Predicting Job Stress and Job Satisfaction among Registry Staff of Takoradi Technical University in Ghana: A Discriminant Analysis Approach

The purpose of this paper was to find out the variance of job satisfaction on four job stressors: management role, role ambiguity, role conflict and workload among registry staff of Takoradi Technical University (TTU) in Ghana. A survey research method was adopted for the study and a questionnaire was used to collect data from 85 registry staff in the University through a convenience sampling technique. A discriminant analysis was used to predict job satisfaction of the registry staff into whether I am satisfied with my job or I don’t like my job based on the four job related stressors. The classification model showed that 96.5% of the sampled registry staff were correctly classified as those who did not like their job or those who were satisfied with their job. The summary of canonical discriminant functions with canonical correlation value of 0.942 suggested the model explained 88.7 %  of the variance for the job satisfaction  in terms of four job related stressors: management role, work load, role conflict and role ambiguity. Furthermore, role conflict and role ambiguity topped the factors that the registry staff considered as precursors of job dissatisfaction. This research paper used discriminant analysis approach to group job satisfaction levels of registry staff based on four job stressors: management role, role conflict, role ambiguity and workload which would assist the management to minimise job stress in the University. Keywords: Job satisfaction, Job stress, Registry staff, Discriminant Analysis, Takoradi Technical University. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-30-15 Publication date:October 31st 202

Analysing the Factors Influencing Employee Loyalty in the Hotel Industry in Takoradi, Ghana

This study seeks to analyze factors influencing employee loyalty in the hotel industry in the Takoradi municipality, Ghana. The study seeks to identify the benefits of employee loyalty, determine the factors and strategies employed by management of the hotels to boost employee’s loyalty. This study adopted a combination of both descriptive and exploratory research designs which allowed detailed description and analysis of the variables under study. Characteristics of variables are described and presented and their relationships are explained without manipulation. The study employed a stratified sample of 80 out of target population of 140 employees in six hotels within the Takoradi Municipality, Ghana. The study covered all categories of employees; managers, supervisors, clerks, waiters, cooks and cleaners and achieved a response rate of 85.34%. The results of the study revealed that providing assurances to employees, encouraging employees to have a “voice”, in the decision making process, fair treatment, team work, training and compensation policies were identified as the main strategies that the hotels must incorporate into a commitment-based approach. It was also observed that empowerment and involvement of employees in work gives employee’s a feeling of belongingness and recognition and makes them happy with their job. Keywords: Descriptive-exploratory, employee loyalty, hotel industry, Takoradi

Evaluating the Impact of Nitrogen Fertilization Treatments and Irrigation on Soil Health Indicators in a Long-Term Crop Rotation Research Plot

Abstract Many agriculturalists have been focusing on the most efficient farming method that would produce the maximum yield while still sustaining the soil ecosystem. Soil samples were collected from the “Old Rotation” area (Auburn University, Auburn, AL), and were assessed for soil biochemical, chemical and biological characteristics related to soil quality. Treatments of the experimental site were a control with no legumes or N fertilizer; cotton every year with winter legumes; a 3-yr cotton-corn-soybean rotation with wheat and winter legumes; and cotton every year with N fertilizer. Impacts of irrigation were also tested between the sites. Assays were performed measuring phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase activity, soil organic carbon, soil pH, and microbial diversity. The 3-year and winter legume rotations showed significant differences in the structure and membership of microbial communities and differences in biochemical activity. These results further demonstrate the ability of crop rotation to enhance the soil health of agricultural ecosystems. Keywords: Nitrogen Fertilization, Irrigation, Crop Rotation, Soil Ecology, Enzymatic Activit

Integrated Pest Management and Protection Practices by Limited Resource Farmers

This article focuses on the perceptions of limited resource farmers (LRFs) on integrated pest management (IPM) and protection practices. Data were collected from 90 LRFs in the Alabama Black Belt and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The results revealed that most farmers used pesticides and practiced crop rotation and other practices, yet a majority was not familiar or inadequately familiar with IPM. It is recommended that instituting a coordinated or seamless IPM education program on a long-term or continuing basis will enable the LRFs to be well familiar with and also practice IPM on a sustained basis

