Mobile apps usage and dynamic capabilities: A structural equation model of SMEs in Lagos, Nigeria.

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.Significant knowledge exists regarding the application of dynamic capability (DC) frameworks in large firms, but their impact on smaller organisations is yet to be fully researched. This study surveyed 1162 small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos in an effort to understand how SMEs in developing country contexts use mobile apps to enhance their businesses through DCs. Through the use of the covariance-based structural equation modelling (SEM) technique, the study explored the fitness of a conceptual formative model for SMEs. The model assembled 7 latent variables namely: mobile app usage, adaptive capability, absorptive capability, innovative capability, opportunity sensing ability, opportunity shaping ability and opportunity seizing ability. Subsequently, 15 hypotheses aimed at testing the relationships between the latent variables were developed and tested. The findings revealed that mobile app usage increases the adaptive, absorptive and innovative capabilities of SMEs. Absorptive capabilities help SMEs to maximise opportunities, while innovative capabilities negatively influence SMEs’ tendency to maximise opportunities. The results failed to establish a direct relationship between mobile app usage and SMEs’ ability to maximise opportunities. The research outcomes indicate that SMEs in Lagos respond to opportunities innovatively but they seldom exhibit innovation in order to create opportunities. The heterogeneous nature of SMEs complicates any clear-cut narrative as to how SMEs in Lagos should employ mobile apps to create and maximise opportunities. However, mobile apps could induce innovation and, as such, impact significantly when developed and applied to the contextual requirements of SMEs. The research revealed the untapped potential of SMEs’ mobile app usage in Lagos

Career information processing strategies of secondary school students in Osun State (Nigeria)

This study examined the strategies commonly adopted by Osun state secondary school students in processing career information. It specifically examined the sources of career information available to the students, the uses to which the students put the information collected and how their career decision making skills can be improved, leading to more appropriate career choices. Two hundred students selected by proportionate stratified random sampling from four secondary schools which were randomly selected from the three senatorial district of Osun state participated in the study. Data were collected using a self-constructed questionnaire titled “Questionnaire for exploring career information processing (QEIP)”. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square analysis, Kruskal wallis H test and Analysis of Variance. The results indicated that the largest percentage of the students chose accounting/banking, closely followed by medicine, engineering, law and nursing. The most prevalent means by which the students gather career information is through role models, information they obtain from school and parents. Socio-demographic variables of age and sex did not affect students’ patronage of these sources. The study also shows that only information collected from parents and their school counsellor bore any positive relationship with their choice of career. The study recommends career guidance collaboration between school counsellors and parents. It also recommends that more frequent career development programmes like career days and/or talks, job shadowing, role modeling and the like should be included in secondary school curriculum.Keywords: Career information, information processing, career guidance, secondary school students, Osun State, Nigeri

Towards a more effective legal framework for investor-state arbitration in Nigeria

There has been a backlash against the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system in recent times. Amongst other complaints, critics have argued that the ISDS whittles down the regulatory powers of states in favour of private adjudicators. These criticisms are premised on the fact that unlike commercial arbitration, investment arbitration awards may have far reaching effects on states. In response to these concerns, the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Working Group III and other similar bodies have been tasked to carry out reforms to address some of these issues. In spite of ongoing reforms, criticisms have continued with some countries abandoning the investor-state arbitration mechanism altogether. In Nigeria, the state of crisis in the judiciary has necessitated the need for a viable alternative to litigation. The ISDS framework therefore remains the preferrable option for the resolution of investment disputes. There have been recent attempts to amend the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 11 of 1988. Also, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission recently announced plans to reform the country's investment law framework. It is in the light of these developments that this research has been undertaken to examine the flaws in Nigeria's investment arbitration framework and reforms that may be introduced to address them. In making a case for the retention of the ISDS framework in Nigeria, this study critiques Nigeria's investment arbitration framework and explores a number of recommendations towards addressing current challenges. It is argued that the proposed solutions will improve the effectiveness of Nigeria's investment arbitration framework especially with respect to the legal framework for the consent of the Nigerian government to ICSID arbitration and in the area of court assisted measures and post-arbitral award litigation

Should ferritin tests be added to routine screening: An integrative literature review

Abstract The purpose of this analysis was to explore the possible benefits of a blood screening to be coupled with the annual routine check-up. Blood screenings are only administered upon reasonable suspicion of pathology. Upon the examination of current research concerning ferritin levels within the blood, one can speculate the existence of strong correlations between ferritin levels, inflammatory disease and early morality. Cause for concern stems from the fact that the ferritin levels of the vast majority of people in the US are completely unknown. Ferritin levels are the most accurate marker for measuring the amount of iron being stored in the human body. Ferritin levels measured higher than 300 mcg/L for men and 200 mcg/L for women represent chronic iron toxicity (Schrier & Bacon, 2017). Although iron toxicity has been studied much less then iron deficiency, there has been some experimentation performed. This literature review will gather relevant works and will use the RE-AIM Framework to interpret the data compiled. Results of the literature review reinforced the theory that there is a relationship between ferritin levels, inflammatory disease and early mortality. The inflammatory diseases studied include, but are not limited to cancer, endocrinological disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes type II. The implications of these findings may potentially have a transformative effect on preventative care. A strong enough relationship between the variables suggest that high ferritin levels may either be a stark precursor to inflammatory disease, or conversely, an invaluable marker for it. Future research may be geared toward discovering which one of these two relationships best describe this correlation

