THE EFFECTS OF STRATEGIC PLAN, LEADERSHIP, FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, AND PRODUCTSERVICE QUALITY ON SATISFACTION OF CREDIT UNION MEMBERS

Credit Union, in Indonesia, has well developed and plays an important role in supporting economic empowerment of its members. Based on its members, assets, and financial performance, BKCU of Kalimantan was regarded as the best credit union coordinating body in Indonesia. In addition, 15 Primary Credit Unions (PCU) in Indonesia have been selected to be included into Asian Access Branding evaluation, 10 of which were PCUs within BKCUK. Objective of this study is to analyze the impact of strategic management, leadership, financial performance, and product/service quality on satisfaction of PCU members. Ten PCUs within Kalimantan BKCU (i.e., 8 inWestern Kalimantan and 2 in Central Kalimantan) were selected as objects of this study. No less than 386 respondents which consist of managers, adminitrative staff, activists, and members of the selected PCUs were randomly selected and used as sources of primary data. Data were collected from respondents using questionnaires. Path analysis was used to estimate the magnitude of direct and/or indirect causal relationships between exogenous variables and endogenous variables. AMOS Version 16 was used to perform the analysis. Results of the study show that: (i) strategic planning indirectly affect member satisfaction through three channels i.e., manager of leadership, quality of products/services, and leadership of managers and the quality of products/services; (ii) financial performance target affects member satisfaction, both directly and indirectly through three channels i.e., managers leadership, quality ofproducts/services, and leadership of managers and qualityproducts/services; and (iii) there are two critical paths that need to be considered in an effort to improve the satisfaction of members of credit unions (i.e., strategic planning manager-leadership-quality product/service-member satisfaction and the financial performance targets managersleadership-quality product/service-member satisfaction)

Hydrology of the major water sources of Lake Bosomtwe in Ghana

The paper seeks to identify the major inflows of Lake Bosomtwe, the meteoritic lake sited in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. It seeks to establish major annual flows as against the lake evaporation in an attempt to establish the water balance of the lake with a view to understanding the factors that are critical to the sustainability of the lake. The average annual rainfall observed in the catchment was estimated to be 350 mm. This is far lower than the average long-term rainfall recorded in the area, of 1,565.9 mm for the period 1950-1971 or that of 1,263.4 mm for the period 1971 to 1991. Even though there appears to be a decline in the two periods, indicating reduction in rainfall amounts with time, the recorded rainfall is not representative. Based on the recorded rainfall and stream flow data, an estimated annual inflow of 0.14027 km3 was derived, with the major inflows being direct rainfall onto the lake surface (99.81%), Nana Abrewa stream (0.15%), Abono bɔ stream (0.04%) and Atafram stream (0.00% insignificant). In view of the reduced flows as a result of lower rainfalls, it is prudent to both conserve and adapt measures to ensure the lake is sustainably managed

Causal Relationship Between Strategic Plan, Managerial Performance, and Product/Service Quality and I’ts Implication on Satisfaction of Credit Union Members

The present study’s objectives were to analyze the impact of strategic plan on managerial performance and product/service quality and its implication on satisfaction of PCU members. Ten PCUs within BKCUK (i.e.,8 in Western Kalimantan and 2 in Central Kalimantan) were selected as objects of this study. Approximately 305 respondents consisting of managers, adminitrative staff, activists, and members of the selected PCUs were randomly selected and used as sources of primary data. Path analysis was applied to estimate the magnitude of causal relationships between exogenous variables and endogenous variables. Results of the study showed that strategic plan directly and indirectly affects member’s satisfaction. Strategic plan indirectly affects member’s satisfaction through three paths: (i) strategic plan-managerial performancemember’s satisfaction; (ii) strategic plan-product/service quality-members satisfaction; and (iii) strategic plan-managerial performance-products/services quality-member’s satisfaction. Based on its standardized path coefficients, the third path is found as the most important path. Causal relationship between the four investigated variables is better explained by the third path

Cement Stabilized Structural Foundation Lateritic Soil with Bone Ash Powder as Additive

