|
on Information and Communication Technologies |
| By: | Ragasa, Catherine; Ma, Ning; Hami, Emmanuel |
| Abstract: | Many rural producer groups face poor management practices, low productivity, and weak market linkages. An information and communication technology (ICT)-based intervention bundle was provided to producer groups to transform them into ICT hubs, where members learn about and adopt improved management practices and increase their productivity and incomes. The intervention bundle includes phone messages and videos, promotion of the call center/hotline, and facilitation of radio listening clubs and collective marketing. The study, a cluster-randomized controlled trial, randomly assigned 59 groups into treatment groups and 59 into control groups. After 18 months of interventions, results show positive but small impact on crop sales (USD65 per household) and no impact on productivity. The income effect was mainly from Kasungu and Nkhota-kota, which experienced increased production and sales of rice, soybean, and groundnut and received higher prices due to collective marketing. Farmers in Kasungu and Nkhota-kota improved a few agricultural management practices, while farmers in other districts did not improve their management practices. Results show more farmers accessing phone messaging on agriculture and markets, greater awareness and use of the call center, more listening groups established, and more farmers—especially women—joining these groups. Nevertheless, coverage and uptake remain very low, which are likely reasons for the limited impact. |
| Keywords: | markets; Information and Communication Technologies; digital agriculture; digital extension tools; impact assessment; sales; productivity; agriculture; Malawi; Africa; Eastern Africa |
| Date: | 2024–06–30 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fpr:ifprid:148814 |
| By: | An Pham Ngoc Nguyen; Marija Bezbradica; Martin Crane |
| Abstract: | As global financial markets become increasingly interconnected, financial contagion has developed into a major influencer of asset price dynamics. Motivated by this context, our study explores financial contagion both within and between asset communities. We contribute to the literature by examining the contagion phenomenon at the community level rather than among individual assets. Our experiments rely on high-frequency data comprising cryptocurrencies, stocks and US ETFs over the 4-year period from April 2019 to May 2023. Using the Louvain community detection algorithm, Vector Autoregression contagion detection model and Tracy-Widom random matrix theory for noise removal from financial assets, we present three main findings. Firstly, while the magnitude of contagion remains relatively stable over time, contagion density (the percentage of asset pairs exhibiting contagion within a financial system) increases. This suggests that market uncertainty is better characterized by the transmission of shocks more broadly than by the strength of any single spillover. Secondly, there is no significant difference between intra- and inter-community contagion, indicating that contagion is a system-wide phenomenon rather than being confined to specific asset groups. Lastly, certain communities themselves, especially those dominated by Information Technology assets, consistently appear to act as major contagion transmitters in the financial network over the examined period, spreading shocks with high densities to many other communities. Our findings suggest that traditional risk management strategies such as portfolio diversification through investing in low-correlated assets or different types of investment vehicle might be insufficient due to widespread contagion. |
| Date: | 2025–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2509.15232 |
| By: | Tahirov, Nail; Akhundov, Najmaddin; Emde, Simon; Glock, Christoph H. |
| Abstract: | The surge of e-commerce has revolutionized distribution channels, escalating from simple single-channel frameworks to complex multi-channel and omni-channel networks. In particular developments in information technology and rising customer expectations have popularized the transition from multi- to omni-channel distribution, where the classic brick-and-mortar stores can also be part of the omni-channel distribution strategy. This evolution poses intricate challenges for manufacturers, especially in the integration and optimization of these channels. Thus, there is a strong need for an in-depth analysis of how manufacturers navigate the transition across diverse distribution channels to meet the varying needs of different customer segments. To this end, we investigate single-, multi-, and omni-channel distribution strategies for the case of a manufacturer selling both standard and customized products to different customer segments with varying preferences. A central contribution of this research is the creation of an integrated optimization model that resolves a location-routing problem, designing a complex and realistic supply chain configuration suitable for an omni-channel distribution system. This model strategically serves to fragmented customer demands through multiple shopping and delivery options. The outcomes of our study indicate that an omni-channel distribution system is a viable approach, capable of serving more customer segments while simultaneously minimizing logistics costs. In addition, we offer a detailed analysis of the cost implications of in-store pickup versus home-delivery options, providing a comprehensive evaluation of their respective impacts on total logistics costs and customer responsiveness. |
| Date: | 2025–09–22 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:dar:wpaper:157242 |
| By: | Dariusz Baran; Ernest G\'orka; Micha{\l} \'Cwi\k{a}ka{\l}a; Gabriela Wojak; Mateusz Grzelak; Katarzyna Olszy\'nska; Piotr Mrzyg{\l}\'od; Maciej Frasunkiewicz; Piotr R\k{e}czajski; Maciej \'Slusarczyk; Jan Piwnik |
| Abstract: | This paper examines the impact of internal communication on effective business management through a comparative analysis of two medium-sized car rental companies operating in Poland. Using a structured survey completed by 220 employees, the study evaluates 15 communication-related factors, including feedback culture, managerial accessibility, message clarity, and interdepartmental coordination. The findings indicate that Company X significantly outperforms Company Y across all evaluated dimensions, largely due to its use of advanced communication technologies, participatory models, and clear feedback mechanisms. The research highlights the strategic role of two-way communication in fostering employee engagement, organizational transparency, and operational efficiency. It contributes to the field by offering a rare, data-driven comparison within one industry and supports existing models that link internal communication to job satisfaction and motivation. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data and focus on a single industry and country. Future studies are recommended to explore cross-sector and longitudinal perspectives, especially in the context of digital and hybrid work environments. |
| Date: | 2025–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2510.07016 |