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EFFECTS OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS VARIATIONS ON LOYALTY AMONG FAST FOOD CONSUMERS IN MAKURDI METROPOLIS
Full text linkThe study examined the effects of product characteristics variation on loyalty among fast food consumers in Makurdi metropolis. Each of the products was varied at three levelsas follows: quality; increase quality, maintain quality, decrease quality, price; increase price, maintain price, decrease price, size; increase size, maintain size, decrease size. A 3x3x3 factorial experimental design was adopted involving 27 experimental conditions which were made by combining the three levels of each independent variable. Four hypotheses were tested in the study. The study population was 24,183 undergraduate students of Benue State University Makurdi who are consumers of fast food products. The sample of 270 participants was selected through stratified and systematic sampling techniques. Purposive selection technique was used to select five faculties of Benue State University Makurdi. Data were collected through an instrument named ‘Consumer Product Loyalty Inventory’ (CPLI). Validity of the manipulated experimental conditions was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) which showed that the manipulations made were actually effective and perceived by the respondents as intended. The 3-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used for data analysis, with scores of the pre-manipulated product loyalty scale used as covariate. Fisher’s Least Square Difference (LSD) was used to determine the specific effect in the mean differences of product variation on product loyalty. Results revealed that there was significant effect of quality variation on product loyalty among fast food consumers in Makurdi metropolis [F, (2,270) = 174.150, p = 0.000<0.001] and accounting for about 70 percent (eta-squared = 0.698) variance in consumer loyalty, with increase quality being the most effective. There was significant main effect of price variation on product loyalty among fast food consumers in Makurdi metropolis[F, (2,270) = 33.116, p = 0.000<0.001] and accounting for about 32 percent (eta-squared = 0.318) variance in consumer loyalty with decrease price being the most effective. There was significant effect of size variation on product loyalty among fast food consumers in Makurdi metropolis [F, (2, 270) = 55.124, p = 0.000<0.001] and accounting for about 48 percent (eta-squared = 0.475) variance in consumer loyalty, with increase size being the most effective. There was a significant interactional effect of product variation on product loyalty among fast food consumers in Makurdi metropolis [F, (6, 270) = 7.193, p = 0.000<0.001] and accounting for about 14 percent (eta-squared = 0.135), with increase price, size and quality as the most effective. The study recommended that in order to achieve high loyalty levels, fast food restaurants have three viable options to leverage on: either to simultaneously increase price, size and quality; or to simultaneously maintain size, decrease price and increase quality; or simultaneously maintain size, decrease price and maintain quality. When there is rising cost of raw materials; the most viable option for the operators is to simultaneously decrease size, increase price and increase quality to maximize profit
IMPACT OF TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE ON UPPER BASIC TWO STUDENTS’ INTEREST AND ACHIEVEMENT IN SOCIAL STUDIES IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA
Full text linkThis study was carried out to determine the impact of teachers’ professional competence on upper basic students’ interest and achievement in Social Studies in Plateau State Nigeria. The study also considered gender and location. The target population of this study comprised 19,711 (10,663 male and 9048 female) upper basic II school students, 310 Social Studies heads and 1,333 teachers in upper basic schools. The sample was obtained using purposive sampling technique. A sample of 1,970 (1066 males and 904 females).126 Social Studies heads (59 professionals and 67 non-professionals) and 133 Social Studies teachers from all the secondary schools in all the 3 educationalzones of the state was used for this study. The study was guided by 11 research questions and 10 hypotheses. Ex-post facto research design was adopted. Social Studies head questionnaires on Social Studies teachers professional competence (SSHQSSTPC), teachers’ competence observation check list (TCOC), Social Studies interest inventory questionnaire (SSIIQ) and Social Studies Achievement Test (SSAT) were used for data collection. The reliability co-efficient of SSAT was determined by using Kuder Richardson 21(K-21) statistics which yieled 0.75, while that of SSHQSSTPC, TCOC and SSIIQ were 0.82, (0.52 & 0.75) and 0.77 was determined through Cronbach Alpha. Data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The null hypotheses were tested using t-test statistic at 0.05 level of significance. It was found that students who were taught Social Studies by professionally competent teachers showed higher achievement than students taught by non-professionally competent teachers. (t=21.868, with P =0.00C 0.05) + =15.685, with P=0.00 < 0.05 and t= 15.293, with P=0.00 < 0.05) respectively whether on gender or location. There was no significant difference between the mean interest rate of those taught by professionally competent teachers and the mean interest rate of those taught by non-professionally competent teachers either on gender or location. The result indicated that the use of professionally competent teachers to teach Social Studies in our schools is more impactful. The study recommended among others that Social Studies should be taught in our schools by competent teachers so as to boost the interest and achievement of Social Studies students
