GPH-International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research

CURRENT TRENDS IN THE BOOK PUBLISHING INDUSTRY IN CAMEROON

LUM MAFOR SHALEEN AMBE — 2026-02-20

Books are concrete manifestations of human memory and they play central role in shaping society but despite this wide strength, current publishing trends in Cameroon are not extensively documented as well as Cameroon’s growing digital landscape based on global trends. Reason why this study delves into this research work “Current Trends in Book Publishing in Cameroon” and has as its main objective to examine book publishing as a vital component of the creative-culture industry in Cameroon. A framework was developed to illustrate the connections between influential factors. Sociological theories employed was Cultural Industry Theory by Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer. A combination of survey and ethnographic approaches were used in this study, utilizing questionnaires and interviews to collect data. The research has as its main objective to examine and analyze the current trends of book publishing industry. A triangulation approach was used to analyze the data, cross-verifying results through multiple methods thematically using descriptive statistics and statistical tools for presentation of the findings. The area of investigation included Buea, Bamenda and Yaoundé. The study focused on key stakeholders in the publishing industry, including; writers, illustrators, publishers, literary critics, literary agents, printers, book distributors, book sellers, librarians, consumers, state authorities and agencies concerned with books in Cameroon. Findings reveal that there is increasing knowledge on e-Books, growing market for book consumption, increasing government actions, an upgrade in quality and quantity of books produced as well as increasing number of authors. Insights also show that the book industry produces different genres of (creative works); pedagogic literatures, motivational books, religious books, children’s literature and romance books. Motivational books are the most produced followed by fictional literature. Although printed books on their part dominate the quantity of books produced in Cameroon there are attempts to publish electronic books and audio forms. Conclusively, despite the enormous challenges as not enough has been done in developing local knowledge given that knowledge is power, the future of book publishing in Cameroon however looks promising with opportunities for growth, innovation, and increased accessibility. As recommendation, the book industry constitutes an ideological fight for knowledge thus this study is encouraging Africans in general and Cameroonians particularly to engage in making the book industry a reflection of Cameroonian ideas and identity.

COPING MECHANISMS AND MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES IN ADOLESCENTS EXPOSED TO TRAUMA IN SOME SELECTED SCHOOLS IN THE MEZAM DIVISION, NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON

DR. YIMELI LONPA MIRABELLE — 2026-02-20

Adolescents residing in conflict-affected regions are disproportionately exposed to traumatic events, which pose significant risks to their psychological well-being and academic functioning. This study investigates the coping mechanisms adopted by adolescents and examines their influence on mental health outcomes in selected secondary schools in the Mezam Division, North West Region of Cameroon. The research is theoretically anchored on four complementary frameworks: Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, which conceptualizes cognitive appraisal and coping strategies; Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, emphasizing the multi-layered environmental influences on adolescent development; Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, highlighting the role of self-efficacy and observational learning in coping; and Erikson’s Psychosocial Development Theory, which situates adolescent coping within identity formation and psychosocial challenges. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, comprising a stratified random sample of 150 adolescents. Quantitative data were collected using validated instruments measuring coping strategies and mental health indicators including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms while qualitative data were derived from semi-structured interviews with students, teachers, and school counselors to elucidate contextual nuances of coping behaviors. Quantitative analyses involved descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression, whereas thematic analysis was applied to qualitative transcripts. Findings revealed that adolescents predominantly employed problem-focused (M = 3.82, SD = 0.56) and emotion-focused coping strategies (M = 3.45, SD = 0.61). Regression analyses indicated that adaptive coping mechanisms significantly predicted reduced levels of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress (β = -0.47, p < .001), whereas maladaptive strategies, including avoidance and risk-taking behaviors, were associated with adverse mental health outcomes (β = 0.39, p < .01). Correlational analyses corroborated a strong negative association between adaptive coping and psychological distress (anxiety: r = -0.52, p < .001; depression: r = -0.48, p < .001). Qualitative insights revealed that supportive peer networks, family guidance, and school-based counseling enhanced adaptive coping, whereas prolonged exposure to conflict, social stigma, and inadequate psychosocial resources perpetuated maladaptive responses. Based on these findings, the study underscores the imperative for school-based psychosocial interventions, resilience and life skills curricula, targeted training for teachers and counselors, family and community engagement, sustained government and NGO support, and systematic monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Implementing these measures can strengthen adolescents’ coping capacity, mitigate the deleterious mental health consequences of trauma, and foster resilience, ultimately contributing to improved psychosocial adjustment and academic outcomes in conflict-affected contexts.

