Casual Employment: its Ambiguity, Heterogeneity and Causes in Nigerian Manufacturing Sector

Abstract The concept casual employment is riddled with ambiguity and paradoxes. Making sense of them is the key to understanding the significance, especially for labour productivity and casualization. Definitional ambiguity reflects changes in the form rather than substance of long-term employment relations in the workplace. The characteristics of most casual workers indicate that this form of employment has more to do with limited choices available to young people, women and low skilled workers than any flourishing of choices for people at work. The growth of casual employment is seen as an outcome of recruitment practices developed to meet internal labour demands in the context of changing labour regulations and changing relationships between firms and the labour market. While casual employment is a function of ‘demand-side’ factors, the recruitment strategies that stimulate its growth are formed through managers’ perceptions of the quality and reliability of the available labour supply. Though ‘demandside’ factors, especially firm size and union activity, are major determinants of the use of casual employees, attention has also been paid on the role of institutional factors that have enabled casual work to flourish in widening gaps in labour regulation. The growth of casual work has generated considerable interest, but only recently has attention focused on its heterogeneity. In an overview of the dynamics, therefore, this study tends to examine casual employment, its ambiguity, heterogeneity and causes in Nigerian manufacturing sector. Keywords: Casualization; Demand factor; Institutional factor;Casual labour; Work forc

YOUNG PEOPLE AND CHALLENGES OF AGRICULTURE AN OVERVIEW OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS' FARM PRACTICE PROGRAMME IN NIGERIA

Young people who have the strength required to take up agriculture shy-away from the work, leaving it to an ageing and dying population of old farmers, the continuation of this will force us to wonder what the fate of agriculture would be in Nigeria. Agricultural development specialists and policymakers around the world are concerned with the fact that young people are not interested in agriculture, as agriculture is very crucial to the current economic status of Nigeria. A sample of 384 respondents from the population was drawn using multistage sampling method and 40 in-depth interviews. Five research questions were raised in the study and two hypotheses were generated and tested (at 0.05 level of significance) using the chi�square inferential statistical method. Data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire; the research design was a descriptive survey. While the theories used for this research are the social exchange and rational choice theory. The major finding of the research showed there is no significant relationship between the socio�demographic characteristics of young people and their level of involvement in farm practice, while there was a significant relationship between the benefits attached to farm practice and the level of students’ involvemen

Industrial Sociology: A Viable Instrument For National Development In Nigeria

ABSTRACT The study of national development occupies a seemingly contradictory, but nonetheless possibly true position within industrial sociology. From classical time to the present, it has had a central place in the minds of theorists concerned with the transition toward more advanced political, social and economic development. At the same time, familiarity with the concrete historical experiences of countries in the „underdeveloped‟ world has remained a tangential preoccupation. This is especially true with regard to the actual dilemma faced by nations attempting to break away from their past and move toward national development. Nigeria has been facing a number of developmental challenges ranging from insecurity, prolonged workers‟ strike, infrastructural deficit, unemployment, political crisis, etc. which has remained as major obstacles to national development. Industrial sociology as an academic discipline is a viable instrument for national development, since it disseminates knowledge which proffers solutions to many of the industrial disputes and instances of industrial unrest, which has reduced the gap between industrial management and industrial workers, and it has stressed upon the important role of trade unions in settling industrial disputes.Despite the role played by industrial sociology to national development, it applied nature is not so much revealed. Against this background, this paper attempts to examine the implications of industrial sociology to national development. Keywords: Industrial sociology, National development, Economic growth, Unemploymen

POLITICAL OFFICE AND THE (UN) MAKING OF NEW RICHES (NOUVEAU RICHE) IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF OYO STATE

