International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research

Examining the Reasons why South African Educators relocate to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

2024-12-12T10:10:49+00:00

The present era of increased globalization has introduced concerns about the emigration of skilled labour from developing countries. There has been a revitalization of interest amongst legislators and researchers in the probability of a harmful 'brain drain' in South Africa. Professionals from developing countries fill the voids in the labour market in developed countries. This study aimed to answer the question, "Why are so many South African teachers moving to the Gulf countries?" This study examined why South African teachers moved overseas to teach at schools in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait). Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used with 25 educational professionals. Participants revealed that the inability to earn a reasonable salary, employment corruption and lack of professional growth opportunities are some of the main reasons why they left South Africa and moved to the Gulf region, in addition to others. The results highlighted the need for a programme in which South Africa's Department of Education and related parties offer incentives to deter teachers from relocating overseas. They should also incentivize qualified and skilled teachers to return, knowing that a support structure is in place considering their experiences abroad. Education researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders will benefit from this research's understanding of how to effectively meet the needs of South African teachers and halt the brain drain after qualified teachers graduate. These stakeholders will also know how to acknowledge teaching challenges in university curricula and how to encourage recent graduates to stay in South Africa so that the country may take advantage of their skills and education.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.01

Advancing Education in Islamic Banking in South Africa: Scoping Review Insights

2024-12-12T10:17:18+00:00

The Islamic banking industry is thriving in South Africa; however, educational initiatives and research are needed to support this industry. This study aims to address this need by conducting a scoping review of the existing scholarship on Islamic banking in South Africa to identify gaps within the university curriculum and propose areas for future research. A systematic scoping review methodology was employed, involving a comprehensive search of the Scopus database, focusing on the themes and trends within literature. Our findings highlight key thematic areas within the literature, such as customer awareness and perception, employee perception and organisational behaviour, legal and regulatory challenges and entrepreneurship. Based on these findings, we identified gaps and proposed targeted educational initiatives and research directions. In conclusion, this study provides a contribution to the scholarship of teaching and learning in higher education on Islamic banking in South Africa to support the ongoing growth of the industry in the region.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.02

Empowering South African Women in Mining: Redesigned Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) Solutions

2024-12-12T10:26:35+00:00

In recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of female workers in the South African mining sector. This change highlights the need for personalized personal protective clothing (PPC) that specifically meets the requirements of female employees, including accommodating diverse body sizes and ensuring the best possible fit. Current studies in South Africa indicate that existing PPCs, initially designed for male miners, should adequately cater to female miners' safety and comfort needs. Specifically, the current one-piece PPC poses practical challenges, particularly regarding ease of restroom use. This research project aims to redesign a one-piece personal protective clothing (PPC) specifically for women miners in South Africa. The study focuses on women's sizes, fit, and functional requirements to create a comfortable PPC. The design process involved female miners to ensure inclusivity. The research used a qualitative method to identify participants for interviews, fit testing and observation checklists for fit assessment. Central to the design process is prioritizing the one-piece PPC's functionality, considering factors like ease of toilet use and movement during work activities. This research ensures that the proposed one-piece PPC is functionally adequate, appropriately sized and well-fitting by actively engaging female miners throughout the development phases. The results indicated that the redesigned one-piece PPC had enhanced size and fit factors, resulting in a comfortable PPC that facilitates easy toilet use. The research demonstrates that engaging PPC users in the process results in a better-designed garment.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.03

The Self in the Digital Space: Exploring the Implications for Young Adults in Defining their Self on Social Media

2024-12-12T10:30:32+00:00

Young adults are immersed in a digital world, captivated in a social media space in which they have acquired the power to design interactions based on desired gratifications, ultimately, presenting an ideal version of the digital self. According to the Self-Concept theory and the Presentation of the Self theory, individuals can present many versions of the self that may not align to the real self, which can have further implications on the individual’s development of identity. This begs the question of what benefits and challenges young adults may face in defining their concept of self when presented on social media. As such, this paper aims to address these benefits and challenges from an exploratory and constructivist approach to understand these implications of defining the concept of self on social media. A systematic review of the literature revealed that young adults present ideal versions of the self on their social media profiles by tailoring their posts to show higher social status, idealised images and biographies, and ultimately present their desired version of self. Whilst this may create a higher digital self-esteem, it also results in incongruent notions of self, negatively impacting self-esteem and creating a lack of self-concept clarity outside the digital space. Lacking in the literature is a focus on how the digital self is curated and how the challenges faced in this endeavour can be approached. Therefore, we recommend that further research focus on these areas and to provide solutions to the challenges faced.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.04