The Effect of Two Planting Dates and Methods on Snap Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris) Production in a Tunnel House

The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of two planting dates and methods on snap bean yields in a tunnel house. The main plots included planting dates March 17 and 31, 2016 for first and second plantings. The sub-plots consisted of planting Method 1 where one seed per hill was planted every 4” apart, and planting Method 2 where three seeds per hill were planted every 12” apart; each treatment combination was replicated four times. The results of the study showed that it took 55 days for the snap beans to be ready for harvest for both planting dates. Also, there were no significant differences in yields between planting dates, and there were no significant differences in yields between planting methods. This notwithstanding, it may appear that Method 2 would better for weed control because the plants will be well spaced compared to Method 1. Keywords: Tunnel House, Snap bean Planting Dates, Snap bean Planting Methods, Snap bean Yield

Impact of Climate Change on Corn Yields in Alabama

Abstract The study used calibrated Crop Environment Resource Synthesis (CERES) maize (corn) model to simulate maize (corn) physiological growth processes and yields under 2045 and 2075 projected climate change scenarios for six representative counties in Alabama. The future climatologies for two emission scenarios Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 (medium) and RCP 8.5 (high) were developed based on the IPSL-CM5A-MR high resolution climate model. Average yield decreases of 19.5% and 37.3% were, respectively, projected under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 for 2045, and average yield decreases of 32.5% and 77.8% were, respectively, projected under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 for 2075. These yield decreases were largely influenced by increasing temperatures as evidenced by the shortening of various development stages such as anthesis and maturity, which are important determinants of the final grain yield and number. Corn production in Autauga County was projected to be highly vulnerable to climate change, while production in Limestone County was least vulnerable. Corn crops in Alabama appear to be sensitive to climate change and will require adaptation strategies. Keywords: Climate Change, CERES-Maize model, General Circulation Model (GCM), Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) emission scenarios

Air and Soil Temperature Readings, Growing Degree Days, and Chilling Hours Recorded in Two Wiregrass Tunnel Houses Located in East Central Alabama

The study examined air and soil temperature readings, growing degree days, and chilling hours recorded in two Wiregrass tunnel houses during the 2018-2019 season. The monthly average ambient temperature, was 15OF warmer inside the Tunnel House (75/60OF) during the Cool/Cold months, and 17OF warmer inside (90/73OF) during the Warm/Hot seasons of 2018 and 2019. Growing Degree Days heat unit (HU) accumulations were higher inside than outside 4,154 vs. 3,153 HU for the Cool/Cold months and 5,134 vs. 4,800 HU for the Warm/Hot months. Chilling hour accumulations were lower inside the tunnel houses than outside the tunnel houses, 601vs. 671 hr. Utilizing the temperature data from this study, a planting guide consisting of a Cool/Cold (September-February) season and Warm/Hot (March-August) season was developed for a list of crops which producers could plant. The results of this study provides information for growers to better plan their crop choices and planting schedules

Yield Response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ Sweetpotato (Ipomoea Batatas (L.)) Transplanted in Single And Double Row at Different Dates in A Wiregrass Tunnel House

A split-plot study was conducted to evaluate the yield response of ‘Whatley-Loretan’ sweetpotato when planted in single and double rows at four planting dates (March, April, May, and June) in a Wiregrass Tunnel House located at S&B Farm in Eufaula, Alabama. The main plots consisted of planting dates, sub-plots single, and double rows, with each treatment combination, replicated three times. The results showed a significant linear and quadratic effect for US#1 grade of sweetpotato and total marketable yields. Yields were highest at the first and second planting dates and declined at the two later planting dates. Single vs. double row planting significantly affected canner grade of sweetpotatoes, while the other grades were unaffected