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What Do Managers Do? Preliminary Findings from The Ugandan Context
Full text linkThere is an ongoing scholarly debate on management development in Africa. Managementtheory and practice have previously been accorded scanty scholarly scrutiny leading to agap in our knowledge of managerial work in Africa. This paper presents preliminaryfindings from exploratory study on what managers do in Ugandan organizations. It isunderpinned by the models in extant literature. We posit that there is no new thread ofthought in management thinking and the conventional tasks and skills defineproportionately what the managers were found to be engaged in; the skills were equallyproportionately distributed. The clustering around the same thematic areas could havebeen influenced by our conceptualization. We recommend grounded approaches to analyzemore deeply the task design and management wor
Isolation and Characterization of Antichloramphenicol Antibodies using SDS Page
Full text linkBackground: Antichloramphenicol antibodies can be produced in small or large animals depending on the requirement of the researcher. Previously most researchers have raised antibodies in small animals such as rabbits due to their easy availability and handling. In the present study antichloramphenicol antibodies were produced in large animals because large volumes of serum was needed for various studies. Objective: The objective of the present study was to isolate and characterize antichloramphenicol antibodies produced in camels, donkeys and goats for development of a CAP Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Methods: The methods employed were SDS-PAGE electrophoresis which involved the analysis of crude and purified goat, camel and donkey antichloramphenicol antibodies. Purification of the antichloramphenicol antibodies was carried out by precipitation using ammonium sulphate. Immunization of experimental animals was carried out using standard immunological methods. Results: The results indicated that the crude anti-CAP antibody produced in camels, goats and donkeys showed 7 protein bands of molecular sizes 11.7, 40, 61.6, 134.3, 145, 169.5 and 182 kda. However the protein band of molecular weight 11.7 kda was not observed in the purified antibody from the 3 animal species. The protein bands of the camel appeared smaller and were more distinct as compared to those of donkeys and goats. Conclusion: From this study it was concluded that purified camel antibodies are smaller and more specific followed closely by goat antibodies and donkey antibodies. Keywords: anti-chloramphenicol (CAP) antibodies, camels, goats and donkey
Impact of depression on adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV/AIDS patients at a Kenyan referral hospital
Full text linkBackground: Kenya is faced with an increasing challenge of co-morbid psychological and social factors among HIV-Infected patients which has had a profound impact on their medication adherence. A major psychosocial factor that is a barrier in adherence is depression associated with HIV. This study aimed at measuring the effect of depression on participants’ own reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Objectives: To determine the impact depression has had on adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected patients at a Kenyatta Hospital. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Three hundred and eighty four (384) HIV infected participants were assessed for HIV related depression and adherence to ART. Levels of HIV related depression and adherence to ART were ascertained. Results: The prevalence of depression was 23.3 %. The prevalence of mild, moderate and severe depression was 21.2 %, 1.8 % and 0.3 % respectively. The mean non adherence and average mean adherence rate were 27.9 % and 22.4 % respectively. Conclusion: There was a minimal relationship between depression and non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adult HIV infected patients. Depression was not statistically significantly associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Key words: Depression, adherence, antiretroviral therap
Antimicrobial activity of compounds isolated from the leaves of Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams (Asteraceae)
Full text linkBackground: Incidences of serious failures in the treatment of infectious disease by antibiotics caused by the emergence and spread of drug resistant strains of the microorganisms/multiple drug resistant bacteria have led to new global search for more effective anti-infective microbial agents from natural sources. This study intends to examine the anti-microbial potentials of the leaves of Aspilia africana, which is employed in the treatment of wounds and sores by traditional medical practitioners in Nigeria. Objective: To evaluate the anti-microbial potentials of the isolates from leaves of Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams (Aristeraceae), using isolated clinical strains of pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus substilis, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Candida albicans and Candida stellafoidea. Methodology: Three compounds isolated from butanol fraction of the methanol extract of the dried powdered leaves of Aspilia africana through repeated silica gel column-chromatography and sephadex gel filtration, were evaluated for anti-microbial potentials using Agar-well diffusion method. Results: The isolated compounds identified as oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, and corosolic acid by 1D, 2D-NMR and FITR spectroscopic analyses inhibited the growth of all the pathogens with inhibition diameters ranging between 25 – 33 mm compared with the standard drugs used. The MIC, MBC/MFC of the plant extracts ranged from between 5.00 and 10.00 mg/mL while that of the isolated compounds ranged between 0.0125 and 0.0500mg/mL Discussion: From the results, we conclude that isolated compounds namely oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and corosolic acid are the bioactive constituents responsible for the anti-microbial activity of Aspilia africana. Key words: Aspilia africana, Anti-microbial, Oleanolic acid, Ursolic acid, Corosolic aci