Influence of Gamification on Student Learning and Teacher Training

2024-12-12T10:32:46+00:00

Lecturers continuously change their teaching approaches to meet the evolving needs of their students in the teaching and learning environment. This occurrence necessitates integrating innovative methods to engage students with course content effectively. Teacher training programmes must adapt to challenges and update their content to include new technology, preparing future teachers for its integration into their practice. To address the challenge of maintaining student interest, some teacher educators have explored the introduction of Gamification as an alternative and engaging teaching strategy. Gamification involves using game elements in non-game contexts and using game thinking mechanisms to enhance problem-solving skills. An investigation involving 150 student teachers was conducted, inviting them to participate in a gamified learning environment where they would learn about a specific topic in their module on assessment. Following this, the students completed a survey in which they responded to the experience of using a game to learn the content. The collected data was analysed using self-efficacy theory and self-determination theory. The study's results revealed that most students reported heightened engagement and enjoyment when course content was presented through a gamified approach. They also expressed increased motivation and appreciation for the gamified material. The findings of this inquiry align with other recent research, emphasizing the benefits of Gamification as a pedagogical tool. Gamification has the potential to drive innovative teaching strategies, enhance student engagement, and boost motivation. The study also recommends how gaming elements can be seamlessly integrated into course design and discusses the implications of using Gamification on the scholarship of teaching and learning.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.05

Estimating the Economic Impact on the Supply of the Agricultural Sector due to Covid-19 in Ecuador

2024-12-12T10:49:10+00:00

This research aims to estimate the economic impact that occurred on the supply of the agricultural sector due to COVID-19, which emerged at the end of 2019, becoming the strongest social and economic impact since the Second World War, and which, due to its accelerated level of expansion, in Ecuador a confinement phase was decreed in March 2020, taking the curfew as a priority measure, however, agri-food chains maintained their activities since their products are of great importance. To achieve the objective, a quantitative scope methodology was applied, developing a Linear Regression model with polynomial trends, which related the relevant variables within the agricultural sector to determine the economic impact that occurred on the supply of the agricultural sector caused by confinement. of Covid-19, considering the period between January 2018 until April 2021. These variables are: Gross Agricultural Value Added and the price indices of Inputs, Fertilizers, Agrochemicals, Consumer and Producer. The findings of this analysis show that the COVID-19 lockdown did not directly affect the overall production of the agricultural sector, but rather certain factors. In turn, benefits were generated for the farmer, since the prices of inputs and agrochemical products decreased considerably, reducing production costs. It is concluded that Covid-19 caused changes in five of the six variables evaluated, that is, that confinement affected the most important price factors in the agricultural sector, but not total production.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.06

GC-MS Untargeted Comparative Metabolomics between Healthy and Phytophthora palmivora infected Theobroma cacao Pod Husk

2024-12-12T10:55:14+00:00

Pod rot in T. cacao is overwhelming cacao orchards in the Philippines as the disease reduces the productivity of farms. Investigating the metabolite concentration of healthy and infected cacao pods to provide metabolomic information of the pathogenesis is the aim of this study. Metabolites extracted using chloroform:methanol:water solution of healthy and P. palmivora infected T.cacao were treated using untargeted GCMS. Ripe pods T. cacao were freshly collected from selected cacao orchard and were immediately preserved in liquid nitrogen before transported to the laboratory for further analyses. Analyte extraction was done following the protocols of metabolomic profile studies with some modifications. Data processing of the GC-MS results recorded the compounds suggested by the library with at least a similarity score of 70. The retention times of the compounds were manually aligned and their height were compared with the ribitol internal standard to obtain the relative quantification of the metabolites. The processed data were tabulated using MS Excel™ then subjected to Metaboloanalyst™ for PCA analysis. A total of 55 metabolites were observed in healthy pods while 59 for the infected pods. 28 of the combined metabolites were identified to be statistically different. These 28 metabolites are prime candidates for possible targeted metabolomic analysis or metabolomic markers for future studies on the pathogenesis and control of P. palmivora in cacao in the Philippines.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.07

