Scope of the Journal
The words “African” and “Operations and Management Science” define the scope of the journal. Since the last three decades, the African economy has confidently claimed its importance in the global arena. Along with its rapid economic development is the evolution and development of its Operations, Information Technology, Project Management, Procurement, and Supply Chains Optimization practices. In addition, Africa consists of a potpourri of countries with different cultures and stages of economic, social, and political developments. With such diversity, differences in business practices that are unique to respective African countries can be expected. Africa, therefore, provides a fertile ground for comparative studies in Operations, Information Technology, Project Management, Procurement, and Supply Chains Optimization that could enhance our knowledge and understanding of the application of management theories in different settings.
It is also hoped that the focus of the journal will help in unearthing how African economies are coping or transforming within an increasingly knowledge-based society. Possible thematic areas shall revolve around a broad spectrum of Operations, Information Technology, Project Management, Procurement, and Supply Chains Optimization among other management disciplines. A suggestive (though not necessarily comprehensive) list of areas that could be included in this journal are: Communication, entrepreneurship, management science, operations management, productions management, supply chain management, e-marketing, e-commerce, quality management, service marketing, hospitality management, hotel, and tourism management, asset pricing, capital and money markets, corporate finance, derivatives markets, finance and banking, financial economics, financial management, insurance, Islamic finance, investments, portfolio management, risk management, accounting information systems, auditing, behavioral accounting, financial reporting, international accounting, management accounting, public sector accounting, and taxation. The readership will be the African audience (policymakers, academics, practitioners) as well as institutions (multinationals, supra-national organizations), and university libraries with an interest in knowledge about Africa.
Some of the research questions that are of particular interest include: Are Operations and Management Science challenges in less developed economics similar to those in the developed economies? Are the African financial markets integrated or segmented? Are there any typical or unique “African values” that influence the African Operations and Management Science practices and success? Are there variations in Operations and Management Science policies and practices among African countries? If so, how do we explain these variations? Is it beneficial for investors in developed markets to diversify across the African markets? To what extent are Western theories in Operations and Management Science are applicable in the African setting? To what extent should business practitioners from developed countries adapt their Operations and Management Science policies and practices in Africa? What adaptations would be required when applying the existing Operations and Management Science theories in the African countries?
This journal plans to enhance knowledge on Operations and Management Science practices in the African countries. For each issue of the AJOMAS, we hope to achieve a balanced coverage on the different aspects of business and management problems in Kenya and other African countries, and that it includes articles contributed by African and non-African authors.
AJOMAS’ Management
The Journal is managed by an executive Editorial Board, consisting of academic scholars mainly from the School of Business, University of Nairobi, Kenya. The main role of the Editorial Board is to evaluate the suitability of manuscripts for publication. In additional panel of international scholars has been appointed as Associate Editors to the AJOMAS Journal. Their roles are to provide editorial advice and to help in promoting the journal to their network of academic colleagues.
To ensure quality, all the manuscripts received are subject to a two-stage peer-review process. When a manuscript is received, it will be assigned to an early assessment of the suitability of the manuscript in terms of its theme and academic content. If a paper is deemed suitable it would be sent to at least two academic reviewers. The Area Editor generally leads the review process and based on the referee’s reports, make recommendations to the Editorial Board. The final decision on the manuscript rests with the Editorial Board.
