Journal of Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences

Determinants, Implementation Dynamics, and Operational Impacts of Hospitality-Related Public Policies

Esther Nansamba — 2026-05-06

The hospitality industry is highly sensitive to economic, technological, and regulatory changes, yet the factors shaping policy formulation, implementation, and operational outcomes remain underexplored, particularly in emerging contexts such as Uganda. This narrative review synthesised literature from hospitality management, public administration, tourism governance, and policy studies, incorporating international perspectives and evidence from developing economies, guided by Stakeholder Theory and Institutional Theory, from 76 sources, including 56 journal articles, 16 reports, and 4 books. The review focused on three main thematic areas. First, the determinants of hospitality-related public policies involve government agencies, industry associations, communities, and market forces. Second, policies impact hospitality business operations through compliance requirements, performance outcomes, and service delivery. Third, the dynamics of policy implementation are influenced by power relations, institutional capacity, formal and informal rules. The findings reveal that hospitality policies are primarily driven by a nexus of technological advancements, macroeconomic stability, consumer protection standards, and the lobbying power of industry associations. Operationally, well-aligned policies enhance service efficiency and market competitiveness; however, the study identifies a significant implementation gap characterized by institutional decoupling, where formal regulations are often bypassed by informal hybrid governance arrangements. This is particularly evident in resource-constrained environments where weak institutional capacity and power imbalances between large and small-scale operators dictate policy outcomes. The review proposes an Adaptive Hospitality Policy Model, emphasizing a continuous feedback loop between regulators and stakeholders to ensure that policies remain context-sensitive and operationally feasible. The study concludes that sustainable sector development in Uganda and similar emerging economies depends on transitioning from top-down regulatory mandates to inclusive, stakeholder-driven governance frameworks that prioritize digital competence and institutional transparency. Recommendations include strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and aligning regulations with industry dynamics to improve policy effectiveness.

Participatory M&E Design and the Sustainability of Community Development: Empirical Evidence from DHAPP Project in Juba, South Sudan

Simon Emmanuel Mogga — 2026-06-27

This study examined the relationship between Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (PM&E) design and sustainability of the DHAPP project in Juba, South Sudan. It was grounded on Stakeholder and Empowerment Theories. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data within a cross-sectional design. A sample of 170 respondents was drawn from 280 beneficiaries and key project personnel using systematic random and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and document review. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and linear regression in SPSS, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Findings show high stakeholder participation in PM&E design (M = 4.26), particularly in target setting, indicator development, selection of data collection tools, and tool validation. Respondents also reported strong sustainability outcomes (M = 4.23), including continued project activities after donor reduction, strong community ownership, and integration of DHAPP services into local systems. However, inferential results indicate a very weak positive relationship between PM&E design and sustainability (r = 0.037, p = 0.644). Regression analysis confirms no statistically significant effect of PM&E design on project sustainability (F = 0.214, p = 0.644; R² = 0.001). This indicates that sustainability outcomes depend more on institutional capacity, financial resources, governance systems, and post-project support structures than on participatory M&E design alone. The study recommends that future interventions strengthen institutional and community capacity, integrate sustainability planning into core project systems and align participatory M&E with resource and governance frameworks that support long-term continuity of project benefits.

Effectiveness of Student Guidance and Counseling in addressing Mental Health among University students in Public Universities in Kenya

Annelyne Chepchirchir Too — 2026-05-24

The study examined the effectiveness of student guidance and counseling in addressing mental health among university students in public universities in Kenya. The study was anchored on Person-Centered Theory, which explains psychological well-being as a product of empathy, unconditional positive regard, and supportive helping relationships. A descriptive survey design was adopted. Data were collected from 225 students and 25 university counselors using questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings indicated that 62.22% of students were aware of SG&C services, while 56.21% confirmed that awareness programs were conducted by counselors. Orientation programs (43.12%) served as the main source of information on counseling services. Depression (36.05%) and anxiety (22.96%) were the most prevalent mental health challenges, followed by interpersonal problems (19.63%) and suicidal ideation (12.55%). Only 41.79% of students sought counseling services, although 95.85% of those who accessed services reported receiving effective help and rated the services as useful. Interview findings supported quantitative results, highlighting high effectiveness among engaged students, strong institutional support, but persistent barriers such as stigma, limited staffing, and low help-seeking behavior. The study concludes that SG&C services are effective in improving mental health outcomes among students who access them, though utilization remains relatively low. Strengthening awareness, expanding counseling capacity, and reducing stigma can improve service uptake and mental health outcomes in universities.

The Moderating Role of Digital Maturity in the Relationship Between Emerging Technologies Adoption and Performance of Five-Star-Rated Hotels in Zanzibar

