School-wide publications

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://dspace.njala.edu.sl/handle/20.500.144402/177

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Start date: 2025Has files: Yes

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    TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACTS OF AI ON DIGITAL MEDIA: AN ANALYSIS OF INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC TRENDS, ECONOMIC OUTCOMES, AND CONSUMER TRUST (2020-2025)
    (2025-09-30) Makieu, Peter
    The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the digital media landscape, prompting critical inquiries into its industry-specific impacts and implications for economic outcomes and consumer trust. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of AI adoption trends from 2020 to 2025, leveraging a mixed-methods approach that incorporates a Kaggle-sourced dataset with 1,240 industry-year observations.Our findings indicate substantial disparities in AI adoption rates, with the U.S. automotive sector leading at 81.06, while South Korean healthcare remains at a mere 10.53. High-adoption sectors experience remarkable revenue growth of 45.6–57.86, despite concurrent job losses ranging from 10.66 to 27.62. Employing sophisticated regression analyses, we identify infrastructure investment as a significant predictor of AI adoption (0.58, p < 0.01), contrasting with the detrimental effects of regulatory strictness (0.34, p < 0.05).A novel contribution of this research is the exploration of consumer trust dynamics, which inversely correlates with AI adoption rates (-0.12). This study reveals that trust levels vary significantly across sectors, with marketing achieving a trust rate of 81.58% compared to only 41.77 in gaming, largely driven by transparency tool adoption.In conclusion, we propose an innovative policy framework that aims to align AI-driven growth with ethical considerations, emphasizing the role of transparency and sector-specific governance. Our research enriches the understanding of technology adoption models and offers actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders, facilitating sustainable innovation in the digital media sector. This study not only fills critical gaps in existing literature but also sets the stage for future research on the intersection of AI and digital media.
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    The Participation of Stakeholders in Community Policy Planning and Implementation. A Case Study: Freetown City Council, Sierra Leone
    (International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology, 2025-09-26) Bangura, Kabba Haroun
    Community involvement remains a central pillar of sustainable development. In recent decades, the promotion of grassroots participation has been increasingly recognized as a tool for empowerment, accountability, and inclusivity in governance. Decentralization reforms in Sierra Leone highlight the role of citizens in shaping and implementing local policies, particularly within the Freetown City Council. This study assessed the degree of stakeholder engagement in policy planning and explored the factors that influence effective participation. Data were collected through both qualitative and quantitative approaches at municipal and community levels. Findings revealed that while stakeholders play important roles in planning and implementation, their involvement is often limited by political, social, and institutional challenges. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening inclusive participation for sustainable urban governance.
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    Role of Communication in Crisis Management: A Case Study of Natural Disasters in Sierra Leone
    (2025-06-30) Abdul, Mohamed
    **Purpose:** The purpose of this article was to analyze role of communication in crisis management: a case study of natural disasters in Sierra Leone. **Methodology:** This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. **Findings:** The study on the role of communication in crisis management in Sierra Leone found that effective communication helped reduce panic and improve coordination during natural disasters. However, challenges such as misinformation and limited access to communication technologies were noted. The study recommended using a mix of traditional media, social media, and community engagement to ensure accurate information dissemination, along with improving infrastructure and training local leaders for better crisis response. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Situational crisis communication theory (SCCT), diffusion of innovations theory & Social penetration theory may be used to anchor future studies on the role of communication in crisis management: a case study of natural disasters in Sierra Leone. Equipping crisis communicators with the right tools and knowledge will ensure a more coordinated and efficient response during natural disasters. From a policy perspective, it is vital that governments develop comprehensive national crisis communication policies. These policies should outline clear communication protocols for crisis situations, specifying how and when information should be disseminated, and how different organizations should coordinate to manage communication during natural disasters.
