African Scientific Journal

FDI and Inclusive Development What Institutional Levers to Reduce Regional Inequalities A Comparative Study

2025-07-15T15:58:29+00:00

Abstract:

This study investigates the institutional mechanisms through which Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) contributes to inclusive development and reduces regional inequalities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Focusing on three representative countries Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia this research adopts an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) panel model over the period 2011 to 2024 to examine the long-run and short-run relationships between regional inequality and key explanatory variables: FDI inflows, GDP per capita, institutional quality, and infrastructure investment. The results reveal that while FDI reduces spatial disparities in Nigeria and South Africa, it exacerbates them in Ethiopia, where investment is spatially concentrated. Furthermore, institutional quality and infrastructure investment consistently demonstrate significant negative effects on regional inequality, highlighting the critical role of governance and territorial planning in ensuring inclusive development. The findings emphasize the need for differentiated policy approaches that integrate economic, institutional, and spatial dimensions of development, and call for stronger regional governance frameworks to harness FDI for equitable growth. The study offers actionable policy recommendations and contributes to the growing literature on spatial justice and developmental state strategies in Africa.

Keywords: Regional inequality; Inclusive development; Foreign direct investment (FDI); Institutional quality; Infrastructure; ARDL model; Sub-Saharan Africa; Nigeria; South Africa; Ethiopia; Spatial disparities.

Bibliometric Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Human Resource Management (2010–2025): Mapping Global Research Trends and Organizational Implications

2025-07-15T16:14:02+00:00

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, we seek to systematically chart the intellectual structure of AI applications in HRM based on a bibliometric approach from 2010 to 2025 as an item. This study implies a positivism epistemological stance, identifying publication trends within a positivist perspective, using structured data and statistical tools to reveal generalized patterns within the academic literature. It analyses the development of the literature, top contributors, thematic networks and collaboration ties, and concludes with consideration of the findings for the field of industrial organizations. Finally, the reasoning for this study goes deductive using a general database analyzed to drive findings that are interpreted to draw specific conclusions about thematic evolution in this field.

Design/methodology/approach: A total of 354 peer-reviewed articles were systematically extracted from the Scopus database using a targeted search query. combining AI and HRM-related terms. This bibliometric dataset constitutes the empirical sample of the study. The extraction process was governed by inclusion criteria such as language (English), document type (articles only), and relevance to HRM-AI topics. The analysis was conducted using Bibliometrix (R package) for performance indicators as a quantitative analysis and VOSviewer for co-occurrence and co-authorship visualizations and thematic mapping. The study focuses on five research questions addressing productivity trends, influential entities, thematic clusters, international collaboration, and research gaps. Explanatory variables of this study include publication year, country origin, document affiliation, author productivity and citation count.

Findings: The results show a sharp increase in publication volume post-2018, indicating increasing academic interest in the intersection between AI and HRM, with strong contributions from institutions with items in the USA, UK, and India. Six major thematic clusters were identified, spanning AI adoption in HRM, decision-making, systematic reviews, ethical considerations, and education-related topics. However, regional imbalances persist, particularly with the underrepresentation of African and MENA contexts. Additionally, the literature often overlooks function-specific HR practices and lacks multidisciplinary depth. This bibliometric mapping concludes that valuable insights for researchers to understand the evolving landscape of AI integration on HRM.

Practical implications: By linking findings to the domain of Industrial Organization, the study highlights how AI reshapes decision-making structures, reallocates managerial authority, and influences organizational power dynamics. These insights inform both academic discourse and HR policy design.

Originality/value: This is one of the few papers that provides a longitudinal bibliometric mapping of AI-HRM research. It offers an organized agenda for future work to promote inclusiveness by geographic scope, discriminant-level detail, and disciplinary integration.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Human Resource Management, Bibliometric Analysis, Industrial Organization, Co-word Mapping, Decision-Making Structures.