Samwel Savunyu — 2026-06-27

Hotels in developing countries are increasingly adopting emerging technologies, particularly Cloud Computing Technologies (CCT), Big Data and Analytics (BDA), Virtual and Augmented Reality (VAR), Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain Technologies (BCT), including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve performance. However, studies remain fewer and more fragmented, and digital maturity is often conceptualized broadly rather than examined as an organizational capability that determines how hotels translate technology adoption into performance. Digital maturity determines how hotels translate emerging technologies into performance outcomes. This study determines the moderating effect of digital maturity on the relationship between the adoption of emerging technologies and performance in five-star-rated hotels in Zanzibar. This study used a quantitative research design to collect data from 392 hotel managers across 56 five-star-rated hotels via a structured questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the moderating effects of digital maturity on the relationship between the adoption of emerging technologies and operational efficiency, financial performance, and employee performance. Digital maturity exerted strong positive direct effects on employee performance (β = 0.904, p < 0.001) and financial performance (β = 0.805, p < 0.001), but a negative direct effect on operational efficiency (β = −0.130, p < 0.01). The moderating effect was significant only for operational efficiency (β = 0.106, p = 0.040), with non-significant moderation for financial performance (β = 0.016, p = 0.771) and employee performance (β = −0.049, p = 0.141). The model explained 83.5% of the variance in employee performance and 64.1% of the variance in financial performance, but only 9.0% of the variance in operational efficiency. This study used a mixed-methods convergent parallel design, with moderation analysis conducted using PLS-SEM to examine operational efficiency, financial performance, and employee performance. The model strongly explained employee performance (R² = 0.835; adjusted R² = 0.833) and substantially explained financial performance (R² = 0.641; adjusted R² = 0.637), but weakly explained operational efficiency (R² = 0.090; adjusted R² = 0.079). Digital maturity significantly moderated only the relationship between adoption of emerging technologies and operational efficiency (β = 0.106, t = 2.052, p = 0.040). Simultaneously, moderation was not significant for financial performance (β = 0.016, p = 0.771) or employee performance (β = -0.049, p = 0.141). The study concluded that digital maturity selectively enhances the operational value of emerging technologies in the hospitality sector. Hotels strengthen alignment across their digital strategies, staff digital competence, leadership support, cybersecurity, and data privacy. The study contributes context-specific evidence from Zanzibar by showing that digital maturity has performance-specific effects and selectively moderates the relationship between emerging technology adoption and hotel performance.

Impact of Recruitment, Selection and Retention on Health Sector Service Delivery, Nyeri County Kenya

Gladys Wanjiku Wachira — 2026-05-29

Health sector service delivery in Kenya, impact in several ways on the health of the citizens who provide productive labour force in the economy. The impact of recruitment, selection and retention on health sector service delivery is of great concern in the health sector. Several readjustment challenges have been witnessed in health sector service delivery. Health sector, building resilience within human resource is of crucial importance, to navigate challenges ensuring quality health service delivery. The sector requires proactive adaptation focusing on hardness, emotional intelligence and building of strong working relationships. This study undertaken in the context of devolved health system in Kenya focusing on Nyeri County, three sub-county hospitals and one level five referral hospital. The theoretical framework of the study was anchored on Human Capital Theory. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach anchored on the pragmatism paradigm and employed a convergent research design. The target population comprised 916 health workers drawn from three sub-county hospitals and one county referral hospital, from which a sample of 266 respondents was selected. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through structured interviews with hospital directors, superintendents, and departmental heads. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed weaknesses in recruitment, selection, and retention practices, including inadequate staffing, limited training opportunities, low absorption of interns into permanent employment, infrequent internal promotions, and concerns regarding fairness in recruitment processes. Qualitative findings further indicated shortages of specialized personnel, high attrition rates, inadequate opportunities for career development, and centralized recruitment decisions that constrained hospitals' ability to address staffing needs. Regression analysis established a statistically significant positive relationship between recruitment, selection, and retention practices and health sector service delivery (β = 0.576, t = 9.484, p < 0.001). The model explained 32.8% of the variation in service delivery (R² = 0.328), indicating that effective human resource practices substantially influence healthcare service outcomes. The study concluded that strengthening recruitment, selection, and retention practices can significantly improve accessibility, responsiveness, reliability, empathy, and assurance in healthcare service delivery. The study recommends increased recruitment of skilled healthcare personnel, enhanced staff retention strategies, regular training and career development programs, and greater flexibility in human resource management to address staffing gaps and improve service delivery in public health facilities.

Tourism Safety and Destination Choice in Nairobi County, Kenya: The Mediating Role of Tourist Behavioral Characteristics

Stellah Nyabiage Ayunga — 2026-05-21

Destination choice is influenced by attractions, accessibility, and perceived safety. Kenya’s low safety and security score of 3.4 out of 7, reflecting crime, terrorism, and political instability, affects tourist decisions. Nairobi County, as the capital and a major tourism hub, has experienced security incidents, making it perceived as unsafe. Although prior research has established a direct link between perceived safety and destination choice, the intervening mechanisms through which tourist behavioral characteristics operate within this relationship remain theoretically and empirically underexplored. This study addresses this gap by examining the mediating role of tourist behavioral characteristics on the relationship between tourism safety and destination choice in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was anchored on perceived risk theory and Theory of Planned Behaviour. Pragmatist research paradigm with concurrent explanatory research design was adopted. The target population was 2,279 tourists and 53 managers in charge of security from fifty-three star rated hotels in Nairobi County. Systematic random sampling and purposive sampling were used to select the respondents. Quantitative data was collected from 340 tourists using questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using interviews from 11 managers. Quantitative data was analyzed using multiple linear regression for hypothesis testing and Process Macro for mediation while qualitative data used content analysis. Findings show that tourism safety strongly influences destination choice (β = 0.465, p < 0.001). Tourists place high value on safety factors such as crime prevention, health protection, and emergency preparedness when selecting destinations. Behavioral characteristics recorded high mean scores but did not significantly mediate the relationship between tourism safety and destination choice (β = 0.0033, 95% CI [-0.0145, 0.0252]). Qualitative results confirmed that tourists prioritize visible safety measures over motivational or attitudinal factors when making travel decisions. The study concludes that tourism safety is a primary determinant of destination choice in Nairobi County, while behavioral characteristics play a limited mediating role. The findings support Perceived Risk Theory and refine the Theory of Planned Behavior in high-risk tourism contexts by showing that safety perceptions can override internal behavioral processes. The study recommends strengthening safety systems, improving tourism infrastructure, enhancing communication of safety information, and improving destination image management to enhance Nairobi’s competitiveness as a tourist destination. This research contributes to knowledge by highlighting that behavioral characteristics do not mediate the relationship between tourism safety destination choice.