An Evaluation of the use of Igbo Language for Communication Among Residents of South-East Nigeria

There is no doubt about the fact that the most fundamental avenue to sustain a language and save it from extinction is by using it as a language of communication. This implies that one needs to be speaking such language in his/her daily interactions with fellow speakers. The refusal to speak a given language jeopardizes or threatens the continuous existence of such language. It was on the above premise that this study was carried out to investigate Igbo language usage as a means of communication with focus on the residents of South-East Nigeria. The survey research method was utilised for the study while questionnaire was employed as data collection instrument. A sample of 381 was drawn from the total population while the multi stage sampling technique was as well deployed for the study. It was found that the Igbo language is going into extinction as the Igbos now prefer to interact in English language even among themselves. It was consequently recommended that parents, Igbo traditional leaders, Igbo cultural institutions and organisations as well as the governments of the states in the South-East, should take concrete actions in preserving and promoting the Igbo language which is one of the major indicators of the Igbo identity

Social Network and Family Business Internationalization in South Eastern Nigeria

Social network relationships through social associations, clubs and social networking platforms are known to facilitate family business internationalization. However, this has not been empirically brought to the fore with respect to the family businesses in Nigeria. Owing to the commonplaceness of social networks and family businesses in South Eastern Nigeria and their involvement in cross border business, this study seeks to examine the effect of social network on the internationalization of family businesses in the zone. The study adopted survey design. Proportionate stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques were employed to determine the sample size. The generated data via questionnaire were analyzed using linear regression. The results show that the effect of social network on family business internationalization is significant and positive. The study therefore lends itself as a veritable empirical evidence and support to the Uppsala Internationalization Process Model. To promote cross border business, the researchers recommends the sensitization of family business founder/CEOs or descendant/CEOs on the need to belong to both national and international social associations. This social relationship has the potential of: fostering in founder/CEOs the use of social network platforms for communication; exposing the founder/CEOs to international business knowledge/experience; and linking founder/CEOs to foreign partners, investors, funds, facilities and markets

Characteristics and Performance of Family Businesses in Wuse Market, Abuja, FCT Nigeria

The unprecedented uncertainties in the Nigerian business environment is negatively impacting business operations and performance. Yet, literature on the association between business characteristics and the financial and non-financial performance of family trading businesses in the Nigerian context is overtly and seemingly scant. Again, family trading businesses are prevalent in Wuse market; one of the largest markets in Abuja, FCT. Taken together, this study seeks to investigate the effects of business characteristics on the financial and non-financial performance of family trading businesses in the market. A cross-sectional survey research design, and criterion and systematic sampling techniques were adopted to collect data from 211 founder/CEOs and the descendant/CEOs of family trading businesses in the market via questionnaire. The generated data were subjected to linear regression analysis. The results showed positive and significant effects. The study concludes that the computation of the overall performance of the businesses based on financial and non-financial performance measures show higher overall performance than when they are computed using financial performance measures alone. Education of the founder/CEOs and descendant/CEOs on how to keep financial records of business transactions, collect the non-financial data based on the non-financial performance measures, and how to use same for the computation of non-financial performance were recommended. The researcher advocates a replication of the study in other contexts using an expanded scope and qualitative or triangulation method

Residential electricity access : objective versus subjective measures of energy poverty in Texas

Policymakers in developed countries are increasingly conscious of the pervasiveness of energy poverty, especially in the U.S. where 31% of households experienced energy poverty in 2015. Energy poverty is defined as households that do not have reliable, accessible, and affordable energy services and is especially prevalent among low-income households. The vagueness of this definition has created challenges for policymakers who must estimate the need for energy assistance programs. Historically, in Europe and the U.S., an energy expenditure to income ratio (i.e. objective energy burden) has been used to estimate energy poverty where individuals who spend greater than a certain threshold are energy poor. For instance, in Texas 22% of households spend more than 8% of their income on energy expenditures. However, researchers in Europe have argued that objective energy poverty measures do not capture household, demographic, and health characteristics that have increasingly been identified as drivers of energy poverty. Further they do not account for temporal and spatial variation in residential energy spending, pricing, or consumption patterns. Although survey studies in Europe have used subjective (i.e. stated) measures to identify individuals living in energy poverty, there have been no empirical quantitative analyses comparing energy poverty metrics in the U.S. Using survey data from the Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute this study: (1) compares the household, demographic, financial, and health indicators of objectively measured energy poverty to subjectively measured energy poverty, (2) compares objectively measured energy poverty as well as subjectively measured energy poverty to existing bill assistance eligibility criterion, and (3) analyzes the regional variation in percent of income spent on electricity expenditures. The findings reveal that while objectively and subjectively measured energy poverty are associated with each other, they are driven by different characteristics. The results also indicate regional variation, with individuals in Southwest Texas spending nearly twice as much of their income on their electricity bills as other regions. This study has implications for policymakers who must estimate the need for electricity assistance programs.Energy and Earth ResourcesPublic Affair

Assessing the Effect of Knowledge Acquisition on Competitive Advantage: A Knowledge-Based and Resource-Based Study