Abstract The major challenges confronting political office holders in contemporary democratic regime in Nigeria at local government level is sustainability of status attained at post public office era because, the thought of the people is that while holding public office there must be drastic change in socio-economic status of the occupants because of huge financial rewards attached to the office. But after leaving office, the sustenance of that status becomes a major challenge to these leaders at grassroots level because of the belief that there is a curse that forbidding public office holders at council level to hold on their wealth after leaving office. It is within this context that this study investigates the relationship between political office and making of nouveau riche at local government level in Oyo State and the factors that impede sustainability of the wealth acquired after leaving office. Exploratory Survey design was employed, while data were generated through questionnaire. The sample size of 177 respondents was drawn among the ex-political functionaries and senior civil servants at local government level in Oyo State between 2007-2010. But only 130 questionnaires were retrieved, given a 73.5% response rate. The finding indicates a positive relationship between political office and making of nouveau riche at council level but there is a challenge in sustaining the wealth acquired after leaving office by these grassroots leaders. Based on the aforementioned, it is recommended that frantic efforts should be made in enlightening political office holders and the general public about the responsibility(s) of public office holders and their financial limitations to their constituency(s) so that the wealth acquired while in office can be well managed and sustained after leaving public office. Keywords: Political Office, Nouveau Riche, Local Government, Oyo Stat

Perceived Effectiveness of Radio Jingle in Combating the Spread of Corona Virus among Rural Dwellers in Ifo and Odeda Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria

The study investigated the perceived effectiveness of radio jingles in combating the spread of Corona Virus among rural dwellers in Ogun State Using a multistage sampling procedure, 150 rural dwellers were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data were analyzed using percentages, means and correlation analysis at p=0.05. Results indicated that respondents were mostly aware of caution messages ( = 0.93±0.25), adherence to all non-pharmaceuticals preventive measures ( = 0.92±0.26) and warnings on adherence to preventive measures ( = 0.91±0.28). Knowledge was mostly high around issues of wearing of face mask ( = 0.90±0.30), social distancing ( = 0.84±0.37) and health workers’ vulnerability (0.84±0.48). Benefits derived included debunking myths about the virus ( = 1.86±0.87) and improved personal hygiene ( = 1.65±0.70). The jingle was perceived as highly effective in sensitizing others about the pandemic ( = 2.92±1.70) and vaccine information ( = 2.79±1.10). There was a significant relationship between awareness level and the perceived effectiveness of radio jingle (r = 0.318). Radio jingle was perceived effective by the rural dwellers, therefore should be intensified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in combating corona virus and other issues of public health importance

Perceived Effectiveness of Radio Jingle in Combating the Spread of Corona Virus among Rural Dwellers in Ifo and Odeda Local Government Areas of Ogun State, Nigeria

The study investigated the perceived effectiveness of radio jingles in combating the spread of Corona Virus among rural dwellers in Ogun State Using a multistage sampling procedure, 150 rural dwellers were randomly sampled and interviewed. Data were analyzed using percentages, means and correlation analysis at p=0.05. Results indicated that respondents were mostly aware of caution messages ( = 0.93±0.25), adherence to all non-pharmaceuticals preventive measures ( = 0.92±0.26) and warnings on adherence to preventive measures ( = 0.91±0.28). Knowledge was mostly high around issues of wearing of face mask ( = 0.90±0.30), social distancing ( = 0.84±0.37) and health workers’ vulnerability (0.84±0.48). Benefits derived included debunking myths about the virus ( = 1.86±0.87) and improved personal hygiene ( = 1.65±0.70). The jingle was perceived as highly effective in sensitizing others about the pandemic ( = 2.92±1.70) and vaccine information ( = 2.79±1.10). There was a significant relationship between awareness level and the perceived effectiveness of radio jingle (r = 0.318). Radio jingle was perceived effective by the rural dwellers, therefore should be intensified by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in combating corona virus and other issues of public health importance

