Rethinking Tanzania’s Foreign Policy Paradigm: An Examination of the Evolution of Economic Diplomacy from 2001 to 2004

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This comprehensive review of Tanzania’s foreign policy since 2001 provides a nuanced examination of the country’s shift towards economic diplomacy, with a specific focus on the factors that contributed to this transformation. The article delves into the underlying reasons behind the initiation of this new foreign policy approach in 2001, despite its official launch occurring in 2004, and explores the complex interplay of global shifts, domestic transitions, and local institutional factors that drove Tanzania’s changing international relations in the early 2000s. A thorough analysis of primary and secondary scholarly sources reveals the strategic calculations, external pressures, and policy debates that motivated Tanzania’s post-Cold War foreign policy realignment and its timing. The article traces the intellectual and political influences on President Mkapa and his advisors that shaped the framing of economic cooperation as Tanzania’s new diplomatic priority, highlighting the key imperatives of regime stability, regional integration, and engaging emerging powers amidst declining terms of trade that prompted Tanzania’s foreign policy shift. The new vision, which blended liberalization with Tanzania’s historical principles, sought to balance change and continuity by redefining the country’s diplomatic priorities. This study concludes that systemic global factors, coupled with domestic restructuring, precipitated Tanzania’s earlier-than-conventionally-understood adoption of economic diplomacy, underscoring the complexity of international relations and the need for a nuanced understanding of the factors that shape them.

Oil Palm Expansion: Aspects and Gender Roles in Rural Oil Palm Farm Households

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This paper comprehends that commercialization in Indonesia, especially in the plantation sector, has increased every year. In this paper, the focus of this research is on oil palm plantations which are expected to increase every year. One of the actors playing a role in this expansion is farmer households. The purpose of this paper is to analyze and describe gender aspects and roles in oil palm farmer households. This research used qualitative and quantitative approaches. There were 20 informants in the study for qualitative data and 80 respondents for quantitative data. The types of data used in this research were secondary data and primary data. Primary data were obtained through observation, in-depth interviews, and questionnaires, while secondary data were obtained from literature studies and documents related to this paper. The results of this study reveal that this expansion changes and influences gender aspects in oil palm farmer households, such as increasing women’s working time due to entering productive sectors, and the emergence of new sources of economic income for women.

Company Financial Health Assessment of Pt. Properti Aset Kemakmuran: in Response to the Ongoing Company Financial Projection

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This study delves into the company’s financial health of PT. Properti Aset Kemakmuran, a subsidiary of one of the biggest State-owned Enterprise (SOE) in Indonesia, PT. Induk Aset Kemakmuran. The company is engaged in the field of asset & property development of PT. Induk Aset Kemakmuran, and currently executing a five yearly Company Long-Term Plan for the period of 2021-2025 that contains three financial projection schemes: Conservative, Base, and Aggressive scheme. During the strategic planning period, PT. Properti Aset Kemakmuran had only achieved the Conservative scheme that was prone to pessimistic targets, rather than the Base scheme that is projected as the middle standard scheme. Therefore, the author conducted an in-depth company financial health assessment consisting of Company’s Strategic Analysis and Company Financial Health Assessment that utilizes Financial Ratio Benchmarking & Financial Health Scoring with Government Regulation of the Decree of State-owned Enterprises Ministry Number KEP-100 / MBU / 2002 on the Health Assessment of State-owned Enterprises, in order to observe the contributing factors and company’s financial health that caused the low revenue achievement – based on the current financial projection scheme. The analysis concludes that there is a congruence between the financial achievement and Company’s Strategic Analysis & Company Financial Health Assessment. The company’s low revenue achievement was indicated and signified by its low Company’s Financial Health level result and Strategic Analysis’ result, that are lack of Digitalization & Digitization and lack of Sustainable Competitive Advantages.

Religious and Cultural Diversity in Indonesia: Dynamics of Acceptance and Conflict in a Multidimensional Perspective

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This study delves into the intricate relationship between religion and cultural diversity and the implementation of religious moderation policies to mitigate conflict potential in Indonesia. Based on a dataset of 1,000 samples distributed across 34 provinces, the findings reveal that newly implemented religious moderation policies can reduce conflict potential by 4.2%. Interestingly, the study also unveils that solidarity and appreciation for local culture have a limited impact on curbing conflict potential while simultaneously giving rise to new forms of collective narcissism. These findings underscore that high acceptance of religious and cultural diversity does not necessarily translate into lower conflict potential. Addressing the underlying issues of national solidarity emerges as a critical challenge that must be confronted to safeguard social harmony in Indonesia.

Enhancing Consumer Purchase Intentions: Key Drivers in ShopeeFood’s Online Food Delivery Service

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This study explores the multifaceted nature of consumer purchase intentions within the online food delivery sector, specifically for ShopeeFood. By examining the influences of social influence, effort expectancy, performance expectancy, trust, and food safety risk perception, the research provides valuable insights into the drivers behind customer decisions. The study employed a quantitative research method, utilizing a non-probability sampling technique with 277 respondents who completed an online survey. The findings reveal that social influence significantly enhances both effort and performance expectations, driving higher purchase intentions. Effort expectancy directly impacts performance expectations and purchase intentions, underscoring the importance of ease of use. Trust emerges as a critical factor, boosting purchase intentions and reducing food safety concerns. Interestingly, while food safety is important, it does not significantly deter purchase intentions, highlighting that consumers prioritize convenience and reliability. These insights can guide service providers in improving user experience and building stronger customer relationships.

