Academic Capitalism and the Public Good in Public and Private U.S. Higher Education: A Grounded Theory Study of Internationalization

Within the context of U.S. higher education, market forces inform institutional strategies at public and private universities alike (Rhoades & Slaughter, 2006). Despite existing studies on market-driven forces in the internationalization and transnationalization of U.S. higher education (Knight, 2004; Marginson, 2012; Rhoades, Lee and Maldonado-Maldonado, 2005; Stromquist, 2007), there is a relative lack of theoretical or methodological engagement with how the theory of academic capitalism informs our understanding of the dominance of market-driven strategies in internationalization and how those strategies and practices blur the boundaries between the market and the public good. Furthermore, no studies have explored how the intersection and coexistence of the public good and academic capitalism shapes universities’ internationalization strategies and approaches. Using social constructivist grounded theory methodology, this study considered how the “public” and “private” nature of two U.S. higher education institutions shaped their conceptualization of internationalization, and how academic capitalism and the public good rationales intersect in internationalization strategies. The study revealed that institutional strategies are shaped by both conflictual coexistence and complementary coexistence of public good- and market-driven rationales in the areas of market-driven approaches in internationalization as well as transnational applied research, community engagement, and emerging critical perspectives in internationalization. Conflictual coexistence produced several consequences and risks, including unequal access, cultures of exclusion, and lack of evaluation and assessment. This study also suggests that complementary coexistence strategies produce several unconventional and non-normative strategies, such as critical transnational pedagogies, the democratization of internationalization, multisector partnerships, and better collaboration and cooperation between organizational units. Drawing on these findings, this study informed a grounded theory of intersectional internationalization. Intersectional internationalization builds upon the theory of academic capitalism by positing internationalization as a site of intersection that blurs the boundaries between the public and private, market- and public good-driven approaches, and the local and global through complementary and conflictual coexisting public good-driven and market-shaped strategies. This framework of intersectional internationalization as a contested, conditional site of intersection comprised of conflictual coexistence and complementary coexistence can inform more critical educational, social, and policy strategic choices and outcomes among U.S. higher education leaders engaged in internationalization

Impact of Computer Simulation Instructional Package on Physical Education Pupils’ Motor Skills Development in Individualized Learning Settings in Niger State, Nigeria

The study examined the impact of a computer simulation instructional package on physical education pupils’ motor skills development in an individualized learning setting in Niger State. The experimental research design was used and two research questions and two corresponding null hypotheses guided the study. Computer simulation instructional package and motor skills assessment and rating scale were used as research instruments. The instruments were subjected to experts’ validation and reliability checks. Data collected were analyzed using Mean, Standard Deviation, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) in Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS Version 20). Findings revealed that pupils' motor skills development when exposed to computer simulation instructional packages in individualized learning setting better than the demonstration method. Also, the motor skills of male pupils were better to enhance than that of their female counterparts. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers should adopt a computer simulation instructional package to replace the traditional means of teaching physical education

Devlopment and Analysis of Natural Banana Fiber Composite

This present work evaluated the effect of fiber orientation on mechanical properties of banana Fiber /epoxy composites. In this work banana fiber is used as reinforcement and epoxy is used as matrix material. Samples of different orientations of banana fiber reinforced composites were fabricated by Hand lay-up technique and investigated their mechanical properties like tensile strength and flexural Strength. The work of this experimental study has been carried out to determine the mechanical properties due to the effect of banana fiber orientations such as0degree, 45degree, 90degree orientation and volume fraction such as 30%, 40%, 50% .The results of this study indicate the orientation 0 and 40% Volume fraction shows the better mechanical properties compare than45&90 degree &30%&50% fiber volume fractio

Do construction companies need to match employees' expectations?