The sustainability of competitive advantage is known to be influenced by knowledge-based threats like imitation, substitution, hold-up and slack.  Strategic management researchers have relied on the “resource-based view” and the “knowledge-based view” to explain how to avoid these threats since tangible/intangible assets and intangible capabilities contribute to the achievement of competitive advantage. This reasoning has further given rise to the question “why do some firm’s outperform others?” Thus, owing to the increase in the employment of knowledge workers, the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in service delivery, and the upsurge in the number of hotels in the hospitality industry in Benue State, this study assessed the relationship between knowledge acquisition and competitive advantage. The study adopted ex-post-facto research design and multi-stage sampling technique to select the elements that completed the questionnaire from the population of employees of the selected hotels. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Kaiser-Mayer-Olin (KMO), Bartlett and Cronbach alpha tests.  Linear regression statistical method was employed to test the research hypothesis. It was found that knowledge acquisition is significantly related to competitive advantage.  In view of this, hoteliers and hotel managers should employ ICT systems, skilled knowledge workers and all other relevant knowledge management resources that will further help to enhance knowledge acquisition. At every point in time, efforts should be made to acquire modern and latest systems and to improve employees’ skills through training and retraining. Again, a cordial relationship between employees/managers and customers/the general public should be encouraged to ensure free flow of relevant information/knowledge from the customers/public to the organization. Keywords: Knowledge acquisition, Competitive advantage, Knowledge-based view, Resource-based vie

The Obidient movement on Twitter and 2023 general election in Nigeria: an extrapolative analysis

The study highlighted that Twitter can be a powerful platform for political mobilization, it is one among many channels for engaging with voters. However, Extrapolation on Obidient Movement in the 2023 general election in Nigeria involves making predictions or projections based on existing trends or pattern. Movements and hashtags on Twitter can draw attention to specific issues, shape narratives, and amplify voices that may otherwise go unheard. They can also facilitate discussions, engage with policymakers, and galvanize support for various causes. The study adopted the survey method and area of study is Imo State. The population is 5,830,489 and sample size of 384 was attained using Wimmer and Dominick calculator. The multistage/cluster sampling technique was adopted and questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. The mean and percentage descriptive statistics were used for data presentation. At a mean average of 2.8, there is a greater motivation behind the emergence of the Obidient Movement in Nigeria's 2023 election. The movement have had significant impact on voter behaviour and electoral outcomes in the 2023 general election 2.5 (N=378). The study recommended that those in charge of electoral process in Nigeria must ensure readiness as there will be improved voter participation in subsequent election in the country. Furthermore, political movements must look at the broader political and social dynamics leading up to subsequent elections

Social Networking and the Family Business Performance: A Conceptual Consideration

Researchers and practitioners are divided on the preferred measures of business performance, largely due to the quality of available financial data and the measurability of the non-financial indicators. However, owing to the embeddedness of social networking in families and in the business world, this study reviews the contribution of social networking to the financial and non-financial performance of family businesses. The study is based on a review of 55 peer-reviewed published journal articles. Consequently, the most frequently used social networking platforms, the measures of financial performance, the measures and proxies of non-financial performance and the differences between financial and non-financial performance were identified. The study proposes the use of both financial and non-financial measures in assessing the performance of family businesses due to their complementary roles

Impact of Business Environmental Scanning Behaviour on the Entrepreneurial Performance of Micropreneurs: A Conceptual Framework

Today, business enterprises are generally immersed in a competitive and constantly changing environment. Research has shown that one way through which micropreneurs learn about the environment is Business Environmental Scanning (BES). However, most studies in BES behaviour [i.e., Degree of Interest (DOI) and Frequency of Scanning (FOS)] seem to have focused more on the medium sized and large enterprises, thereby neglecting the microenterprises. More so, it has been established that changes in the environment cause more uncertainties in microenterprises than in the medium sized and large enterprises. These changes ultimately affect the BES behaviour and Entrepreneurial Performance (ENP) of the microenterprises. This effect is influenced by the Entrepreneur and Enterprise Characteristics (IEC/ETC). Thus, this study reviewed extant literature to develop a framework with the following propositions: degree of interest is positively related to entrepreneurial performance; frequency of scanning is positively related to entrepreneurial performance; the relationship between the degree of interest and entrepreneurial performance is moderated by individual entrepreneur characteristics; the relationship between frequency of scanning and entrepreneurial performance is moderated by individual entrepreneur characteristics; the relationship between the degree of interest and entrepreneurial performance is moderated by enterprise characteristics; and the relationship between the frequency of scanning and entrepreneurial performance is moderated by enterprise characteristics. Micropreneurs can thus enhance their ENP by increasing their DOI/FOS and improving on their IEC/ETC. Again, empirical studies using this conceptual framework are suggested so as to validate the propositions and their generalization. Keywords: Individual entrepreneur characteristics, Enterprise characteristics, BES behaviour, Entrepreneurial performanc

Listing of Faculty Publications, Spring 1985

The Library-Media Resources Center is pleased to present you with the most recent edition of the LaGuardia Listing of Faculty Publications. In it you will find proof of the vitality and commitment to scholarship of the LaGuardia Faculty. You will also see the diversity of interests and expertise of your colleagues…Thanks also to Dorothy Lopez and Eddie Greissle, who labored long hours at the microcomputer reaping this bumper crop of information. –Al Talero, April 10, 1985; 63 p