De l’intelligence artificielle à la gestion des ressources humaines augmentée : une revue critique des évolutions des pratiques et des défis au Maroc et dans le monde

2025-07-17T15:02:28+00:00

Résumé

Cet article examine l’utilisation et l’impact de l’intelligence artificielle (IA) sur la gestion des ressources humaines (GRH) dans une perspective à la fois internationale et marocaine. La méthodologie adoptée basée sur une revue de littérature critique couvrant les travaux récents (2018–2025), cette approche permet d’identifier les tendances dominantes, les convergences et les divergences entre les différentes sources académiques et professionnelles. Il vise à comprendre comment l’IA transforme les différentes fonctions RH (recrutement, formation, gestion des carrières, etc.) et quels en sont les avantages et les défis. Les études analysées montrent que l’IA peut améliorer l’efficacité des processus RH en automatisant les tâches routinières, en optimisant la prise de décision grâce à l’analyse des données, et en permettant une meilleure adéquation entre les profils des candidats et les postes. Cependant, l’intégration de l’IA dans la GRH soulève également des enjeux majeurs, notamment les biais algorithmiques, la résistance au changement de la part du personnel, et la nécessité de développer de nouvelles compétences au sein des équipes RH pour exploiter ces technologies. En dépit d’un intérêt croissant pour ces outils, notamment au Maroc, leur adoption reste limitée à certaines applications spécifiques. Notre travail met en lumière la nécessité d’une articulation entre l’innovation technologique et le respect des valeurs humaines, et propose des pistes de recherche futures pour accompagner une implantation réussie de l’IA en GRH.

En conclusion, cet article souligne que l’intégration réussie de l’IA en GRH dépend d’un équilibre entre innovation technologique, gouvernance responsable et développement continu des compétences.

Mots clés : : Intelligence artificielle ; gestion des ressources humaines ; transformation digitale ; avantages ; défis ; Maroc

Abstract

This article examines the use and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on human resource management (HRM) from both international and Moroccan perspectives. The adopted methodology is based on a critical literature review covering recent studies (2018–2025), which allows for the identification of prevailing trends, as well as points of convergence and divergence across academic and professional sources. The objective is to understand how AI is transforming key HR functions such as recruitment, training, and career management along with the associated benefits and challenges. The findings suggest that AI can enhance HR process efficiency by automating routine tasks, improving decision-making through data analysis, and enabling better alignment between candidate profiles and job requirements. However, the integration of AI in HRM also raises significant concerns, including algorithmic bias, employee resistance to change, and the need to develop new skills within HR teams to effectively leverage these technologies. Despite growing interest in AI tools particularly in Morocco their adoption remains limited to specific use cases. This study highlights the importance of balancing technological innovation with the preservation of human values, and offers future research directions to support the successful implementation of AI in HRM.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes that the effective integration of AI in HRM relies on maintaining a balance between technological advancement, responsible governance, and continuous skills development

Keywords : Artificial intelligence; human resource management; digital transformation; benefits; challenges; Morocco

Les défis d’accès des entreprises au Crowdfunding : Analyse bibliométrique

2025-07-18T13:35:09+00:00

Résumé

Le crowdfunding (ou financement participatif) est devenu un moyen alternatif crucial de financement pour de nombreuses entreprises, en particulier pour les start-ups et les PME. Cependant, bien que cette forme de financement offre un potentiel considérable, de nombreuses entreprises rencontrent des défis importants pour accéder à ces ressources. Cette étude s’intéresse aux obstacles rencontrés par les entreprises, en particulier les start-ups et les PME, dans leur accès au financement participatif. Afin d’identifier les principales thématiques et tendances liées à cette problématique, une approche bibliométrique basée sur l’analyse d’un corpus de publications scientifiques indexées dans la base de données Scopus, couvrant la période 2015-2025. La méthodologie repose sur des techniques de cartographie scientifique, l’analyse de la cooccurrence des mots-clés et l’examen des réseaux de citations, permettant ainsi de faire émerger les auteurs influents, les concepts structurants et les dynamiques de recherche en lien avec le crowdfunding. L’échantillon étudié regroupe des travaux académiques abordant spécifiquement les défis d’accès au financement participatif pour les entreprises. Les résultats révèlent plusieurs obstacles récurrents, notamment la méfiance des investisseurs vis-à-vis de certains projets, les barrières technologiques, l’absence d’un cadre réglementaire unifié, ainsi que la difficulté pour certaines entreprises à formuler des propositions suffisamment attractives pour mobiliser des contributeurs. Ces constats soulignent la complexité du recours au crowdfunding et offrent des pistes de réflexion pour améliorer les conditions d’accès à ce mode de financement, tant sur le plan pratique que théorique.

