<p>This research demonstrates the strong link between successful leadership and the development of creative company models. The study's findings show that many leadership aspects are critical for obtaining success in small and medium-sized businesses.</p> <p><br></p> <p>Providing staff with the proper tools, resources, and training opportunities is critical for enhancing productivity and morale. Furthermore, providing competitive salaries, benefits, and a happy work atmosphere assists in attracting and retaining great employees, which is crucial for</p> <p>small company success.</p> <p><br></p> <p>The success of Computer Village Lagos serves as a model for aspiring entrepreneurs and countries seeking to replicate it. This dissertation introduces the Otigba Business Model (OBM), which was created by capitalizing on the success of the Computer Village. Entrepreneurs and</p> <p>countries can use the OBM to develop innovative business models that emphasize a diverse range of products and services, strong partnerships, competitive pricing, a centralized location, excellent marketing, and an entrepreneurial culture. Businesses in the technology industry can achieve</p> <p>success and thrive by leveraging these factors and embracing effective leadership.</p>

<p>Unsafe food is responsible for causing more than 600 million cases of foodborne illnesses and 420,000 deaths each year. These foodborne illnesses have direct impact on growth and development in children, food and nutrition security, national economies, and sustainable development. Food manufactures, research institutions, governments, and consumers, together, play a pivotal role in establishing and implementing effective food safety systems. <em>Salmonella</em> spp. and <em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> are recognized as major threats to global food safety and security among other 31 known and unknown pathogens associated with foodborne illnesses and deaths. Since these pathogens can be transmitted through contaminated food and water, contaminated environmental surfaces, and subsequently from environment to food via cross-contamination, there is an urgent need for data-driven approaches to identify key points of contamination along the food systems to suggest interventions. While it is important to enhance food safety research in developed economies, developing capacity to enable conditions for food safety research translation and practice in developing economies is crucial for global food safety. In this dissertation, we presented three different research projects as summarized below-</p> <p>In Chapter 2 “Evaluating the efficacy of celery powder in ready-to-eat deli style turkey breast against <em>L. monocytogenes</em> under ideal and temperature abuse conditions”. In this study, we artificially inoculated “clean label” deli style turkey breast formulated with celery powder to evaluate the efficacy of this natural antimicrobial in inhibiting the growth of this pathogen. We stored the inoculated samples at ideal (4 °C) and abuse temperature conditions (7 °C, 10 °C, and 15 °C) for 21 d mimicking the possible temperature abuse along the cold chain, transportation, and at consumer refrigerator. Our findings indicated that although deli meat samples stored at 4 °C and 7 °C did not achieve significant growth of <em>L. monocytogenes;</em> increasing temperatures to 10 °C and 15 °C led to significant increase in the growth rate of this pathogen. This study evaluates the use and effectiveness of celery powder as an antimicrobial used by deli meat processors against <em>L. monocytogenes</em> in deli products. These data underscore the importance of maintaining refrigeration temperatures to complement the efficacy of antimicrobials. </p> <p>Chapter 3 “Investigating sanitary solutions to <em>L. monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica</em> ser. Typhimurium, and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> dry surface biofilms”. In this study, we developed <em>in vitro</em> mono- and mix-culture dry surface biofilm (DSB) models of <em>L. monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica</em> ser. Typhimurium, and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> leveraging the EPA MLB SOP MB-19 standard protocol using the CDC Biofilm Reactor and evaluated sanitation control strategies currently adopted by low-moisture food (LMF) food processors to determine their ability to inactive DSB, a decidedly difficult reservoir to eliminate. This study targets multiple biological hazards in a research area with very limited publicly available data and is the first of its kind to refine mono- and multi-species <em>in vitro</em> DSB models that mimic LMF facility conditions and combinations of relevant microorganisms for use cases (e.g., EPA adoption). The findings from this study indicated that these foodborne pathogens could form DSBs and serve as a source of pathogen reservoir and cross-contamination. Results from the efficacy testing of sanitizer and microfiber swabbing suggested that current sanitation practices may not be sufficient to remove or inactivate DSBs. This study will define future needs and new strategies to improve confidence in sanitation efficacy with private sector practitioners.</p> <p>Chapter 4 “Enhancing research for development opportunities for Minority Serving Institutions: a case study in food safety”. Most developing economies have limited viable food safety systems due to underdeveloped research capabilities, competing resource demands, and insufficient enabling conditions, which undermines food security. United States Minority Serving Institution (MSIs) researchers and outreach specialists are familiar with and arguably best positioned to address global food safety and security challenges and needs, but MSIs implement limited research for development programs (e.g., U.S. university-led Feed the Future (FTF) Innovation Labs (ILs) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)) aimed to solve these challenges. Recognizing this opportunity, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety (FSIL) led by Purdue University in partnership with Cornell University, created and implemented an MSI-led research partnerships for global food safety research programs. In this chapter, we put together the process of a three-stage Request for Applications (RFA) process, which included non-competitive and competitive stages to encourage partnership and to refine ideas.  At the end of this process, seven individuals were invited to submit full proposals; two were funded. Intentional research opportunities and partnerships are essential to strengthen MSI competitiveness for research for development programs that develop and scale technologies to address urgent global agriculture, food security, and safety challenges.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Artificial Intelligence (AI) is anticipated to exert a considerable impact on the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with projections estimating a contribution of 13 trillion dollars by the year 2030 (IEEE Board of Directors, 2019). In light of this influence on economic, societal, and intellectual realms, it is imperative for Policy Makers to acquaint themselves with the ongoing developments and consequential impacts of AI. The exigency of their preparedness lies in the potential for AI to evolve in unpredicted directions should proactive measures not be promptly instituted.</p><p dir="ltr">This paper endeavors to address a pivotal research question: " Do United States Policy Makers have a sufficient knowledgebase to understand Responsible AI in relation to Machine Learning to pass Artificial Intelligence legislation; and if they do not, how should a pedological instructional framework be created to give them the necessary knowledge?" The pursuit of answers to this question unfolded through the systematic review, gap analysis, and formulation of an instructional framework specifically tailored to elucidate the intricacies of Machine Learning. The findings of this study underscore the imperative for policymakers to undergo educational initiatives in the realm of artificial intelligence. Such educational interventions are deemed essential to empower policymakers with the requisite understanding for formulating effective regulatory frameworks that ensure the development of Responsible AI. The ethical dimensions inherent in this technological landscape warrant consideration, and policymakers must be equipped with the necessary cognitive tools to navigate these ethical quandaries adeptly.</p><p dir="ltr">In response to this exigency, the present study has undertaken the design and development of an instructional framework. This framework is conceived as a strategic intervention to address the evident cognitive gap existing among policymakers concerning the nuances of AI. By imparting an understanding of AI-related concepts, the framework aspires to cultivate a more informed and discerning governance ethos among policymakers, thus contributing to the responsible and ethical deployment of AI technologies.</p>

The intent of the thesis is to ascertain whether mitigation of political risk to the IT industry in Panama can be of value to the country by improving the economy and standard of living.