Women-Entrepreneurship, Religiosity, and Value-co-creation with Ethnic Consumers: Revisiting the Paradox

The notion of value co-creation has been a well-established phenomenon in strategic marketing. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of studies that specifically link this to women entrepreneurship and religiosity. This is the lacuna filled by this paper which is interpretive in nature and based on11 indepth interviews and one focus group discussion data collected from women that are members of Pentecostal faith-based organisations in London. While the paper shows many interconnected challenges faced in Black African women entrepreneurship, it also pinpoints the principal role of spirituality in fostering value-co-creation between these women, their customers, and their religious establishments. The research shows a rebuttal of the paradox of religion and entrepreneurship, specifically in women entrepreneurship. Apart from its theoretical implication of updating the literature on the discourse around entrepreneurship marketing, religiosity, and ethnic minority businesses; its managerial implications revolve around exploring socio-cultural groups to foster women entrepreneurship and economic growth

Examining social media live stream’s influence on the consumer decision-making: a thematic analysis

oai:repository.uel.ac.uk:8x4q4Social media live streaming, in the form of live video and user stories, is widely used by influencers, organisations and individuals to connect with their audiences. Its popularity is well-established in a range of theoretical and managerial contexts. However, there is a lack of scholarship on the role of this phenomenon on consumer decision-making. Filling this gap in the research is essential due to the importance of consumer decision-making in marketing and brand strategy development in organisations. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore and outline the nature of the influence of live stream on the consumer decision-making. The study was part of a 12-month Netnography consisting of participant observation and social media monitoring of brand pages and branded hashtags on social media platforms, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram. A thematic analysis revealed five main themes and a conceptual model is proposed which outlines the social media live stream’s influence on consumer decision-making at each stage

Cloud-Based Iot Monitoring System for Poultry Farming in Nigeria

The monitoring of environmental parameters of poultry farm using IoT applications is no longer a new research area in the field of engineering. However, the cost of implementing most of the reviewed research work seams unaffordable to rural farmers in Nigeria. This could limit the adoption and usage of such devices. In this paper, we present a cost-effective cloud-based IoT monitoring system for poultry farming. The system uses two vital weather parameters- temperature and humidity. The methodology adopted, employed the use of DHT11 sensor (a temperature and humidity sensor) to note every change in temperature and humidity data of the farm environment. The sensed data were extracted, sampled and processed by the microcontroller before transmitting the data to a remote cloud server through the WiFi module. The cloud server (Thingspeak) received the sensed data, analysed the data and plot the data graphically. The plotted graph is viewed from a computer or any smart devices. The result indicates that temperature and humidity values range between 33-38°C and 31-33mmHg respectively. Furthermore, the results show that the device is efficient in monitoring the two environmental parameters. Therefore, the efficiency of the system will no doubt provide much quicker and accurate information about change in temperature and humidity data of farm environment

Brand personification and symbolic consumption among ethnic minority teenage consumers: An empirical study

A plethora of evidence suggests that developed societies such as the United Kingdom are becoming increasingly multicultural by the day. Hence, the diversity of consumption in these societies becomes gradually evident in the form of residents’ age, gender, income and ethnicity. Accordingly, this article explores the brand personification and symbolic consumption in respect of London-based Black African teenage consumers. The study is rooted in the interpretive research paradigm with 36 in-depth interviews conducted with the target respondents. The study shows the interactions of personal, social, cultural, psychological and commercial factors in how these young ethnic minority consumers make their consumption decisions, define and manage their various ‘selves’ in the postmodern society. It specifically highlights that they use symbolic consumption to address their need for acceptance in the society. It updates the extant ethnic minority studies and enriches the current understanding about symbolic consumption and brand personification especially with a focus on a specific segment of the society. The managerial implications of the study are highlighted in the article

Exploring the Growing Link of Ethnic Entrepreneurship, Markets, and Pentecostalism in London (UK): An Empirical study

Purpose: While many issues about the entrepreneurial engagements of African-Caribbean (AC) have been discussed in the literature; there is far less studies documented about the link of these activities to faith, especially in the context of Pentecostalism. Hence, this research unravels how membership of Pentecostal fellowships aids the entrepreneurial activities of AC members. Design/Methodology/Approach: Adopting the interpretive research paradigm, a total of 25 tape-recorded, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with AC entrepreneurs who are members of Pentecostal faith-based organisations in London, and Pastors in this same sphere. 16 of the respondents are entrepreneurs running and managing their businesses while seven are Pastors, and the remaining two fall in both categories as they are both entrepreneurs and still serving as Pastors in churches in London. Rather than merely serving as gatekeepers for information, the pastors are active participants/respondents in the study. Findings: The paper highlights the challenges confronting the African-Caribbean ethnic entrepreneurs but also suggests that those in the Pentecostal faith are motivated and emboldened by the shared values in this religion to navigate the volatile marketing environment. It unveils participants’ faith in God as their key business survival strategy. It also shows the unwavering confidence of the respondents that this religious stance results in outstanding business successes like increase in sales and profits, competitive edge, divine creativity and innovation, opportunity recognition, networks, institutional support and other factors that underpin entrepreneurship. Originality/Value: This study unpacks the thickly blurred link between Pentecostalism as a thriving religious orientation among the African-Caribbean ethnic group in the UK and their entrepreneurial engagements