Mots clés : Crowdfunding – Entreprise – Analyse bibliométrique.

Abstract

Crowdfunding has emerged as a crucial alternative financing method for many enterprises, particularly startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, while this form of financing offers significant potential, many enterprises face substantial challenges in accessing these resources. This study focuses on the obstacles encountered by enterprises especially startups and SMEs in their efforts to secure crowdfunding. To identify the main themes and trends related to this issue, a bibliometric approach is employed, based on the analysis of a corpus of scientific publications indexed in the Scopus database, covering the period from 2015 to 2025. The methodology relies on scientific mapping techniques, including keyword co-occurrence analysis and citation network examination. This allows for the identification of influential authors, key structuring concepts, and emerging research dynamics related to crowdfunding. The analyzed sample consists of academic works that specifically address the challenges enterprises face in accessing crowdfunding. The results reveal several recurring obstacles, such as investor distrust toward certain projects, technological barriers, the lack of a unified regulatory framework, and difficulties some enterprises face in crafting sufficiently compelling proposals to attract backers. These findings highlight the complexity of using crowdfunding as a financing tool and provide insights for improving access conditions both in practice and from a theoretical perspective.

Keywords : Crowdfunding – Companies - Bibliometric analysis.

Politiques inclusives et réalités vécues : une analyse sociologique de l’expérience des étudiants aveugles à besoins spécifiques dans l’enseignement supérieur marocain

2025-07-18T15:59:30+00:00

Résumé :

L’inclusion des personnes handicapées dans l’enseignement supérieur marocain demeure limitée, malgré les réformes. Cette étude analyse les parcours d’étudiants aveugles à besoins spécifiques, en abordant les enjeux politiques, sociaux et pédagogiques. Malgré les avancées législatives, l’université peine à garantir une inclusion effective. Les étudiants rencontrent de nombreux obstacles : accessibilité limitée, supports pédagogiques inadaptés, absence d’accompagnement spécialisé et manque de sensibilisation des enseignants. Ces lacunes alimentent un sentiment de marginalisation. Pourtant, ces étudiants déploient des stratégies d’adaptation, renforcées par le soutien familial ou associatif, et affirment leur autonomie. L’analyse s’appuie sur une enquête qualitative menée auprès de 40 étudiants aveugles, 15 acteurs associatifs et 2 responsables universitaires dans la région de Rabat-Salé-Kénitra. Parmi ces échanges, dix témoignages d’étudiants ont été choisis pour une analyse approfondie, en raison de la variété de leurs parcours et de la richesse de leurs expériences. Les résultats révèlent une inclusion encore fragile, asymétrique et largement tributaire de l’engagement personnel de quelques acteurs sensibilisés, plutôt que d’une politique institutionnelle cohérente et équitable. L’étude plaide pour une inclusion fondée non sur la compensation, mais sur une transformation structurelle du système universitaire.

