Indexing

Abstract: Word of Mouth (WOM) communication has been identified and is widely recognized as an important method of marketing and promotion, in addition to being an important source of information that greatly affects the purchase decisions of a customer (Wijewardene, 2017).The success of any venture largely depends on the ability to communicate with its audience effectively (Shaikh, 2014), and WOM plays a significant role in providing consumers the opportunity to assess the worth of a product and/or a service with first-hand information prior to purchase or experience (Wijewardene, 2017). It is a known fact that critical situations push human behavior towards different directions with some aspects of behavior being irrevocable (Mehta et al., 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic and its disruptive nature brought about chaos and disruption (Wijewardene, 2021) triggering panic buying in many countries, leading to the shortage of goods, supply chain interruptions, and many problems in the day-to-day lifestyle of people (Nawarathne and Galdolage, 2022). Since all elements of the economy are intricately interrelated with public health measures and lockdown, this resulted in economic instabilities of nations hinting towards change in market dynamics (Mehta et al., 2020). This article looks at WOM on the behaviour of consumers during the COVID-19 crisis and in the subsequent lockdown period, whilst attempting to understand consumer behavior in normal times and in crisis times.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Word-of-Mouth, consumer behavior.

Title: COVID-19 and buying behavior: Word-of-Mouth as a significant force

Author: L. Wijewardene

ISSN 2349-7807

International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM)

Paper Publications

Abstract: Customer satisfaction and service quality play a pivotal role in insurance business, especially health insurance business segment. It is not only indicative of customer loyalty but also helpful in identifying the needs of the customer. Unlike any other forms of insurance health insurance is most complex. Apart from the insurer and the insured, there are various components involved in health insurance mechanism such as healthcare providers like hospitals, Third Party Administrators, etc. So, customer satisfaction has a huge role in health insurance mechanism. It is important to retain the existing customer rather than attracting a new customer in the health insurance business segment, since the marketing cost and efforts required in retaining the existing customer will be less. Since private sector companies are coming out with innovative products in health insurance sector, public sector companies are facing a stiff competition. The study focuses on the customer satisfaction level of health insurance policyholders in the city of Kolkata. Since health insurance policies are based on yearly renewal basis, customer satisfaction and service quality have lead roles to play in determining the renewal of policies with the existing insurance company.

Keywords: Health insurance, customer satisfaction, service quality, policies, insurance companies.

Title: A Comparative Study on Policyholders’ Satisfaction and Service Quality of Health Insurance Organizations with Special Reference to Kolkata City

Author: Dr. S. K. Bhogal, Adrijit Basu

ISSN 2349-7807

International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM)

Paper Publications

Abstract: Purpose- The purpose of this study is to understand the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the GST collection. The study includes GST collection on a monthly basis and the trends in GST collection from three stages namely Pre-Covid, During Covid and Post-Covid. The study also includes GST tax paid by different states according to the four regions namely North, South, East and West.

The researcher is highly interested in GST as a subject and wanted to explore more about the topic and the trends in GST paid.

Design/methodology/approach- The research design is based on already published GST revenue data. The data was collected and separated on the basis of three stages namely - Pre-Covid, During Covid and Post-Covid and the data on state-wise active taxpayers on the basis of four regions namely North, South, East and West.

The study is based on secondary data compiled by authors which is obtained from www.gstcouncil.gov.in/ gstrevenue, https://www.gst.gov.in/download/gststatistics,Press information bureau Government of India and Ministry of health & family welfare.

Findings- The COVID-19 outbreak and the resultant lockdown in the country has severely dented the revenue collections of states. According to State Governments, there had been a steep fall in GST collection in the month of April 2020 with few states reported serious fall in the collections.

Research limitations- The impact of the COVID-19, global pandemic may vary from time to time. Hence, results may vary on the basis of lockdown period, number of people getting infected, active cases, number of people getting recovered, deceased rate, countries policies or measures set by the government from time to time.

Originality/Values- The study was conducted on GST collected during the period from April 2019 to November 2021 and on the active taxpayer’s state wise as on 30^th June 2021.

Keywords: COVID-19, GST, North, South, West, East.

Title: A STUDY ON THE IMPACT OF COVID 19 ON THE GST COLLECTION

Author: Dr. Selvi S, Retrekar Aishwarya Gururaj

ISSN 2349-7807

International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM)

Paper Publications

Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of green financing on the financial performance of the listed commercial banks in the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

Materials & Method. For purpose of this research, an empirical approach was adopted whereby secondary data was used to draw inferences. Secondary data is that which has already been collected and conclusions drawn from. Thus, the study involved obtaining data from already published research materials which form a basis of reliable data for evaluation and interpretation. Notably, the secondary data consists of published articles, journals, and articles that were obtained in libraries and online through referred journal sites.