Compaction and Tableting Behavior of a Novel Co-Processed Excipient in the Formulation of Metoprolol Succinate Tablets

Background: Pregelatinized starches exhibit good swelling and flow properties, imparting fast disintegration time but low mechanical strength in tablets. On the other hand, acacia gum acts as a binder in tablets by imparting high mechanical strength but prolonged disintegration time. Development of a co-processed excipient involving combination of the two excipients at sub-particle level will improve the functionality of the final product.Objective: To develop a direct compressible co-processed excipient with pregelatinized cocoyam starch and acacia gum and to evaluate its compaction behavior and tableting properties in metoprolol succinate tablets.Material and Methods: Batches of the co-processed excipient were prepared by co-fusion using different ratios (97.5:2.5; 95:5; 92.5:7.5; 90:10; 85:15; 80:20) of pregelatinized cocoyam starch and acacia gum. Flow and compaction properties and Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis were carried out on native and pregelatinized starches and on the co-processed excipients. Metoprolol succinate tablets were formulated by direct compression using selected batches of co-processed excipients, pregelatinized cocoyam starch and acacia gum and then evaluated for mechanical strength and drug release.Results: Pregelatinization produced starch with larger granules (138.75±59.21μm), improved swelling (2.03±0.00) and flow (flow rate 0.52±0.03g/s). The FTIR analysis of the co-processed excipients confirmed absence of chemical interaction. Flow properties, compressibility (Kawakita value, a = 0.190 – 0.223) and rate of packing (Consolidation rate, K = 0.1221 – 0.2551) of the co-processed excipients were enhanced. Metoprolol succinate tablets containing the co-processed excipients had higher mechanical strength (Crushing strength 106.03±15.80 MNm-2) than those containing starch alone but faster drug release (disintegration time 1.80 ±0.20 -5.75±0.25; dissolution time; t80 30-50 min) than those containing acacia gum. Cocoyam starch: acacia gum ratio 97.5:2.5 gave the optimum formulation with high crushing strength (106.03 ± 15.8MNm-2) and fast release (t80 = 30 min).Conclusion: Co-processed excipients of pregelatinized cocoyam starch and acacia gum could serve as suitable alternatives to other directly-compressible excipients for the formulation of tablets. Keywords: Acacia gum, Cocoyam starch, Compaction properties, Co-processing, Metoprolo

Sustainability on the Horizon? An investigation into Sustainable Banking Practices in an Emerging Economy

Purpose: This study investigates sustainability practices in the banking industry, focusing on a developing economy. It employs the triple-bottom-line framework to answer the following research question: How do banks in Nigeria conceptualise sustainability, and what role does it play in their banking practices? Design/approach/methodology: This study adopts a social constructivist approach in its exploration of banking sustainability practices in an emerging economy, and the research design is a purpose-based (exploratory) approach. The qualitative data was collected from 33 bank personnel from various bank units and departments through semi-structured interviews in order to achieve the research objective. Findings: The study reveals a lack of sustainability policies and programmes, as banks focus mainly on profitability. It uncovers unfair treatments of bank workers through casualisation, low wages, and work overload. It indicates that most banks in developing countries ignore environmental considerations, as they still carry out paper-based transactions and use dieselpowered generators, which cause various negative environmental impacts. It also confirms that governments and banks in the country are not doing enough to propagate sustainable practices and banks have also not taken advantage of the sustainability concept to promote their brands; instead, they consider it as requiring additional operational costs. Practical implications: The findings demonstrate the need for banks to see sustainability from a marketing point of view and adopt sustainable practices to create additional value that will improve their brand image and enhance their competitiveness. Originality/value: The importance of sustainability in the banking industry in emerging economies is considered a viable means of contributing to the overall development goals of the United Nations as the world tries to preserve the environment. It also highlights the consequences of inaction or unsustainable banking practices

An appraisal of the potency of roots of Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.) Guill. & Perr. and Terminalia glaucescens Benth. in the management of E. coli related infections