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND RURAL ELECTRIFICATION IN BENUE STATE 1999-2015
Full text linkThis study investigated democratic governance and the provision of rural electrification projects in Benue State from 1999 to 2015. The primary objectives which the work was designed to accomplish were to determine the relationship between democratic governance and development; to ascertain the connection between democracy and provision of rural electricity; to establish the social and economic benefits of rural electrification projects at both the households and community levels and to identify the challenges underpinning democratic governance and development in Benue state. Methodologically, survey design with the questionnaire as a major instrument of data collection was the strategy adopted for the work; while the classical Elite Theory of democracy was employed as a framework of analysis for the study. Within the context of the study, democratic governance is regarded as government through elected representatives that is characterized by the principles of free choice, rule of law and public accountability. On the other hand, development is viewed as a process of enhancing the quality of life of the people including provision of social amenities or infrastructure. The findings from field survey revealed that though democracy has the potentials to promote development and indeed the provision of infrastructure such as electricity. Unfortunately, in Benue State democracy has not been able to maximally respond to the development needs and aspirations of the people. The study also found out that many of the rural communities in the state are yet to be connected to electricity; and that the government is usually selective in the sitting of rural electricity projects because some of these projects are usually skewed in favour of communities that have political big wigs in government. It was equally revealed that electricity has both social and economic benefits to the households and communities as it has enhanced economic activities and rural incomes of the few rural dwellers. The study also found out that there are certain factors that are inimical to democracy and development in Benue State and these include corruption, elite manipulation, weak and fragile economic substructure, politics of deprivation, primordial tendencies and institutional defects. Arising from these findings the study recommends among other things the urgent need to revamp the economic substructure to make it effectively productive to enhance the quality of life of the people; also the rural communities must be actively involved in the planning and execution of programmes and projects that affect their lives while the governing authorities should fashion out well articulated poverty reduction strategies and establish strong democratic institutions to drive the process of development. The study also recommends the need to improve democratic governance in Nigeria through a total reform of the electoral system. This will ensure its predictability such that leaders who emerge from the process know that their mandate is truly derived from the people and therefore owe them a duty to address their development needs and aspirations. The study therefore opines that much is dependent on the character and quality of political leadership that has the will, the zeal and the capacity to transform Benue State and indeed Nigeria from a status of an underdeveloped society to that of a developed polity.TETFUN
DETERMINANTS OF NON-PERFORMING LOANS OF DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS IN NIGERIA
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the determinants of Non-Performing loans (NPLs) of deposit money banks in Nigeria. Correlation analysis design using a panel data for a period of nine years (2009-2017) was used. A sample of 14 banks out of 21 banks in Nigeria was used and the data was extracted from published financial statements of the sampled banks. Six research questions were asked and answered using a descriptive statistic of mean and standard deviation while panel multiple regression model was used to analyze the six hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings established that there is a positive insignificant relationship between non-performing loans and Return on Asset (ROA).The findings also established that there is a negative insignificant relationship between non-performing loans and Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and Lending Rate (LR).The result showed that there is a positive significant relationship between non-performing Loans and Loan to Deposit Ratio (DR) and Unemployment Rate (UE).Finally, the result showed that there is a positive insignificant relationship between non-performing Loans and Inflation rate (IFR). Based on the above, the following recommendations were made: Deposit money banks in Nigeria should pay close attention to several factors when granting loans in order to reduce the level of non-performing loans, specifically bank should use Loan to Deposit ratio (DR), and Unemployment Rate (UE) in predicting the level of non-performing loans. In order to improve asset quality, specifically loans, it is strongly recommended that bank management should effectively utilize its asset because poor asset utilization leads to high non-performing loans of the bank. The researcher recommends that bank management attention should be on performing loans with respect to lending rate because lending rate (LR) affects performing loans but does not increase the cost of the loans charged on the borrowers. The researcher also recommends that Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) should be seen as a financial stability factor and not a determinant of non-performing loans.SEL
EFFECT OF FIRM CHARACTERISTICS ON COMPLIANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS) BY LISTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS (DMBs) IN NIGERIA.
