Foreign Debt and Domestic Savings in Developing Countries

This paper approaches the question of potential causality between foreign debt and domestic savings in the context of developing countries. Literature provides evidence in as far as foreign debt and development is concerned, but little attention was given so far to internal potential for capital formation. We provide a theoretical framework and test its relevance using 1975-2004 data for two groups of countries: sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America with the Caribbean. With the use of instrumental variables we find negative impact of foreign debt on domestic savings especially in the long run. The results are not susceptible to the choice of countries or outliers. However, the relationship between foreign debt and savings seems to depend on debt accumulation gaining significance only after passing a country specific threshold.Africa; foreign debt; domestic savings; Latin America; MIU

Reforms in the Nigerian Banking Sector and Strategies for Managing Human Resource Challenges

The banking sector anywhere in the world occupies a very strategic position in the nation’s economy. Hence, instability in the sector is capable of creating perennial crises not only for the economy, but also for the workers in the sector. In Nigeria, the banking reforms that commenced in the sector since 2004 till date has thrown a lot of disengaged workers into the over bloated and saturated labour market with vary consequences even for the surviving ones. This paper reviews critically the reforms in the sector and the attendant human resource challenges. It argues that surviving workers who are not very certain about their future career path in the sector are facing a number of challenges with may scuttle and undermine the entire reform process. Using Neo-liberalism and Weberian Social Action as a theoretical guide, the paper examined a number of strategies that may be adopted in the sector to manage the surviving workers so that human element which is a very critical aspect of the banking reforms in Nigeria will not be compromised. Keywords: Bank reforms, Human resource, Retrenchment, Neo-liberalism, Surviving worker

Empirical Study of the Use of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Among Bank Customers in Ibadan Metropolis, South Western Nigeria

Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is perceived to offer considerable benefits and challenges both to the banks and their customers, yet these are rarely empirically investigated. The study was conducted in purposively selected eight ATM location points of four banks in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria. The sample size was made up purposively selected one hundred and eight-two (182) and another twelve (12) respondents for survey and in-depth interviews respectively. Data were collected and analyzed through quantitative and qualitative methods. Results showed that most respondents were utilizing the machine for various purposes. Also, respondents mentioned convenience, quick funds transfer, and time saving as the real benefits of the machine. Some respondents mentioned fear of armed robbery attack, technical hitches, invalid debit and perennial network failure as the challenges of utilizing the machine. On the whole, most respondents (67.0%) evaluated the machine as having benefited them more than it had cost them. The bivariate analysis showed that more female bank customers (?2=6.469; p<0.05); more relatively younger customers (?2=66.846; p<0.05); more customers with relatively higher level of education (?2=26.892; p<0.05) and more student customers (?2=61.196; p<0.05) agreed the machine had benefited them more than other groups. Qualitative data also confirmed the various benefits and challenges of the machine to the customers. Using the modernisation and rational choice theories, the study argued that ATM is a modern technology which some bank customers were selectively adopting based their real subjective and objective experiences. The study concludes that for the benefits of ATM to be consolidated and to gain wider acceptance among bank customers, the challenges inherent in the machine should be addressed. Keywords: ATM, bank customers, benefits & challenges, modernisation, rational choic

Globalization and Collective Bargaining in Nigeria

Globalization has become a worldwide phenomenon affecting all aspects of human endeavour. It has also affected workers’ rights worldwide but the Nigerian situation is among the worst cases. To what extent has globalization aided or hindered collective bargaining in Nigeria and in what ways has Labor managed the situation? These questions serve as motivation for this paper and are addressed through content analysis of relevant documents. In Nigerian, collective bargaining institutions have been constructed and reconstructed in different contexts driven by globalization. Government at all levels in Nigerian subscribed to various provisions of the International Labor Organization but failed to implement them as prescribed. The state and its allies including multinational and transnational companies have manipulated statutory mechanisms that could have guaranteed effective collective bargaining.  Inherent in this situation are various detriments on Labor and aggravated incidence of industrial actions in Nigeria. Therefore this paper argued that though globalization is not completely harmful, however, its operations in Nigeria are such that the setbacks it creates far outweigh its positive influence. In this light, movement for the entrenchment of effective collective bargaining should be intensified and pursued till lasting industrial peace is achieved in the Nigerian industrial relations climate. Keywords: Labor, Globalization, Collective Bargaining, Industrial Actions, Nigeri

