Boulder-faced log dams and other alternatives for gabion check dams in first-order ephemeral streams with coarse bed load in Ethiopia

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Analysis of Microfinance Institutions Performance: The Case of Jimma Town MFIs

This research assessed the performance of microfinance institutions in case of Jimma town considering; outreach (breadth of outreach) and client poverty level (depth of outreach), loan repayment (collection performance or portfolio quality), Efficiency and Financial sustainability (profitability), that determine the performance of financial institutions in terms outreach and its financial sustainability. The objective of this study is to examine the overall financial and operational performances of the Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company (OCSSCO), Eshet Microfinance Institution (EMF.S.C) and Harbu Microfinance Institutions (HMF.S.C) for the recent five years (2012-2017). The paper is used both primary and secondary data sources which were analyzed using qualitative and quantitative methods applying a descriptive analysis. Semi-structured interview was done with the key officials of the institution at the head office level, employees, and clients. Besides, a review of documents –both financial and non-financial also used for the investigation. The major findings of the study indicate that three major selected MFIs are progressing in terms of its breadth and depth of outreach. From the financial sustainability point of view, those MFIs have been gone up the ladder of sustainability measures over those five consecutive years. The institution also manages its loan portfolio as shown by the ratio of portfolio at risk (PAR) which is greater than 30 days that declined throughout the years. Since the institution spends least costs in its operating and administrative expenses for serving and providing loan to a single client, the trend in this regard showed that the three major selected MFIs is cost efficient. Keywords: Micro Finance Institution, Sustainabilit

Serviceability Assessment of Water Supply & Its Infrastructure and Associated Challenges for providing Safe Drinking Water in Ethiopia-Gimbi Town

The development of infrastructure is fundamental to economic growth and development of countries. The objective of this study was to assess the serviceability of water supply & its infrastructure and associated challenges for providing safe drinking water in Ethiopia-Gimbi town. The research design was descriptive type and the related data was both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was obtained from sample of 219 households, 7 officials and professionals of water office. Samples were drawn, using simple random from the sample frame. Moreover, the water supply infrastructure were observed and photographed and included. Analyses were done by using SPSS and presented by percentage, tables, and charts. The study has confirmed that Gimbi town is facing water supply service problem. The survey result showed that the water produced only covers 30.39% of the demand. Even if private meter connection is taken as best standards of water supply, the connection for residential consumer is only 22.57%. Furthermore, all areas could not get equal and proportional service. As a result, they are exposed to unprotected sources. The cumulative effect of the existing situations decreased the daily average consumption of pipe water to 6.08 liters per person per day. The study also identified population growth, inadequate source, frequent interruption, unaccounted-for water (41.25%), lack of sufficient funding and capacity, lack of standby diesel generator and limited stakeholders’ participation as challenges. The paper recommends interventions to overcome water scarcity. These include: exploring additional source, redesigning distribution system, encouraging capacity building for staffs, having standby diesel generator, carrying out appropriate operation and maintenance, introducing rainwater harvesting program, launching appropriate water infrastructural assets management, using water reservoir, promoting stakeholders’ participation to improve the problems. Keywords: Accessibility; Affordability; Adequate Water Supply; Infrastructure; Interruption; Meter Connection; Pipe Water; Safe Drinking Water; Unaccounted-for Water. DOI: 10.7176/DCS/11-5-02 Publication date:May 31st 202

Review on Economic Efficiency of Maize Production in Ethiopia

Despite the fact that, agriculture remains to be the most significant sector of the Ethiopian economy, its performance has been disappointing and food production has been lagging behind population growth. Although increasing population pressure and low levels of agricultural productivity have aggravated the food insecurity situation by widening the gap between the demand for and supply of food in the country. This gap can be decreased by improving productivity either through the introduction of modern technologies or improving the efficiency of crop production. However, as the possibility to enhance production by bringing more resources into use became more and more limited, the efficiency with which the farmers use available resources has received the greatest attention. Since maize is a significant contributor to the Ethiopian economy, escalating productivity and efficiency of maize production could be taken as an important step in achieving food security. This review was aimed at assessing the levels of technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of smallholder maize producers; and to identify factors affecting the efficiency of smallholder farmers in maize production in Ethiopia. In these review factors like education, land fragmentation, livestock ownership, a frequency of extension contact, soil fertility, off/non-farm activities, sex, land owned, credit utilization and perception on agricultural policy are identified as the key determinants of the economic efficiency of maize production in Ethiopia. The frequency distribution of technical, allocative and economic efficiency levels was not fairly distributed. The maize farms were being operated in a different level of efficiency. This implies that a large number of maize farmers in Ethiopia faced inefficiency problems. Keywords: Maize, Economic efficiency, Determinants, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/84-0

Employees’ Satisfaction Practice Implication on the Performance of Organization (Cooperative Bank of Oromia)

