Innovation Journal of Social Sciences and Economic Review

Adaptive Leadership Styles and Organizational Performance: Evidence from Local NGOs in Ethiopia

Lakachew Zeleke — 2025-09-25

The objective of this study was to examine the influence of leadership styles on the performance of local NGOs in Ethiopia. A mixed-method design, combining descriptive survey and correlational approaches, was employed. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 276 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and 199 board chairpersons from systematically sampled local NGOs. Responses were analyzed using SPSS through descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. The results demonstrate that leadership styles significantly influence organizational performance. A key contribution of the study is the identification of a contextually adaptive blend of leadership styles as the most effective approach. While transformational leadership emerged as the predominant style, it was complemented by limited transactional practices and moderate use of laissez-faire elements, applied contingently to address situational demands. The study concludes that leadership style is a critical determinant of performance in Ethiopian NGOs. The most effective approach is not a single, dominant style but rather a flexible combination of transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership tailored to context. Given the cross-sectional design and reliance on internal stakeholders, future research should adopt longitudinal approaches, include external stakeholder perspectives, and extend the scope to international NGOs. This research contributes to leadership scholarship by moving beyond universalist models to propose a contingency framework for leadership optimization in developing economies, thereby enriching discourse on adaptive leadership. Practically, it offers NGO leaders and policymakers an evidence-based blueprint for cultivating agile leadership practices that strategically blend styles to enhance organizational effectiveness, stakeholder trust, and social impact.

Determinants of Takaful Demand: The Role of Macroeconomic and Human Development Indicators in Muslim Countries

Zainab Arshad — 2025-07-28

This study investigates the macroeconomic and socio-economic determinants influencing the demand for Takaful (Islamic insurance) across selected Muslim countries between 2004 and 2016. Despite the growing global interest in Islamic finance, Takaful remains underdeveloped compared to other sectors such as Islamic banking and Sukuk. This research aims to identify the key factors affecting Takaful uptake by examining the effects of real interest rate, inflation, dependency ratio, and the Human Development Index (HDI), comprising per capita income, life expectancy, and education. Utilizing a fixed-effects panel regression model and net written premiums as a proxy for Takaful demand, the study draws on secondary data sourced from global financial and development databases. The findings reveal that real interest rate and dependency ratio have a significant negative impact on Takaful demand, whereas HDI components, particularly education and income, exhibit strong positive associations. Inflation, however, was found to be statistically insignificant. These results suggest that economic capacity and human development play a more crucial role in shaping Takaful behavior than short-term economic fluctuations. The study concludes that increasing financial literacy, income levels, and demographic balance can substantially enhance the growth of the Takaful sector. Policy recommendations include integrating Takaful awareness into education systems, incentivizing family-based products, and aligning regulatory frameworks with Shariah principles. The research contributes to filling a critical gap in the empirical literature and offers a foundation for future studies in Islamic insurance.

The Relationship Between Host Community And Tourism Development: Tripoli-Lebanon As A Case Study

Racha Sultan — 2025-07-06

This study examines the dynamic relationship between tourism development and the host community, highlighting the dual potential of tourism to generate socio-economic opportunities while posing cultural and social challenges. Emphasizing the principles of sustainable tourism, the research underscores the importance of community participation, acceptance, and equitable benefit-sharing in ensuring tourism initiatives are both effective and inclusive. Tripoli, Lebanon’s second-largest city, serves as the focal point of this inquiry due to its underutilized yet abundant cultural and historical assets, including urban heritage from various historical eras, traditional markets, and natural coastal features. Despite these advantages, the city remains economically marginalized, with high unemployment and a socially conservative population, conditions that make it a critical case for examining community-centered tourism strategies. Drawing on data from a structured survey of 1,000 residents across Tripoli’s diverse districts, the study assesses local perceptions, awareness levels, and preferences regarding different forms of tourism development. The findings reveal strong support for culturally aligned tourism types, such as family, eco-, and cultural tourism, while highlighting localized resistance to nightlife-oriented models. By integrating quantitative data with contextual analysis, the study offers actionable insights for policymakers and development planners aiming to harness tourism as a catalyst for sustainable urban revitalization that respects the socio-cultural fabric of the host community.

