Goal-Setting and Task Performance among Nigerian Managers in a Cross-Cultural Context

This study assessed goal-setting and task performance among Nigerian managers. Data were collected from 521 subjects including 176 Yoruba, 147 Igbo and 198 Hausa/Fulani managerial employees in Lagos, Nigeria. The relevant scales of the 57-item questionnaire designed by Mendonca and Kanungo (1994) were used to obtain measures of the dependent variables. Mean scores in goal setting and performance-intrinsic reward contingency were highest among the Yoruba managers followed by Hausa/Fulani and Igbo managers respectively. Mean score in task significance was highest among the Igbo managers followed by Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani managers respectively. Mean score in performance-extrinsic reward contingency was highest among the Hausa/Fulani managers followed by Yoruba and Igbo managers respectively. One-way ANOVA showed cultural differences in performance-intrinsic reward contingency (p\u3c .05) and task significance (p\u3c .01) but not in goal-setting and performance-extrinsic reward contingency respectively. The results were discussed in terms of the influence of culture on human resources management practices and that managers who value performance-intrinsic reward allocation should engage in goal-setting more than the others

Culture-level dimensions of social axioms and their correlates across 41 cultures

Leung and colleagues have revealed a five-dimensional structure of social axioms across individuals from five cultural groups. The present research was designed to reveal the culture level factor structure of social axioms and its correlates across 41 nations. An ecological factor analysis on the 60 items of the Social Axioms Survey extracted two factors: Dynamic Externality correlates with value measures tapping collectivism, hierarchy, and conservatism and with national indices indicative of lower social development. Societal Cynicism is less strongly and broadly correlated with previous values measures or other national indices and seems to define a novel cultural syndrome. Its national correlates suggest that it taps the cognitive component of a cultural constellation labeled maleficence, a cultural syndrome associated with a general mistrust of social systems and other people. Discussion focused on the meaning of these national level factors of beliefs and on their relationships with individual level factors of belief derived from the same data set.(undefined

Does organizational formalization facilitate voice and helping organizational citizenship behaviors? It depends on (national) uncertainty norms

Prosocial work behaviors in a globalized environment do not operate in a cultural vacuum. We assess to what extent voice and helping organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) vary across cultures, depending on employees’ perceived level of organizational formalization and national uncertainty. We predict that in contexts of uncertainty, cognitive resources are engaged in coping with this uncertainty. Organizational formalization can provide structure that frees up cognitive resources to engage in OCB. In contrast, in contexts of low uncertainty, organizational formalization is not necessary for providing structure and may increase constraints on discretionary behavior. A three-level hierarchical linear modeling analysis of data from 7,537 employees in 267 organizations across 17 countries provides broad support for our hypothesis: perceived organizational formalization is weakly related to OCB, but where uncertainty is high; formalization facilitates voice significantly, helping OCB to a lesser extent. Our findings contribute to clarifying the dynamics between perceptions of norms at organizational and national levels for understanding when employees may engage in helping and voice behaviors. The key implication is that managers can foster OCB through organizational formalization interventions in uncertain environments that are cognitively demanding

Reliability analysis of Litwin and Stringer's Organizational Climate Questionnaire in a Nigerian sample

The results of a reliability analysis of the Organizational Climate Questionnaire (OCQ) developed by Litwin and Stringer (1968) in a Nigerian sample are presented. Data were collected from 600 employees of shoe, textile and food manufacturing industries in Lagos, Nigeria. An alpha co-efficient of .70 was observed for the OCQ. Test-retest reliability was ranged from .85 to .99 across the nine subscales. The inter-correlation of all subscales was low, positive and statistically significant. Keywords: revalidation, test adaptation, test validationJournal of Psychology in Africa 2005, 15(1): 101–10

Managing febrile illness in malaria-endemic areas: Developing novel diagnostics using host immunological signatures as surrogate markers of infection

Recent research has highlighted the growing public health concern arising from mismanagement of malarial and non-malarial febrile illnesses that present with similar clinical symptoms. Retrospective examination of patient records suggests that a syndrome-based diagnosis results in over-diagnosis of malaria. Consequently, interventions to mitigate the frequency of presumptive treatment of fever in malaria-endemic settings have been sought, especially for resource-limited areas. Guidelines that promote the use of microbiological tests and modern diagnostic kits have demonstrated laudable progress in the ongoing challenge of febrile illness management. However, this has brought to attention other factors like the complication of mixed infections. These issues, which remain significant limitations to current tools and methods in the accurate diagnosis and subsequent therapy of febrile illnesses, call for innovative diagnostic interventions. Advancements in biomedical research over the last decade have led to the introduction of state-of-the-art molecular techniques of omics origin that provide the possibility of diverse applications in disease diagnostics. Here, we present notable challenges in febrile illness management, describe currently available tools and methods for diagnosis, and discuss the opportunities for future progress, including by harnessing cutting-edge transcriptional profiling and proteomics technology to detect host immunological signatures during infection

Managing febrile illness in malaria-endemic areas: Developing novel diagnostics using host immunological signatures as surrogate markers of infection

