New Advances in Business, Management and Economics Vol. 12

The Economics of Soybean Marketing: A Regional Study of Market Margins and Efficiency in Belagavi District of Karnataka, India

2026-01-27T07:14:18+00:00

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an important crop worldwide, valued for its utility in edible oil production, plant-based protein supply and diverse industrial uses. The present study examines the marketing system of raw soybeans in Belagavi district of Karnataka, focusing on the structure of marketing channels, associated costs, margins and overall efficiency. Primary data were collected from key stakeholders, including farmers, processors, wholesalers and commission agents-cum-traders. Bailhongal and Hukkeri taluks were purposively selected because of their significant role in soybean cultivation and trade. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select farmers, while market intermediaries were chosen through random sampling. Marketing efficiency index was assessed using Acharya’s method, and farmers’ reasons for preferring direct sales were analysed with the help of Garrett’s ranking technique. The value chain assessment revealed two major channels, viz., Channel I, where farmers sell directly to processors and Channel II, where produce moves through intermediaries such as wholesalers and commission agents. Most farmers showed a preference for direct sales to processors due to the potential for higher price realisation. The study found that producers and wholesalers bear a substantial share of marketing costs, mainly on account of transportation, statutory deductions and other miscellaneous expenses. Understanding the composition of these costs is crucial for identifying bottlenecks, minimising wastage and improving supply chain performance. Comparative analysis indicated that Channel I exhibited greater marketing efficiency than Channel II, and among the two taluks, Bailhongal performed more efficiently than Hukkeri. To improve overall market functioning, the study highlights the importance of organising farmers into collectives such as Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs), Commodity Interest Groups (CIGs) or Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). These collective platforms can enhance farmers’ bargaining strength, ensure better price negotiation and contribute to more efficient and equitable soybean marketing.

Balancing Public Interest and Market Orientation: ‎‎Governance Challenges in ‎Research Commercialisation within Ghana’s Public ‎‎Sector

2026-01-27T07:16:40+00:00

Many public sector institutions in developing economies whose primary mandate is to produce public goods are also enjoined to marketise their products and services to supplement governments’ budgetary allocations. The main objective of this paper is to advance our understanding of how the internal environment is strategically aligned with public sector marketisation in the context of developing economies. Therefore, this chapter critically assesses the internal environment in relation to commercialisation within the most prominent public research organisations in Ghana. The assessment was aided by McKinsey’s 7S analytical framework and underpinned by the Social Contract Theory. The source of data was strategic plans from 2018-2023, a corporate strategic marketing plan, and archival records (including organisational structure and annual reports) from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Ghana, and secondary data from desk research. The process was driven by the question: “How can the internal structures of a public research organisation be strategically aligned with its human and material resources for effective market-oriented outcomes? It argues that commercialisation challenges the normative foundations of the social contract that underpin public research, particularly the principles of equity, accessibility, and collective benefit from the commercialisation of research. The findings reveal a need to develop appropriate internal systems for monitoring processes, procedures, and improving efficiency within the internal value chain of commercial-oriented research organisations. The chapter concludes that a renewed social contract that aligns public interest with innovation-led economic growth would situate Ghana's experience within broader debates on science governance and commercialisation of knowledge in developing contexts. The chapter provides theoretical and policy insights for balancing profit objectives with the developmental roles of public institutions through continuous internal improvement to remain competitive.

Ownership Structure, Financial Discipline, and Value Creation in MENA Leveraged Buyouts

2026-01-27T07:18:40+00:00

Leveraged Buyouts (LBOs) and Management Buyouts (MBOs) have garnered increasing interest since the late 1980s, characterised by the acquisition of firms primarily financed through debt. LBOs act as a distinctive external control mechanism. By acquiring firms predominantly through debt financing, LBOs impose financial discipline by limiting managerial discretion over free cash flows, as a substantial portion is allocated to servicing debt obligations. While LBOs are well-documented in developed markets, their applicability and effectiveness in emerging economies, particularly the MENA region, remain insufficiently explored. The primary objective of the study is to explore the impact of ownership structure on the financial performance of Leveraged Buyout (LBO) transactions in the MENA region, a key emerging market region. Drawing on agency theory by Jensen & Meckling and the capital structure theory of Modigliani and Miller, the study investigates how different shareholder configurations, particularly managerial equity participation, influence LBO outcomes. The data for this study were sourced from the CAPITALIQ and Crunchbase platforms, complemented by financial reports published by the target companies. Based on a sample of 233 transactions conducted between 2000 and 2023, the research adopts a quantitative methodology grounded in a hypothetico-deductive approach. The analysis focuses on the interactions between managerial ownership, leverage, target firm size, and operational performance. The descriptive statistics for the variables Management Buyout (MBO), Indebtness, EBITDA/Enterprise Value (EV), Size, and Multiple, derived from a sample of 211 leveraged buyout (LBO) transactions, provide a comprehensive overview of the financial and operational characteristics of the studied firms, shedding light on their post-LBO value creation dynamics. The findings support the agency theory premise that managerial ownership aligns interests and enhances performance, showing a positive relationship between managerial equity stakes and financial outcomes. Conversely, the effect of leverage, central to Modigliani and Miller’s propositions, proves more nuanced, reflecting the region’s unique financial constraints and market imperfections. Firm size, meanwhile, shows no direct correlation with performance improvement. These insights underscore the complex mechanisms behind LBO success in the MENA context and offer practical and theoretical implications, particularly regarding governance practices and institutional frameworks. The study also highlights avenues for future research, including a deeper examination of regional governance dynamics and the moderating role of institutional factors—such as investor protection, financial market maturity, and political stability—to better understand the conditions driving LBO success across different national contexts.