The Role of Social Welfare Counselling in the Eradication of Sickle-Cell Disease in Nigeria Beyond 2025

Sickle-Cell anaemia is a genetic blood disorder that has no cure presently, but it could be eradicated. It is a common disease among the blacks;  hence, it is necessary to look into the strategies in eradicating this deadly disease. It is found that the disease has no cure yet, but kills people in their thousands. It is as deadly as HIV/AIDS. The percentage of the carrier is on the high side, and as such the carriers will continue to increase in  number on daily basis if not controlled. Hence, social welfare counselling and other techniques can help in educating carriers towards the prevention and eradication of this deadly disease. Therefore, efforts have to be  urgently put in top gear to salvage the lives of the able black race. This  discourse will be a useful guide to individuals who are already or about to be engaged, and also for counselling in social, religious, health and  educational sectors. It is also useful at the Local Government Level, State  Government and the Nation at large, if the procedure in combating sickle  cell anaemia is taken into consideration.Key Words: Sickle-Cell Anaemia Disease, Strategies, Eradicatin

Do Financial Risks affect Financial Performance of Listed Insurance Firms in Nigeria?

The study assessed the effect of financial risks on the financial performance of listed insurance firms in Nigeria. The population of this study consists of all listed insurance firms in Nigeria. However, ten (10) insurance firms were selected as sample. The selection of these insurance firms was done using judgmental sampling technique. Data for the study were extracted from their annual reports covering 10 years, from 2015 to 2021. Panel data method was employed for analysis using E-view 10.0. Results revealed that only liquidity risk (LDR) has negative and significant effect on financial performance, while the effect of credit risk and leverage risk is insignificant among the sampled insurance firms. It is concluded that liquidity risk tends to significantly impair the financial performance, if not properly monitored and mitigated. Following this, the study recommends that the sampled insurance firms should continually develop and implement risk management policies and strategies that will help reduce their risk profile in order to improve their financial performance

Guidance and Counselling in the Sustainability of Educational System

Education developed from human struggle for survival and enlightenment. It is an act of acquiring skills passed on from generation to generation for the development and comfortability of mankind. Gradually education has been developing from all levels. Hence it‟s development needs to be fortified and sustained. Education has some problems contending with it just as there is nothing that is free from problems. If these problems are not solved, they can make education retrogress in nature and use. Therefore, for the development of education to be sustained, this paper has attempted to proffer solution to such unprecedented problems in the area of guidance and counselling.Keywords: Guidance and Counselling, Sustainability, Educational Syste

What is digital transformation? Investigating the metaphorical meaning of digital transformation and why it matters

open access articlePurpose: This study used a visual research approach to investigate how small business (SB) entrepreneurs in Nigeria, a low-income country, perceive digital transformation (DT). The study aims to improve and broaden the understanding of DT by uncovering its metaphors. Making metaphorical sense of DT will increase its knowledge among populations who are unfamiliar with digital technology concepts, as well as communicating and collaborating with them to develop future research and strategies on the subject of DT. This study is significant because scholars have paid little attention to social imaginations of DT depicted through metaphors, more so when considered from a worldview of SBs in low-income countries. Design/methodology/approach: The uniqueness of the research objective motivated the use of social theory to frame the research approach, and picture-elicitation techniques to drive data collection through in-depth interviews with 17 SB entrepreneurs and business owners in Nigeria. Data were analyzed using a content analysis procedure known as metaphor analysis. Findings: The study revealed three metaphors of DT: a drama, a war and a pregnant elephant. A triangulation of the metaphors with English lexicon, extant literature and interview excerpts supported the war and drama perceptions of DT but opposed “DT as a pregnant elephant.” Practical implications: It argued that the social perception of DT can improve the sustainable, purposeful and successful execution of DT strategies for SB DT. As a result, this study pushes the boundaries of DT, particularly for SB entrepreneurs in low-income countries. Social implications: Metaphors pervade our daily lives, not only in our language and communications, but also in how we think and act; as such, they can play an important role in understanding and implementing DT, a concept that has received little attention in the SB settings. Originality/value: This is one of the first empirical studies to figuratively explain DT and its implications for literature and practice in SB entrepreneurship and information systems domains

Cultural Revolution - Just What Multinational Companies Need: A Case of GE

This paper discusses the role that Cultural Revolution can play in the success of most multinational companies using General Electric as a case study. GE commits vast resources each year to the grooming and preparation of potential leaders through what many consider a fiercely competitive program of training as a means to weed out those who may not possess the skills necessary to lead (Kesler, 2002). The executives are comprised of the next generation of GE leaders. For more than 30 years, GE has been extending its global reach through the use of emerging technologies in developing markets. The message is clear - in order to be successful in a global environment, those in leadership positions must have the tools and support to make firm decisions. A continuous internal management succession plan allowed the company to transfer leadership from the former CEO, Jack Welch, to the current CEO, Jeffery Immel