Investigation on the potentials of bone ash powder on cement stabilized structural foundation was carried out in this paper. The aim of the study was to discover local waste material as complement for cement to reduce construction cost. Three soil samples were collected from different borrow pits in Ile-Ife and Ibadan, Nigeria called sample A, B and C. Preliminary tests such as the natural moisture content, specific gravity, grain size analysis and Atterberg’s limits were performed on the samples at their natural states and when stabilized at the condition of 8, 8 and 6% cement for samples A, B and C respectively. Engineering tests such as compaction, California bearing ratio (CBR) and undrained traixial were also performed on them at their natural states, when stabilized with optimum cement and when bone ash powder (BAP) was introduced at 2, 4, 6 and 8% to the samples. The results of the engineering tests showed that BAP increased the maximum dry density (MDD) of all the samples. With the optimum cement content kept at 8% for samples A and B and 6% for sample C, the values increased from 1687.89 to 2219.05 kg/m3 and 1634.12 to 2174.71 kg/m3 at 4% in samples A and B respectively and 1521.59 to 1620.70 kg/m3 in sample C at 2% BAP content. The unsoaked CBR values of all the cement stabilized samples dropped with BAP contents. The values dropped from 4.79 to 1.79%, 3.88 to 2.31% and 4.84 to 2.43% respectively in samples A, B and C. However, the shear strengths of samples A and B increased from 604.77 to 740.09 kN/m2 and 317.73 to 616.05 kN/m2 respectively. It was therefore concluded that BAP is not an effective additive on cement stabilized structural foundation soil, except in the compaction and shear strength characteristics

Evaluation of Geotechnical and Structural Performance of Cement-Stabilized Soil with Saw Dust Ash (SDA)

Availability of good soils for the construction of Civil engineering works is pivotal to the development and progress of any nation. Where good soils are lacking, it is necessary to make the soil fit through soil improvement methods. This study investigates the geotechnical performance of soil stabilized with the blend of cement and saw dust ash (SDA). The blend consists of 9% cement by weight and up to 10% of SDA at interval of 2%. The tests conducted on both stabilized and unstabilized soils samples at three different locations, identified as A, B, and C were: particle size distribution, natural moisture content, Atterberg’s limits, compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS). The results showed decrease in plasticity index from high to medium, increase in CBR values: 4 – 10% for sample A, 2 – 12% for sample B and 5 – 8% for sample C, and increase in unconfined compression strength values: 45.23 – 65.88 kN/m2 for sample A, 34.01 – 59.18 kN/m2 for B and 41.80 – 63.94 kN/m2 for C. The results of this investigation showed that improvement of soil for construction purpose can be achieved when SDA is applied as a stabilizer in a cement-stabilized soil, up to 6% by weight of cement. Specifically, improved shear stress demonstrated up to 6% replacement is an indication of fitness for application of such soil in the design of footing, especially for columns, where shear stresses usually control the footing thickness

THE INFLUENTIAL FACTORS TOWARDS CREDIT UNION MEMBERS (STUDIES IN CU NETWORK BOARDS OF CU IN KALIMANTAN)

Credit Unions, in Indonesia, have well-developed and played an important role in supporting its members economic empowerment. In 2008, there were 33 Regional Coordinating Bodies of Credit Cooperation (BK3D) and one Central Office of Credit Cooperation (PUSKOPDIT). Among them, it is Kalimantan Coordinating Body of Credit Union (BKCUK). This research attempts to find out the relationship and influences among the variables as used in this re- search. The data which include the abovementioned key variables were collected from re- spondents using questionnaires. Path analysis was used to estimate the magnitude of direct or indirect causal relationships between exogenous variables and endogenous variables. AMOS Version 16 was used to perform the analysis. Results of the study shows that: (i) lead- ership of managers was directly affected by both strategic plan and financial performance; (ii) quality of product/service was directly affected by strategic plan, and was indirectly af- fected by financial performance through managers leadership; and (iii) satisfaction of PCUs members was directly affected by either leadership of managers or quality of prod- uct/service, and was indirectly affected by financial performance and strategic plan through leadership of manager. Results of the study shows, That: (i) the leadership of managers was directly affected by both the strategic plan and financial performance, (ii) quality of product / service was directly affected by the strategic plan, and was indirectly affected by financial performance through managers leadership ; and (iii) the satisfaction of PCUs members was directly affected by Either leadership of managers or quality of product / service, and was indirectly affected by financial performance and strategic plan through leadership of manager