The Perspective of Stakeholders on Waste Management in Nasarawa, Nigeria

2024-12-12T11:00:29+00:00

The study evaluated local stakeholders' perspectives on waste management in Tammah-Nasarawa, Nigeria. Recognising that the government alone cannot manage waste effectively, the study emphasised the need for people’s active involvement. We employed a mixed research approach to gather information from residents and a focus group. The focus group included community leaders, a student union government representative, and officials from the directorates of works, maintenance, and physical planning at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa (FPN), as well as an official from the State Directorate of Environment and Waste Management (SDEWM). Findings confirmed that most residents are off-campus students, with several houses needing toilets and wastebaskets, leading to indiscriminate waste disposal within the neighbourhood and on Polytechnic land. Additionally, residents were willing to cooperate with the government to address waste management issues. The focus group provided workable strategies for managing waste in the study area, forming the basis for developing local guidelines that outline the responsibilities of all parties in achieving a healthy environment. The findings emphasise the importance of involving local stakeholders in waste management to create a livable milieu in Tammah-Nasarawa, Nigeria.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.08

A Critical Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Accounting

2024-12-12T11:04:41+00:00

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a disruptive force in the accounting profession, a field historically reliant on manual processes and human judgment. This study aims to critically analyze the AI technologies proposed in current accounting research and explore their implications on the accounting profession. Using a qualitative research approach and document analysis, the study systematically evaluated scholarly works on the integration of AI in accounting. The findings underscore that while process automation is a foundational pillar of digital transformation, amplifying analytical capabilities and bolstering decision-making processes are equally critical for businesses and financial institutions seeking a competitive edge. Consequently, strategic investment in a diverse portfolio of AI technologies, encompassing machine learning, neural networks, and expert systems, is essential. However, the lack of case-based reasoning and simulation modelling in accounting research limits the full potential of AI in the field. Integrating AI can transform accounting by automating routine tasks, enhancing data analysis, increasing accuracy, efficiency, and productivity, as well as improving decision-making. This integration creates opportunities for scholars, practitioners, and researchers in information technology and accounting to collaborate, navigating the complex terrain where these disciplines intersect and driving future exploration and innovation in the integration of AI in accounting.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.09

High Potential Pupils: Specific Characteristics and Openness to a Broader Definition as Awareness Personality (AP) for Better Support

2024-12-12T11:07:34+00:00

There is consensus on one point in the definition of high potential: the recognition of an intelligence quotient above 130. This definition seems to be extremely restrictive, as it is limited to a cognitive level, whereas other levels, in particular emotional and relational, are specific to what can be described as high potential in a broad sense. These different facets are expressed at school and are often a source of incomprehension for teachers and even academic malaise for pupils. Brain imaging (Gauvrit, 2014) has shown that high-potential individuals function differently in the brain, arguing for a neuro-cognitive definition of high potential. A number of terms are used to describe the specific characteristics of high potential, such as giftedness and talent, or zebra (Siaud-Fachin, 2008) for children with an atypical profile. At school, different policies have been put in place to accommodate children whose profiles are so specific that they may require special arrangements. After presenting the consensus on the definition of high potential, this paper will provide a brief overview of national policies in support of these pupils with special profiles. We will then describe our research in an adult psychotherapy clinic, based on a qualitative approach to the discourse of patients defined as high potential. Based on their experiences in school, particularly in terms of common and salient points, we will identify the specific features of this atypical profile and propose an evolving nomenclature for the concept of high potential. By incorporating Dabrowski and Piechowski’s (1977) concept of hyperexcitability, this nomenclature will be extended to include the concept of awareness developed by Perls et al. (1951). This paper aims to provide a better understanding of how so-called high-potential pupils function and to propose a new, more consensual term – awareness personality – to help teachers understand these pupils better and to help them accept their difference better.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.10

Inquiry-based Learning in Natural Sciences through the Application of the 5E Model to Develop Natural Inquiry Competence for Middle School Students in Vietnam

