Occupational Health and Safety Management and Employee Resilience in Private Universities

Some organizations especially those in the private sectors and in developing countries like Nigeria aim at maintaining or increasing their productivity and profitability at the expense of their employee’s occupational health and safety. When the occupational health and safety of the employees are maligned by an organization, the organization runs a high risk of low employee resilience and poor success. The paper adopted the survey research design through quantitative research approach. Primary data was elicited through the administration of questionnaires in randomly selected Private Universities in Lagos State. 473 copies of questionnaires were administered to employees in selected private universities. The study revealed that majority of the employees of the selected private universities suffered from poor health and safety management practices in their organizations resulting from psychological stress, work overload and hostile work environment hazards which have a negative effect on their resilience. The revealed that the predictor variable of occupational health and safety management adopted by the employees is a predictor of employee resilience with (β =.149; t=3.267; p<0.05). The study concludes that employee resilience is an important element that forward looking organizations cannot afford to ignore. The study recommends that occupational health and safety management should be given prompt attention by organizations as once it is eroded as a culture in their employees, their resilience will be negatively impacted and this is not good for the organizations success. Keywords: Occupational Health and Safety, Employee Resilience, Organizational Success, Work Overload, Hostile Work Environment DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-12-12 Publication date:June 30th 2019

The Effect of Learning and Development on Employees’ Career Development in NNPC

The study examine investigate the effect of learning and development practices on employee career development in NNPC. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the research consisted of 9,024 top level, middle level and lower level management (Supervisors) staff of the NNPC who has spent more than 5years in the organization and have up to 5 years before retirement age of 60 years and sample size of 1,960 was derived using Slovin formula and purposive sampling procedure. Structured questionnaire with a six point modified Likert- Scale was administered with a 74.6% response rate (926) copies of the questionnaires came correctly and were used for the study. The obtained from the questionnaire was analyzed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results revealed that learning and development have a significant effect in employee career development in NNPC. The also revealed that that learning and development policy satisfies the career development needs of the employees of the Corporation. But, there is no established career path for every employee and professional groups in NNPC. The study concludes that learning and development practices have significant effect on Employee Career Development in NNPC. The study recommended that NNPC should improve and expand their training programmes for employees by encouraging more employees’ participation and free flow of information to enable all the staff aware of the Learning and development programme available both locally and internationally. Keywords: Learning and development practice, Employees career development, NNPC, Corporations, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/56-05 Publication date:June 30th 201

Influence of Organizational Support Practices on Employees’ Career Development in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation

The study investigated the influence of organizational support practices on employee career development in NNPC. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. Population of the research consisted of 9,024 top level, middle level and lower level management (Supervisors) staff of the NNPC who has spent more than 5years in the organization and have up to 5 years before retirement age of 60 years. Sample size of 1,960 was derived using Slovin formula and purposive sampling procedure. Structured and validated questionnaire with a six point modified Likert- Scale was administered with a 74.6% response rate (926) copies of the questionnaires came correctly and were used for the study. Data obtained from the questionnaire was analyzed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results revealed lack of Organizational support practices, no established career path for every employee and professional groups, organization Support practice with respect to supervisors in NNPC is not encouraging. The study concludes that organization Support practice has no significant influence on Employee Career Development in NNPC. It recommended that NNPC should adopt an integrated approach toward formulation and implementation of HRM practices. This will provide wholistic approach to the implementation of HRM in the Corporation and it’s Strategic Business Units (SBUs). Keywords: Corporations, Employees Career development, NNPC, Nigeria, Organization Support. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-18-04 Publication date:June 30th 2019

Strategic Leadership and Organizational Performance in Nigeria: An Empirical Investigation

This paper dealt with the activities of strategists in the behavioural implementation of strategy and stated that the future of strategy is leadership. It contended that the activities of the strategists in leadership positions should be rather seen and appreciated from the standpoint of the varied strategic leadership activities at the beck and call of strategic leaders during turbulent times. This study examined the relationship between strategic leadership and organizational performance in selected manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Primary and secondary data were sourced for this study. Primary data were collected through administration of questionnaire to employees of 31 purposively selected companies out of 45 quoted manufacturing companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting respondents from these companies, using the three levels of management for stratification. The data generated was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of the study show that strategic leadership have strong significant relationship with the organization performance of some selected manufacturing companies in Nigeria (r = 0.733, p<0.05). Furthermore, the result also indicate a moderate linear relationship established between performance and:  ‘workforce understanding performance goals’ (r=0.386, p = .002); and, ‘rewards aligned with goals/creativity’ (r = 0.324, p = .002). The study recommends that boards of directors of organization should avoid high CEO turnover to allow for the minimum period of time required for implementation of strategic plans as well as manage new business strategies Keywords: Strategists, Strategy, Behavioural Implementation, Performanc

