ABSTRACT
Higher entrepreneurial traits significantly increase the likelihood of graduate students venturing into entrepreneurship. This study intended to develop a scale for assessing the entrepreneurial traits of graduate students, recognizing a gap in existing literature and measurement tools predominantly developed for countries with conducive entrepreneurial climates. Aligned with Ajzen's theory of planned behavior, the study employed a modified Delphi method, including prototype development, two Delphi surveys, and subsequent statistical analyses. The robustness of the final items and scale in effectively capturing the entrepreneurial traits of graduate students is supported by descriptive statistical analyses (SD ≤ 1.5, Interquartile Range ≤1, and Level of Agreement ≥70%), content validity analysis (I-CVI≥ 0.8, S-CVI/Ave = 0.92; S-CVI/UA = 0.4), and Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance analysis (X2 (37, N = 30) = 700.504, W = 0.631, p < 0.01). Ultimately, the scale comprises 38 items organized into three overarching thematic areas: life philosophy, creating and utilizing mindset, and supportive and motivating environment. Consistent with existing literature, entrepreneurial traits are intricately linked to individuals' life perspectives, often characterized by a desire for self-autonomy. Additionally, the ability to create or leverage available resources and the presence of a conducive external environment emerge as pivotal dimensions in entrepreneurial traits. Notably, the study highlights the critical influence of a country's environment and policies, mainly through university courses and short-term programs, in shaping the development of entrepreneurial traits.
ABSTRACT
This study introduces Multi-dimensional Disparity Index (MDI) to measure multi-form of disparity in different level of governments referencing Nepal. The measurement scale of MDI was developed by adopting Santos and Alkire's (2011) approaches. A wide range of thematic experts was consulted, employing the Semi-Delphi approach to determine its dimensions and indicators. The MDI in this study includes six dimensions and 34 indicators composited with dimension-wise indices like Economy Disparity Index [ECODI], Educational Disparity Index [EDUDI], Health Disparity Index [HDI], Geography and Climatic Vulnerability Index [GCVI], Living Standard Disparity Index [LSDI], and Demography Disparity Index [DDI]. Overall, the study revealed the extent of multi-dimensional disparity across three tiers of government in Nepal. More specifically, Nepal scored 0.388 MDI value. Karnali and Bagmati provinces are accounted as the highest and least deprived. This study contributes essential knowledge, particularly in exploring the dimensions and their indicators and develops an approach to measure multi-dimensional disparities. Most existing approaches for assessing disparities are mono-dimensional and measure the disparities in a single aspect. In this context, MDI provides a broader approach to consider multiple dimensions and measures multiple aspects in a country like Nepal, where disparity manifests at multiple levels.
Subject(s)
Employment , Humans , Educational Status , Geography , Nepal , Socioeconomic FactorsABSTRACT
Successful leadership is imperative for a cooperative to flourish. However, there is limited literature concerning leadership qualities in the context of cooperatives, most particularly in cooperatives in the global south. This study applied the participatory Delphi research technique to identify effective leadership qualities in the context of community-based cooperative societies in rural Nepal. A survey of 1255 leaders and team members from 210 cooperatives was undertaken and the qualities of leadership were obtained by using explorative factor analysis. The results identified four dimensions of effective leadership: Role Model, Empowering the Team, Performance-based Rewards, and Skills of the Sector. These four dimensions, unified in the 'REPS' Model of leadership, are presented as a contextualized model of cooperative leadership that can serve to inform both further research and cooperative development practice.
ABSTRACT
Civil servants' integrity in delivering public service is the heart and soul of public sector governance worldwide, including in Nepal. Ensuring a higher level of integrity for civil servants is complex, as it is affected by several factors. With this consideration, this study aims to examine the factors affecting the integrity of civil servants in the delivery of public services in Nepal. Data on this subject were derived from the Nepal National Governance Survey 2017/18, and analyzed using a logistic regression model. The findings revealed that citizens perceived civil servants' integrity in public service was positively affected by civil servants' compliance with rules, their responsiveness in delivering service, their service on time, their hassle-free service, and their adequate salary, whereas negatively affected by civil servants' prior network/connection with citizens and their asking or receiving a bribe for public service. Therefore, the concerned authorities should focus on these factors to build and maintain civil servants' integrity in delivering public service. Our findings provide empirical evidence for concerned authorities who can contribute to adopting innovative governance approaches and appropriate policies to build and maintain civil servants' integrity in the coming days. The study contributes to the field of integrity and public service by highlighting the factors affecting the integrity of civil servants in the delivery of public services.