Mots-clés: inclusion universitaire-handicap visuel-étudiants à besoins spécifiques-vulnérabilité étudiante-politiques éducatives inclusives

Abstract:

The inclusion of persons with disabilities in Moroccan higher education remains limited, despite recent reforms. This study analyzes the educational trajectories of blind students with specific needs, exploring the political, social, and pedagogical challenges they face. Despite legislative progress, universities continue to struggle to ensure effective inclusion. Students encounter numerous barriers, including limited accessibility, inadequate learning materials, lack of specialized support, and insufficient awareness among teaching staff. These shortcomings contribute to a persistent sense of marginalization.

Nevertheless, these students develop various coping strategies, often supported by their families or disability-focused associations, and assert their autonomy in navigating academic life. The analysis is based on a qualitative study conducted with 40 blind students, 15 representatives of disability-focused organizations, and 2 university administrators in the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region. Ten students testimonies were selected for in-depth analysis due to the diversity of their educational trajectories and the richness of their experiences. The findings reveal that inclusion remains fragile, uneven, and largely dependent on the individual commitment of a few sensitized actors, rather than on a coherent and equitable institutional policy. This study advocates for an approach to inclusion that moves beyond compensatory measures and calls for a structural transformation of the university system.

Keywords: university inclusion- visual impairment- students with special needs- student vulnerability- inclusive education policies

La formation continue dans la fonction publique : un levier stratégique insuffisamment mobilisé

2025-07-18T16:38:31+00:00

Résumé :

Cet article fait l’objet d’une réflexion sur la formation continue dans l'administration publique, en tant que pilier stratégique de modernisation, d’adaptation et d’amélioration de la performance des services publics. Il traite des enjeux majeurs de cette pratique, notamment la nécessité de développer les compétences des agents pour répondre à des exigences professionnelles en constante évolution.

toutefois, malgré son importance reconnue, la formation continue reste insuffisamment efficace,et ce à cause de plusieurs contraintes structurelles et organisationnelles freinant son efficacité. En l’occurrence, l’absence d’une stratégie globale , le manque de motivation des agents . À cela s’ajoutent des contraintes institutionnelles (budgets limités, lourdeur administrative), des disparités d’accès à la formation et une culture managériale peu ouverte à l’apprentissage continu.Afin de percevoir de manière rigoureuse les dynamiques entourant le développement de cet outil dans l’administration publique, cet article adopte une approche méthodologique qualitative, fondée d’une part sur une démarche descriptive et analytique en mobilisant une revue documentaire ( livres, articles,textes de lois, rapports ), et d’autre part , l’analyse critique de ces contraintes structurelles, organisationnelles et culturelles concrètes empêchant l’efficacité des dispositifs de la formation continue, et illustrant ce décalage flagrant entre les objectifs escomptés de cet outil stratégique et les pratiques réelles, pour enfin dégager des options pertinentes et des voies possibles pour garantir son efficacité.

Mots clés:

Formation Continue, Administration Publique,Enjeux, Gestion Des Compétences,Ingénierie De Formation.

Abstract:

This article offers a reflective analysis of continuing professional training within the public administration, approached as a strategic pillar for modernization, adaptation, and the enhancement of public service performance. It explores the key challenges inherent in this practice, particularly the imperative to strengthen the competencies of public servants in response to ever-evolving professional demands.

Despite its widely acknowledged importance, continuing training remains insufficiently effective due to numerous structural and organizational constraints. These include the absence of a comprehensive strategic vision, a lack of employee motivation, as well as institutional barriers such as limited budgets, administrative inertia, unequal access to training opportunities, and a managerial culture that is often unreceptive to lifelong learning.

In order to rigorously understand the dynamics surrounding the development of this tool within public institutions, this study adopts a qualitative methodological approach. It combines a descriptive and analytical framework grounded in a documentary review (books, scholarly articles, legal texts, and official reports) with a critical examination of the structural, organizational, and cultural obstacles that undermine the effectiveness of training systems. The article ultimately aims to highlight the clear discrepancy between the intended objectives of continuing training and its concrete implementation, and to propose relevant options and viable pathways for enhancing its impact.

Keywords:

Continuing education, Public administration, Challenges,Competency management,Training engineering.