Organization management today: setting the human resource agenda in the globalized competition

The paper‘s discussion focuses on the way the world we live in is being transformed under our own very eyes by factors and forces which are so compelling and overwhelming, in their ramifications. The environment in which business and management are carried on today is becoming more and more complex by the day. Things are unfolding faster and are being transmitted to all corners of the globe at such an alarming speed that no nation, no organization and no individual is insulated. The paper theoretically examined why organization(s) should fit -in into the environmentin order to compete with the rest of the world.Keywords: Organization, Management, Human resources agenda, Globalization, Competitio

Thermal Analysis of a Small-Scale Municipal Solid Waste-Fired Steam Generator: Case Study of Enugu State, Nigeria

Thermal analysis of a small-scale municipal solid waste-fired steam generator has been presented in this work. The analysis was based on the selected design parameters: operating steam pressure of 10 bar, with fuel consumption rate of 500 Kg/h and combustion chamber which utilizes mass burn incineration using water wall furnace. The plant is designed as a possible option for thermal utilization of rural and urban wastes in Nigeria. The average daily generation of MSW was considered in order to assess the availability of the material. The data were collected from Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ENSWAMA).This was calculated based on the state population, urbanization and industrialization strengths. Calculation of calorific value of the waste to determine the heat contents was carried out using two methods: Bomb calorimeter and Dulong’s formula. Some samples of the garbage were analyzed with bomb calorimeter in the National Centre For Energy Research & Development Laboratory, University of Nigeria Nsukka. This is important because it a direct measure of the temperature requirements that the specific waste will place on the system. The calorific values obtained from this analysis were 12572.308 KJ/kg, 14012.05 KJ/kg, 21833.26 KJ/kg and 20551.01 KJ/kg for paper products, woods, plastics and textiles waste respectively, while the energy content obtained from the elemental composition of waste using Dulong’s formula was 15,101 KJ/kg .The maximum temperature of the furnace attained from the energy balance based on this value around the combustion chamber was 833.7 K and the amount of air required per kg of MSW was 8.66kg   Keywords: Solid-Waste, Steam, Temperature, Pressure, Moisture Content, Calorific Valu

Effect of green business practices on organizational performance of selected manufacturing firms in Nigeria

This study presents an empirical investigation of the effect of green  business practices on organizational performance of selected  manufacturing firms in Nigeria. This study was also motivated by the  urgent need to solve the environmental problems caused by the activities of profit driven entrepreneurs in developing economy as well as  exploring the benefits to organizations. The study was guided by one key objective, from which appropriate research question and hypothesis were formulated. The specific objective of this study was to determine the extent to which green business practices affect the manufacturing firm„s productivity in Nigeria. This study adopted the survey design. Simple random sampling technique was used in selecting the 10 manufacturing firms in Nigeria. A sample size of 543 respondents was determined from the population of 5705 drawn from management, middle and lower cadre of the selected manufacturing firms using Cochran (1977) statistical formula. A stratified sampling technique was also used to determine the proportional allocation of questionnaire to management cadre, middle cadre and lower cadre. Designed questionnaire and personal interview were used for primary data collection. The questionnaire was structured on 5-point Likert scale. The validity of the instrument was ascertained using content validity. The instrument was checked for reliability using test re-test method through Cronbach alpha, with a value of 0.90, which shows consistency in the items of survey. Data were analyzed and the hypotheses were tested using linear regression analysis. Probability level of significance was given at 5%. Data were presented using simple  percentages. Findings revealed that green business initiatives had  significant and positive effect on the selected manufacturing firm„s  productivity (r=.756, F=346.024; T=18.602;p=.000). In conclusion, the implementation of green business practices, principles and processes  will lead to very positive outcome that will be visibly manifested in the  organization and the environment.Keywords: Green business practice; Ecopreneur; Developing economy; Productivity; Performance; Manufacturing firms

Economic Benefits and Constraints in Management of Thrift Co-operatives in Public Organizations.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of thrift cooperatives in poverty reduction and grassroots micro-credit empowerment of its members. Five research questions framed the study viz, what is: the level of marketing facilities offered to thrift cooperatives members, the ease of accessibility and repayment terms of loans obtained. Others include ascertaining regularity in payment of thrifts and dividends to co-operators (at the specified periods) and the challenges (or problems) facing management of cooperatives in public organizations? Copies of five point Likert scaled research questionnaire highlighting clusters of questions were administered to a random sample of respondents. Qualitative data collected were based on the respondents’ ratings on the following clusters: Regularity in Thrift Payments, Marketing Facilities Granted to Members, Loan Accessibility by Members, Ease of Loan Repayment, Level of Dividend Payments, and Challenges Facing Management of Societies. Applying a Factor Analysis technique in analysing the sample data, we found that: provision of consumer goods at affordable prices, capital formation opportunities in form of thrifts, loans, shares and dividend payments attract and sustain membership of thrift societies. However, lack of: trust, transparent and innovative management techniques challenge administration of these societies in public organizations. Policy implications of the findings were discussed. Keywords: Thrift, credit, loan, co-operative, micro-finance, welfare, factor analysis

Barriers to climate change adaptation among farming households of southern Nigeria