Directors’ Compensation and Insurance Firms’ Performance in Nigeria

Abstract Compensation is a complex and controversial subject. Researchers, academicians and consultants have devoted much time and efforts to understand the innumerable factors that underlie top management compensation. Of more importance to this study is how compensation imparts on firms’ performance.For some time now, executive compensation has been a matter of concern to corporate policy makers.Studies have shown that compensation is one of the most important strategies in human resource management; as it influences the productivity and growth of organizations. There is also a public outcry that insurance companies in Nigeria do not settle claims promptly; and in most cases only with the intervention of the regulatory bodies. There are many published issues on compensation that focus on organizational differences; there is little on whether compensation has any significant linkage with performance. Besides, improvement of corporate governance standards has been at the forefront of international debate in recent times. Compensation of directors and executives is one of the key issues in this debate. This study aimed at finding out if there is any relationship between remuneration and incentive systems on Nigerian insurance firms’ productivity.The net claims paid to contributors depict a measure of productivity as perceived by the insured, while the returns on assets depict productivity from the shareholders perspective. The two represent the dependent variable for study. Key words: Remuneration, incentives, directors, performance, management, corporate organization and insuranc

A phenomenological approach to uncovering the influence of parental death on the academic performance of secondary school students

The death of one or both parents is one of the most traumatic incidents that can occur in childhood which may affect a child’s life course in many ways. This study uses firsthand data as against several studies that have employed secondary data to investigate the consequences of parental death on orphans. Unlike this study, previous studies that have involved directly the study population and important key informants are very limited. Two Secondary Schools and their students were purposively selected; the sample for the study was twenty respondents consisting of ten orphaned students, five School teachers, and five parents. Data were collected using in-depth and key informant interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Interpretative Phenomenological Approach aided by the use of NVivo software. The findings of the study revealed that parental death across the board affects the academic performance of orphans negatively; maternal orphans perform more poorly. Conclusively, self-determination is the most important factor in determining academic performance

Domestic Violence against Women in the Nigerian Rural Context

The problem of domestic violence is not new to African societies. This study focused on the remote causes and implications of domestic violence among rural women. The study adopted a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The respondents were selected using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Findings revealed that 82.3% of the respondents agree that the economic dependence of women on men is among the major causes of domestic violence, while 52.3% of respondents believe that their communities encourage and tolerate some abusive behavior. A total of 61.5% of the respondents posit that religious and traditional beliefs aid the persistence of domestic violence. On the implications of domestic violence, 84.6% of the respondents agree that children of domestic violent homes will model their behavior according to their experiences. The X2 value of 13.437 is significant at 3.841 and shows that domestic violence has a serious psychological implication on women. Lack of authorities to report cases of violence to and fear of the consequences of such reports prevented many of these rural women from seeking help when they were abused. This study posits that advocacy groups should employ more practical and appropriate communication mechanisms peculiar to each rural area. Specifically, the use of indigenous languages to form songs, playlet, and proverbs to communicate the implications of domestic violence against women in their communities should be encouraged. Community and women leaders should ensure that women who report cases of domestic abuse are adequately protected from the perpetrators. In doing this, they are able to accept the sensitization processes rather than disregard them or term them ‘western’

Employment Strain and Job Satisfaction in Nigeria: An overview

Employment strain at work, hierarchical dedication and job satisfaction among employees have, as of late, become the general wonder that specialists are currently eager to contemplate. The quintessence of each organization's work is evolving as it is driven by rapid, creative developments, globalization and monetary interest for improved operational skills. These progressions also benefit both individuals and organizations as they appear to result in increased work pressure and decreased job satisfaction. Based on the assertions therefore, this study examined employment strain and job satisfaction in Nigeria. Employment strain model provided the conceptual framework. The designs were descriptive and exploratory, a qualitative methodology and secondary method of data collection were used to generate information. The study revealed that employment strain has immediate negative impact on job satisfaction. It indicates a conflict of interest between the employer, who wants the employee to work hard, and the employee, who wants the compensation with the minimum effort required. Employment strain has been seen as an antecedent of job satisfaction, which can be induced by work overload, competition, self-esteem and impossible responsibilities; high employment strain has created negative psychological effects (depression), physiological effects (headaches, heart disease) and behavioral effects (absenteeism, substance use) on employees; also a depreciation of job satisfaction will have an effect on the organizational engagement, which will have an impact on the efficiency of their jobs