Results: From analysis of the existing literature, the study identifies presence of contextual, conceptual and population gaps that validates the need for further research with regards to the topic under study.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy. The Study will provide crucial information to the listed commercial banks in Kenya who rely on rely on new business opportunities to increase their revenues as well as relevant governmental and nongovernmental agencies that are concerned with sustainable economic development. The article also contributes to the existing body of literature not only within the Kenyan context, but regionally and globally as efforts are made to mitigate against climate change.

Keywords: green financing; sustainable financing, financial performance; listed commercial banks.

Title: Green Financing and Financial Performance of Listed Commercial Banks in Kenya

Author: Idd M. Mangwa, Dr Ambrose O. Jagongo

ISSN 2349-7807

International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM)

Paper Publications

Abstract: This study investigated the Effect of Youth Empowerment on Community Development in Diverse Communities in Kwanza Sub-County, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya.  The specific objectives of the study were: To examine the effect of youth education programs on community development in diverse communities in Kwanza Sub County, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya; To assess the effect of youth involvement on community development in diverse communities in Kwanza Sub County, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya and To assess the effect of cultural diversity on community development in diverse communities in Kwanza Sub County, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The study was guided by the empowerment theory and Youth empowerment theory. The target population was 2,249 respondents who were made up of; Chairpersons (560), Secretaries (560), Treasurers (560) and Organizing Secretaries (560) of all the respective registered youth groups in Kwanza Sub County, one (1) Sub-County administrator, Four (4) Ward administrators and Four (4) Chiefs). A descriptive research design was adopted by the study and purposive non-probability sampling method was adopted in selecting the sample size for data collection purposes. Piloting was carried out to test both the reliability and validity of the research instrument (questionnaires). Data collection was carried out using semi-structured questionnaires and was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24 from which data analysis tables were extracted, detailing the relationship between the study variables. Analyzed data was presented using; multiple regression analysis, correlation analysis and ANOVA.

The findings from the analyzed data revealed a statistically significant effect among the variables with an F-test of 8.780 which is greater than the 5% significance level adopted with; Youth Education Programs explained 70.1% (t - 1.547), Youth Participation explained 49.6% (t - 1.358) and Cultural Diversity explained 52.1% (t - 1.305) of community development in diverse communities in Kwanza Sub County, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The study recommended that youth participation should be encouraged beyond the existing levels as well as devising ways of benefiting from the diversity in the sub-county. The study results are expected to contribute immensely in the work of future scholars as well as towards the existing literature on Effect of Youth Empowerment on Community Development in Diverse Communities in Kwanza Sub-County, Trans Nzoia County, Kenya and other related topics.

Keywords: Youth education program, youth participation, cultural diversity and community development.

Title: EFFECT OF YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN DIVERSE COMMUNITIES IN KWANZA SUB-COUNTY, TRANS NZOIA COUNTY, KENYA

Author: John, Mbuthia, Wairison, Dr.William, Sakataka, Dr.Anthony Osoro.

ISSN 2349-7807

International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM)

Paper Publications

Abstract: The goal and main aim of this research or study is to examine the correlation and relationship between types of leadership styles and employee performance in business companies’ SME’s located in Istanbul – Turkey and to assess if there is an empirically proven connection, effect, and relationship between these two main factors and the direction and strength of this relationship. The researcher based on previous studies decided to study four variables (transactional leadership, transformational leadership, laissez-faire leadership and autocratic leadership) to measure leadership styles and one variable (employee performance) to measure the business companies’ performance. And measures all relationship between all variables. A total of 268 non managerial employees were chosen to answer a descriptive and quantitative survey to to induce knowledge about the leader’s behavior within the company and also, taking into account their performance while doing a job in their institution. Through data analysis, the findings shows that each style of leadership influences the performance of the workers differently.

Keywords: Leadership style, transactional leadership, transformational leadership, laissez-faire leadership, autocratic leadership, employee performance.

