1,720,955 research outputs found
Musharakah as a Funding Solution for Nigerian SMEs: A Viewpoint
No full textThe sustainability and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to the economic development every nation, particularly in developing economies like Nigeria, where access to conventional financing is often limited. This study explores the potential of Musharakah, a profit-sharing partnership model rooted in Islamic finance, as a viable funding solution for SMEs in Nigeria. Through a comprehensive analysis of Musharakah\u27s framework, the study demonstrates how this model aligns with the financial needs and ethical considerations of SMEs within the region\u27s socio-economic context. By reviewing data collected from SME owners, financial experts, and Islamic finance practitioners, the study assesses the potential impact of Musharakah on SME growth, financial inclusion, and overall economic stability in Nigeria. The findings indicate that Musharakah not only provides a flexible and ethical financing option but also fosters a more collaborative relationship between financial institutions and entrepreneurs
The Rise of E-Commerce and Digital Marketplaces: Implications for Consumer Engagement and Market Efficiency
No full textE-commerce and online marketplaces have witnessed remarkable growth over the past twenty years, transforming consumer behaviour and global business practices. This paper examines the factors contributing to the rise of e-commerce, focuses on its implications for consumer behaviour, and the business performance. The study employed a descriptive research design and utilised a survey method to gather data from fifty SMEs operating online businesses in Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were administered to business owners and managers to gain insight into their operational strategies, digital marketing adoption, and perceived challenges facing the e-commerce and online marketplaces in Nigeria. Data were analysed using descriptive statistical tools, including frequency distribution and percentages. Through an empirical analysis of recent trends, this research discusses the role of digital infrastructure, consumer preferences, technological advancements, and regulatory policies in shaping the e-commerce ecosystem. The finding reveals that mobile commerce, digital payment system, and presence of artificial intelligence play important role in the evolution of e-commerce and transformation of online marketplaces. Consequently, the study proposes policy recommendations aimed at addressing issues such as data privacy, cybersecurity and the digital divide. These acknowledge the need for flexible regulatory framework that can keep pace with growing trend of technology, ensuring consumer protection and promoting innovation within e-commerce industr
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
PROPER RECORD KEEPING: AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR MEASURING SMEs PERFORMANCE
Full text linkThis research investigates the importance of effective record-keeping practices for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises in Nigeria, specifically in the Ilorin Metropolis. Despite SMEs\u27 significant contributions to the Nigerian economy, many operators struggle with maintaining accurate financial records, which impacts their performance and sustainability. Through a descriptive research design and survey method, data were collected from fifty SME operators, revealing insights into their record-keeping practices, challenges, and perceptions.
The study highlights the importance of record keeping in assessing SME performance, maintaining accountability over assets, and informing strategic decisions. Using the Decision Usefulness Theory as a theoretical framework, the research demonstrates a robust connection between efficient documentation practices and the performance of small and medium-sized businesses. Empirical analysis supports the notion that SMEs with proper record-keeping systems tend to achieve higher levels of profitability, efficiency, and sustainability.
Key findings underscore the need for enhanced awareness, training, and access to resources to improve record-keeping practices among SMEs. Recommendations include collaborative efforts among government agencies, industry associations, and educational institutions to provide training programs, technical assistance, and policy support to encourage SMEs to adopt best practices in record keeping.
In conclusion, the research emphasizes that proper record keeping is essential for SME management and performance measurement. By implementing effective record-keeping systems and leveraging available support mechanisms, SMEs can enhance their financial transparency, operational efficiency, and long-term viability.
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Dispelling the Myths Behind First-author Citation Counts
Full text linkWe conducted a full-scale evaluative citation analysis study of scholars in the XML research field to explore just how different from each other author rankings resulting from different citation counting methods actually are, and to demonstrate the capability of emerging data and tools on the Web in supporting more realistic citation counting methods. Our results contest some common arguments for the continued
use of first-author citation counts in the evaluation of scholars, such as high correlations between author rankings by first-author citation counts and other citation
counting methods, and high costs of using more realistic citation counting methods that are not well-supported by the ISI databases. It is argued that increasingly available digital full text research papers make it possible for citation analysis studies to go beyond what the ISI databases have directly supported and to employ more
sophisticated methods
koamabayili/VECTRON-author-checklist: VECTRON author checklist
No full textWe have done our best to complete the author checklist relating to the use of animals in the hut study. Note that the objective for the hut study was to evaluate the IRS treatment applications for residual efficacy against Anopheles mosquitoes, including the local An. coluzzii mosquito population. Cows were only used to attract mosquitoes into the huts and no tests were carried out directly on the cows. The author checklist is intended for use with studies where experiments are carried out on animals, which is why we have had such difficulty in completing this for the hut study, as many of the questions do not relate to how the cows were used
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