GPH-International Journal of Business Management

FACTORS INFLUENCING MAJOR SELECTION AMONG HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NORTHERN VIETNAM: THE MEDIATING ROLES OF CAREER IMAGE AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY BELIEF

2026-04-09T13:29:53+00:00

This study aims to examine the factors influencing major selection among high school students in Hanoi, with a particular focus on clarifying the mediating roles of career image and belief in employment opportunities. Using a quantitative research approach, data were collected via questionnaire from 410 high school students in Northern Vietnam and processed using SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 24 software. The results indicate that career outcome expectations, self-efficacy beliefs, family orientation, peer roles, media information accessibility, and school-based career guidance and counseling all positively affect career image and employment opportunity belief, which in turn indirectly influence students' major selection decisions. In addition, the findings also confirm the mediating role of career image and belief in employment opportunities in these relationships. Based on these findings, the study proposes several recommendations for educational institutions and policy-makers to enhance the quality of career guidance for high school students.

MACROECONOMIC DETERMINANTS OF FOREIGN DEBT IN NIGERIA: EVIDENCE OF GRANGER CAUSALITY

2026-04-11T10:19:26+00:00

The research was informed by the necessity to analyze the macroeconomic factors of foreign debt in Nigeria through the Granger Causality Approach. The macroeconomic determinants that have been used are gross domestic product, consumer price index, domestic credit, productivity index, population, foreign reserve and balance of payment account. Secondary data was used to cover the years 1981-2023 after which the data of the central bank of Nigeria statistical bulletin data was used, and the descriptive statistics was applied to understand the behavior of the data set used. The outcome of the Granger causality test showed that has no causality between foreign debt and the macroeconomic variables under study with one-way causality being foreign debt to consumer price index and gross domestic product. The study ends by concluding that foreign debt facilitates gross domestic product and consumer price index recommends that conscious effort be consciously made by the government in ensuring that borrowed fund are invested in economic activities that has the capacity to spur development of the economy because foreign debt have the potential of promoting gross domestic product.

Public Sector Expenditure and Economic Development in Nigeria

2026-04-12T12:10:32+00:00

Motivated by the need to predict economic development through the various expenditure types of the government, the study covers government recurrent and capital expenditure over the period of 1981 - 2023. The study employed time series secondary data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Statistical Bulletin. Stationarity/unit root, cointegration, lag-length selection criteria, and error correction tests were employed. The findings revealed that Nigeria’s human development index (proxy for economic development) is most sensitive to variations in recurrent expenditure among all the explanatory variables in the study. Both expenditure patterns are valuable in explaining variations in Nigeria’s economic development. The study recommended that there should be proper monitoring of the projects by the supervising agencies to safeguard these expenditures against abandonment and the Nigerian government should increase expenditures in education for the enhancement of human capital development for overall economic development in Nigeria. Proper project monitoring should be embarked upon by the executive to safeguard these huge expenditures and avoid project abandonment. The government should set a national plan for agricultural development as it has great potentials to generate massive employment through the value chain for the improvement of the country’s economic development.

BOARD SIZE AND INDEPENDENCE SIGNALS INTO PROFITABILITY OF DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS

2026-04-12T12:25:32+00:00

This study investigates the impact of board size and board independence on the profitability of Nigerian deposit money banks over the period 2015 to 2024. Recognizing the critical role of corporate governance in shaping financial performance, the research focuses on thirteen banks, namely Access Bank Plc, EcoBank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Sterling Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, Union Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc. Employing an ex-post facto research design, the study utilizes secondary data sourced from the annual reports of the sampled banks. The dependent variable, Return on Assets, is modeled as a function of board size and board independence. The study adopts panel econometric techniques, beginning with panel unit root tests to assess stationarity, followed by estimation using pooled Ordinary Least Regression Analysis, fixed and random effects models, model selection tests including the Hausman and Breusch-Pagan LM tests, panel cointegration analysis, and finally, a panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag approach with an error correction mechanism to capture both short- and long-run dynamics. Results indicate that both board size and board independence positively and significantly influence Return on Assets, with long-run adjustments suggesting a rapid realignment toward equilibrium following deviations. The findings affirm that governance structures not only provide oversight and strategic guidance but also serve as credible signals of managerial quality and firm stability. The study concludes that enhancing board independence and maintaining an optimal board size are critical for improving bank profitability. Recommendations include prioritizing the appointment of independent directors, optimizing board composition, reinforcing corporate governance enforcement by regulators, and fostering continuous capacity building for board members to ensure sustainable financial performance.

SELLERS’ FACEBOOK ENGAGEMENT AND ITS INFLUENCE ON CUSTOMERS’ BUYING DECISION

2026-04-13T07:41:14+00:00

This study examined the relationship between sellers’ Facebook engagement and customers’ buying decision among restaurant businesses in Palompon, Leyte, Philippines. Using a quantitative descriptive-correlational design, data were collected from restaurant owners and customers through structured questionnaires. Findings revealed that sellers generally demonstrated a very high level of Facebook engagement, while customers exhibited a high level of buying decision influenced by online interactions. Restaurants with more proactive and interactive Facebook strategies showed stronger customer responses compared to others. The analysis further established a very strong and statistically significant positive relationship between Facebook engagement and customer buying decision, indicating that increased online engagement leads to higher purchase intention. The findings highlight the importance of social validation, interactive communication, and trust-building in influencing consumer behavior. The study recommends that businesses strengthen personalized, localized, and data-driven social media strategies to enhance customer engagement and conversion.