Taylor-Robinson, AW ORCiD: 0000-0001-7342-8348Recent research has highlighted the growing public health concern arising from mismanagement of malarial and non-malarial febrile illnesses that present with similar clinical symptoms. Retrospective examination of patient records suggests that a syndrome-based diagnosis results in over-diagnosis of malaria. Consequently, interventions to mitigate the frequency of presumptive treatment of fever in malaria-endemic settings have been sought, especially for resource-limited areas. Guidelines that promote the use of microbiological tests and modern diagnostic kits have demonstrated laudable progress in the ongoing challenge of febrile illness management. However, this has brought to attention other factors like the complication of mixed infections. These issues, which remain significant limitations to current tools and methods in the accurate diagnosis and subsequent therapy of febrile illnesses, call for innovative diagnostic interventions. Advancements in biomedical research over the last decade have led to the introduction of state-of-the-art molecular techniques of omics origin that provide the possibility of diverse applications in disease diagnostics. Here, we present notable challenges in febrile illness management, describe currently available tools and methods for diagnosis, and discuss the opportunities for future progress, including by harnessing cutting-edge transcriptional profiling and proteomics technology to detect host immunological signatures during infection

Assessment of provider-initiated HIV screening in Nigeria with sub-Saharan African comparison

Background: Despite Nigeria's high HIV prevalence, voluntary testing and counselling rates remain low. UNAIDS/WHO/CDC recommends provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC) for HIV in settings with high HIV prevalence. We aimed to assess the acceptability and logistical feasibility of the PITC strategy among adolescents and adults in a secondary health care centre in Idekpa Benue state, Nigeria. Method: All patients (aged ≥ 13 years) who visited the out-patient department and antenatal care unit of General Hospital Idekpa, Benue state, Nigeria were offered PITC for HIV. The intervention was implemented by trained health professionals for the period spanning (June to December 2010). Results: Among the 212 patients who were offered PITC for HIV, 199 (94%) accepted HIV testing, 10 patients (4.7%) opted out and 3 patients (1.4%) were undecided. Of the 199 participants who were tested for HIV, 9% were HIV seropositive. The PITC strategy was highly acceptable and feasible, and increased the number of patients who tested for HIV by 5% compared to voluntary counselling and testing. Findings from this assessment were consistent with those from other sub-Saharan African countries (such as Uganda and South Africa). Conclusion: PITC for HIV was highly acceptable and logistically feasible, and resulted in an increased rate of HIV testing among patients. Public health initiatives (such as the PITC strategy) that facilitate early detection of HIV and referral for early treatment should be encouraged for broader HIV control and prevention in Nigerian communities

Combatting anthrax outbreaks across Nigeria’s national land borders: need to optimize surveillance with epidemiological surveys

Abstract Background Anthrax is a non-contagious zoonotic disease caused by the Gram-positive, spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Infection is common in livestock and wild animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, camels, and antelopes. In humans, anthrax may occur after contact with contaminated carcasses or animal products like milk and meat. The best method to prevent anthrax in people is to ensure livestock are vaccinated, which significantly limits the risk of zoonotic spread to humans. However, the rate of vaccination of domesticated animals kept by nomadic pastoralists in West Africa is low. These groups regularly cross over national boundaries with their grazing herds. Nigeria is a country that historically has done comparatively well to contain this public health threat. However, in 2023 several outbreaks of human disease appear linked to the consumption of anthrax-contaminated animal products brought into Nigeria by pastoralists from neighboring countries. Clinical manifestations include skin sores or ulcers, nausea, vomiting, and fever. This article aims to raise awareness of recent outbreaks of anthrax in West Africa and to call for a renewed focus on measures to combat this neglected public health concern to the region. Main body The imperative to pinpoint pivotal issues relating to the ongoing emergence of anthrax cases in Nigeria cannot be overstated. By delving into the prevalence of anthrax in both livestock and human populations residing along Nigeria’s borders, unraveling the genetic diversity and potential sources of B. anthracis strains, and identifying the primary animal host(s) responsible for transmission, we stand to enhance our understanding of this critical issue. Furthermore, investigating the multifaceted factors contributing to anthrax transmission, assessing community knowledge and practices, mapping common migratory routes of pastoralists, and formulating targeted intervention strategies tailored to the challenges of border communities, are each crucial steps towards effective control and prevention. Conclusion Closing these knowledge gaps on anthrax is not only essential for safeguarding both animal and human health but also for fostering sustainable and resilient communities. Addressing research questions on these interdisciplinary concerns will undoubtedly pave the way for informed decision-making, proactive measures, and a more secure future for Nigeria and its border regions. Graphical Abstrac

Individualism-collectivism and business context as predictors of behaviors in cross-national work settings : incidence and outcomes

Brief descriptions of cross-national problem events by 1349 organizational employees from many nations were content analyzed. Contrasts between individualistic and collectivistic behaviors were much more strongly predicted by variations in business context (e.g., language spoken and hierarchical relations between the parties involved) than by a measure of nation-level in-group collectivism practices. Respondents from individualist nations emphasized performance goals and task focus, whereas those from collectivist nations emphasized personal aspects of work relations more strongly. Task-focused behavioral responses to problems were uniformly associated with positive outcome, whereas the outcome of emotional responses interacted significantly with individualism-collectivism practices. The results are interpreted in terms of collectivists\u27 greater attention to context