ABSTRACT
This study examines the effects of employee empowerment programs on employee performance within public universities in South Sudan, addressing an under-researched area critical for institutional success. Given the global trend toward employee empowerment, which enhances productivity and engagement, this research investigates the relationship between empowerment initiatives and performance metrics, utilizing theories such as Reinforcement Theory, Social Learning Theory, and Goal Setting Theory to support the analysis. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 2,372 employees at the University of Juba, with a stratified random sample of 237 respondents. Quantitative data was collected through structured questionnaires assessing various aspects of empowerment and performance. Findings indicate a strong positive correlation (R = 0.86, R² = 0.74) between empowerment programs and employee performance, affirming that empowered employees showed significant gains in motivation, job satisfaction, and overall performance levels. Specifically, respondents expressed high levels of agreement regarding the support for involvement in decision-making, recognition of contributions, and provision of resources, yielding an overall mean score of 3.82 (76.4%) for the effectiveness of empowerment strategies. Conclusions highlight the necessity of robust empowerment frameworks to foster a motivated workforce capable of meeting organizational challenges and improving performance. Recommendations emphasize the implementation of clear empowerment policies, ongoing training for managers and staff, and the establishment of metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of such initiatives. The ministry of defense and interior education should also highlight curricular adaptations aligned with local market needs while fostering community engagement and research. Future research should explore empowerment perceptions across diverse organizational contexts and the influence of various ....

ABSTRACT
For 64 years now after independence, Nigeria has been searching for the path to economic development but has been relying on the western prescriptions and abandoned its culture. Even where its traditional ways of doing things has proven to be more effective and potent, the country has stuck to the deceptive theories and recommendations of the colonial masters and institutions. 50 years ago, the economic conditions of United Arab Emirate were much the same with Nigeria until oil was discovered in their territory. From this very humble beginning the UAE is currently one of the most dynamic economies in the world today. What economic plan or strategies did they apply that made the difference? This research aims at deciphering the secret of the UAE economic development so as to draw lessons for Nigerian development. The study discovered that by adhering to their traditional political structure and system the UAE was able to achieve Political Stability and saved a lot of money that would have been lost if they adopted the western democratic system. Also through direct government intervention in international and domestic economies, the UAE was able to utilize their oil wealth to diversify their economy and reposition it to attract foreign investment. These are lessons Nigeria and other developing countries should learn from the UAE.

ABSTRACT
The research aimed to identify the volatility index (VIX) and its trend path during 2016-2023, as well as clarify the relationship between the (VIX) and ISX indices using the ARDL model, and test the stability of both indices. The research concluded that the ISX index for the Iraqi market is selected in a way that allows the index to reflect the state of the capital market. It is calculated through price changes, which does not reflect the reality of the market. The results of the ARDL model also showed the insignificance of the relationship in the short and long term, as the probability P (0.5280) appeared, which is higher than 0.05, which means that the VIX index did not have any effect on the ISX, whether the VIX rose or fell, and this indicates the isolation of the Iraqi Stock Exchange from international markets and its progress in modern trading tools and methods. Among the recommendations for the purpose of developing the ISX index, statistical methods and formulas should be adopted that reflect the actual market reality and simulate international markets and indices. Adopting advanced and modern methods in trading and integrating with international financial institutions and markets through gaining experience, field visits and keeping up with developments.

