Women Entrepreneurs' Performance : Microfinance Factors With Mediating Effect of Opportunity and Moderating Effect of Attitude

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation- ship between micro-finance related factors (credit, savings, training and social capital) offered by micro-finance institutions and women entrepreneurs’ business performance with mediating influence of opportunity for entrepreneurial activity and the moderating influence of attitude towards micro-finance. However, the hypotheses were restated to reflect the component factors that resulted from the Exploratory Factor Analysis. For example, loan access represented credit, skill acquisition represented traininig , bonding represented social capital, opportunity for business improvement represented opportunity for entrepreneurial activity, ability to expand business and self-confidence in doing business represented attitude towards micro-finance, and women entrepreneurs’ sales performance represented women entrepreneurs’ business performance. A total of 280 women entrepreneurs participated in the survey through mail questionnaire; out of which 172 questionnaires were usable. However, after data cleaning, only data for 161 respondents were finally used for the data analysis. Descriptive statistics, multiple, linear and hierarchical regression analyses were used for data analysis and hypotheses testing. The study found that there were significant positive relationships between: loan access, skill acquisition and bonding; and women entrepreneurs’ sales performance which met Research Objective 1; skill acquisition and women entrepreneurs’ sales performance which met Research Objective 2; loan access and opportunity for business improvement of women entrepreneurs, skill acquisition and opportunity for business improvement of women entrepreneurs which met Research Objective 3; opportunity for business improvement and women entrepreneurs’ sales performance which met Research Objective 4; opportunity for business improvement of women entrepreneurs partially mediated the relationship between loan access, skill acquisition and bonding; and women entrepreneurs’ sales performance since only skill acquisition was significant which met Research Objective 5; ability to expand business partially moderated the relation- ship between loan access, skill acquisition, bonding and opportunity; and women entrepreneurs’ sales performance which met Research Objective 6. The study concludes that micro-finance factors are positively related to women entrepreneurs’ business performance as the models were, collectively, significant

A Review of Economic Instruments Employed for Biodiversity Conservation

Globally, the use of economic instruments for biodiversity conservation has gained a lot of support. This is because of the concern for the economic well being of people living in and near biodiversity-rich areas. Also, economic drivers are the main threats to biodiversity. This policy of using economic instruments is being used on a case-by-case basis worldwide. A review of their use from a global perspective is important to facilitate learning from issues resulting from their implementation. This article documents and reviews the specific economic instruments being used in different parts of the world for biodiversity conservation. An analysis of the economic instruments using a demand or supply classification suggests that more instruments are targeted at increasing supply of biological resources for human use. A review of literature and field documents was also employed to determine trends in the use of economic instruments for conservation. A major trend observed is the relatively low investments in economic instruments used for biodiversity conservation in developing countries, even though such countries tend to be rich in biodiversity

Social Welfare and Family Support: The Nigerian Experience

The African family has been the basic structure that performed the functions of a social system even before contact with European and other white cultures. These included not only the organization of behavior and economy, the preservation of culture, the realization of political goals, the control and integration of the members but also the provision services classified today as social welfare. However, sweeping changes have been taking place in the African family and these have seriously affected its function as a social system. The roles of men and women, religion, education, in short, the African culture itself has been experiencing a lot of changes. These changes have weakened the family as a social system. This has also affected the role of the family as a social welfare system. That role is also changing. Nevertheless, it is strongly suggested that the African family is still capable of assuming that role. It should be encouraged and aided to continue to do so. The importance of community development as a more effective and more relevant model of social welfare in Nigeria is emphasized

An interindustry analysis of the economy of Cross River State, Nigeria

This study provides needed information for effective development planning in Cross River State, Nigeria. Basic information was developed by using the Leontief input-output model. Quantitative measures of the interrelationships among the various producing and distribution sectors showed the importance of the various sectors and their relationships to outside markets. The analytical framework provided the basis for determining the direct and indirect effects of alternative courses of actions and for forecasting impacts of altered output by a given sector in the overall economy. Linear and homogeneous production functions were utilized to develop the transaction flow matrix to show the distribution of goods and services from the producing sectors to the purchasing sectors. The economic activities were classified into 19 endogenous sectors and three exogenous sectors. A direct requirements matrix was also developed that demonstrated the input structures of all the producing sectors. A matrix of interdependence coefficients was computed to measure the relationships that existed among the sectors. Finally, final demand, income, and employment multipliers were computed to measure the sectorial influence on the Cross River State economy. The results of this study indicated that the regional inter-industry model revealed in detail the impact of a projected change in economic activity on the region. The model provides a sound basis for enhancing economic development in the Cross River State, Nigeria

Nigerian English in the Determinant Triangle

This paper investigates the present status of English in Nigeria. It is certain that there is Nigerian English and several researchers have polarized Nigerian English as either standard or non-standard. The paper argues that the classification of Nigerian English as standard and non-standard is based on the duo forces of conservatism and progressiveness. These conservative and progressive forces are determined by factors such as common core, interference and autonomy. Samples of data were collected from a non-standard nativized spoken form and the standard written form from a national newspaper all in Lagos, Nigeria. Our theoretical frame is drawn from ‘the Triangle of Three Determinants’ by Schneider (2003:180). This theory stipulates that the forces that churn out a variety of a second language are common core, interference and autonomy. Key words: Second language; English; Nigeria