Under Pressure to Perform: How Social Cues in Academia Shape Perfectionism Among Early-Career Scholars

Muhammad Naveed — 2025-07-16

Perfectionism is increasingly recognized as a socially driven psychological experience shaped by workplace environments. Drawing on and extending the dual-cycle model of perfectionism developed by Goodwin et al. (2025), this qualitative study investigates how social cues within academia influence the development of maladaptive and adaptive perfectionism among early-career scholars. Based on in-depth interviews with 42 participants, including PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and assistant professors across research-intensive universities in the Pakistan, we identify performance pressure, organizational dehumanization, and rehumanization as key contextual mechanisms. Our findings reveal that dehumanizing environments, marked by the denial of fallibility, agency, subjectivity, and individuality, activate cycles of maladaptive perfectionism characterized by self-criticism, shame, and overwork. In contrast, rehumanizing social cues, such as empathy, recognition, and affirmation of uniqueness, support adaptive perfectionism driven by intrinsic motivation and self-compassion. This study expands the understanding of perfectionism beyond individual traits, offering a relational framework for how academic cultures shape striving. We contribute to the literature by demonstrating how subtle organizational dynamics mediate psychological outcomes and highlight the transformative potential of rehumanizing academic institutions. Implications for leadership, mentoring, and structural reform are discussed.

Strategic Human Resource Management and Brain Drain in Nigeria: An Empirical Study of Retention Practices and Workforce Mobility (2020–2024)

Onimajesin Salihu Isiaka — 2025-07-16

This study investigates the relationship between strategic human resource management (SHRM) practices and the ongoing brain drain of skilled professionals in Nigeria. Drawing on Human Capital Theory and Strategic HRM frameworks, the research employs a mixed-methods design that integrates quantitative labor market data from 2020 to 2024 with qualitative insights from 80 participants, including HR professionals and expatriates. The findings reveal a statistically significant inverse relationship between HRM quality, measured through indicators such as workplace flexibility, structured career development, and performance-based incentives, and skilled emigration rates. Regression results confirm that improvements in HRM practices are strongly associated with higher employee retention. Moreover, thematic analysis of interview data highlights systemic barriers such as gender inequity, limited institutional support, and weak adoption of HR analytics as key push factors. Comparative insights drawn from previous research in Greece further validate the cross-context applicability of SHRM in addressing talent mobility. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at integrating national HRM reforms, promoting workplace flexibility, and establishing robust diaspora reintegration programs. These findings offer a critical framework for strengthening Nigeria’s workforce retention strategies and curbing the long-term socioeconomic impact of brain drain.

An Analysis of Factors Affecting Media Freedom At The South African Broadcasting Corporation

Tumelo Modiba — 2025-09-21

This study used a descriptive research design and qualitative research methodologies to investigate the factors affecting media independence at the South African Broadcasting Corporation. The study employed purposive sampling to pick four directors, four editors, and four journalists from the South African Broadcasting Corporation utilizing non-probability selection. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The results indicate that the South African Broadcasting Corporation has difficulties, including an inadequate legislative framework and insufficient governmental assistance to establish effective regulations that safeguard personnel and foster a media climate conducive to autonomous work. The research revealed that the political environment affecting the South African Broadcasting Corporation impacts media freedom. Certain political organizations, prominent persons, and entities are obstructing the broadcaster's operations by seeking to influence the narrative of the disseminated material. The results indicated that the broadcaster's economic condition affects media freedom. The broadcaster is experiencing financial difficulties, leading to reduced compensation for staff, layoffs, and the failure to broadcast sanctioned programs. The South African Broadcasting Corporation must formulate strategies that directly tackle internal and external political, economic, and legal challenges to become a high-performing, financially sustainable, digitized national public broadcaster that delivers engaging, informative, educational, and entertaining content across all platforms. The study is significant as it will enhance the understanding of the elements influencing media freedom in South Africa. The findings may assist management in formulating strategies needed to address these challenges and safeguard the SABC's independence and integrity.

Misunderstanding Suffering: Witchcraft Misconceptions, Myths, And Hidden Reality of Substance Abuse In Black African Communities

Calphurnia Mmathato Matheba — 2025-09-21

This study investigates the myths and misconceptions surrounding witchcraft and their influence on substance abuse, with particular attention to the long-term negative effects on treatment and recovery. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to ensure transparency, comprehensiveness, and unbiased reporting. A content analysis approach was employed, drawing on literature retrieved from major databases including Google Scholar, Taylor & Francis, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate. Articles published up to 20 February 2025 were considered. The findings reveal that misconceptions about witchcraft significantly hinder effective treatment and rehabilitation. When substance use disorders are attributed to witchcraft by users, families, or communities, psychosocial interventions often fail, and recovery efforts are undermined. Therapy is further hampered by entrenched cultural assumptions that interpret dependency as a spiritual or supernatural issue. Nonetheless, cultural and religious beliefs should not be dismissed but rather acknowledged and integrated into intervention strategies, as many African communities already do. The study concludes that collaboration between professional social workers, traditional healers, and religious leaders is essential to developing effective, culturally sensitive responses to substance dependency. While not universal across Africa, myths and misconceptions about witchcraft are particularly prevalent in communities with limited knowledge and resources. By raising awareness of how such beliefs obstruct recovery, this review contributes to a deeper understanding of the intersection between cultural practices and professional treatment of substance abuse in African contexts.