ABSTRACT
This paper is primary concerned with providing evidence that the Catholic Missionaries who introduced Christianity (Whiteman’s religion) in Nkongho-Mbo in 1936 played a significant role in the economic development of the area. The paper argues that if the Catholic Missionaries did not set foot in the area, then the entire region should have remained as stagnant economically just as it was during the pre-Christian era. In the domain of agriculture the paper reveals that the Missionaries introduced new fruit trees such as mango, paw-paw (Carica papaya), oranges (Citrus sinensis) pineapples (Ananas cosmosus), guava (Psidium guayava), pear (Persea Americana) and lime (Citrus aurantifalia) fruits. They also experimented the cultivation of vegetables such as tomatoes, onion and yellow pepper. The cultivation of these food crops coupled with cash crops such as coffee, American oil palms and cocoa that were also introduced by the Missionaries helped to improve the nutritive diet of the entire Mbo populace, increased the income of the villagers, increased agricultural yields in the area and thus raised the standard of living of the people. The paper further illuminates improvement in trading activities, road infrastructure and the introduction of a radio telephone network in Nkongho-Mbo. The study also sheds light on the bee keeping that was introduced by Catholic Missionaries as it fetched honey-producers a fortune and thus improved their financial situation remarkably. To accomplish this study, three main sources of information were consulted including archival documents, sacred return records from Catholic Mission Mbetta, printed documents such as books, dissertations, theses and finally oral interviews.

ABSTRACT
Technological changes and trade are closely intertwined in the contemporary era. Technological advancements, particularly in the realms of communications, information technology, and patents, have played a crucial role in stimulating and reshaping international trade by influencing production methods and the quality of goods and services produced. This research aims to analyze and measure the impact of technological changes, represented by patent applications, on commodity exports in China. Employing the Threshold Regression model, the study examines the magnitude of this impact across various stages during the research period. The underlying hypothesis posits a positive correlation between technological changes and commodity exports in China throughout these different stages. To achieve this objective and validate the hypothesis, the research combines two methodological approaches. The deductive approach utilizes descriptive analysis in the theoretical framework, drawing upon economic theory and a comprehensive review of literature pertaining to technological changes and foreign trade. Conversely, the inductive approach employs quantitative analysis, leveraging econometric techniques to interpret the relationship between technological changes and foreign trade. The study relies on time series data spanning the period from 2000 to 2022. Following a series of econometric tests, the data was deemed suitable for analysis using the Threshold Regression model. The results of the Bai-Perron sequential test for threshold values revealed the existence of five thresholds for the dependent variable (patent applications) when testing for multiple structural breaks. The impact of these thresholds on commodity exports was positive and statistically significant across all five thresholds, with the greatest impact observed at the first threshold, followed by a gradual decline until reaching saturation levels in the subsequent thresholds. Based on these findings, the research recom

ABSTRACT
The aim with this study is to gauge the short and long-term relationship between public debt and its effect on unemployment in the Iraqi economy for period (2004-2022) using modern joint integration methods according to the (ARDL) model. Given the effect of public debt fluctuations upon unemployment rates in the Iraqi economy for period (2004-2022), there were a number of conclusions reached by that research. Among them was that public debt has a direct effect on the unemployment rate in the Iraqi economy for period (2004-2022), that is to say increasing public debt results in an increasing unemployment rate during this period. The reason is simply that when public debt increases it also increases the burden upon the Iraqi economy, and this forms a major barrier towards economic development because these loans are made under constraints. And this serves as an additional burden upon the Iraqi economy which in turn leads to an increase in unemployment rate in Iraq. Therefore, the investigation recommends to.

ABSTRACT
A high level of economic growth in a country only sometimes reflects a similar increase in all regions. Disparities in economic growth between regions often occur, even when overall economic growth has increased. This research aims to analyze the influence of economic growth on the level of regional inequality in Papua Province. This research is explanatory research that uses the causality method. The secondary data used in this research is collected by conducting documentation studies at several Papuan government agencies. This research was conducted in Papua Province because it is one of the provinces with a high level of regional inequality in the Republic of Indonesia. The data in this research was obtained using document study techniques. Data analysis techniques are carried out using data collection, data reduction, and data categories. This research shows that economic growth has a negative and significant effect on regional inequality in Papua Province, where increasing production in all economic sectors can create jobs, increase income and reduce the unemployment rate, so regional inequality in Papua Province can be reduced. In the future, the Papua Provincial Government will need to implement strict policies regarding mining activities' environmental and social impacts. The Papua Provincial Government also needs to increase economic diversification by strengthening non-mining sectors to reduce dependence on the mining and quarrying sector.