Commitment of employees is relatively low in construction. This problem is exasperated by companies inability to attract, motivate, and retain talent that is then often channelled into other more attractive industrial sectors where the prospects, conditions and rewards are perceived to be much higher. The purpose of this study is thus primarily to develop a generic model to maximise employees' engagement, improve their motivation and increase the retention levels. To achieve this aim, the investigation looks into how perceived employment obligations and expectations impact commitment and through that organisational performance. The study is based on the postulations of Luhmann's theory of social systems with communication viewed as a constitutive element of a social system. Consequently expectations of a particular party in an employment relationship are represented in a communicative space requiring the other party's understanding in order to align expectations of both sides in the relationship. Explicitly, alignment of by an employee perceived manager's expectations determines his/ her commitment to fulfil obligations towards the manager. The result of this first stage of research is a conceptual model developed following the substantial supporting evidence in the literature and it forms the framework for mitigation of low commitment, motivation and retention of employees. The model particularly focuses on factors affecting employees' perceived expectations like reneging, incongruence and the process of communication. In the future the model will be validated using empirical data from a combination of observational and enquiry-based research. Once completed, the model will provide a framework for informing Human Resource Management policies with the aim to improve commitment of employees, increase the levels of retention and consequently improve the performance of construction organisations

Assessment of the use of audio - visual aids in the teaching of social studies by teachers in junior secondary schools, Kaduna South Local Government Area

This study assessed the use of audio - visual aids in the teaching of social studies by teachers in junior secondary schools of Kaduna South Local Government Area of Kaduna State. To this end, three (3) research objectives and hypotheses each were formulated and tested in this study. These include to: assess the extent of the availability of audio - visual (aids) materials in junior secondary schools which could enhance the teaching of social studies by its teachers, identify the constraints faced by teachers in the use of audio - visual aids in the teaching of social studies in junior secondary schools. Also, to examine how effective social studies teachers’ have been in the use of audio - visual aids in the teaching of the subject at the junior secondary schools. The research design used in this study was descriptive survey, using researcher designed questionnaire. Respondents in this study were junior secondary school teachers from selected public schools in the study area. There are six (6) secondary schools in the study area with target population of sixty - eight (68) social studies teachers. Although, estimated population of eight thousand, three hundred and eighty - eight teachers are presently in the employment of the Kaduna State Government in the study Local Government Area.. In view of the sizeable target population of the study, a sample size of sixty - eight (68) respondents was adopted for the study. The reason had been that the study adopted purposive sampling technique. Data analyses were undertaken through the use of inferential statistics such as pearson moment correlation statistics at 0.05 alpha level of significance. The findings of this study revealed that significant relationship exists in the opinion of respondents between available audio - visual materials and its ability to enhance the teaching of social studies in junior secondary schools. In addition, the study revealed that constraints faced in the use of audio - visual aids by teachers would adversely affects the teaching of social studies in junior secondary schools if not address. Among others, it was recommended that efforts should be made by appropriate authorities (governments and parents’ teachers association - PTA) to set up committees to look into the issue of facilities in schools from time - to - time with a view to making such available in schools and as well, raise funds for its use and maintenance. The need to establish school/ staff - community complaints unit was also recommended to be looked into to as a matter of urgency to help address issues which affects the smooth operation of the school - teaching and learning processes. Keywords: assessment, audio - visual aids, social studies, teacher competenc

Analysis and Health Risk Evaluation of Aflatoxin B1 Levels in Groundnut (Arachis hypogea ) and Maize (Zea mays ) Samples from Wukari, Nigeria

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a secondary fungal metabolite which is considered a public health concern worldwide due to its genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. In this study, we evaluated the levels and potential health effects of AFB1 in Groundnut and Maize samples from Wukari, Nigeria. Ten samples (each) of maize and groundnuts were collected randomly from local markets and analysed for AFB1. Our findings revealed the presence of AFB1 in all the samples investigated with concentrations ranging between 7.79 – 14.08 μg/kg in groundnuts and 1.48 -15.50 μg/kg in maize samples. Overall, 90% of the analysed samples contained aflatoxin B1 above the allowed limit of 5 μg/kg. The assessment of chronic exposure and probalistic health risk from consumption of AFB1 in the investigated food samples was done via chronic daily intake (CDI) and margin of exposure (MOE) evaluations. Obtained CDI values for groundnut ranged between 14.96 – 28.74 ng·kg−1 BW day−1 for children and 3.20 – 6.15 ng·kg−1 BW day−1 for adults while for maize the values were in the range of 5.38 – 56.42 ng·kg−1 BW day−1 for children and 1.15 – 12.09 ng·kg−1 BW day−1 for adults. MOE values ranged between 3.01 – 31.60 for children and 14.06 – 147.83 for adults. The obtained MOE values are by far lower that the recommended ≥10,000 value thus indicating high carcinogenic risks to consumers of the food items. There is need to create more awareness and interventions on aflatoxin contamination of food sources in Nigeria