Audit Quality Indicators and Profitability of Listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

Amuta Emelike Obinna — 2026-02-27

This study investigates the effect of audit-quality indicators - audit fees, audit tenure, and audit report lag - on the profitability of listed deposit money banks in Nigeria, measured using return on assets (ROA). An ex-post facto research design was employed, utilizing secondary data obtained from the annual reports and NGX fact books of eleven purposively selected banks from 2009 to 2023. Purposive sampling was applied to ensure inclusion of banks with complete financial disclosures and consistent earnings trends over the study period. Given the panel nature of the data, an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was used to assess both short-run and long-run effects of the audit variables on ROA. Prior to model estimation, diagnostic tests— including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, unit root testing, multicollinearity assessment using VIF, and Breusch-Pagan heteroskedasticity testing—were conducted to confirm the suitability and reliability of the dataset. Findings indicate that audit fees and audit report lag have no significant effect on ROA in any time horizon, while audit tenure exerts a positive short-run but negative long-run influence. The study concludes that audit quality attributes vary in their relevance to bank profitability and recommends optimal auditor rotation, value-driven audit spending, and continuous process efficiency to sustain performance outcomes.

FROM LINEAR EXCHANGE TO CIRCULAR COORDINATION: A THEORETICAL INTEGRATION OF REVERSE LOGISTICS INTO SUSTAINABLE MARKETING

NNENANYA, DORIS AKUNNE — 2026-03-01

Sustainable marketing theory has traditionally emphasized forward flows of value, focusing on production, consumption, and co-creation, while largely neglecting post-consumption processes and material recovery. Simultaneously, reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chain research have provided operational insights into returns, recycling, and remanufacturing, but these studies rarely integrate marketing’s strategic role in coordinating circular flows. Sustainable marketing scholarship has focused primarily on communication, green positioning, and consumer behavior, under-theorizing system-level coordination for sustainability. Addressing this gap, the paper introduces Circular Coordination - a conceptual framework positioning marketing as the orchestrator of both forward and reverse flows across stakeholders. The framework comprises four dimensions: reverse-flow strategic integration, recovery-oriented demand shaping, end-of-life relationship management, and circular stakeholder alignment. Based on this construct, five propositions are developed linking Circular Coordination to enhanced sustainability performance, stakeholder legitimacy, and long-term value resilience. The paper advances sustainable marketing theory by extending its scope beyond linear exchange, bridging marketing and operations scholarship, and embedding marketing activity within stakeholder and institutional contexts. Managerial implications are discussed, highlighting how firms can operationalize Circular Coordination to achieve systemic sustainability while creating competitive advantage. This framework provides a platform for future conceptual and empirical research in marketing and circular economy contexts.

AN ASSESSMENT OF CRIMINAL PROFILING AND CRIME DETECTION BY THE NIGERIA SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS (NSCDC) KANO STATE COMMAND (2024-2025)

Sani Kabir Bayero — 2026-03-01

Crime detection within paramilitary organisations increasingly requires behaviourally informed and intelligence-led strategies. This study examined criminal profiling and crime detection in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, with specific focus on personnel awareness, profiling techniques in use, and the effectiveness of profiling tools in enhancing detection outcomes. Anchored on Rational Choice Theory and Routine Activity Theory, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population consisted of 250 operational personnel of the Command (excluding officers in the Investigation/Intelligence Unit), from which a sample of 245 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Stratified sampling technique was employed which ensured departmental representation, while simple random sampling was used to select participants proportionately. Data were collected through a structured Likert-scale questionnaire and Key Informant Interviews. Reliability testing produced a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.81. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, and Multiple Regression Analysis in SPSS (version 25). Descriptive findings revealed high awareness of criminal profiling, with aggregate agreement responses above 70% and mean scores ranging from 3.62 to 4.08 (SD = 0.74–0.91). Profiling techniques such as behavioural pattern analysis, crime scene linkage assessment, and suspect prioritisation recorded an overall cluster mean of 3.85 (SD ≈ 0.82), indicating substantial operational application. Importantly, measures assessing the effectiveness of profiling tools showed strong positive ratings, with mean scores between 3.71 and 4.12 (SD = 0.69–0.88), suggesting that profiling enhances investigative focus, improves suspect identification accuracy, and supports case linkage decisions. Inferential results demonstrated a significant positive relationship between profiling awareness and crime detection effectiveness (r = 0.64, p < 0.05), while regression analysis confirmed that profiling techniques significantly predict detection efficiency (β = 0.58, p < 0.05). The study concluded that structured criminal profiling contributes meaningfully to investigative performance within the NSCDC Kano State Command and recommended among others, sustained capacity development, institutionalisation of profiling protocols, and integration of digital investigative tools to strengthen detection outcomes.

EQUITY IN TRANSPORTATION PLANNING: THE ROLE OF GENDER ANALYSIS

VITALIS KENECHUKWU, AKPA — 2026-03-06

Transportation systems play a vital role in shaping access to opportunities, social inclusion, and urban sustainability. However, mainstream transportation planning has historically overlooked gender-specific mobility needs, leading to inequitable access, safety concerns, and limited participation for women and gender-diverse individuals. This study explores how gender analysis can be strategically incorporated into transportation policy and design to foster inclusive, responsive, and just mobility systems. Drawing from feminist urban theory, intersectionality, and case studies from cities like Vienna and Bogotá, the paper examines the institutional biases embedded in transport infrastructure, including gender-blind policies, male-centric planning models, and the lack of sex-disaggregated data. It further discusses participatory planning tools, technological innovations, and policy frameworks that can help mainstream gender in transport governance. The study concludes with a set of strategic recommendations aimed at institutional reform, inclusive data collection, and equity-centered urban mobility, highlighting the importance of gender-responsive approaches in achieving transportation justice.