Toxic Leadership and Organisational Silence: An Appraisal of Selected Faith-Based Organisations in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examined the effect of toxic leadership on organisational silence in selected faith-based organisations in Ogun State, Nigeria. It debates that securing endurable paths to organisation success requires keen attention to the menace of organisational silence, and this does not leave out organisations that base their business operations on certain fundamental doctrines, corporate practices, or religious believes. Survey research design was adopted.  The population of the study was seven hundred and seventy-five (775) staff drawn from the selected faith-based organisations in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study adopted multi-stage sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was adapted, validated and used for data collection. Cronbach’s Alpha Reliability Analysis ranged 0.704 to 0.775. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Findings revealed that Toxic leadership had significant effect on Organisational silence (Adj. R2 = 0.475; F (4, 361) = 83.60, p<0.05). This revealed that organisational silence exists as a result of toxic leadership, and to this end, employers and managers are expected to take every affordable step to weaken the weight of organisational silence by deploying quality leadership that encourages cross fertilization of ideas, creativity, ingenuousness and knowledge extension among employers, managers and employees. Keywords: Toxic leadership, Organisational silence, Corporate practices, Organisational communication, Ogun State, Nigeria. DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/67-05 Publication date:July 31st 202

Influence of Spent-Engine Oil on Hematology, Renal and Liver Status of Auto- Mechanics of Benin-City, Nigeria

This study was aimed at assessing the effects of spent engine oil on hematological parameters, renal and liver status of auto-mechanics. A questionnaire was design and blood sample was collected from both auto-mechanics and non-mechanics. The response from the questionnaire indicated complaints of pains around thoracic region, skin rashes etc; unawareness of the detrimental contents of spent engine oil; poor precautionary and sanitary practices. Assessment of renal status indicated that plasma urea and   creatinine levels for auto-mechanics (18mg/dl and 0.81mg/dl, respectively) were significantly higher  compared to  non-mechanics (16mg/dl and 0.68mg/dl, respectively). Haematological profile of the  auto-mechanics compared to non-automechanics showed that packed cell volume increased significantly  (41%) for auto-mechanics compared to non-automechanics (39%); haemoglobin concentration increased significantly (14.3g/dl compared to 13g/dl); and neutrophils increased significantly (34% compared to 26%). Though, lymphocytes increased (65.9%) compared (65.5%, for  non-automechanics), this was not significant (p=0.850). Neutrophils (p<0.05) and lymphocytes (p=0.850) increased for the automechanics (33.5% and 65.9%, respectively) compared to the non-automechanics (26.4% and 65.5%,   respectively). Alkaline phosphatase activity increased (19.7U/l) compared to (16.6U/l,   non-automechanics); while aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase significantly decreased   (13.4U/l and 7.4U/l, respectively) compared to (9.7U/l and 4.8U/l, respectively). Thus, the uses of   hygienic protective practices are encouraged like the use of face and nose mask, and auto-mechanics are encouraged to go for regular medical check-up.Keyword: Auto-mechanics; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); Spent engine oil;  Questionnaire

Homocysteine, hyperhomocysteinemia and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID).

Homocysteine is produced physiologically in all cells, and is present in plasma of healthy individuals (plasma [HCy]: 3-10μM). While rare genetic mutations (CBS, MTHFR) cause severe hyperhomocysteinemia ([HCy]: 100-200μM), mild-moderate hyperhomocysteinemia ([HCy]: 10-100μM) is common in older people, and is an independent risk factor for stroke and cognitive impairment. As B-vitamin supplementation (B6, B12 and folate) has well-validated homocysteine-lowering efficacy, this may be a readily-modifiable risk factor in vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Here we review the biochemical and cellular actions of HCy related to VCID. Neuronal actions of HCy were at concentrations above the clinically-relevant range. Effects of HCy <100μM were primarily vascular, including myocyte proliferation, vessel wall fibrosis, impaired nitric oxide signalling, superoxide generation and pro-coagulant actions. HCy-lowering clinical trials relevant to VCID are discussed. Extensive clinical and preclinical data support HCy as a mediator for VCID. In our view further trials of combined B-vitamin supplementation are called for, incorporating lessons from previous trials and from recent experimental work. To maximise likelihood of treatment effect, a future trial should: supply a high-dose, combination supplement (B6, B12 and folate); target the at-risk age range; and target cohorts with low baseline B-vitamin status. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia edited by M. Paul Murphy, Roderick A. Corriveau and Donna M. Wilcock