2024-12-12T11:11:57+00:00

Vietnam's new general education curriculum is transferring from content orientation to students' competence and quality development orientation. The 2018 general education program introduces notable changes from the previous 2006 curriculum. A major innovation is the incorporation of the Natural Science subject at the middle school level, which replaces the previously separate subjects of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. This integration underscores the importance of cultivating students' natural inquiry skills, making it a key area of research in the context of ongoing educational reforms in Vietnam. The Natural Science curriculum emphasizes the need to implement Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) to foster students' natural inquiry abilities. This study aims to apply the 5E model in teaching the topic "Pure Substances, Mixtures – Separating Substances from Mixtures" in Natural Science 6 to enhance students' natural inquiry competence, thereby contributing to the modernization of teaching methods and improving the quality of Natural Sciences education. The pedagogical experiment was carried out in three middle schools across the Northern and Central–Central Highlands regions of Vietnam, involving a total of 114 students. Data collected from teacher assessments and student self-assessments reveal a clear enhancement in natural inquiry competence among students in the experimental classes, highlighting the effectiveness of the 5E model in achieving educational goals.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.11

Social Justice to Learning Computer Programming: A Critical Systems Thinking Approach in Computing Education at a University

2024-12-12T11:14:36+00:00

Numerous literature sources in computer programming education (CPE) have emphasized that learning programming is difficult. Several reasons are provided, which include subject complexity, student culture, technology integration, and institutional infrastructure. Several tools are proposed to remedy this situation, but the problem seems to persist. A critical systemic approach (CSA) is suggested in this study to alleviate these problems. Literature on the usage of a CSA in computing training environments is scarce. Utilization of the CSA permitted the researcher to apply a critical multi-methodology, where several interpretative data collection (diaries and online semi-structured interviews) and analysis (cross-case and collaborative) methods were employed. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select the study participants, namely five computing teacher trainees and two experts in critical systems thinking, human-computer interaction, computer science programming, and curriculum development. The computing teacher trainees collaborated with the initial data. At the same time, the experts contributed to the theory in the form of validation and provision of new insights that the teacher trainees overlooked. Some of the study results indicate that a more comprehensive stakeholder social contract is needed to remedy these problems. It was also observed that student profiling plays a significant role in computing learning and, if considered, would empower the computer instructor to accommodate student uniqueness. On the other hand, learner autonomy was considered critical as it empowers students to take ownership, take risks, continue learning, and critique learning.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.12

Overview of Vietnam–Japan Dialogue Relations: Insights into Past and Present Challenges

2024-12-12T11:18:18+00:00

Vietnam and Japan have had diplomatic relations for centuries, officially establishing diplomatic ties in 1973. Over the past 50 years, Vietnam - Japan relations have been influenced by the international relations of powerful countries and the historical context of both countries. While the relationship has achieved significant milestones, it has also experienced periods of ups and downs. Through a historical political economic approach and document analysis, this article provides an overview of the achievements and evaluates the challenges of the Vietnam - Japan relations. The results show that the Vietnam-Japan relations are a relationship between a developed country, acting as an investor, and foreign aid donor, and a developing country. Japan has expanded its investment roadmap, supporting Vietnam in developing transportation, energy, and healthcare infrastructure, improving administrative systems, enhancing human resource quality, expanding investment markets, and strengthening its Southeast Asian position. Despite the expansion of economic, political, and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Japan, the relationship still faces challenges, most notably the internal challenges of both countries, such as differences in economic and political institutions, state models, and a significant gap in development levels. Understanding the past and current challenges is essential for formulating optimal policies for each country in maintaining and developing their relationship in the present and future.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.13

Lexical Attrition Across Generations in a Minority Language

2024-12-12T11:21:06+00:00

This study examined lexical attrition in Southern Sinama, one of the minority languages spoken in the Philippines. A mixed-methods research design was employed to identify the extent of lexeme loss and the underlying factors contributing to this phenomenon. Thematic analysis was used to categorize these contributing factors. A total of 28 native speakers participated in the study, evenly distributed across four distinct generations. The materials utilized included a 417-word list translated by the participants to assess the rate of lexical attrition, as well as an interview guide designed to explore the factors associated with this attrition. The results revealed that the oldest generation (61 years and above) demonstrated strong vocabulary retention, with an attrition rate of only 1.54%, mainly due to age-related memory decline. In contrast, the middle-aged groups (31-45 and 46-60 years) showed moderate to notable attrition rates (4.66% and 2.64%, respectively), driven primarily by language shifts resulting from changes in social environments. The youngest generation (18-30 years) exhibited the highest attrition rate at 8.56%, influenced by globalization, technological advancements, and shifting social and familial dynamics. Critically, the study highlighted an increasing attrition rate with each younger generation, stressing a significant trend of language loss over consecutive generations. This trend emphasizes a concerning decline in linguistic heritage, potentially leading to the eventual extinction of Southern Sinama. As younger generations drift further from their linguistic roots, the loss of unique knowledge and identity associated with this language poses a significant threat to community cohesion and diversity. If these patterns continue, the future of Southern Sinama appears uncertain, illustrating the urgent need for revitalization efforts to preserve the language for future generations.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.14