The main objective of the study was to assess the employees’ satisfaction practice implication on the performance of Cooperative Bank of Oromia. To do so, the methodology employed was descriptive & explanatory research design. Both qualitative & quantitative research approaches were followed. To conduct this study, primary and secondary data were collected. Majority of the data were collected from 300 employees working in 82 branches and the size was determined by formula of Yamane 1967. To proportionally select employees, Cochran 1963 formula was used and then respondents were randomly selected. The tools used were questionnaires, interview, focus group discussion, observation & document review. To collect the data, the tools were pre-tested and then pilot was taken to check for errors and any ambiguity. Questionnaires were prepared in 5-point likert scale. Analyses were done using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The descriptive statistics include, mean & standard deviation, while the inferential statistics were chi-square, ordinal logistic regression & Spearman’s Rank Correlation. The results of the research were markedly reported & summarized. Accordingly, the total descriptive statistics of the respondents have been described as feeling alright with the mean values 3.37ð > 67.4%ð > 202 for both predicted & predictor variables. Besides, both the primary and secondary data ratified that the bank’s performance is promising.  Moreover, the inferential statistics computed indicated the degree of relationship between the variables. The chi-square value of the explanatory variable was significant at P-value < α = 0.05 & Chi-Square at α =.05, df 4 were > the Table value (9.49). This shows there is association between the variable & performance of the bank. Together with this, ordinal logistic regression was applied. Consequently, computed values verified that there was strong links between the employees’ satisfaction practice & performance of the bank. The correlation between performance of the bank & employees’ satisfaction variable was 0.617, which is labeled as strong. Besides the odds ratio of the explanatory variable was >1, which means a unit increase in the variables cause > 1 entity increase on the performance of the bank.  The same result was also indicated by the inferential statistics. Accordingly, employees’ satisfaction practice has strong effect on the performance of Cooperative Bank of Oromia. Thus, it was concluded that proper handling & execution of practices of human resource management (employees’ satisfaction) has eloquent value on the performance of the bank. Lastly, the proposed intervention strategies identified were encouraging the employees by making the work environs attractive, conducting fair and transparent promotion systems, making consistent the reward and payment with the work load, and designing other mechanisms of encouraging workers apart from salaries by introducing other incentives so as to enhance the employees’ satisfaction level, which in turn boosts the bank’s performance. Keywords: Cooperative Bank; Effect; Employees’ satisfaction; Performance; Statistics DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/81-02 Publication date: January 31st 202

Assessment of the Role of Research in Molding Cooperative Policies

A cooperative society is an autonomous association of persons who have united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and       democratically controlled organization, making equitable contributions to the capital required and accepting a fair share of the risks and benefits of the duty. Its role to economic development in developed, developing and under developed countries is very immense. Cooperation among people has existed since history has been record. However, the history of formal cooperatives in Ethiopia dates back to 1960, when the first directive of cooperatives was enacted. The review article is prepared with the main objective of assessing the role of research in molding the cooperatives policies. To do so, an appropriate methodology employed was descriptive research design. The source of data used is secondary data from the literature review and articles of different materials. The instruments used for data collection is review of compiled documents. The study shows that cooperatives are contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. Due to the enabling environment created by proclamation No. 147/ 1998, the numbers of primary cooperatives started to increase from 10,524 to 56,044 and members simultaneously increased from 4,529,259 to 9,165,267 having capital 8.8 billion birr. However, the degree of participation of the people and other stakeholders in policy making process is low. The finding identified major issues among which less room of participation of the concerned bodies in the policy formulation process, lack of clear demarcation of how to exercise power on government structures, lack of clear operational areas; lack of strong governance, lack of national federation, weak linkage between cooperatives and Universities; above all lack of fully implementing researchers’ recommendation. Thus, it seems to be imperative to fully implement the research findings and taking corrective measures to solve the challenges of the sector so as to gain an anticipated outcome. Keywords: key words, Cooperatives; Policy; Contribution of research. DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/9-5-02 Publication date:May 31st 201

The Significance of Good Governance and Problems Hindering Its Implementation in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review

It is a systematic review of the significance of good governance and problems hampering its implementation in Ethiopia. The concept and issues of governance is linked to human history. Although the styles of governance differ, governance existed since the creation of human beings. In fact, it is obvious for the one group to rule and the others to be ruled. In order to convey this in a worthy manner and satisfy the needs of those to be served, the relation has to justify acceptable standard. In this regard, the government organizations and non-governmental organizations together with all the concerned bodies including the national and international development agencies are involved in the promotion of good governance. The concept of good governance has become more popular in Africa at the finale of the 1980s. Ethiopia had a long experience of governance that ranges from the traditional rule of monarchs to a democratic form of government. Revolution in good governance, by which citizens got the chance of enquiring about their rights, was endorsed by the consent of constitution 1995. Nevertheless, due to the past political influence and even various hitches in the structure of the new government and other reasons, several policies prepared and actions taken could not fully solve the good governance bugs of the country. In preparing this review article, qualitative research techniques were utilized in attempting to critically evaluate the concept of governance and good governance. The data has been collected from various secondary sources with the objective of examining the status of the country in implementing good governance and identifying the major problems facing it. Accordingly, the inhabiting problems specified are: Poverty and illiteracy, low participation of the community, corruption, past political attitudes, lack of adequate skilled and devoted manpower, effects of globalization, conflicts, wrong activists, lack of effective check and balance, interference and etc. Thus, added to the strong commitment of the current reformed government, all stakeholders should work strongly to alleviate the noted problems. Keywords: Ethiopia, Governance, Good Governance, Participation, Problem DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/9-8-03 Publication date: August 31st 201