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    PERCEPTION SURVEY OF SELECTED BRANDS OF SACHET WATER SOLD IN BO CITY, SOUTHERN SIERRA LEONE
    (2025-06-09) Mohamed, Pujeh Junior
    This study was conducted to delve into the nuanced perceptions surrounding specific sachet water brands – Tex, Daramy Pure Water, Blue Diamond Water, Arjorkoh Pure Water, and Nice Pure Water – within the dynamic landscape of Bo City in Southern Sierra Leone. Bo City, a vibrant hub, witnesses local suppliers' consumption and sale of numerous sachet water brands. A meticulously crafted checklist of questionnaires was administered to comprehensively capture the multifaceted perspectives of residents. The survey encompassed a spectrum of aspects, including participant profiles related to sachet drinking water, knowledge about various brands, preferred consumption times, motivations behind choosing sachet water, consumption rates across different brands, taste preferences, confidence levels in producers, and the underlying rationale for brand selection. This multifaceted approach aims to provide a holistic understanding of the diverse factors influencing sachet water preferences and consumption patterns among the local populace. Analyses of the results revealed that most respondents chose Tex 82(41%), followed by Blue Diamond 42 (21%), Arjorkoh Pure Water 40 (20%), Daramy Pure Water 23 (12%), and Nice Pure Water 13 (7%) being the least. The study also revealed that most people's choices were based on the following parameters: Safety 82(41%), availability 47(23.5%), and good taste 34 (17%), among other parameters. A recent Canadian study of more than 1,000 citizens found that satisfaction with water quality is linked to taste, odor, and color. The research also revealed that few sachet water brands have no outlets in strategic locations within the city, and the taste of the water was a key factor, the consumption was high during the dry season of the year, and this is reflected in the annual sales record by the suppliers. From the data available at the time of writing, we concluded that Tex is the first preference of the customers, followed by Blue Diamond, Arjorkoh, and Nice Pure Water, being the least due to their taste, color, and availability.
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    Perancangan Buku Cerita Bergambar “Kesehatan Gigi pada Anak” untuk menjaga kesehatan gigi siswa SD di MI Darul Ulum Blandongan, Kabupaten Pasuruan.
    (Institut Teknologi dan Sains Nahdlatul Ulama, 2025-07-15) Astuti, Eka Rini Widya
    Latar Belakang: Kesehatan gigi anak merupakan aspek penting dari perilaku hidup bersih dan sehat, namun masih banyak siswa sekolah dasar yang kurang sadar akan pentingnya menjaga kebersihan gigi. Hal ini memotivasi perlunya media edukatif yang dapat meningkatkan kesadaran tersebut. Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan konsep, proses, dan bentuk akhir dari buku cerita bergambar sebagai media edukatif untuk menjaga kesehatan gigi siswa kelas 1–2 di MI Darul Ulum Blandongan, Kabupaten Pasuruan. Metode: Pendekatan yang digunakan adalah Research and Development (R&D) dengan model ADDIE, yang melibatkan dua validator (ahli media dan ahli materi) serta siswa kelas 1 dan 2 sebagai responden. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi, dokumentasi, dan angket validasi serta tanggapan siswa. Hasil: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa buku dirancang dengan prinsip edukatif dan komunikatif, menggunakan bahasa sederhana dan ilustrasi menarik. Proses pengembangan dilakukan secara bertahap mulai dari analisis kebutuhan hingga media siap pakai. Bentuk akhir buku dinyatakan “Sangat Layak” oleh ahli media dan materi (100%) serta mendapat tanggapan positif dari siswa (94,57%). Kesimpulan: Buku ini terbukti efektif sebagai media edukatif dalam menanamkan kebiasaan menjaga kesehatan gigi sejak dini.
