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Nutritional attitudes of Breastfeeding Mothers in, Dominican Republic: Case study of Mothers attending the Hospital Ricardo Limardo
No full textMaternal nutrition is essential from conception and throughout pregnancy as it is a critical factor in child survival, growth and development. Many breastfeeding mothers do not have adequate knowledge of causes, complications, management and preventive measures of nutritional imbalances during pregnancy, which is responsible for the high prevalence of poor maternal nutritional status. The study sought to establish the attitude and practices among breastfeeding mothers attending Hospital Ricardo Limardo in Dominican Republic. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study targeting a sample of 286 breastfeeding women. Data collection was carried out using structured questionnaires and analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 25 of 2015 software. Breastfeeding mothers had positive attitude towards nutrition. Majority of breastfeeding women were positive towards antenatal check-up during pregnancy. Majority of them also felt that skipping meals among breastfeeding mothers affects their health. The study also concluded that breastfeeding mothers had positive attitude towards nutrition and were willing to consume food that was healthy for them and to the child. The study recommends for the need of subsidizing supplements and nutrients sold in the dispensaries and health centers so that breastfeeding women from low income households can afford them. Subsidizing of supplements and nutrients can be done by government by reducing VAT taxes on these products. It is also recommended that breastfeeding women should be encouraged to be buying foods rich in iron, calcium and folic acid nutrients while avoiding chuck foods that may result to abnormal weight gain for both the mother and the baby.
Keywords: Nutritional attitudes, breastfeeding Mothers, Hospital Ricardo Limardo, Dominican Republi
IKEA Strategic Management Plans in Europe
No full textIKEA is a home-furnishing store founded by Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden in 1943. IKEA uses a franchising business format in order to reach as many people as possible with their products. Their franchise system allows for the company to expand internationally while protecting the IKEA Concept. IKEA sells furniture, electronics, beds and mattresses, and every other tool and appliance that is required in a home. IKEA’s vision is to create a better everyday life for the most people. Its mission is to offer a wide array of functional and well-designed furnishings for homes at low prices that are affordable to everyone. IKEA’s goals are in keeping with its mission. Its objective is to provide an array of home furnishings that are of good quality and that are well designed and well-functioning at low prices that are affordable to the majority of people. To achieve this goal, IKEA uses strategies such as marketing its products to individuals rather than to the masses, using a standardized selection of retailers, using country-specific management styles to optimize the way IKEA stores are managed, instead of opening large mall-like stores. Just like any other business, IKEA faces challenges in its journey to make the business profitable while delivering affordable products. One of the biggest challenges facing IKEA is an increase in the number of competitors that are adopting IKEAs low price strategy, this in addition to the rise in prices of raw materials which led to IKEA hiking up its price for the first time in five years. In conclusion, IKEA is a widely recognized global brand with stores all over the world. It needs to assess its SWOT analysis statistics and its competitors in order to make sure it always stands out in its market. IKEA’s need to stay true to its mission sets it apart from most of its competitors; it always strives to offer its customers a large array of high-quality, low-cost products. All its systems, from production to delivery, shows the business's commitment to stay environmentally friendly. One of the ways it reduces its carbon footprint is by using designs that allow more items to be packaged in a crate that is usual, thereby reducing the delivery journeys. IKEA is focused on becoming a leading example in developing a sustainable business. It refuses to compromise doing good business and being a good business. It always aims more towards making life better for most people rather than a profit or having a good reputation. IKEA has stayed true to the vision of its founder, and it is clearly working for the business, as shown by its success and prestige
Strategic Innovation Management (SIM) Practices and the Efficiency of State Owned Enterprises Perspective from Mexico City, Mexico
No full textStrategic Innovation Management is critical for firms that are in pursuit of improved efficiency and their reward is often an increase in their profits and their market share. Process of Strategic Innovation Management is strongly associated with organizational learning and refers to ability of organization to generate, accept and implement new ideas, processes, products or services. The primary goal of process innovation is to generate a notable increase in productivity or to drive down costs significantly. This approach can help organizations achieve major reductions in process cost, improvements in quality, service levels and other business objectives. Strategic Innovation Management is contributor to creation of new markets and products for the market, however even after the benefits of Strategic Innovation Management has been established the impact of Strategic Innovation Management on efficiency of State Owned Enterprises has remained misunderstood. The specific objectives of the study were; to establish the effect of Service innovation on the efficiency of State Owned Enterprises in Mexico City, to establish the effect of product innovation on the Efficiency of State Owned Enterprises in Mexico City. The study used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes. Result findings from literature-based review indicated that innovation had positive and significant influence on the efficiency of State Owned Enterprises. It was recommended that innovation information should be available particularly to regulatory and advisory bodies for guidance to the State Owned Enterprises on the need to craft and employ sound strategies geared towards continuously embracing innovativeness since innovation leads to improved financial efficiency.