Stakeholder Engagement Beyond Public Participation: A Qualitative Stakeholder Perspective by Barberton Mines

2026-01-27T07:22:08+00:00

The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) is one of the key legislative frameworks in South Africa, aiming to develop fair and sustainable standards within the mining sector. Effective implementation of Section 52 of the MPRDA is necessary to encourage meaningful stakeholder engagement in the mining sector. Barberton Mines, located in the old Umjindi Local Municipality within the Mbombela City Local Municipality, includes the Barberton Tailings Retreatment Plant (BTRP), which is located inside the Fairview Mine's mining right footprint. Despite the regulatory framework in place to ensure that mining operations consider the interests of local communities, there are still concerns about how effectively Barberton Mines has consulted its stakeholders when making operational decisions. With an eye towards stakeholder participation, this chapter investigates how Barberton Mines implements Section 52 of the MPRDA, therefore clarifying the efficacy of present engagement policies and pointing out areas for improvement. This study used a qualitative research approach, which involved thorough reviews of existing documents and literature, DMRE guidelines, and Barberton Mines reports, to find important information about how the community views the company and how well its communication strategies work. Findings indicate that Section 52 plays a critical role in promoting a culture of engagement and collaboration among stakeholders. The results also highlight how open communication and openness are absolutely necessary to build confidence and cooperative partnerships with other towns. The Barberton Mine, although there is always room for improvement, exemplifies effective engagement strategies that benefit both the company and the local community. Barberton Mines' comprehensive approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic highlights its dedication to the health and safety of its employees and the broader community. Notwithstanding current legal systems, Barberton Mines finds it difficult to properly involve stakeholders; problems, including poor communication channels, insufficient community consultations, and little participation of local stakeholders, have been seen. The study reveals the main drivers and challenges to effective stakeholder involvement, which results in customised recommendations meant to close compliance gaps with MPRDA criteria. Establishing an effective Stakeholder Development Forum (SDF) is vital for fostering collaborative partnerships and facilitating meaningful interaction among diverse stakeholders, particularly in resource extraction contexts. The study also emphasises the value of corporate social investment (CSI) projects, illustrating Barberton Mines' dedication to solving community welfare issues by means of infrastructure development, health care enhancements, and educational support. The study concludes that Barberton Mines' sustained operational performance relies on establishing a robust stakeholder engagement framework that incorporates diverse community perspectives and facilitates open communication channels. The study recommends the transparent inclusion of representatives from a range of stakeholders, including local businesses, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders, as well as representatives from traditional local authorities.

Sustainable Development of Renewable Energies: Ranking Methods for Sustainability Indicators and Key Renewable Electricity Sources and Challenges in the MENA Region

2026-01-27T07:25:34+00:00

The concept of sustainable development is therefore designed to correct the shortcomings of the dominant development paradigm, whose only main criterion is economic growth. Its concern is to integrate the social and environmental dimensions into the development process in order to mitigate the social and ecological imbalances generated by the liberal and even socialist economic model. For the energy sector to be truly economically important, it must be based on its on-demand production capacity. Electricity is, therefore, an energy source that is not storable. Supply and demand must be balanced. The energy return time corresponds to the time necessary for the energy reimbursement of the construction of the plant concerned. Contrary to what we may think, this criterion has been classified as a social and non-environmental criterion, because the use of energy resources to build the infrastructure necessary to produce electricity is directly in competition with energy consumption. The cost of producing renewable electricity seems like a logical explanation. Despite the significant decline in wind and solar electricity generation costs in recent years, hydropower remains the cheapest of renewable electricity. Finally, we focused on the objectives and opportunities of the Mediterranean Solar Plan, focusing on these renewable electricity development strategies. Starting from the principle of renewable electricity production, the following chapter will address the concept of the energy transition by studying the principle of the green economy.