Metaphor: A Historical Perspective

Balazs Huszka — 2026-03-06

Metaphor has long occupied a central but contested position in the study of language, thought, and communication. Historically, metaphor has been interpreted in two contrasting ways: as a rhetorical ornament used primarily in literary discourse, and as a cognitive mechanism that structures human understanding. This paper examines the historical development of metaphor theory through a literature-based analysis representing different disciplinary and theoretical perspectives. Drawing on works from philosophy, linguistics, discourse studies, and Conceptual Metaphor Theory, the paper traces the evolution of metaphor from its classical formulation in ancient rhetoric through its reinterpretation in modern philosophy and contemporary cognitive linguistics. Particular attention is given to key turning points in the history of metaphor theory, including classical rhetorical accounts, early modern criticism of figurative language in scientific discourse, nineteenth-century philosophical reconsiderations, and the emergence of interaction and conceptual metaphor theories in the twentieth century. The analysis also explores recent developments in metaphor research, including discourse-oriented approaches, evolutionary perspectives on metaphor in language change, and cross-cultural studies of metaphorical conceptualisation. The findings suggest that the history of metaphor theory does not represent a simple linear progression from rhetoric to cognition; rather, it reflects an ongoing tension between viewing metaphor as a stylistic device and recognising its role in shaping conceptual structures and cultural meanings. By synthesising diverse scholarly perspectives, the study highlights the continuing relevance of historical reflection for understanding contemporary approaches to metaphor.

Conditional Accounting Conservatism and Corporate Tax Avoidance: Evidence from Listed Insurance Firms in Nigeria

Aselemi Godspower Umor — 2026-03-13

This paper focuses on the complex interaction between conditional accounting conservatism and corporate tax avoidance in the context of the peculiar insurance industry of Nigeria. The study is based on the Agency and Deterrence theories where it is hypothesized that asymmetric timeliness of conditional conservatism conditional recognition of losses and delayed recognition of gains is a dual-purpose mechanism. It reduces the opportunism of managers and at the same time affects corporate tax strategies. The paper uses the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing model on cointegration with a longitudinal data comprising of 10 insurance companies listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) between 2010 and 2023. Basu (1997) asymmetric timeliness model is used to measure conditional conservatism and the Cash Effective Tax Rate (Cash ETR) and of Henry and Sansing (H&S) measure of tax avoidance. The results demonstrate that there is a statistically significant negative association between conditional conservatism and the Cash ETR, and thus, with the higher the conditional conservatism is in firms, the less tax burdens are reported in the long-term. Nevertheless, the correlation between the H&S measure is less obvious. The paper concludes that conditional conservatism is an important restriction of tax avoidance, first of all, it places restrictions on the extent to which accruals-based earnings management could occur, and secondly, it enhances the level of financial reporting transparency, which aligns with the provisions of Agency and Deterrence theories. Such reflections have important implications on regulators, standard-setters, and management of firms in developing economies.

ORDER FULFILLMENT AND CUSTOMER RETENTION OF E-TAIL OUTLETS IN YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

NNENANYA, DORIS AKUNNE — 2026-03-24

The growth of electronic retailing has intensified competition among online retailers, making effective order fulfillment an essential factor for sustaining customer relationships. This study examined the relationship between order fulfillment and customer retention among e-tail outlets in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated how order accuracy and delivery timeliness influence customer satisfaction and repeat purchase behavior. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design and utilized a structured questionnaire to collect primary data from customers of selected e-tail outlets. Using the Taro Yamane formula, a sample size of 400 respondents was determined, while 110 valid responses were used for the final analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient with the aid of SPSS version 25. The findings revealed that order accuracy has a strong and significant relationship with customer satisfaction (r = 0.814, p < 0.01) and a significant relationship with repeat purchase (r = 0.574, p < 0.01). The results also showed that delivery timeliness has a very strong and significant relationship with customer satisfaction (r = 0.961, p < 0.01) and repeat purchase behavior (r = 0.931, p < 0.01). These findings indicate that efficient order fulfillment practices play a critical role in enhancing customer satisfaction and encouraging repeat patronage among e-tail customers. The study concludes that order fulfillment dimensions, particularly order accuracy and delivery timeliness, significantly influence customer retention in e-tail operations. It therefore recommends that e-tail outlets invest in improved inventory management systems, reliable delivery networks, and effective logistics coordination to enhance service efficiency and customer loyalty.