Predictors of underweight in children under-five years in Ghana

Background: Underweight is a key indicator of malnutrition in children and results in long term effects such as abnormalities in physical and mental health, behavioural problems, and low educational achievement.Objective: Using the conceptual framework for child malnutrition by the United Nations Children's Fund, we examined the predictors of underweight in children under five years in Ghana.Methods: This cross-sectional study made use of data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 2720 children were included in the analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics comprising frequency, percentage, chi-square, and binary logistic regression were used in analysing the data.Results: The prevalence of underweight was 11%. Age, wealth status, mother’s education, region, ethnicity, household toilet facility, the source of drinking water, the incidence of diarrhoea, and subscription to health insurance significantly predicted underweight in the children. The risk of being underweight was higher in females than males (OR=1.04, 95% CI=0.81–1.34). This was, however, not statistically significant. The probability of being underweight also declined significantly with mother’s level of education.Conclusion: Our findings underscore the need for the Ghana Health Service and other health sector stakeholders to apportion interventions with a focus on improving complementary feeding, poverty alleviation, and health status of children.Funding: No funding was received for the studyKeywords: malnutrition, underweight, predictors, children, under five, Ghan

Mass Media Exposure and Safer Sex Negotiation among Women in Sexual Unions in Sub-Saharan Africa: Analysis of Demographic and Health Survey Data.

(1) Background: Improving sexual autonomy among women in sexual unions comes with various benefits, including the reduction of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections. We examined the relationship between mass media exposure and safer sex negotiation among women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). (2) Methods: The study involved a cross-sectional analysis of Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data of 29 sub-Saharan African countries. A total of 224,647 women aged 15–49 were included in our analyses. We examined the association between mass media exposure and safer sex negotiation using binary logistic regression analysis. The results are presented using a crude odds ratio (cOR) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR), with their respective confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. (3) Results: The overall prevalence of safer sex negotiation among women in sexual unions in SSA was 71.6% (71.4–71.8). Women exposed to mass media had higher odds of negotiating for safer sex compared with those who had no exposure (aOR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.86–2.02), and this persisted after controlling for covariates (maternal age, wealth index, maternal educational level, partner’s age, partner’s educational level, sex of household head, religion, place of residence, and marital status) (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.35–1.46). The disaggregated results showed higher odds of safer sex negotiation among women exposed to mass media in all the individual countries, except Ghana, Comoros, Rwanda, and Namibia. (4) Conclusions: The findings could inform policies (e.g., transformative mass media educational seminars) and interventions (e.g., face-to-face counselling; small group sensitization sessions) in SSA on the crucial role of mass media in increasing safer sex practice among women in sexual unions. To accelerate progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal five’s targets on empowering all women and safeguarding their reproductive rights, the study recommends that countries such as Ghana, Comoros, Rwanda, and Namibia need to intensify their efforts (e.g., regular sensitization campaigns) in increasing safer sex negotiation among women to counter power imbalances in sexual behaviour

Attitude and Knowledge of Print Media Journalists towards

Valid knowledge is important as it predisposes journalists to report with precision, yet journalists’ behaviours need to be influenced so as to increase awareness and dissemination of climate change news. The study investigated the attitude of print media journalists towards the coverage of climate change news in Nigeria. One hundred and fifty journalists who specialized in the area of science, environment and social sciences were randomly selected from ten national dailies namely: Daily Sun, Guardian, Daily Champion, ThisDay, The Nation, The Punch, Daily Times, Daily Independent, Business Day and Vanguard newspapers and interviewed. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean scores, and multiple regression. Majority of the journalists’ perceived the Internet (M= 2.67; S.D= 0.79) as being the most important source of climate information. Majority (73.1%) of the journalists lacked training in reporting climate change issues. Majority statistics of the journalists had favourable attitude towards reporting of climate change issues. Some personal characteristics, namely, sex, training in reporting climate change issues and years in service influenced journalists’ attitudes towards coverage of climate change news. The study recommended that training of agricultural communicators should receive appropriate attention in universities in order to ensure that personnel with adequate training in agriculture and communication are not in shortfall in media organizations