Keywords: Product Innovation, Service Innovation, Efficiency
Management of Steel Reinforcement Works Procedures Impact on the Health of Workers in Building Construction Sites Case study of Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textSteel reinforcement work in building construction sites as a component of the larger construction industry is an important contributor to the overall social and economic development of the world. Steel reinforcement work therefore continues to impact negatively on the health of workers in building construction sites thus raising stakeholders concern. This study investigates the management of steel reinforcement works procedures impact on the health of workers in building construction sites. The objective of the investigation was to establish how management of steel reinforcement work procedures impacted on the health of workers in building construction sites. The study was premised on the hypotheses that there was no statistically significant relationship between management of steel reinforcement work procedures and the health of workers in building construction sites. Descriptive cross-sectional method was used for data collection. Testing for reliability of data collection instrument was done by use of Cronbach alpha formula. Data analysis and hypothesis testing were by descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Data presentation was in frequencies, tables, charts, and graphs. The main results of the investigation were that management of work procedures had the impact on the health of steel reinforcement work procedures in building construction sites. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) had a positive value of 0.24 which was greater than 0.2 but not more than 0.4, indicative of a moderate positive linear correlation between SRW procedures and workers’ health. From descriptive results it indicates that more than 67 % of the respondents were of the opinion that steel reinforcement work procedures in BCS affected their safety, health and wellbeing. While from inferential results indicates that a P value of 0.01 which was less than 0.05 and very close to 0 was attained implying that there was a statistically significant correlation between SRW procedure and workers’ health in building construction sites. This implied that the existing management system for protection and safeguarding the health of steel reinforcement work procedures in building construction sites in Nairobi County, Kenya was out of balance. Review of this system in response to emerging building and construction sector specific needs was therefore recommended.
Keywords: Management, Steel, Reinforcement, Procedure, Health, Building, Construction, Site
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Brazil
No full textThe aim of this research was to investigate the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Brazil in the light of the National System of Entrepreneurship – NSE theory, through the implementation of the Global Entrepreneurship Index methodology – GEI. The research shows that Brazil has low quality average institutional interaction. Desktop literature review was used in the study Nonetheless; social context is the main bottleneck in the national entrepreneurial ecosystem. Differences between the social factors and performance quality of the institutional framework enhance entrepreneurship low socioeconomic effect. The findings of the document indicate that the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Brazil presents low internationalization of companies, innovation in products and processes, high-growth enterprises as well as human capital formation. The findings of the document indicate gives insights for makers of decisions on the variables that decide the start of new businesses that are new.
Key words: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Brazil,  
Effect of English as a Language of Instruction on Mother Tongue Mastery in Rwanda
No full textThe language of instruction used in teaching and learning activities is taken as an important aspect that improves the quality of school deliverables. Well maintained language of instruction promotes the level students’ learning skills and school outcomes. Therefore, English as a language of instruction can be influenced by the students’ mother tongue that usually use. This paper therefore, sought to examine effects of English as a language of instruction on the mother tongue (Kinyarwanda) mastery in private primary schools in Rwanda. Correlation research design was employed. The target population was 310 people with a sample of 175 got using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Data collection tools used were questionnaire, interview guide and document analysis review. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21.0 was adopted for data management. The findings revealed that there is a statistical and significant relationship between English usage as a language of instruction and students’ Kinyarwanda mastery in private primary schools of Gicumbi District with the P-value of .000, Adjusted R Square of .741 and the Pearson Coefficient of Correlation of .854**. The study recommended that all education stakeholders should work collaboratively in order to enhancing Kinyarwanda mastery among Rwandan primary school students at their early age.
Key words: Language Mastery, Mother Tongue & Medium of Instruction
Quality Assurance Practices and Students’ Academic Performance in Technical, Vocational Education and Training Institutions, A Case of Integrated Polytechnic Regional College Kigali in Kicukiro District – Rwanda
No full textThe main aim of the study was to assess the relationship between quality assurance practices and students’ academic performance in the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College (IPRC) – Kigali in Kicukiro District – Rwanda. The study was guided by three specific objectives which are to examine the quality assurance practices in IPRC Kigali in Kicukiro District – Rwanda, to determine the level of students’ academic performance in IPRC Kigali in Kicukiro District, to establish the relationship between quality assurance practices and students’ academic performance in IPRC Kigali in Kicukiro District. The target population was 3438 respondents from which 358 respondents was sampled: 21 trainers, 5 administrators and 332 students using Yamane formula, through simple random sampling technique. The study findings revealed that the use of appropriate facilitation techniques that create a conducive learning environment, training curricula that respond to the labour market needs, availability of training resources and qualified academic staff, effective assessment of students’ achievement and evaluation of training program, existence of institutional policies, models, methods and procedures are quality assurance practices that IPRC Kigali have put in place to assure the quality of its academic offerings. The findings also revealed that program completion and competence acquisition at IPRC Kigali are at good level whereby students at IPRC Kigali are satisfied with competences acquired in terms of hands-on and practical skills, critical thinking and reasoning skills, problem-solving skills, oral and written communication skills and are happy to attend their courses and their lectures frequently. Inferential statistics revealed that a significant relationship exists between quality assurance practices (facilitation techniques, curricula, training resources, assessment and evaluation) and academic performance (Pearson Correlation Coefficient between Dependent and Independent variables are respectively 0.79, 0.865, 0.604, 0.644 and the Regression R Square = 0.5312) as indicated in model. The study recommended that for the purpose of achieving the goals and objectives of academic offerings at IPRC Kigali and TVET in Rwanda, the quality of the programme needs to be improved, sustained and match with needs at the labour market. The government’s effort `should be considerably increased especially by financing training resources(consumables) and ensure engagement of private sector in TVET education system in order to improve access, quality and enhancing the relevance of TVET Education system in Rwanda.