No full textThis study examined the effect of firm characteristics (proxied by corporate size, profitability and leverage) on compliance with IFRS over the period of five years from 2012-2016. The study adopted the correlation research design. Secondary data were extracted from the annual reports of selected 15 listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria and were analyzed using panel multiple regression analysis. From the analysis, the study revealed that corporate size has positive and significant relationship with IFRS compliance of listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria; profitability has positive but no significant relationship with IFRS compliance of listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria; leverage has negative but no significant relationship with IFRS compliance of listed Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria. The study therefore recommended that all financial statement users and analysts should entertain absolute caution when examining the effect of firm characteristics on the level of compliance to IFRS by Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria using ratios such as corporate size, profitability and leverage following the mandatory adoption.SEL
THE SOCIO-POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF SOREN KIERKEGAARD’S THREE STAGES OF EXISTENCE
No full textThe concept of human existence has been the preoccupation of philosophers even before the era of Soren Kierkegaard. It is continuously subjected to rigorous rational analysis allowing it acquire divergent interpretations among philosophers. This work dealt with the meaning and purpose of human existence as construed in the philosophical thoughts of Soren Kierkegaard in his analysis of three stages of human existence: the aesthetic, the ethical and the religious. To Kierkegaard, existing means becoming more and more individual, more purposive and meaningful, and living in an authentic way. The study made use of qualitative research design. Data for this study were sourced from primary and secondary sources such as: books, journals, periodicals, articles and the internet. The study used the historical, expository and evaluative methods. The Historical method situated previous conceptions of existentialism in the history of philosophy from ancient to contemporary era. Expository method presented in detail Kierkegaard’s three stages of human existence. Then, evaluative method assessed the strengths and weaknesses of his idea of three stages of human existence and established the tenability of his notion in solving the persistent socio-political problems in Nigeria. Findings revealed that individuals in the contemporary Nigerian society are living in a world where authentic or subjective human existence is replaced by objective, public or un-reflected living; a loss sense of the sacred that ignores the call to holiness and misunderstand the content and concept of free choice amidst an immeasurable community life. This negative trend leads to retrogressive development, thwarts growth, peace and progress of the nation yearning for democratic ideals. The work therefore concluded that, failure to inculcate the spiritual purpose of life’s existence can only lead to meaningless, purposeless and hopeless adventure. The researcher totally agrees with Kierkegaard in this regard. Accumulation of life’s wealth would sometimes only lead to boredom, insatiable dispositions, despair, insecurity and above all, enmity with the same society and if not for the sake of the benefit of others, would only incur the wrath of our Creator.SEL
A STUDY OF DESCARTES’ MIND-BODY DUALISM
No full textThis problem originated from the French philosopher and mathematician Rene Descartes in his “Discuss on Method” where he stated that the fact of man’s thought implies his existence. Hence he introduced the famous maxims “cogito ergo sum” (I think therefore, I am). The work made use of qualitative research design. Data were sourced from books, journals and the internet. The work also used the Historical, Expository and Evaluative Methods. The Historical Method situated the concept of Mind-Body Dualism in the history of Philosophy from ancient era to contemporary time. The Expository Method exposed Descartes concept of mind-body dualism. Descartes opines that mind and body are two separate substances. The evaluative method considered the strength and witnesses of his mind-body problem to contemporary philosophers. The researcher found out that man has two separate substances mind and boy, the mind or soul is an entity distinct from the body and can exist without the body. In contribution, the research brings to the mind of individual the fact that these two substances (mind and body) exist and that they exist as individual entities which unite as one to make a complete whole. Through this analysis, the researcher establishes that the interaction of mind and body is only probable.SEL
A PHILOSOPHICAL EVALUATION OF JOHN LOCKE’S CONCEPT OF CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
No full textHuman history has recorded acts of civil disobedience from earliest times to the present time. Since then, there have been numerous shades of opinions regarding the reality, nature and the solutions to curtail it. John Locke proposed that the citizens are justified in engaging in acts of civil disobedience if the government neglects its primary duty. The research made use of qualitative research design. Data were derived from primary and secondary sources basically from books, journals, periodicals and the internet to present facts. The study made use of the historical, expository and analytic methods. The historical method surveyed the previous development and conceptions of civil disobedience. The expository method examined John Locke’s concept of civil disobedience while the analytic method evaluated the concept in the light of John Locke to advance its implications for the contemporary Nigerian society. The researcher observed that insecurity has become the bane of the day. People are killed for no just cause; Fulani herdsmen kill on almost daily basis, crime in places of authority remains unending; amassment of public wealth, favouritism and marginalisation of the minority, police brutality, oppression of the masses, abuse of fundamental human rights and abuse of power. All of these developments made Locke to advocate and propel the citizenry to oppose a constituted authority if the government fails in its primary constitutional responsibility of protecting human lives and property. The work therefore concluded that, though Locke’s ideas seem potent, he failed to fully disclose the transformative nature of his conception of civil disobedience. Instead, he attempted to make his idea of civil disobedience appear to be consistent with traditional thought. Above all, however, his thought on civil disobedience must be carried out reasonably and within the confines of due process, and in accordance with global best practices.SEL