A Lexico-Semantic Analysis of Style Features in Zaynab Alkali’s The Stillborn, The Virtuous Woman and The Descendants

Abstract This paper explores style features from the lexico-semantic perspective in Zaynab Alkali’s novels. The paper adopts context of situation and the contextual theory of meaning as its theoretical framework. The data are drawn from three of Alkali’s novels – The Stillborn (1984 henceforth TS), The Virtuous Woman (1987 henceforth TVW) and The Descendants (2005 henceforth TD). These texts are selected, guided by their similar thematic and ideological concerns, which are the female experiences and the quest for selfactualisation in a male dominated society. The paper reveals Alkali’s appropriation of collocation, idioms, figure of speech and lexical choices, at the lexico-semantic level of style to express the aforementioned themes. Key words: Lexico-semantic, Zaynab Alkali, The Stillborn, The Virtuous Woman, The Descendants and Style

Africa and the dilemma of fostering development through western-oriented ideas in a multi polar world

The central argument of this paper was that Africa’s development dilemma set in with the introduction of colonial rule and the subsequent application of foreign ideas and technology for development. The paper has highlighted Africa development trajectory prior to the advent of colonialism. When the African exploit in the fields of agriculture and manufacturing were examined, it was seen that the continent made a steady progress. But after the colonial rule was introduced and the subsequent application of foreign technology for development, Africa started to experience difficulties in the economic sphere. Given the fact that transfer of technology is fraught with difficulties we emphasized that, as long as Africa continues to apply only exogenous ideas and strategies for development, real socio-economic transformation would elude them. On the basis of this we recommended, among other things, a switch of emphasis to indigenous technology which should be based on research and development

Determinants of Mortality in Chest Trauma Patients

Background: Chest trauma is an important trauma globally accounting for about 10% of trauma admission and 25‑50% of trauma death. Different types and severity of chest trauma in different subsets of patients with varying associated injuries result in differing outcomes measured with mortality. Early mitigation of poor prognostic factors could result in improved outcome, therefore the need to know such factors or determinants of mortality in chest trauma patients.Patients and Methods: Retrospective and prospective analysis of demographic details, socio‑economic, clinical details, modified early warning signs (MEWS) score on presentation, investigation findings, treatment and outcome of chest trauma patients who presented to our cardiothoracic surgery unit was undertaken. Data were collected and were analyzed using WINPEPI Stone Mountain, Georgia: USD Inc; 1995 statistical software. Results: A total 149 patients with thoracic trauma were studied over a 5 year period constituting 40% of the unit workload. There were 121 males and 28 females (81.2% vs. 18.8%; m: f = 4:1) with age range from 7 to 76 years (mean: 37.42 ± 12.86 years) and about 55% aged 45 years or below and more blunt trauma than penetrating trauma (65.1% vs. 34.9%), but no statistical significance amongst the groups on outcome analysis. Sub‑grouping of the 149 patients according to their on‑admission MEWS score shows that 141 patients had scores of 9 and less and all survived while the remaining eight had scores >9 but all died. As independent variables, age, sex and type of chest injury did not prove to be correlated with mortality with P values of 0.468, 1.000 and 1.000 respectively. However presence of associated extra thoracic organ injury, high on‑admission MEWS score >9, delayed presentation with injury to presentation interval longer than 24 h, and severe chest injury as characterized by bilateral chest involvement correlated positively with mortality with P values of 0.0003, 0.0001, 0.0293 and 0.0236 respectively. Conclusion: Associated extra thoracic organ injury, high on‑admission MEWS score >9, late presentation beyond 24 h post trauma and severe chest injury with bilateral chest involvement were found to be determinants of mortality in chest trauma.Keywords: Chest trauma, determinants, mortalit

Communities’ Perception and Expectations of CSR: Implication for Corporate-Community Relations

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has over time been a subject of cumulative interest among academics and business practitioners. This paper contributes to the discourse on CSR in the context of the Nigerian oil industry with regard to corporate-community relations. It specifically constitutes an assessment of CSR initiatives by multinational corporations (MNC) operating in the Niger Delta region and their impact on the traditional livelihoods of local communities. This study examines community perceptions, expectations and seeks to interpret the relationship between the host communities and the MNCs. This paper adopts a qualitative methodological approach, it provides empirical data through the use of twenty-eight semi-structured interviews and three focus groups. This is significant given that most of the research conducted into CSR in this region have been limited to descriptive and extensive theoretical explanations. Findings from the research suggest that the relationship between the host communities and the MNCs is a very complex one. The host communities perceive the MNCs as being unfair, insensitive to the plights, neglecting their responsibilities towards them and not meeting their expectations. It therefore concludes that the negative impacts of oil extractive activities on the local communities have triggered conflict and constant dissatisfaction with the MNC. Their expectation is that of mutual positive benefit. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Niger Delta, Multinational corporation, host communities DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-18-03 Publication date:June 30th 202