We aimed to examine the impact of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) on organizational performance within the context of Kenyan small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We employed a comprehensive, integrated fuzzy reasoning approach to address critical research gaps in culturally diverse, resource-limited settings. Data from 1,350 respondents and expert assessments through fuzzy weighted sum techniques provided an indepth insights into how LMX quality correlates with organizational success. Demographically, a proportion of (827)61% was ascertained for males while a value of (523)39% was determined representing females. The youngest and oldest age distributions were observed to be from 26 to 58. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) result confirm positive associations between LMX and improvements in employee well-being, job satisfaction, and organizational resilience, illustrating LMX’s role in fostering a cohesive and resilient work environment that supports team effectiveness and sustainable growth. These findings establish LMX as a vital strategic asset for bolstering employee engagement and driving competitive organizational performance. Our study advances the theoretical understanding of LMX by integrating fuzzy logic with affective engagement analysis thereby offering a practical framework for SME leaders in emerging markets to enhance employee engagement and organizational efficiency.

Social media has emerged as an assertive communication and brand-building tool in the dynamic entrepreneurship landscape. This study explores the influence of social media usage on the performance of start-ups, focusing on the mediating role of brand image. The research employs a quantitative approach, collecting data from 450 start-ups in Ghana through surveys. Data collected was processed and analyzed through PLS-SEM. The findings of the study supported all the formulated hypotheses. The outcome suggests that, social media, brand image and innovation capabilities all have direct and positive linked with startup performance. Additionally, the findings proved a mediating role of brand image between social media usage and startup performance. Understanding the dynamics between social media, brand image, and performance is vital for start-ups seeking to thrive in competitive markets. Based on the outcomes in the findings, the study recommends social media marketing tool for startup businesses in Ghana to stern competition and drive sustenance. This research contributes to academic literature and practical insights, offering nuanced perspectives on leveraging social media as a strategic tool for cultivating a brand image and influencing overall start-up performance. The implications of the study findings serve as guideline for startups and young entrepreneurs’ in developing countries as they develop their marketing strategies.

The rapid expansion of global e-business, particularly through China's Digital Silk Road (DSR), is transforming international trade and investment in emerging markets such as West Africa. Despite the strategic importance of this region, the risks and challenges associated with China-West Africa e-business cooperation remain underexplored in current scholarship. This study addresses this gap by employing a mixed-methods approach integrating quantitative analysis of cross-border trade data with stakeholder surveys and in-depth interviews to investigate the political, regulatory, and cultural risks that shape digital partnerships between Chinese firms and West African stakeholders. Guided by the hypothesis that these risks are dynamic and interrelated, the research draws on institutional theory, transaction cost economics, and cultural distance frameworks to provide a holistic assessment. The findings reveal that regulatory fragmentation, operational inefficiencies, and misaligned expectations of digital trust significantly impede the development of resilient e-business ecosystems. Inconsistent policy enforcement and infrastructural deficits further complicate cross-border cooperation. However, the study also identifies effective mitigation strategies, including regulatory harmonization under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), targeted capacity building, and culturally adaptive partnership models. These insights offer actionable recommendations for policymakers, business leaders, and multilateral institutions aiming to foster sustainable digital cooperation. This research contributes to theoretical understanding and practical solutions for equitable digital partnerships in the evolving global economy by advancing a contextualized risk assessment framework.

The contemporary workplace, characterized by volatility, remote work arrangements, and demand for psychological safety, has intensified the search for lead