AN ASSESSMENT OF JOHN LOCKE’S NOTION OF POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY: ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY
No full textA critical look at democratic practice in Nigeria reveals a sharp contrast to its theoretical structure especially when weighed under the scale of the popular sovereignty. In view of this, political leaders tend to stamp on the ignorance and carefree attitude of the people thereby, turning the relationship between the leaders and the people to that of a master and a slave. Interestingly, John Locke in his book, The Second Treatise on Civil Government establishes his notion of popular sovereignty which in its design, advocates the supremacy of the powers of the people over the rulers. In this socio-political arrangement, the people voluntarily hand their sovereignty to a contracted fellow who becomes the representative of the people in the established government. The people, however, hold the intrinsic powers to withdraw the authority vested in the ruler/representative. Sequel to this, Locke maintains that, the people possess the ultimate powers which are capable of influencing major political decisions as the making and unmaking of leaders; at breach of trust. To look into this notion of popular sovereignty more critically, this work adopted the qualitative research design. Data were sourced from books, journals, periodicals and the internet. The research further employed the historical, expository, and the analytic methods of philosophical research. The historical method surveyed the historical development and previous conceptions of the notion of popular sovereignty. The expository method examined Locke’s idea of popular sovereignty while the analytic method advanced the implications of John Locke’s notion of popular sovereignty for democracy in Nigeria. By analyzing the popular sovereignty, the researcher found out that political reality places the people with little or no such powers to making critical decisions so that the resultant effect is abuse of power by leaders, corruption, oppression of the masses and insecurity, among others. The research thus established that leaders be re-orientated on their responsibility to the people, so that only people oriented decisions which are capable of democratic sustainability in Nigeria are reached. Locke’s notion of popular sovereignty as discussed in this research further rejuvenates the consciousness of the quantum of power resident in the people and, the need to dutifully and legitimately rise against breach of trust by a representative. The research concluded that Locke’s popular sovereignty is ethical and its accordance of supremacy has the capacity of stimulating effectiveness and efficiency in democratic governance in Nigeria.SEL
THE ROLE OF NKST IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA
No full textPoverty entails the inability to having choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity; it means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. It is recognized that various programmes designed by the government both at the national and state levels at one time or the other only address few needs of the poor without actually alleviating poverty in the society. Instead, poverty remains high in Tiv land, Benue State and Nigeria at large. This shows that the role of both the government and the church have played individually in alleviating poverty is insufficient yet important in alleviate poverty. The study investigated the role of the Nongo u Kristu u i Ser u Sha Tar (NKST) in poverty alleviation in Benue State, Nigeria. The study made use of the case study approach, historical method, focus group discussion, phenomenological method and analytical survey. Ainsworth and Bowiby attachment theory known as the theory of “care giving behavioural system” is used as a theoretical anchor for the study. The study made use of 550 participants; 500 participants were contacted using the in-depth structured interview, these participants were 100 each from five classes in NKST, the remaining 50 participants were reached through focus groups which consisted of 10 participants from each of the five classes included in the sample for the study. These classes include Mkar, Zaki-Biam, Adikpo, Mbaakon and Tavaku classis. The study therefore concludes that for effective poverty alleviation in Benue State, there is need for the government and the Church to join forces in their effort of alleviating poverty; thus, the government should include the church as active stakeholder in its poverty alleviation programmes. The study recommends stimulating more people to get involved in business instead of waiting endlessly for government employment, revival of NKST’s institutions that were used for poverty alleviation, fighting corruption in the ranks of NKST, establishment of an organ to protecting poor in NKST churches, charity to the poor, preference on welfare of the poor against infrastructures by the church, reduced cost in NKST schools and hospitals and collaboration between Benue State government and the NKST Church poverty alleviation programmes are measures to be taken to further alleviation poverty by the NKST church.SEL