Annals of Spiru Haret University
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Cost Minimization Analysis of a Running Firm with Economic Policy
Get PDFIn this paper the Cobb-Douglas production function is operated in a firm for the analysis of the cost minimization policies. In an economic world, gain of profit depends on the efficient use of raw materials and use of various techniques of the cost minimization. A firm’s main target is to make maximum profit. Scientific based and efficient but minimum cost procedures will favor in this regard. To increase local and global demands, a firm of course develop production sector. An attempt has been taken in this study to minimize cost by considering four inputs, such as capital, labor, raw material, and other inputs to form the economic model subject to a production constraint within the budget
PROTOCOL FOR A SCOPING REVIEW ON THE CONCEPTUALIZATION OF COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP LITERATURE
Get PDFPurpose: Competitive intelligence is a crucial skill increasingly required of entrepreneurs across firms, since guidance to enterprises on this crucial skill has proven to be problematic over the years, owing primarily to a lack of unified understanding of its meaning as well as the erroneous use of the term interchangeably with other close but dissimilar concepts. This paper aims to establish a protocol for a scoping review of relevant literature, to map, compare and synthesize the disparate conceptualizations available and relative theoretical underpinnings, in a bid to systematically derive a more robust and comprehensive definition and terminology that accurately captures all facets of the competitive intelligence concept.Methods and Analysis: This scoping review will follow the methodological recommendations first developed by Arksey and O’Malley, and subsequently refined by Levac and colleagues. A management practitioner as well as a local librarian will be involved in the development of the search strategy, and the search will be conducted in electronic databases (Web of Science, SCOPUS and EBSCO Business Complete).Ethics and dissemination: this scoping review will aid the design of upcoming studies on competitive intelligence using accurate, comprehensive and scientifically conceptualized and operationalized terminology. Results of the review will be widely distributed via journal publications and conference presentations
Worklife Balance on Employee Engagement among Women in Technical Education (Wited) in Polytechnics in Osun State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study discussed the influence of work-life balance on employee engagement among women in technical education (WITED) in Polytechnics in Osun State. This is with the view of ensuring successful blending of world of work with personal responsibilities in optimal harmony.The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was made up of women in technical education in government polytechnics, in Osun State. A total of 750 workers were selected from Women in the Technical Education through simple random sampling technique. Two research instruments titled Work-life balance Scale (WLBS) and Employee engagement scale (EES) adapted and modified were used to collect data for the study. The test retest reliability of the instruments administered within two weeks interval yielded .78 and 0.80 respectively. The response format used was the Likert format with options ranging from Strongly Agree (4) Agree (3) Strongly Disagree (2) and Disagree (1). All the instruments were divided into two parts. Part A solicited responses on personal information about the respondents while part B collected data on the variables under study. Multiple Regression Analysis was used to test the hypotheses raised at 0.05 alpha level. Result established that flexible work arrangement had coefficients β = 0.190, t = 1.688, p = 0.007 < α =0.05, indicating a significant influence of flexible work arrangement on employee engagement. Finding also, showed that work-life conflict also showed a significant influence on employee engagement with the coefficients, β = 0.385 t =-1.184, p = 0.002 < α =0.05, which indicated a negative influence of work life conflict on employee engagement. Based on the findings the study concluded that work-life balance should be comfortably blended with personal engagement so as to significantly engender employee engagement among Women in Technical Education (WITED) in Polytechnics in Osun. And that adequate skill and knowledge of assigned task should be sought to balance the fits in employee engagement among Women in Technical Education (WITED) in Polytechnics in Osun. The study recommended that management should build a work environment that attracts, retains, and motivates its employees to help them work comfortably to increase organization productivity, and that organizations should embrace flexible work schedule strategies as this would positively influence employee engagement
APPRAISEMENT OF GATEWAY AND USAGE OF LIBRARY INFORMATION RESOURCES AMONG PUPILS IN OSOGBO LGEA, NIGERIA