Abstract Climate change is perhaps the most serious environmental threat to the fight against hunger, malnutrition, disease and poverty in Africa, essentially because of its impact on agricultural productivity. The objective of this paper was to identify the major barriers to climate change adaptation among smallholder farmers of Southern Nigeria. The paper was based on primary data collected within the framework of the Development Partnership for Higher Education (DelPHE) Project from 360 farming households selected randomly from the region. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The result of the analysis show that majority of the farmers were men (70%), relatively educated (average of 9 years in school) and practiced mixed farming (61%). The major factors constraining farmers from adapting to climate change impacts were – (a) land constraints which manifested itself in limited availability, high costs and poor ownership systems (tenure); (b) poor climate change information and agricultural extension service delivery; (c) high cost of farm inputs and processing facilities; (d) high cost of irrigation facilities and government irresponsiveness to climate change risk management, (e) credit constraints, (f) labour constraints, and (g) income constraints. The paper concludes with a recommendation that farmers need to be supported in order for them to effectively adapt to the climate change impacts that are already affecting their production and hence reduce hunger and poverty. These supports could come from governments, non-governmental organizations and even farmers’ unions themselves

A framework for agricultural adaptation to climate change in Southern Nigeria

The agricultural sector which contributes between 20-50% of gross domestic product in Africa and employs about 60% of the population is greatly affected by climate change impacts. Agricultural productivity and food prices are expected to rise due to this impact thereby worsening the food insecurity and poor nutritional health conditions in the continent. Incidentally, the capacity in the continent to adapt is very low. Addressing these challenges will therefore require a holistic and integrated adaptation framework hence this study. A total of 360 respondents selected through a multi-stage random sampling technique participated in the study that took place in Southern Nigeria from 2008-2011. Results showed that majority of respondents (84%) were aware that some climate change characteristics such as uncertainties at the onset of farming season, extreme weather events including flooding and droughts, pests, diseases, weed infestation, and land degradation have all been on the increase. The most significant effects of climate change that manifested in the area were declining soil fertility and weed infestation. Some of the adaptation strategies adopted by farmers include increased weeding, changing the timing of farm operations, and processing of crops to reduce post-harvest losses. Although majority of respondents were aware of government policies aimed at protecting the environment, most of them agreed that these policies were not being effectively implemented. A mutually inclusive framework comprising of both indigenous and modern techniques, processes, practices and technologies was then developed from the study in order to guide farmers in adapting to climate change effects/impacts

Rheology of Gum Arabic Polymer and Gum Arabic Coated Nanoparticle for Enhanced Recovery of Nigerian Medium Crude Oil under Varying Temperatures

The dataset in this article are related to the rheology of dispersions containing Gum Arabic coated Alumina Nanoparticles (GCNPs) and Gum Arabic (GA) polymer for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) of Nigerian medium crude oil under varying temperatures. The data included the viscosity of the dispersion containing GCNPs compared to GA at different shear rates. In addition, data on the rheological properties (plastic viscosity, yield point, and apparent viscosity) of the dispersions under varying temperatures was also presented

Comparing school nurses' roles in supporting children who are bullied.

This systematic literature review explores the role of school nurses n helping children being bullied in three countries, Norway, Scotland and the United States (US). Comparisons were made of the way school nurses were trained and employed to better understand how this reflects their roles and responsibilities within the context of bullying among school children. Different systems used to support children affected by bullying were explored and examples of good practice shared. The challenges faced by school nurses due to their limited numbers compared to pupils they support was a common phenomenon in all three countries. This in itself challenges school nurses to explore more creative ways of working to ensure that the needs of school children are being met. Recommendations were made on possible cross-cultural research that can explore existing best practice creating a community of learning. This systematic literature review could provide a starting point for futurecollaborations in this field

Dataset on experimental investigation of gum arabic coated alumina nanoparticles for enhanced recovery of nigerian medium crude oil

The datasetinthisarticlearerelatedtoanexperimentalEnhanced Oil Recovery(EOR)schemeinvolvingtheuseofdispersionscon- taining GumArabiccoatedAluminaNanoparticles(GCNPs)for Nigerian mediumcrudeoil.Theresultcontainedinthedataset showeda7.18%(5wt%GCNPs),7.81%(5wt%GCNPs),and5.61% (3 wt%GCNPs)improvementintherecoveryoilbeyondthewater flooding stageforcoresamplesA,B,andCrespectively.Also,the improvementinrecoveryofthemediumcrudeoilbytheGCNPs dispersions whencomparedtoGumArabicpolymer flooding was evident inthedataset

Environmental fluoxetine promotes skin cell proliferation and wound healing

This study investigates the effects of environmentally-relevant concentrations of fluoxetine (FLX, commercial name: Prozac) on wound healing. Pollution of water systems with pharmaceutical and personal care products, including antidepressants such as FLX and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, is a growing environmental concern. Environmentally-relevant FLX concentrations are known to impact physiological functions and behaviour of aquatic animals, however, the effects of exposure on humans are currently unknown. Using a combination of human skin biopsies and a human keratinocyte cell line, we show that exposure to environmental FLX promotes wound closure. We show dose-dependent increases in wound closure with FLX concentrations from 125 ng/l. Using several –omics and pharmaceutical approaches, we demonstrate that the mechanisms underlying enhanced wound closure are increased cell proliferation and serotonin signalling. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 350 differentially expressed genes after exposure. Downregulated genes were enriched in pathways related to mitochondrial function and metabolism, while upregulated genes were associated with cell proliferation and tissue morphogenesis. Kinase profiling showed altered phosphorylation of kinases linked to the MAPK pathway. Consistent with this, phosphoproteomic analyses identified 235 differentially phosphorylated proteins after exposure, with enriched GO terms related to cell cycle, division, and protein biosynthesis. Treatment of skin biopsies and keratinocytes with ketanserin, a serotonin receptor antagonist, reversed the increase in wound closure observed upon exposure. These findings collectively show that exposure to environmental FLX promotes wound healing through modulating serotonin signalling, gene expression and protein phosphorylation, leading to enhanced cell proliferation. Our results justify a transition from the study of behavioural effects of environmental FLX in aquatic animals to the investigation of effects of exposure on wound healing in aquatic and terrestrial animals, including direct impacts on human health