Female Body Beauty Ideals and Their Impact on Fashion Size Standards: A Comparative Study of Western and South African Perspectives

2024-12-12T11:24:40+00:00

This research examines evolving perceptions of the ideal female body in Western and African societies. While Western cultures increasingly favor thin-curvy body types, African ideals continue to emphasize narrow waists, wide hips, and rounded breasts. However, the definition of the ideal African body has expanded to encompass shapes achieved through padded clothing and technological advancements, driven significantly by influential African female celebrities celebrated for their curvaceous physiques. Employing qualitative and quantitative methods, the study investigates how these celebrity body types influence body transformations among social media followers. Participants from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya (n=100, aged 25-45) revealed a strong preference for hourglass figures with narrow waists, large busts, and extra-large hips (65%). Celebrity influence was substantial, with 80% of participants expressing readiness to alter their bodies to emulate these figures, predominantly through padded undergarments and grooming techniques rather than plastic surgery. These findings emphasize the need for the fashion industry to adapt sizing systems to accommodate diverse body shapes, natural or transformed, as influenced by social media trends and technological innovations.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.15

A Review of South African Consumer Awareness of Fast-Fashion and Sustainable Practices in the Textile and Clothing Industry

2024-12-12T11:28:13+00:00

The global textile and clothing industry is one of the main contributors to socio-environmental harm through fast-fashion practices. Sustainable fashion practices by the textile and clothing industry and consumers can reduce socio-environmental harm. Over the past 12 years, academic research has steadily increased on South African consumers’ knowledge regarding fast fashion and sustainability in the textile and clothing industry. The objective of this paper is twofold: first, to synthesize South African consumers’ awareness of the socio-environmental impacts of fast-fashion practices, and second, to synthesize their awareness of sustainable fashion practices. This research employed narrative and systematic review methodologies to identify and analyze relevant data. Understanding consumers’ knowledge regarding fast and sustainable fashion can guide policymakers and stakeholders in the textile and clothing industry in developing targeted interventions to foster sustainable practices among consumers, thereby promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns. This review paper found partial awareness and misconception among consumers of the socio-environmental harm caused by fast-fashion practices. Furthermore, although consumers know of various sustainable fashion practices, their awareness level is limited. This study recommends that future research use diverse representative participants to capture a broader range of perspectives and provide a more comprehensive understanding of consumer knowledge. The study further recommends research that focuses on consumer misconceptions about fast-fashion and sustainable fashion practices among consumers. Collaboration between the government, the textile and clothing industry, higher education, and marketing agencies to create continuous interactive knowledge dissemination to consumers through various platforms is essential.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.16

The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on South Africa’s Tourism Sector: A Review and Path Forward

2024-12-12T11:31:25+00:00

Tourism is a vital economic sector in South Africa, attracting a large number of visitors who come to experience the diverse range of tourist attractions the country has to offer. In its efforts to achieve sustainability and competitiveness, the industry is incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its operations. This review explores the transformative role of AI in South Africa's tourism sector, highlighting both current applications and future potential. This paper aims to illustrate how AI enhances the tourist experience and operational efficiency. Furthermore, it will map the way forward by identifying challenges and proposing strategic initiatives for stakeholders to harness AI's full potential in promoting sustainable tourism growth. A qualitative approach was employed in reviewing thirty articles published in peer-reviewed journals. The results indicate that AI has a significant potential to enhance the competitiveness of the tourism sector in South Africa. However, the integration of AI into the tourism sector might have a plethora of problems such as data privacy concerns, the fear of retrenchments and worker disenfranchisement. The paper suggests that significant measures are required to maximise the potential benefits of AI. The paper proposes collaboration between tech companies and tourism operators and the development of technology pro-policy initiatives to support AI integration. Further research is necessary to explore strategies for mitigating any adverse effects of AI in tourism, with a focus on boosting job opportunities and improving the socio-economic welfare of all stakeholders in the sector.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.17

Teacher Retention in South Africa's Marginalised Schools: Interplay of Psychological Capital, Work Engagement and Job Satisfaction

