Family Involvement - Influence on Change Management, Value and Performance of Small and Medium Scale Businesses - A Research Proposal

The aim of this research proposal is to analyze the impact of family involvement over change and performance of small and medium size family businesses. Three family business theories mostly used by previous researchers namely: entrepreneurial, stakeholder and stewardship theories will be used to explore relationships between ownership, change management and the performance objectives of family firms. This study will examine the relationship between Familiness (that is, family ownership) and firm performance by considering the influence of family management, family control, and firm size using the family influence scale (the familiness-power, experience, and culture scale [F-PEC]) presented by Klein, Astrachan, and Smyrnios (2005). A set of questionnaires will be sent to family firms across the United States of America, Western European countries (e.g. United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, etc.) Taiwan, Romania and the data obtained from these firms, together with range of performance measures and objectives will be examined to assess this relationship, and to ascertain if family ownership is positively or negatively associated with firm performance. Information from other studies has been used for the development of this study to understand various variables that can be used to identify what constitutes a family firm. The findings from this study will be used to establish whether potential family-ownership effects are more likely to be realized when family ownership is combined with active family management and control in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)

A Legal Excursion into the Consequences and Effects of the Doctrine of Ultra Vires in Nigerian Corporate Governance

There is a statutory limit to the contractual and transactional powers and capacity of a company. This is enveloped in the ultra vires doctrine conundrum that sets out the limits and scope of the powers of an incorporated company and delimits the remainder of acts executed by the company in excess of such delineated powers as beyond the limits of the powers of the company. There are a number of effects of this corporate power-delimiting rule and consequential opinionated controversies. This paper seeks to take a legal cursory look and an appraising excursion into the effects and consequences of the doctrine in Nigerian corporate law practice and examines the purports of the sustained relevance of the doctrine as an integral power-specificity construct of Nigerian companies and their Directors. It concludes that the effect of the doctrine seems to be considerably whittled down by statutory intervention and calls for a comprehensive reform of the attendant enabling legislations

Evaluation of Rapid Methods in Malaria Diagnosis from Persons attending Primary Health Facilities, Ogun State, Nigeria

Malaria in Nigeria is treated blindly in most cases and where diagnostic measures exist, efficacies of several are still in doubt. This study evaluated performance of microscopy and rapid (RDT) methods in confirming prevalence of malaria parasites (MP),parasite species and percent parasitized red blood cells in 384 persons systematically selected from seven primary healthcare facilities in Ogun State, Nigeria from October to December 2012. Giemsa thin and thick film techniques and RDT (SD Bioline Ag P.f/Pan kit) were employed on the blood samples. Data were analysed using SPSS version 16. Demographic results showed that females were 61% and males 39%,but of varying age groups. Seventy-one percent of the blood samples were positive for MP by microscopic blood films, and only 24% samples were positive by RDT. Paired sample T-test showed a significant difference (P=0.000)between microscopy and RDT methods. Of the 273 positive blood samples,95.6%were P. falciparum,3.3% were P. malariae, 0.7% was P. ovale and P. vivax (0.4%). For RDT, P. falciparum was 74% while mixed infections were 26%. Prevalence in risk groups 0–10 and 11–20 age groups was observed to be higher with significant differences (p=0.011, p=0.023) for both microscopy and RDT respectively. RDT sensitivity and specificity were 23.4% and 74.7% compared to microscopy. Positive Predictive Value and Negative Predictive Value were 69.6% and 28.4%. The efficiency of the RDT was 38.3%. The low sensitivity of RDT observed means that malaria diagnosis by microscopy method remains the gold standar

A Critical Legal Appraisal of the International Environmental Legal Response Mechanisms to the Challenges of Climate Change in the World

Climate change is an environmental issue of global concern. It is an issue of concern to nations across the globe that can only be adequately addressed at the level of international environmental law. This paper sought to make a critical legal appraisal of a number and strength of the international environmental legal responses to the challenges posed by climate change across the earth. It took a legal cursory look and an appraising excursion into the relationship among climate change and international investment law, international trade law, international human rights law and global health. It concludes that a robust, comprehensive and more formidable international legal response coupled with an appropriate enforcement mechanism is desired to stem the tide of the challenges posed by climate change across the globe

Grants of Upstream Petroleum Expolration Licences and Leases in Nigeria under the Petroleum Industry Bill 2012: An Overview

Section 2 of the Petroleum Industry Bill 2012 (PIB 2012), in the same spirit as section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), vests the entire property and control of all petroleum in, under or upon any lands within Nigeria, its territorial waters, or which forms part of its continental shelf and the exclusive economic zone, on the Government of the Federation. A significant feature of this constitutional and statutory position is a corresponding exclusive power of the Federal Government to make grants for prospecting, exploration, mining and production of petroleum resources in Nigeria. The article carries out an overview of some relevant provisions relating to the award of upstream petroleum exploration licences and leases under the PIB 2012 and contends that in view of the worthy objectives and provisions of the PIB in this respect, the National Assembly should expeditiously pass the Bill into law to ensure that it becomes valid and binding on all persons and institutions engaged in the upstream petroleum operations in Nigeria. Keywords: Downstream, Drilling, Lease, Licence, Petroleum, Relinquishment, Upstrea