Enhancing Brand Loyalty through Innovative Branding Initiatives in Home Decor Enterprise

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This research evaluates the brand image, satisfaction, trust, love, loyalty, and overall experience of Benison Gorden, known for high-quality curtains and blinds, as it shifts its market focus from the middle to the upper class. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study gathered data through structured surveys and consumer feedback. Quantitative results showed strong performance across various indicators: brand image scores averaged 4.034, 4.000, and 4.025; satisfaction ranged from 4.084 to 4.139; trust averaged between 4.105 and 4.168; love brand indicators scored 4.109, 4.122, and 4.025; loyalty ranged from 4.088 to 4.164; and brand experience ranged from 4.059 to 4.118. Qualitative feedback revealed that consumers appreciate the premium quality and design of Benison Gorden products, associating them with exclusivity and prestige. However, consumers suggested improvements in customer service, personalization, and product customization. The study concludes that Benison Gorden can successfully shift its target market by maintaining high product quality, enhancing customer service, offering personalization, and expanding product options. This strategy aligns with upper-class consumer expectations and leverages their higher spending power. Benison Gorden’s strong performance across key brand indicators provides a solid foundation for this transition. The brand’s ability to evoke high emotional attachment and loyalty suggests it can build a devoted upper-class customer base. Positive overall brand experiences indicate the brand’s capacity to deliver consistent value, essential for growth in a competitive market. As Benison Gorden navigates this market shift, continuous monitoring of consumer feedback and adaptive strategies will be crucial. The research highlights the need for a comprehensive understanding of both quantitative metrics and qualitative insights into consumer behavior and sentiments. This dual approach provides a robust framework for strategic planning and decision-making, enabling Benison Gorden to effectively target the upper-class market. By leveraging its strengths and addressing areas for improvement, Benison Gorden can enhance its competitive edge and achieve long-term success. The study’s findings offer valuable guidance for other brands aiming to shift their market focus, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrating quantitative and qualitative data to inform strategic direction and ensure a successful transition.

Strategy for Embracing Digital Technology at XYZ Life Insurance Company

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In the last two decades, insurance markets in industrialised countries have undergone significant transformation due to deregulation, increased competition and globalisation. This evolution has also impacted emerging markets such as Indonesia, where the insurance sector, particularly digital insurance, presents both challenges and opportunities. This study aims to explore the factors that influence customer adoption of digital insurance platforms in Indonesia, focusing on perceived ease of use, usability, customer experience, trust in technology, and innovativeness. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including thematic analysis of interviews and multiple linear regression analysis of survey data. The results showed that while perceived usefulness and innovativeness had a positive effect on adoption intention, perceived ease of use had a negative impact, indicating the need for a balance between simplicity and security. Trust in technology, while not directly impactful, is still important for building user confidence. This study highlights the importance of user education, strong data protection, and innovative features in driving digital insurance adoption. However, limitations such as the focus on certain factors and the cross-sectional nature of this study indicate the need for further research to cover a wider range of variables and longitudinal data.

Scenario Planning for Strategic Decision-Making in Captive Power Plant: A Case Study of EBC Company Facing Global Net Zero Emission Challenges Beyond 2031

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Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, especially the combustion of fossil fuels, increased world surface temperatures by 1.1 °C between 2011 and 2020 compared to the 1850–1900 period. In order to limit global temperature rise, and achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century, as outlined in the Paris Agreement—which Indonesia signed in 2016—a substantial decrease in coal usage is imperative. This poses uncertainties for coal-dependent companies like Eastern Borneo Coal (EBC) in Indonesia. This study investigates the business environment uncertainties faced by EBC, particularly regarding its captive coal power plants, and assesses the potential risks associated with various future scenarios using scenario planning method. Findings suggest EBC must prioritize equipment upgrades and compliance measures in stricter regulatory environments, enhance operational efficiency and diversify investments in favourable conditions, implement cost reduction strategies and focus on high-quality coal production in challenging markets, and maintain flexibility and explore export opportunities under looser regulations. Emphasizing the importance of monitoring key indicators, engaging with stakeholders, and investing in sustainable technologies, the study provides strategic insights to help EBC navigate future uncertainties and maintain competitiveness, positioning it as a leader in sustainable energy practices beyond 2031.

The Relationship between COVID-19 Pandemic and Non-Performing Loan Ratio in Indonesian Conventional Banks

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This study examines the relationship between COVID-19 variables (COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 deaths) and the nonperforming loan (NPL) ratio in Indonesian conventional banks from Q1 2017 to Q4 2022. Data from 56 conventional banks— comprising 4 government-owned and 52 privately-owned banks, were gathered from the Indonesian Financial Service Authority’s bank publication reports. Utilizing a quantitative approach, panel data regression with a fixed effect model is employed, with the NPL ratio as the dependent variable. COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 deaths are the main independent variables. Control variables include loan-to-deposit ratio, bank size, return on assets, regulatory capital ratio, equity ratio, GDP growth rate, inflation rate, overnight rate, and unemployment rate. The analysis is conducted separately for COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 deaths to independently evaluate their impact on the NPL ratio. Results indicate a significant positive relationship between COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 deaths with the NPL ratio. Additionally, the study identifies negative significant relationships between the NPL ratio and return on assets, loan-to-deposit ratio, bank size, regulatory capital ratio, and GDP growth rate.