Understanding AI Adoption In Education: The Role of Readiness, Confidence, And Social Influence Among Pakistani Students

Asad Ur Rehman — 2025-07-09

The purpose of this study is to explore the key factors influencing Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in education among Pakistani university students. Specifically, it examines how AI Readiness (AIRD), AI Confidence (AICF), and Social Influence (SI) affect students’ Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU) and Perceived Usefulness (PU), and how these perceptions shape their Attitudes toward AI (ATT). The study also investigates the mediating roles of PEOU and PU. A quantitative research design was adopted using survey data collected from Pakistani students. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was applied through Smart PLS 4 to assess both the measurement and structural models. The results reveal that AIRD, AICF, and SI significantly influence students’ perceptions of ease of use, while AIRD and SI also positively impact perceived usefulness. However, AI confidence does not appear to shape perceived usefulness. Notably, perceived ease of use plays a substantial role in forming positive attitudes toward AI, while perceived usefulness does not have a direct effect. Mediation analysis further confirms that PEOU mediates the relationship between AIRD, AICF, SI, and ATT, whereas PU does not. The findings underscore the critical importance of usability over perceived benefits in shaping students' acceptance of AI technologies. In contexts where AI adoption is still emerging, ease of use appears to be the dominant factor influencing attitudes. Educators and policymakers should focus on enhancing students’ readiness and confidence in using AI, promoting user-friendly tools, and leveraging social influence to drive adoption. These insights are crucial for designing inclusive strategies that support effective AI integration into educational environments.

Rituals of Openness: Vulnerability Practices in Multidisciplinary Professional Settings Beyond Healthcare

Israr Ahmad — 2025-07-07

Professional cultures often valorize control, expertise, and emotional composure, rendering vulnerability a counter-normative and high-risk act. While recent scholarship has begun to conceptualize vulnerability as a relational strength, less is known about how professionals in non-clinical, multidisciplinary settings practice and interpret emotional disclosure. Building on the process model introduced by Bouchard et al. (2025), this study explores the ritualized interactions through which vulnerability is enacted in a university-based research team composed of diverse disciplinary roles and institutional hierarchies. Using ethnographic methods including nonparticipant observation, semi-structured interviews, and participatory discussion, we identify a patterned process of vulnerability involving phases of individual disclosure and communal reflection, bridged by theorizing practices. We further introduce the concepts of recursive appraisal loops and interpretive authority to explain the variable uptake and perceived risks of vulnerability practices. Our findings reveal that while formal reflective spaces can enable emotional openness, power asymmetries shape who speaks, who is heard, and whose vulnerabilities are validated. We theorize holding environments as episodic and performative accomplishments that require constant interactional maintenance. This study contributes to the literature on emotional labor, psychological safety, and identity work by showing how vulnerability is both a humanizing and precarious social practice in contemporary professional life.

The Application of Garden Therapy In Social Work Practice With Individuals with Substance Use Disorders In South Africa

Calphurnia Mmathato Rammutla — 2025-09-21

Substance use disorders (SUDs) remain a significant challenge in South Africa, with high relapse rates despite the availability of various treatment approaches. Garden therapy, although underutilized in social work, has shown potential as a therapeutic intervention that promotes personal growth, resilience, and holistic rehabilitation. This review explores the potential application of garden therapy in social work practice with male substance users in South Africa. An integrative literature review was conducted to assess and synthesize existing research on garden therapy and its relevance to substance use recovery. A structured search was undertaken using multidisciplinary databases, including Google Scholar, Taylor & Francis, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate. The PRISMA flow diagram was adapted to illustrate the screening and selection process. Twenty-eight peer-reviewed articles published between 2012 and 2024 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed through narrative synthesis. The review identified several benefits of garden therapy, including stress reduction, improved emotional regulation, and the development of life skills such as teamwork, responsibility, and problem-solving. Evidence suggests that garden therapy can complement established interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, mindfulness, and family therapy. Challenges to its wider adoption include limited awareness, insufficient empirical evidence, accessibility issues, cultural resistance, and the absence of therapeutic gardens in South Africa. Garden therapy represents a promising, multidimensional intervention that can enhance social work practice with individuals experiencing SUDs. Integrating garden therapy into treatment and aftercare programs may improve recovery outcomes, foster family preservation, and strengthen community reintegration. Greater research, policy support, and training for social workers are essential to realize their full potential in addressing substance misuse in South Africa.