Objective: This study analysed the roots of Anogeissus leiocarpus and Terminalia glaucescens for their chemical constituents and investigated their therapeutic potential in Escherichia coli related infections with a view to combating resistant strains and providing basis for future pharmacological research on the two plants. Methodology and results: The phytochemical analysis of the powdered plant samples was done using qualitative technique. The water and ethanol extracts of the two plants were prepared using cold extraction method. An extract concentration of 10 mg/ml was employed for the antibacterial screening using agar-well diffusion method. The test organisms were clinical isolates of E. coli obtained from the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Nigeria. All data were statistically analysed. The plants contained alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phenols and glycosides. Seventy (70) % of the test organisms were susceptible to the water extracts of both plants at 10-6 cfu/ml inoculum concentration of isolates. The ethanol extracts of the plants were active against 100 % of the organisms at 10-6 cfu/ml. Conclusion and application of results: The plants have significant therapeutic potential in the management of E. coli associated infections. The isolation of active compounds from the two plants and the study of their mode of actions in infections could lead to the discovery of novel phytodrugs that could be useful in combating multidrug resistant strains of E. coli. The roots of the two plants are sold as chewing sticks (for the prevention of oral infections and mouth odour) in Nigeria. This study indicates the possible antibacterial activity of the plants against oral microbes hence they could be useful in the prevention of tooth decay, gum and throat infections. In addition, the antioxidant screening of the plants could form basis for the assessment of their therapeutic potential in the management of metabolic diseases such as diabetes. The roots of the two plants are commonly used in ethnomedicine in Nigeria; therefore efforts should be directed at their sustainable use via conservation.Keywords: Anogeissus leiocarpus; Terminalia glaucescens; herbal recipe; Escherichia coli; antibacterial activity; phytochemical analysis

In-vitro antifungal activity of leaf, stem bark and root extracts of Irvingia gabonensis against fungi associated with its seed deterioration

Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte ex O'Rorke) Baill seeds are often contaminated in storage by postharvest spoilage fungi. This study investigated the nutritional contents of the seeds, phytochemical contents and antioxidant activity of different parts of the plant as well as their antifungal effects against fungi isolated from the deteriorated seeds. Proximate, mineral and phytochemical analyses were carried out using standard laboratory techniques. The antioxidant activity was against DPPH radicals. Ethanol extracts (100 and 200 mg/ml) of the various parts were screened against the isolates using pour plate method in Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) plates. The plates were examined for growth daily for 10 days. Data were statistically analysed. The healthy seeds contained higher protein (13.73%), fat (58.73%) and fibre (2.50%), whereas, higher content of moisture (10.17%) and carbohydrate (15.47%) were observed in the spoilt seeds. The leaf had highest contents of alkaloids (1228.3 mg/100 g), flavonoids (1345.9 mg/100 g), tannins (1345.9 mg/100 g), saponins (578.3 mg/100 g) and carotenoids (2348.3 μg/100 g). The antioxidant activity of the leaf (50.30%) was the highest. Fungi isolated from the deteriorated seeds were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus and Curvilaria lunata. The leaf was most effective against A. niger, A. flavus and C. lunata whereas the stem bark extract was most effective against A. fumigatus. The F-values were significant for model, treatment, concentration and number of days for the leaf and root. This study confirmed the antifungal activity of extracts of various parts of the plant against isolates implicated in the deterioration of its seeds. The extracts could be used as preservative to enhance the shelf-life and nutritional quality of the seeds. Keywords: Irvingia gabonensis, Spoilage of seeds, Antifungal activity, Free radical scavengers, Preservative

Trust, Religiosity, and Relationship Marketing: A Conceptual Overview of Consumer Brand Loyalty

Purpose: Over the years, a considerable depth of research has established the link between trust, commitment and relationship marketing and its relevance to consumers’ brand preferences. Nonetheless, there is a dearth of research on how they are linked to religiosity. Accordingly, this is the palpable gap addressed in this paper. Design/methodology/approach: This paper is conceptual and draws from the eclectic review of the extant literature that revolves around the key themes associated with the topic. Findings: The article emphasises the significance of trust and religiosity in consumers’ commitment to specific market offerings and brands which invariably strengthens relationship marketing. A model entitled Brand, Faith Relationship model (BFR) is proposed to understand brand positioning in the marketplace in relation to faith. With this model, a four categories typology of brand position scenarios is suggested in this paper. (1) Passive Brand, Faith relationship, (2) Faith trust established in the absence of brands, (3) Brand Loyalty without any Faith associations, and (4) Brand Loyalty, with Positive Brand, Faith relationship. Research limitations/implications: Practical implications: This paper has significant implications for brand management in relation to segmentation, targeting, and the positioning of brands in the marketplace. It also raises marketers’ consciousness on the potency of trust embedded in consumers’ faith/religiosity in their brand preferences. Originality/value: This paper explores the concepts of trust and consumers’ brand choices within the relationship marketing literature vis-à-vis the role of religion which is rarely examined