference in perceived CSR across respondents' demographic profiles was examined using ANOVA variance. The relationship between CSR and brand satisfaction was confirmed to be relatively high with the correlation coefficient of 0.915. Furthermore, this association is significant (p = 0.000 < 0.05). This implies that, to increase customer loyalty and brand satisfaction, hotels should improve their CSR endeavors and match their program with the drivers of brand image and satisfaction.
Tax Accounting in Small and Medium Enterprises in the Context of Digital Transformation in Vietnam: Current Status and Solutions Original Research Article Country Vietnam
Digital transformation is becoming a dominant trend profoundly affecting tax accounting activities in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. This paper investigates the current state of digital technology adoption in tax accounting among Vietnamese SMEs from 2023 to 2025, analyzing key challenges related to resources, technical infrastructure, human capacity, and the complexity of tax policies. Based on this analysis, the study proposes policy recommendations to support the digital transformation of tax accounting, thereby enhancing financial management efficiency and tax compliance for SMEs within the framework of Vietnam’s national digital economy development.
Determinants of Life Insurance Awareness and Purchase Intention amongst Media Practitioners in General Santos City Original Research Article Country Philippines
Pages 90-100
Lore Mae V. Romualdo || Mary Christ D. Canapit-Paparon
This study explores the determinants of life insurance awareness and purchase intention among media practitioners in General Santos City. Amid low insurance penetration in the Philippines and increasing economic uncertainty, the research examines how financial literacy, insurance literacy, perceived product risk, and saving motives influence insurance-related decisions. Guided by the Health Belief Model and the Theory of Planned Behavior, the study utilized a quantitative descriptive-correlational design, surveying 130 media practitioners aged 18–60 through a validated questionnaire. Results reveal that saving motives had the highest influence on insurance awareness, followed by financial literacy, insurance literacy, and perceived product risk. A significant positive relationship was found between insurance awareness and the intention to purchase life insurance. The findings underscore the need for targeted awareness campaigns and personalized insurance marketing strategies aimed at media professionals. The study offers insights for insurance providers, employers, and policymakers to foster better financial preparedness among workers, and serves as a foundation for further research in other sectors and geographic regions.
The Influence of Local Social Media Influencers towards Millennials' Purchase Intention in General Santos City Original Research Article Country Philippines
This study examines the influence of local social media influencers on the purchase intentions of millennials in General Santos City. Focusing on key influencer traits such as authenticity, engagement, expertise, number of followers, and trustworthiness, the research investigates how these factors shape consumer behavior within this demographic. A representative sample of millennial respondents' answers were gathered and studied to find out how the traits of influencers affect people's decisions to buy. The results show that millennials are greatly influenced by leaders who are seen as real, believable and reliable. Millennials' responses to influencer content and their subsequent buying plans are also affected by their age, level of education, and job status. The study shows that influencer marketing is becoming a more important tool for businesses that want to reach youth. There are suggestions for how influencers, business owners, and social media managers can improve their marketing tactics and build stronger relationships with customers. The study also offers areas for further research to better understand how influencers and consumers interact in different situations.
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