NEMA - Preserving cultural heritage through cross-dialogue between traditional and digital ways of making.

‘NEMA’ explores how various digital techniques and ways of thinking can intersect with traditional methods of making culturally inspired art and design. In this study, the traditional methods being focused on are the use of clay and paint on surfaces to create cultural designs that hold the significance of traditional heritage, beliefs, power, and ancestral knowledge within them. The digital techniques and methods being researched and studied are the use of digitally fabricated approaches like 3D modeling, scanning, and digital printing. “The goal of this research-creation work is to combine both digital and traditional methods to create an immersive experience that Africans in the diaspora can identify with, while also encouraging a wider audience to engage with African cultural heritage.” This research seeks to find ways to effectively preserve cultural and traditional practices through ways of thinking through making. As Dr. John Henry Clark says, “Take the best of what you are good at and use it to help your people.'' Through this work, I use my art to address certain negative notions about my Nigerian culture, opening discourse to bring about enlightening people and showcasing the richness of my cultural heritage, while also preserving it by creating an archival set of culturally inspired works through these methods

Software defined antenna testing

Microstrip patch directional antennas are an attractive solution for modern wireless systems due to their high gain and directivity. Being an attractive solution creates the need to design such devices for various application scenarios. We have addressed that need by designing, simulating, and testing a rectangular microstrip patch directional antenna at 5GHz. Antenna patch and ground plane were designed with the well-known guided wavelength equation. The antenna performance, in terms of return loss at -10dB, gain, bandwidth, and the radiation pattern was analyzed with a simulation model. The proposed antenna achieved an impedance bandwidth of 77.8MHz (from 4.9662GHz to 5.0440GHz) and a gain of 6.26dBi at 5GHz. The antenna performance was verified with a software defined radio platform. We found that the software radio measurements confirmed the key simulation results. Furthermore, the extensive use of simulation enabled us to develop both antenna and digital baseband algorithms in parallel

The role of innovativeness in the relationships between ethical sensitivity, knowledge sharing intensity, access to ICT and access to finance and sustainable performance of SME's

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a dynamic role in the sustainable development of any nation. They are the core of an economic system as they provide employment and contribute to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country. The sustainable performance SMEs as a strategy of national sustainable development is therefore of utmost importance. This study examines the sustainable performance of SMEs based on Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach and the factors affecting SMEs sustainable performance as derived from Resource Base View (RBV) theory and the Dynamic Capabilities theory. More specifically, this study investigates the relationships between ethical sensitivity, knowledge sharing intensity, access to ICT, access to finance, sustainable performance in Nigeria. The moderating role of innovativeness on these relationships to sustainable performance was also examined. Data was analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLSSEM). The study found that there are significant positive relationships between ethical sensitivity, knowledge sharing intensity, access to finance and sustainable performance of SMEs. In addition, it was also found that innovativeness positively moderates the relationship between access to ICT and sustainable performance as well as the relationship between access to finance and sustainable performance of SMEs. However, access to ICT has no significant effect on the sustainable performance of SMEs. The research recommends that SMEs should focus on securing access to finance, increasing knowledge sharing intensity, ethical sensitivity and access to ICT as well as developing innovativeness to achieve sustainable performance. This research contributes to SME literature by integrating the theories on Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Resource Base View (RBV) and Dynamic Capabilities to sustain their performance. This study benefits various stakeholders by highlighting the effects of ethical sensitivity, knowledge sharing intensity, access to ICT, access to finance and innovativeness on the sustainable performance of SMEs