Examining the Overlap Between Environmental Protection and International Trade Instruments

This paper attempts both a legal and socio-environmental appraisal of the protection of the human environment through International Trade Instruments. This discourse realises that there exists a seeming conflict of activities between the need to protect the human environment and the sustainable propagation of human activities through international trade. The study embarks on a qualitative review of significant cases largely on the economic and environmental policies on trade. It accepts that protectionism as well as liberalism has been explored in times past as wealth-creation mechanisms, as the exploitation of natural resources has been largely effective leading to technological challenges; but there continues to be conflict without battle. The study avers that nature which has been repeatedly seen as a finite resource should not be perpetually explored and exploited, but concrete regulatory mechanisms through national and international instruments to protect the environment and regulate trade with sustainable development should be emplaced. It concludes that even though substantial progress has been made in identifying the circumstances in which international trade and environmental protection can be mutually compatible, but several areas of contention and conflict remain, whilst making recommendations for effectively managing the areas of overlap. Keywords: Environment, Trade, Environmental Protection, WTO, Economy, Instrument. DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/108-04 Publication date: April 30th 202

HISTORICISING DOMESTIC TERRORISM AND BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY IN THE NORTH EAST, NIGERIA: ISSUES AND TRENDS

Since the return to civil rule in 1999, Nigeria has been battling with series of violent agitations from various geo-political zones in the country. These violent agitations which have taken terror dimensions have contributed to national security threat. Terrorists’ attacks have resulted in the killings of hundreds of people and wanton destruction of property that worth billions of naira through bombings. The major thrust of this paper is to investigate the challenge of domestic terrorism with major emphasis on the activities of the dreaded militant Islamic sect, popularly known as Boko Haram since 2009. The paper argues that most of the circumstances that led to this criminality are not unconnected with frustration caused by high rate of unemployment, poverty and weak governance. It, therefore suggests that Nigeria needs to re-evaluate her domestic and foreign policy directions and objectives towards combating domestic terrorism. It asserts that Nigeria’s domestic terrorism has external connections aid that the country could also be exporting terrorism to other countries in the nearest future if not checked. The methodology adopted in this paper is historical and thematic, utilizing materials from both primary and secondary sources

In-situ formation characteristic, tribological characterization and anti-corrosion properties of quaternary composites films

Improvements of wear and corrosion properties are essential characteristic in engineering application. A study was made on the structure, electro-oxidation and properties of fabricated Z

Effect of Alloying Element on the Integrity and Functionality of Aluminium-Based Alloy

Aluminum alloy are gaining huge industrial significance because of their outstanding combination of mechanical, physical and tribological properties over the base metal. Alloying elements are selected based on their individual properties as they impact on the structure and performance characteristics. The choice of this modifier affects the materials integrity in service resulting to improved corrosion, tribological and mechanical behavior. Hence, the need to understand typically the exact inoculants that could relatively impact on the low strength, unstable mechanical properties is envisage with the help of liquid stir casting technique. In this contribution, sufficient knowledge on Al alloy produced by stir casting will be reviewed with close attention on how the structural properties impact on the mechanical performance

Prevalence and factors associated with the use of long-acting reversible and permanent contraceptive methods among women who desire no more children in high fertility countries in sub-saharan Africa.

The proportion of women with family planning needs increased from 74 to 76% between 2000 and 2019, and this improvement has not transcended to a fertility rate stall or decrease in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In the face of a continuous increase in the fertility rate in SSA, population experts agreed that the efficient use of reliable family planning methods such as long-acting reversible and permanent contraceptive methods (LARC/PMs) could help reduce the high fertility rate and associated adverse reproductive health outcomes in the region. However, despite the effectiveness of LARC/PMs, its use remains elusive in SSA. Thus, this study examines the prevalence and factors associated with the use of LARC/PMs among women who desire no more children in high-fertility countries in SSA. Secondary datasets from the demographic health surveys conducted in 20 countries in SSA between 2010 and 2019 were included in the study. A total sample size of 46,290 sexually active women of reproductive age who desire no more children and who met the study inclusion criteria was pooled and analysed. Prevalence of LARC/PMs use was displayed using a graph whilst binary logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors, and results were presented as unadjusted odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio with a statistical significance of p < 0.05. The prevalence of LARC/PMs use among women who desire no more children was 7.5%. Ranging from 20.9% in Senegal and as low as 0.4% in Congo. Women within the richest wealth index [aOR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.03-1.36] and those exposed to mass media [aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.41-1.68] had higher odds of LARC/PMs use among sexually active women of reproductive age who desire no more children compared to those within poorest wealth index and women with no mass media exposure. The study concluded that LARC/PMs use among sexually active women who desire no more children was very low, and women within the richest wealth index and those with mass media exposure were likely to use LARC/PMs. Interventions that will encourage using LARC/PMs should be prioritised to reduce fertility rates in SSA. [Abstract copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).