Keywords: Quality assurance practice, academic performance, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, Integrated Polytechnic Regional College (IPRC
The Dynamics in Student-Athletes Compensation in the United States of America
No full textThe issue surrounding the compensation of college athletes has been surrounded by a lot of controversies due to the fact that these athletes have to balance grueling workouts, practices, and games with a rigorous college curriculum and yet make no money despite collegiate football being a multi-billion-dollar industry. This is based on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) stipulation that student-athletes can only be compensated through a scholarship even though college football brings in millions of dollars for universities. This paper presents a review on the dynamics in student-athletes compensation in the United States of America where case studies are also presented.
Keywords: Student-Athletes, Compensation & United States of Americ
Facilities and Resources to Support Enrolment of Children from Pastoral Communities in Kajiado County
No full textKenya’s Education has performed relatively well against most of the education performance indicators set to achieve Education for All (EFA), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets and the Education for Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) in the last decade. Kenya’s primary school Net Enrolment Rates increased from 80.3% in 2003 to 91.1% in 2016. Gender parity in access also improved at primary level, increasing from 0.95 in 2005 to stabilize at 0.97 (2016). The education sector is faced with regional and gender disparities in most of the education performance indicators with Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties registering the lowest performances. Majority of the ASAL Counties have continued to register a Net Enrolment Rate of below 50%; against the best performing county of that posted NER of 107.5% (2016). The county of Kajiado had a NER of 79.1% in 2016 which is below the national average of 91.1%. There was, therefore, need to evaluate the LCBPs program in Kajiado County to propose strategies that respond to the educational needs for Nomadic-pastoral communities. The Government of Kenya established low-cost boarding primary schools (LCBPs in the ASAL regions and pledged to provide boarding facilities, food items and all other supplies while the parents provide students personal effects to operationalize the LCBPs initiative. Eleven (11) of the (392) Kenya’s LCBPs were in Kajiado County with an enrollment of 4,176 in 2016 and were under enrolled by the national standards. This process evaluation of the LCBPs used Sequential Mixed method, cross sectional and a case study designs. The sample of the study was drawn from all pupils, teachers, and head teachers in low-cost boarding primary schools in Kajiado County. Education officials and representatives of development partners supporting provision of education in Kajiado County provided useful information. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules as well as observation of facilities. The findings of the evaluation established that LCBPs their present form did not respond to the educational needs of the nomadic and pastoral communities of Kajiado County. Most of the schools were under-enrolled, underfunded, had inadequate facilities, understaffed with teachers and other support staff. The food served was of low quality and inadequate. This study recommends review the concept of LCBPs, with a view to establishment of LCBPs institutional framework paying special attention to the development of financing foundation guided by a rationalized unit cost of maintaining a child in the school.
Keywords: Facilities, Resources, Support, Enrolment, Children, Pastotal, Communities, Kajiado, Kenya
Factors Promoting Job Satisfaction among Teachers in Rural Secondary Schools in Murang’a South District, Kenya
No full textThe article examined the factors promoting teacher job satisfaction in rural secondary schools in Murang’a South District. Descriptive survey design was used to carry out the study, while the research instrument comprised questionnaires, interview schedules and observation. Both stratified and simple random samplings were employed to select schools and teachers, while purposive sampling was used to sample principals and their deputies. The purposive sampling was used to collect data from interviews. The sample size comprised of 12 principals, 17 deputy principals and 127 teachers. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The results showed the main sources of teacher job satisfaction are the satisfaction of working with students collaboratively with colleagues and achieving personal professional growth. The study concluded that teachers’ dissatisfaction with pay, advancement in career, poor working conditions, lack of essential facilities, contributed to the teachers’ intention to leave the teaching profession and the desire to seek transfer to better places. Teachers felt that they are discriminated against in the award for hardship allowances, underpaid and made to work in insecure conditions where the parents and community paid less attention to their dignity and self-esteem. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education should maximize teacher satisfaction and minimize dissatisfaction not only for the benefit of teachers but for the sake of students as well. This therefore calls for teachers’ unions namely; KUPPET and KNUT to be vigorous in agitating for teachers’ demands that lead to job satisfaction.
Keywords: Demographic factors, Job factors, Job satisfaction, Secondary Schools in Murang’a South District, Keny