Factors that influence adequacy of asthma control in children residing in Naivasha, a flower growing area in Kenya
Full text linkBackground: In Kenya, asthma affects 10% of the population. One of the modifiable risk factors contributing to asthma morbidity and mortality is environmental exposure. Naivasha flower farms introduce pesticides persistently into the environment and these may drift onto residential property or other areas where children play. Proximity of households to the pesticide treated farms may also increase exposure of children to the pesticides. Pesticide exposure has been shown to exacerbate already existing asthma, a relationship that has not been studied in Kenya. Objectives: To identify risk factors that exacerbate asthma and influence adequacy of Asthma control in children residing in a flower growing area in Kenya. Methodology: The design was a cross-sectional study that involved 150 asthmatic children aged 5-12 years residing a flower growing area. The study was conducted between May and July, 2014 in Naivasha, which is home to Kenya’s largest horticultural flower farms. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire while asthma control was measured using a validated Asthma control tool. Logistic regression was done to identify variables that affected asthma control. Results: Majority of the asthmatic children were males (56.7%) while females were 43.33%. Risk factors that were found to be significantly associated with asthma control were; duration of stay in or near a flower farm (OR = 0.723, 95%CI (0.538-0.975), presence of a smoker in the family (OR = 0.463, 95%CI (0.094-22.629) and presence of household pet (OR = 4.358, 95%CI (1.182-16.057). There was no significant relationship between the child’s asthma control and age of child, sex of child, distance of school from flower, guardian’s level of education, guardian’s income, and guardian’s occupation as a flower farm worker, child’s age of diagnosis and use of indoor pesticides. Conclusion: The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) should be promoted as it keeps environmental exposure pesticides to a minimum. Key words: asthma, household pet, flower farm, pesticide, smokin
Acute Toxicological, Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Methanol Extract of Laggera aurita Linn F (Compositae) in Mice and Rats
Full text linkBackground: The plant Laggera aurita is an annual or biannual plant belonging to the family Compositae that has been used for management of pain related conditions locally. It reportedly has anti-oxidant as well as antimicrobial properties. Objectives: To conduct LD50 and phytochemical studies, evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanol extract of L. aurita and determine possible mechanism of action. Methodology: Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of the extract were investigated using acetic acid induced writhing, thermally-induced pain, and formalin induced inflammation in rats and mice. Phytochemical and acute toxicological screenings were also conducted. Results: The LD50 was found to be above 5000 mg/kg with slight changes in histological architecture observed in the kidney, liver, lungs and stomach. The extract at dose 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg significantly (p<0.05) inhibited acetic acid induced writhes in mice and increased mean reaction time in the thermal pain model, both dose dependently. The effect on thermally induced pain was blocked by naloxone, a non-specific opioid antagonist, suggesting opioid receptor involvement in analgesia. The extract also significantly (p<0.05) decreased formalin induced paw edema dose dependently. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the methanol extract of L. aurita possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that justify its ethnomedicinal use in management of pain and inflammation. Keywords: Laggera aurita, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, acute toxicity
The Role of Employee Outcomes in the Relationship between Learning Organization and Performance of Large Manufacturing Firms
Full text linkResearch in human resource strategy that attempts to link learning organization strategieswith firm performance across many organizations, sometimes fails to pay attention tointervening variables that help to explain the nature of the relationship. This study wasmotivated by the desire to fill this gap in knowledge. The objective of the study was toassess the mediation of employee outcomes in the relationship between learningorganization and performance measured in both financial and non-financial terms. Crosssectionalsurvey design was used. A structured questionnaire based on a five-point likerttype scale was used to collect data from 108 large manufacturing firms. Descriptive andinferential statistics were used to analyze data. Findings did not provide sufficient evidenceto support mediation of employee outcomes in the relationship between learningorganization and firm performance. The results contradict previous theoreticalassumptions and empirical studies. However, the study confirmed that learningorganization has a significant influence on employee outcomes. The results present diverseimplications for policy, practice and research. Human resource development practitionerscan use the findings to support the case for implementation of learning organizationinitiatives. Policy makers can use the findings to align learning organization practices andemployee outcomes in the manufacturing sector to achieve superior performance. Thestudy contributes to knowledge in human resource management on the role of employeeoutcomes in the learning organization–performance relationship