Demographic Profile, Group Dynamics Effectiveness and Constraints of Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPOs) Members in Assam, India

2026-01-27T07:28:52+00:00

India, a developing country heavily reliant on the agricultural sector, has witnessed the emergence of farmer-producer organisations (FPOs) as a vital tool to promote agricultural commercialisation, foster economic growth, improve farmers' socio-economic status, and enable small and marginal farmers to access organised value chains, strengthen their bargaining power, and mitigate market risks. The present study was conducted to investigate the demographic profile of FPOs members, their effectiveness in group dynamics and their perceived constraints in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone (LBVZ) of Assam, comprising six districts viz., Kamrup, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Chirang, Barpeta and Goalpara. In doing so, it utilised the descriptive research design following an ex-post-facto approach to fulfil the objectives of the study. A total of eight FPOs promoted by Assam Agricultural University through CBBO-AAU and World Bank-supported APART project were selected purposively. From each FPO, 15 active members were approached for data collection through a personal interview method during 2022, which made 120 the final sample size. The data were statistically analysed in terms of mean, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CV). The analysis of profile characteristics of the respondents revealed that majority of the respondents (FPOs members) in study areas were middle aged (66.67%) between 29 to 50 years with education level from high school to graduate/ above (80.83%), 64.17 percent were from small family size upto 4 members, 90.83 percent of the respondents had medium level of annual income (i.e. Rs 33190-379866.6), 46.67 percent had medium level of socio- political participation and 38.33 percent low and 35.83 percent high levels of material possession. The study also found that lack of co-ordination for different group activities, ineffective linkage and ineffective monitoring, lack of professional management, non-availability of timely credit and inadequate access to credit, weak financial position, absence of adequate market linkage, lack of storage facilities, distance from existing markets, lack of market information, lack of marketing knowledge and skills and difficulty in getting skilled labour were the perceived problems faced by FPO members in effective functioning of FPOs. The study highlights current challenges within the FPO system, suggesting policy recommendations for future development. The findings also offer valuable insights into the transformative potential of FPOs and inform strategic policy recommendations to ensure their sustainability in India's agricultural sector. There is an urgent need to train those involved in FPO management or establish requirements for FPO office bearers, since the primary limitation on the operations of FPOs is inadequate professional management. This will support efficient FPO management. To enable FPO members and office bearers to make appropriate and timely choices, a suitable capacity-building approach should be used by the concerned departments.

Group Dynamics and Team Effectiveness of Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPO): An Empirical Study in Assam, India

2026-01-27T07:32:01+00:00

Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) is a legal entity formed by farmers with a major role in integrating both forward and backward linkages in the agricultural sector for enhancing farmers' income and their livelihoods through reduced cultivation and transaction costs. While Group dynamics is a field of enquiry concerned with extending knowledge about the nature of groups, their development, and their interrelationships with individuals, other groups and institutions. Group dynamics as a subject of study has its roots in both psychology and sociology. The present research is intended to critically examine certain important indicators of group dynamics and their influence on team effectiveness in Farmer-Producer Organisations (FPO) settings. The study was conducted in the Lower Brahmaputra Valley Zone (LBVZ) of Assam by utilising the descriptive research design and an ex-post-facto approach to fulfil the objectives of the study and to collect the cross-sectional data from 120 FPO member respondents through the personal interview method during 2022. The study reveals that the majority of the FPO members had a medium level of group dynamics effectiveness in all 12 indicators. The study also shows that among the identified 12 indicators to measure group dynamic effectiveness (GDE) of FPO, group atmosphere was found with the highest mean value, closely followed by teamwork, participation and group cohesiveness. The other indicators in order of importance based on their corresponding mean values were achievement of FPO, confirmation to group norms, task function, decision making procedure, interpersonal trust, empathy and group communication. As many as 70 per cent members of FPO in study areas had reported a medium level of achievement of FPO, still there is a huge scope for their further improvement and achievement in agriculture and allied activities, and thereby enhance their income on a sustainable basis. The study further reveals that Manikpur Joha Rice Producer Company Ltd. of Chirang district had the highest total GDEI score of 91.027. While Aya Baikho FPO Co-operative Society Ltd. of Goalpara district had the lowest GDEI score of 60.441. To build a prosperous and sustainable agriculture sector by promoting and supporting member-owned Producer Organisations, which enable farmers to enhance productivity and sustainable income generation, it is of paramount importance for cost-effective and sustainable resource use to realise higher returns for their produce, through collective actions including extension programmes supported by the government, research agencies, civil society and the private sector.

Digital Currency and Monetary Policy in Tanzania: Empirical Investigation

2026-01-27T07:39:34+00:00

Despite the progress made in managing macroeconomic policies in Tanzania, the expectations that the existing digital environment can support stable monetary policy performance remain uncertain due to a lack of studies in this area. There are concerns about the potential effects of cryptocurrencies on monetary policy performance in Tanzania. This study investigated the effects of digital currency on monetary policy in Tanzania. The main variables were Bitcoin (BTC) and Mobile money transaction (MBT) as the independent variables and Money supply (M3) as the dependent variable. A quantitative methodology was employed, using empirical analysis and estimation methods. Quarterly time-series data covering the period from 2014Q1 to 2021Q4 were used and were obtained from the Bank of Tanzania, Tanzania National Bureau of Statistics and online data from www.blockchain.com. The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was used to estimate the empirical regression model, while STATA version 14 was used to analyse data. The results indicated a significant negative relationship between BTC and M3, and a significant positive relationship between MBT and M3 in Tanzania. The study concluded that digital currency has a significant effect on monetary policy in the country. It is recommended that both the bitcoin and mobile money transaction markets work together to affect monetary policy and economic growth in the country. Therefore, the government should show more concern about the use of these two forms of money market so as to make the country achieve high economic growth.