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    Pandemic preparedness and pandemic arrival: an ethnographic observation
    (Cambridge University Press, 2025-06-16) Kamara, Foday Mamoud
    The Pandemic Preparedness Project (PPP) was an attempt to understand community-level pandemic preparedness, primarily using a longitudinal observational research method.Anthropologists refer to this type of approach as 'ethnography'.An ethnographic study is based on long-term residence, during which the researcher becomes well-known to the group being observed and habituated to their way of life.The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the observed group are studied, contextualised within the researcher's own graspas far as possibleof a social totality, sometimes referred to as a 'life world'.Within the field of epidemiology, the aim of this approach is to understand what informants mean when they report or discuss bio-social facts regarding infection and risks of infection, describe symptoms of disease, or respond to interventions designed to reduce the spread of infectious disease.Sierra Leone has a good number of social scientists, but they have mainly been trained in approaches typically involving the use of questionnaires and numerical methods and are less familiar with ethnographic approaches.I was trained in Political Science and then Public Administration.Ethnography came as a bit of a shock, and these notes are intended to help my fellow researchers better understand what might be involved in taking an ethnographic approach, especially in the context of an epidemiological study intended to shed light on biosocial data.Ethnographically, one becomes acculturated by immersing oneself in the customs and traditions of the community, becoming involved in community undertakings such as the observance of burial protocols, joining them on their farms, and participating fully in community work.In bereaved homes, I would pay condolences to the family as a show of concern for them and the departed soul.When serious matters arose in the community, the town chief would invite me to be part of the jury to resolve the issue.Through this, the community started to recognise me and bestow confidence in me.I started my ethnographic journey in July 2019 in G., a large Kpa Mende village in southern Sierra Leone.My initial experience with the community was somewhat daunting, both for them and for me, in the sense that many people were afraid of me.At that point, many referred to me as a spy in their communities, working for the government.Others assumed I was some kind of journalist who had come to observe them and would later disseminate my findings over social media.However, this changed over time due to my extended stay with them (over two years), during which I became acculturated as a typical Kpa Mende man.After some time, I was simply taken as one of them, which allowed them to unveil hidden facts about various occurrences.With my tape recorder, I soon became a familiar sight in G and its numerous satellite villages.Carrying out my participant observation studies no longer caused fear or comment.This happened about
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    From Local to Global : Multidisciplinary Insights on Education, Governance, and Technology for Societal Progress
    (2025-12-31) Marah, Thomas Sheku
    Education together with governance and technology represent a core transformation that drives societal advancement throughout the twenty-first century. The intersection between these elements enables expanded knowledge access and better service delivery along with increased civic participation. Digital transformation encounters barriers because of inadequate digital infrastructure and unequal literacy rates and uncoordinated governance systems which restrict its advantages in developing countries. Solving this problem demands a combined approach which describes both the potential advantages of innovation alongside the dangers of marginalization. The research sets out to establish a combination framework which explains how governance controls technology-education interactions and their joint effects on social inclusion along with sustainable development. The research implemented mixed-methods design through bibliometric analysis of worldwide studies between 2020 and 2025 and systematic literature review and comparative case study focusing on Indonesia. The findings reveal four central themes: digital learning and resilience, e-governance and participation, technological innovation for sustainability, and ethical challenges of digitalization. The findings demonstrate that inclusive governance together with strong institutional capacity serves as the decisive factor to convert technological progress into educational and social benefits that reach everyone. The research shows that successful digital innovation transformation into sustainable societal engines needs coordinated multidisciplinary approaches.