Title: THE EFFECTS OF LEADERSHIP STYLES ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE - CASE STUDY: ISTANBUL - TURKEY SME’S

Author: MAROUA MEJMOU

ISSN 2349-7807

International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM)

Paper Publications

Abstract: Technical and vocational education training (TVET) provides knowledge and skills for employment which sharpens human skills and improves quality, productivity, innovation and efficiency. The major challenges in the Kenyan TVET system is  lack of quality training, disadvantaged by low enrolment  none utilization of  innovation technique,  not performing practical experiments and also not using information communication technology  fully for entrepreneurial skills development. In the South Rift region, adequate quality training, practical entrepreneurship curriculum, attitude towards entrepreneurship through innovation and regular use of ICT knowledge has not been evaluated with the policies, lacking practical approaches towards this gap. The objectives of the study were; to determine TVET quality training effect on student’s entrepreneurial development. The study employed descriptive design in which a sample of 384 respondents was drawn from a total population of 10000.  Structured questionnaires were used in collection of data. Validity was assured by seeking expert opinion in order to reduce questionnaire ambiguity before development of the final tools. Descriptive statistics was used to describe the basic features of the data and inferential statistics used to compare difference and relationships between variables. The overall R squared was 0.824 indicating that 82.4 percent of the variation in entrepreneurial development was explained by the predictor of quality of training offered while 17.6% variation in the dependent variable was  explained by other factors that were not included in current study. It is necessary for the government to allocate more funds to research in our TVET colleges as a way of improving strict standards for achievement of positive research results.

Keywords: Quality, Technical Training, Entrepreneurial Development.  

Title: THE ROLE OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TRAINING IN ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH RIFT REGION, KENYA

Author: Cheruiyot David Gideon, Dr. Patricia Chepkwony, Dr. Williter Rop

ISSN 2349-7807

International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM)

Paper Publications

Abstract: Leadership is an integral factor in determining the success of an organization. Indeed, it becomes significant that to attain corporate mission and vision as well as coping with the necessary changes occurring in the business world, the leadership faces the burden of using the right leadership style. When a leader adopts the right leadership style following organization culture, fulfillment of organizational aims and objectives is achieved. The purpose of this minor article seeks to analyze how leadership style may influence employee performance and organizational productivity in the company. Since the main goal of every company is to increase production and to expand in size, it is important for leaders of various organizations to ensure that the most suitable style of leadership is adopted in their companies. This research focuses on the concept of democratic leadership on employee performance in Turkey and how this can influence overall organizational productivity.

This study was conducted using a random sampling technique which composed of over 207 audience members. A quantitative methodology approach was used through which an online questionnaire was distributed to the audience members to collect their responses on the leadership style of their companies and how this has influenced their performance. The data collected was tested using the SPSS analysis software, adopting correlation, regression and difference analysis to examine how leadership styles influence employee performance and organizational productivity.

This study found that democratic leadership style is one of the most preferred leadership as this does not only motivate employees to perform but also increases organizational productivity. Similarly, the study finds that the higher the experience level of the workers, the lower the influence of leadership on their performance. This is due to the fact that experienced workers are already learned in their duties, hence, requiring minimum supervision from superiors. Additionally, the study discusses that in organizations where democratic leadership style is practiced, the employees undergo training and can communicate effectively with their superiors which is also reflected on employee performance.

Keywords: Democratic, leadership, organizational productivity, employee, and performance.

Title: The Effect of Democratic Leadership Style on Organizational Productivity by the mediating role of Employee performance in Turkey

Author: Nada Oussible, CIHAN TINAZTEPE

ISSN 2349-7807

International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM)

Paper Publications

Abstract: In 2007, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority (SFMTA) embarked on strict measures to fill the budget shortfall, with over $15.11 million shortfall that is projected to climb higher. SFMTA with pressure from the mayors’ office was forced to consider and decide on cutting %20 of its budget; one suggestion that floated was the layoff of over 220 employees from the total 5300 personnel. Of these proposed layoffs, fifteen employees from the enforcement division were on the list to be eliminated, in addition to the demotion of five supervisors at the same division.

This proposal created a furry and anger that touched almost everyone at the enforcement division. Bad economic times require some tough measures; in those times competent leaders and managers will shine, by preventing the situation from deteriorating any further.

This paper will analyze management approach within San Francisco Municipal Authority and how challenges were handled throughout the organization.

Keywords: Transportation, Strategic Management, Leadership, Human Resources, Management Frame.

Title: Systems Approach to Business Models and Management San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority (SFMTA) Case Analysis

Author: Naser A. Almualla

ISSN 2349-7807

International Journal of Recent Research in Commerce Economics and Management (IJRRCEM)

Paper Publications