Environmental Factors And Strategic Marketing Planning In Nigerian Insurance Industry
Full text linkThe Nigerian insurance industry is saddled with the responsibility of financing economicactivities and underwriting risks resulting from uncertainties created by the volatileNigerian marketing environment. In performing this role, insurance companies are facedwith multiplicity of problems and challenges that undermine their ability to deliver qualityservices at reasonable cost. The present study was designed to examine the relationshipbetween environmental factors and strategic marketing planning in the selected NigerianInsurance Companies. The five companies selected for the study are Niger Insurance,Cornerstone Insurance, NEM Insurance, Crusader Insurance and Industrial and GeneralInsurance Company. The study obtained secondary data spanning between 1999 and 2013.In addition, 246 top and middle managers were administered questionnaire. The result ofthis study revealed a positive relationship between environmental factors and strategicmarketing planning (R = 0.78, R2 = 0.61).This means that environmental factors havepositive influence and effect on strategic marketing planning in Nigerian insurancecompanies. The study findings revealed that environmental factors have relationship withstrategic marketing planning among the selected insurance companies. The findingsfurther showed that social responsibility, service scopes, and service culture gave P valuesof 0.000, 0.019, and 0.000 respectively which are less than 0.05 (< 0.05). However, employeesatisfaction is negatively related to environmental factors (4 = -0.017). The study concludesthat the major problem of strategic marketing planning in the insurance industry was theirinability to develop necessary manpower and on- the- job training to meet the needs andexpectations of customers. Based on the findings, it was recommended that if theenvironment of service delivery was critical to strategic marketing planning, then, serviceorganisations should scan the environment before designing it. Implication of the study isthat environmental factors are major factor that must be considered when designingstrategic marketing planning by insurance firms. Successful strategic marketing planningrequires scanning the organizational environment and analyzing its internal situation.These inward and outward views are the backbone of strategic marketing planning
Learning Organization and Performance of Large Manufacturing Firms
Full text linkThe concept of learning organization has generated a lot of debate among scholars inrecent years. Learning organizations have developed as a result of pressure facing modernorganizations to adapt and remain competitive in modern business environment. However,few empirical studies have examined the relationship between learning organization andfirm performance.A number of discussions presented in literature focus on why learningmatters, yet few empirical studies address the processes required to build learningorganizations and their potential impact on firm performance. This study sought tocontribute to this growing body of knowledge by determining the influence of learningorganization on performance of large manufacturing firms in Kenya. To assess thisrelationship, the authors obtained managerial responses to the Yang, Watkins andMarsick’s Dimensions of the Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ) as well asfinancial and non-financial measures of performance.Results of the study reveal thatlearning organization has a significant influence on firm performance measured in bothfinancial and non-financial terms. The findings are consistent with the basic proposition ofResource Based View (RBV) which suggests that firms perform well when they implementstrategies that exploit their internal resources and capabilities. The findings also providesupport to previous empirical studies
DETERMINANTS OF THE CHANGING VOLUME OF CORPORATE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM NIGERIA
Full text linkABSTRACT This contribution was motivated by the need to investigate the determinants of thechanging volume of corporate annual reports. The study sample was 12 banks purposively selectedfrom the universe of banks quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange from 2005 to 2014. The samplewas restricted to 120 firm-year with consistent regression data. The study adopted the balancedpanel data regression technique with a preference for the random effect model since the estimatedcoefficients of both models did not vary significantly. The study found a positive and statisticallysignificant relationship between compulsory disclosure, narrative disclosure, product page countand the volume of the corporate annual report. The relationship between the control variables offirm size and age is insignificant. By implication, there was evidence of optimum use of corporateannual report for governance and accountability, information asymmetry and corporate controland integrated marketing communication. Against the backdrop of the multidimensional usefulnessof the corporate annual report, we recommend that all corporate stakeholders should extensivelyrely on the document for any decision concerning corporate activities. The current study isrestricted to Nigerian quoted banks; we recommend a more robust study that will integrate otherNigerian quoted companies, to help for efficient and extensive generalizatio