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    Evaluating Strategies for Reducing Student Attrition of Public and Private Universities in Sierra Leone
    (European Organization for Nuclear Research, 2025-11-19) Kamara, Dr Abu Kai
    The primary theme of the study is to evaluate strategies to reduce student attrition of public and private universities in Sierra Leone. The specific objective of the study was to identify the strategies to reduce student attrition in Sierra Leonean universities. This study examined Spady's Theory of Student Departure (1971) as a theoretical framework. A descriptive research design was employed. Data collection instruments included a structured questionnaire, a structured interview guide, campus observations, and a documentary review. The target population included 459 students. Data analysis involved frequencies and percentages, cross-tabulations, and correlation and regression analyses, using SPSS, Excel, and Organisation Network Analysis (ONA) data collection tools from 1 March 2025 to 30 September 2025. A five-point Likert scale (1932) was used during data analysis. The validity and reliability of the instruments were tested at other universities in Sierra Leone using Cronbach's Alpha, which yielded a coefficient of 0.86, indicating good validity; 5% of the questionnaires were pretested at other institutions. The key findings of the study include, among others, that the majority of respondents were enrolled in public universities, most were male students,70% of respondents are in self-employment, 85% are single, 66% consider student attrition a very significant issue in Sierra Leonean universities. The study would help the Government of Sierra Leone increase the grants-in-aid quota, fast-track undergraduate student loan schemes, and introduce stipends/allowances at universities. Future research should focus on all public and private universities, polytechnics, and Teachers Training Colleges in Sierra Leone.
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    Evaluating local governance efficiency through decentralization: Insights from Kenema District Council
    (2025-08-22) Yusuf, Mohamed
    This study examines how effectively decentralization improves local governance and service delivery in Kenema District, Sierra Leone, focusing on the Kenema District Council (KDC). Its aim is to assess whether the decentralization framework has strengthened local government and made service delivery more responsive and effective. The study employed a quantitative approach and was conducted in four chiefdoms: Nongowa, Lower Bambara, Dodo, and Small Bo. A total of 240 respondents (60 from each chiefdom) participated in a structured survey covering key topics like service delivery, local governance, revenue generation, capacity constraints, and citizen participation. Most respondents indicated that infrastructure and accessibility had improved, especially road networks and public building development, though challenges remain. Issues such as corruption, lack of tax transparency, low revenue, and limited public engagement continue to persist. A significant 68.3% of residents in Dodo Chiefdom identified lack of tax knowledge as a major problem. Over 70% of residents in Nongowa and Small Bo cited corruption as the main reason for not paying taxes. Capacity issues were also noted, with 71.7% of Lower Bambara and 65% of Small Bo residents mentioning low responsiveness and monitoring as obstacles to effective service delivery. The report recommends a comprehensive approach that includes better community education on taxes, stronger monitoring and accountability measures, equitable tax education, and training for local government officials. Implementing these steps is crucial for improving decentralization and supporting local development in Kenema and beyond.
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    Employee engagement, leadership, and performance: An empirical study of public sector effectiveness in Sierra Leone
    (2025-04-16) Dauda, Emmanuel
    This research explores how factors like employee engagement, leadership styles, performance management systems, and organizational culture affect effectiveness in Sierra Leone’s public sector institutions. It looks at how certain types of leadership, such as transformative and transactional leadership, along with performance management systems, shape organizational effectiveness. The study also considers how the organizational culture and the policies in place can either strengthen or weaken these effects. The study adopts a quantitative research design using a survey-based approach. Data were collected from public sector employees in Sierra Leone (N =300). Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Multiple Regression Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were used to test the hypothesized relationships. Hierarchical Multiple Regression was applied to examine the moderating effects of organizational culture and policy frameworks on leadership styles, employee engagement, and performance management. The results reveal that employee engagement has a significant positive effect on organizational effectiveness (H1 supported). Transformational Leadership exhibits a stronger positive effective (H2a) supported), while its impact remains weak when isolated (H2b supported). Performance management systems significantly enhance organizational effectiveness (H3 supported). Moreover, organizational culture and policy frameworks moderate the relationship between leadership style, employee engagement, performance management, and organizational effectiveness (H4 supported). The findings highlight the critical role of leadership and HR strategies in enhancing public sector performance. Policymakers should emphasize transformational leadership training, effective performance management systems, and organizational culture reforms to foster engagement and improve overall effectiveness in Sierra Leone’s public sector. This study contributes to the public sector management literature by providing empirical evidence on how leadership, engagement, and performance management interact in Sierra Leonean public organizations. It also advances knowledge on the moderating role of organizational culture and policy frameworks in shaping these relationships.