Get PDFRegarding the vital role of school libraries in the educational system, there are issues around the qualified human resources, adequate facilities, and electricity supply among others. Another challenge is the proper attitudes towards the use of the available library information resources among library users. The trend which is not helpful to national development in any way if not curbed. To find out ways around the emerging attitudes, this study was motivated to investigate the appraisement of gateway and usage of library information resources among pupils in Osogbo Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), Osun State, Nigeria. The intentions of the study were to determine the level of satisfaction of pupils towards school library information resources including human resources, and other facilities; to investigate access and use of school library information resources, to find out the factors that pose problem to pupils in the use of school library and strategies to overcome such challenges. In a descriptive survey, simple random was habituated to select 40 respondents from each of the selected primary schools to make a sample size of 240 respondents in six primary schools purposively selected in the Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State in Nigeria. The methods of data collection for the study were questionnaires, documentary review, personal observations and interview. Content analysis was espoused for qualitative data. Quantitative data were anatomised by using SPSS. The finding divulged that primary school pupils face many repressions in using the school library since there are no current library information resources but obsolete ones; inadequate of qualified and professional personnel. It was also found that books were the most frequently used library information resources. Furthermore, to effectively use the school’s libraries by the primary school pupils, there is need to address the above-mentioned constraints faced by the pupils in using the school library. The study recommended that provision of fund is necessary to execute all the school library needs. The study further recommended continuous training and retraining for the library human resources
EFFECTS OF FRINGE BENEFITS ON EMPLOYEES PRODUCTIVITY IN SELECTED ORGANISATIONS IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFThe study revealed that the provision of fringe benefits by the management of an organisation has positive roles to play in motivation of employees to higher productivity. It also defined the degree to which an employee identifies with the organization and wants to continue participating actively in it. Questionnaire was the major instrument adopted for this study, a total of 210 respondents were sampled from three food and beverages production organisations. Data generated through the questionnaires for the study were analysed making use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results showed that highly competitive fringe benefits have impetus for ensuring drastic reduction in labour turnover. Strong fringe benefits were therefore established to be correlated with employees’ motivation on the job, job satisfaction; job performance, employee retention and that proper workplace environment helps in reducing the rate of absentees. The study therefore submitted that application of fringe benefits facilitates effective productivity, while it was also discovered that employees’ involvement in organization activities contribute to organizational stability. The two hypotheses tested thus showed a significant relationship between employees’ involvement in policy formulation and implementation on individual productivity as well as organizational performance (F Statistic (17.65) P< 0.05 and sig. P< 0.05) and that significant relationship exists between application of fringe benefits and individual productivity as well as organizational performance (F Statistic (8.982) and sig. P< 0.05)
Factors affecting financial sustainability of water and sewerage provision in Cape Town, South Africa
Get PDFFinancial sustainability of water and sewerage provision is undermined by consumers’ inability and reluctance to pay service fees. South African municipalities are providing water and sewerage services at high maintenance and operational costs, households and businesses that are unable and/or committing to pay their full accounts timeously. This study examines the provision of water and sewage service and presents strategic framework to manage revenue collection to achieve financial sustainability of water and sewerage provision. The study applied the interpretive research method to collect and analyzed data for improved understanding of service provision and revenue collection mantra. The main objective of this study was to investigate factors affecting financial sustainability of water and sewerage provision in Cape Town. In this study an interpretive research method was embraced and qualitative research design was used to collect qualitative data by means of interviewing the senior officials using semi structured interviews. Narrative methods of analysis were applied in analyzing data collected from randomly selected Cape Town officials including observations and secondary data. The results showed that although Cape Town is making efforts of generating revenue by means of enforcing water and sanitation services payments, there is still a percentage of residents that refuses to pay for services resulting in revenue loss. The other reason for loss of revenue was unaccounted water which was the focus of Water and Sanitation. The reasons advanced for unwillingness to pay for water and sanitation services by consumers were unemployment, poverty, unequal distribution of services and general ignorance
Challenges facing seaborne cargo operations in Nigeria: a case study of Lagos Port Complex