2024-12-12T11:33:48+00:00

The education sector is struggling to retain top-tier teachers, a challenge that can lead to disorder and instability in public schools. Since teachers are key to driving change, it is essential to find effective ways to keep them in the profession, maximise their impact and meet societal needs. This study therefore examines the role of psychological capital in the link between work engagement and job satisfaction, with the aim of tackling retention challenges and improve service delivery. This research, which involved a quantitative cross-sectional survey of 309 teachers in the Tshwane South District of South Africa, finds that psychological capital, which is a teacher’s psychological state that include hope, resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy, significantly mediates the positive connection between work engagement and job satisfaction. Although these results are limited to the sample studied, they highlight the importance of psychological capital in understanding teacher retention. The study suggests that developing strategies to enhance psychological capital could improve both engagement and job satisfaction. Future research should include larger sample sizes to strengthen the external validity of the findings.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.18

From Online Post to Crime Report: A Lesson Learned from a Social Media Defamation Case

2024-12-12T11:39:19+00:00

This study aimed to examine the lingual data of speech on Facebook posts, alleged to have resulted in defamation and to describe the case handling process by the police in Banyumas City, Central Java Province, Indonesia. The data was collected through documents handed over by the police. The data was analyzed qualitatively within the framework of forensic linguistic theory. The main findings of the study are that there were six linguistic aspects on the Facebook posts suspected to contain a defamation case under study, namely dialectology, forensic phonetics, forensic language style, language structure analysis, discourse analysis, and authorship. Additionally, the case handling process underwent seven steps, i.e. delivery of application letter from the police to head of linguists’ office, delivery of assignment letter to appointed linguists by head of linguists’ office, linguists’ documents examination by the police, data collection from the police, forensic linguistic data analysis, review session of analysis results, and submission of final results to the police. This study suggests that upholders of law and linguists should work hand in hand in the interest of justice and that linguists build their understanding of law issues within this multidisciplinary practice, while at the same time, upholders of law benefit from the experience of linguists as expert witness.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.19

Green Finance Adoption Using Planned Behaviour Theory: The Case of Vietnam

2024-12-12T11:42:47+00:00

This paper examines the motivation of firms in Vietnam to access green finance as opposed to traditional finance. It aims to identify the intentions behind accessing green finance and develop a model of factors influencing these intentions. The research addresses the limited participation of smaller economies like Vietnam in the global green finance market, despite an increasing demand for sustainable development. A successful green transformation requires substantial capital, and a well-structured financial market is crucial for this effort. Therefore, this study seeks to understand what drives firms in developing economies to adopt green finance. The research is based on a survey of 50 Vietnamese firms across various industries. Using pre-structured questions, it applies the Planned Behavior Theory (PBT) to create a model explaining the intention to adopt green finance. Factor analysis and logistic regression are employed to identify the main factors influencing these intentions. Results show that a positive attitude toward green finance, due to benefits like enhanced reputation and reduced financing costs, significantly affects firms' intentions to adopt green finance. Internal stakeholders, such as employees and shareholders, are key motivators, while external pressures may serve as obstacles. Interestingly, the availability of finance sources and stakeholder support did not emerge as significant predictors. The study suggests that policymakers should develop supportive regulations and that firms should engage internal stakeholders and increase awareness of green finance's benefits to promote its broader adoption in emerging economies like Vietnam.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.20

Reflective Practice to Foster Critical Thinking among Students

2024-12-12T11:46:17+00:00

A dynamic approach to fostering critical thinking skills has emerged in the arena of education through the integration of reflective practices. The purpose of this study was to explore the central role that reflective practice can play in promoting critical thinking. Critical thinking assists students to question and evaluate their actions. The research also emphasises the importance of reflective practice as a method of tapping into learners' experiences, challenging assumptions and critically analysing their actions. Reflective practice also provides learners with the opportunity to explore their thought processes, consider alternative perspectives and formulate informed decisions, ultimately developing critical skills. This was illustrated by a case study of 24 students enrolled in a diploma in Information Technology at a South African University of Technology. An action research methodology was employed. Action research complements the process of reflective practice because it is iterative in nature. After completing their assignments, the students were requested to fill out a reflective sheet. The collected data were subsequently subjected to content analysis for comprehensive examination and interpretation. The findings indicate that reflective practice enhances students' critical thinking skills.

https://doi.org/10.26803/MyRes.2024.21