Get PDFThis paper aims to look into the challenges confronting seaborne cargo operations in Nigeria, using Lagos Port Complex (LPC) as a case study. The research adopted expository research design. Lagos Port Complex was the sample frame, and 230 questionnaires was administered using purposive sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was used for the analysis. Tables and the centre tendency to ascertain the opinion of the respondents were used. The results shows that the challenges confronting the maritime operation in Nigeria include the fact that foreign vessels berth more in LPC; import cost are very high; lack of export makes ships to frequently sail back on ballast; and finally, foreign dominance in Nigeria territorial waters. The respondents seems more indifferent about the adequacy or inadequacy port infrastructures in handling the cargoes at the port, with regards to mechanized as well as port-system upgrade to international standard. Respondents were also indifferent about foreigners manning the ships (meaning that if the CABOTAGE Act had not failed in its essence that should not have been a problem that needs attention or be spoken about after fifteen years of enacting the Act). It can be said that the CABOTAGE Act have not actualize its essence. These challenges confronting the maritime operations in Nigeria should have been addressed through the CABOTAGE Act
Recent Trends and Developments in the Global Workplace and their Impact on Employment Relations in Kenya
Get PDFVarious perspectives exist amongst people about globalisation- a phenomenon that have impacted local economies in terms of trade, foreign direct investments, agriculture, technology transfer, dominant culture, as well as international standards. This study relied on a mixed methodology approach, which is a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. A total of 500 closed ended questionnaires were distributed to the employees of the sampled companies, out of which 483 were satisfactorily responded to, which amounts to 97% response rate. In addition, 10 key employment relations stakeholders were interviewed. The findings of the study revealed that there has been an increase in the rate outsourcing by many orgnaistions in Kenya, which has partly contributed to raising incidents of downsizing and retrenchment that have exacerbated the level of unemployed. Technological advancements have also been noted as a major contributor to retrenchment in Kenyan organisations. Although technology has accelerated performance, which has helped many organisations to reduce the operational costs, it has at the same time affected employees who have lost their livelihood as a result of the incursion of advanced technological innovations. Many organisations are currently engaging employees on casual or temporary work, which are sourced from labour brokers as a cost cutting mechanism. This state of affairs has affected the morale and psychological contract of many workers in Kenyan
Leadership and Governance issues in Nigeria as a constraint to Sustainable Development: A reflection of the ‘End SARS’ Protest
Get PDFMost of the African states have joined the roll-call of the hundreds of ‘failed states’ engrossed in the inter-ethnic wars, genocide and adverse and disruptive regime changes, and Nigeria is not an exception. In fact, the country has become seed-beds of violence, terrorism, mass migration of criminals across the borders, refugees’ movements, etc. These factors have weakened the state as well as force it out of its public policy role towards socio economic and political development. Two decades since democracy was reintroduced in the country, Nigerians have not really witness true changes to their socio-economic well-being as expected. Broadly speaking, they are currently demanding for another kind democracy with a redeeming quality. The country’s poor leadership has been identified as a major factor to these crises and conflicts. Perhaps, it could be the major reason for the recent End Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) protest in the country. This paper therefore examines how leaders emerged in Nigeria and the policy formulation in terms of development. The work also traces the reasons for ethno-religious crises, nepotism and corruption by these leaders
ASSESSMENT OF SOCIAL MEDIA’S INFLUENCE ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF TERTIARY INSTITUTION STUDENT
Get PDFThis paper assesses the influence of social media on academic performance of tertiary institutions. The study made use of a quantitative approach where 100 questionnaires were distributed to tertiary institutions students in Ekiti State. The study findings reveal that all the respondents have access to the internet and that they do so through different mediums such as smart phones, tablets and computers. Also, smart phones are the most popular means of accessing the internet by students. These devices are portable and allow students to carry it along at any given time. Findings of this study reveal that Ekiti State University students spend more time on social media than reading their books, this makes them rely on social media to do their assignments without consulting other sources. The study also revealed that students’ exposure to social media has effect on their academic performance and that effect is negative. It is the perspective of this paper that undergraduate who invest more energy in online networking are liable to perform inadequately in their scholarly exercises than the individuals who don't, because of an extraordinary number of times spent on long range informal communication exercises, the scholastic execution of undergraduates endure misfortunes which could prompt poor execution in their studies