Maternal Health and the Implications for Sustainable Transformation in Nigeria

Transformation is the major goal of the present democratic administration in Nigeria. No country ever achieves sustainable transformation without achieving maternal health. Maternal health is a major concern of all countries, especially in developing countries. This explains why Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) made maternal health one of the cardinal goals to be achieved by 2015. This paper examines the factors that brought about poor maternal health by critically identifying and discussing such factors as poverty, low level of education, inaccessibility of health care services, unbooked emergencies, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, obstructed labour, anaemia, haemorrhage and infection. Guided by functionalist and political economy theories, the paper argued that the present maternal health is incapable of ensuring sustainable transformation in Nigeria owing to massive corruption, misplacement of priority, neo-liberal policies of government, leading to social and economic dislocation of families and widespread poverty. The paper concludes by arguing that, for there to be real sustainable transformation of Nigeria, the issue of maternal health should be accorded priority through reducing maternal mortality rate by government and other stakeholders. This could be achieved through massive enlightenment, sustainable education, poverty reduction, and adequate provision and funding of healthcare facilities in Nigeria. Keywords: Maternal health, MDGs, Maternal Mortality, Sustainable transformation, Povert

Women and Leadership in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Women are a major stakeholder in the development project of any society. Globally, the issues of women marginalisation and low participation in political leadership and decision making have been attracting a lot of attention from scholars. Although women and men have different biological and physiological make-up, they may share common features with men in terms of educational qualifications, socio-economic status and occupation among others. Yet, they are marginalised in virtually all spheres of public life. In many African countries, such as Nigeria, obnoxious social norms, political exclusion and economic lopsidedness dictate the presence and voice of women in public life. According to 2006 Nigerian population census figure, women constituted 49% of the total population, but there has been a gross gender gap between men and women, especially in political representation, economic management and leadership. This paper, therefore, examines critically some factors that have brought about this wide political and socio-economic disparity. Using both historical and descriptive approaches and guided by patriarchy and liberal feminism theories, the paper argues that the various economic, political, social and systemic practices serve as obstacles to effective participation of women in politics, governance and decision making in Nigeria. The paper concludes that, for there to be greater participation of women in all spheres of Nigerian society, government and other stakeholders should engage in programmes and policies that would empower women politically, socially and economically. Keywords: Women, leadership, governance, marginalization, prospect, politic

Modelling Vaporizing Fluid Flow through Porous Media with Applications to Liquefied Natural Gas

The problem of vaporizing flow of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through porous or penetrable media has received very little attention despite its importance in assessing the performance and risk-based safety of large membrane tank LNG ships under barrier leakages. In this work, a fluid flow model is proposed and used to analyse the vaporizing flow behaviour of LNG through soil and glass wool porous materials. Furthermore, a modified vaporizing liquid pool model is implemented and used to examine the problem of vaporizing LNG pool on non-penetrable solid substrates. We employed an explicit, finite difference and a fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithms coded in FORTRAN to respectively solve the flow and pool models. Both models were successfully verified and validated by comparisons to experimental data, analytical solutions, and to predictions of a commercial software (TOUGH2). Results from the vaporizing flow and pool analyses demonstrate that, for some of the applications considered, the liquid is expected to reach considered threshold depths, seep through the porous layer and contact, contaminate and/or embrittle surrounding natural or engineered systems. For the specific application to LNG cargo containment systems (or cargo tanks), this work has shown that there are safety risks associated with LNG leakage, which are ultra-low temperature of the inner hull, cryogenic damage and subsequent failure of the cargo containment system. Thus, for any LNG membrane cargo containment system to continue to be safe and secure, the various structural members of the insulation system should be designed and equipped with new and improved materials that possesses the necessary mechanical and thermophysical properties to maintain and/or improve the critical temperature standard and low-temperature performance of these systems. Further work should consider additional experimental evidence in order to fully validate and establish that solution predictions by the proposed models are describing the actual physical effects

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

A Review of Leak Detection Systems for Natural Gas Pipelines and Facilities

Pipelines facilities, used for the transportation of natural gas in large quantities to homes and industries, remain the best economic, most reliable and safest mode of transport of energy. Despite these numerous advantages, gas pipelines have been enmeshed in various accidents and thefts, nonetheless this could be reduced if properly maintained and pipelines can last indefinitely without leaks. Pipelines are susceptible to leakages and rupture accidents as a result of age, corrosion, material defects, operational errors or other reasons. Pipeline failures may be caused intentionally (e.g. vandalism) or unintentionally (e.g. device/material failure and corrosion), which may result into irreversible damages such as financial losses, human casualties, ecological disaster and extreme environmental pollution. Leakages in natural gas facilities and installations require three vital aspects, namely: Gas Leakage Prevention, Gas Leakage Detection and Gas Leakage Mitigation. Many Gas Leak Detection methods are used for pipeline integrity management and especially for minimizing gas leakage. The performance of these methods depends on the approaches, operational conditions and pipeline networks. Also, there are some essential requirements and guidelines which must be met before we can consider any leak detection system suitable for production solutions, including sensitivity, reliability, accuracy and robustness. The attempt of this study is to carry out a critical review of these models, to ascertain the best model(s) applicable to natural gas leak detection. Keywords: Gas Leak Detection System, Leak Location, Leak Size DOI: 10.7176/JETP/13-2-02 Publication date: April 30th 202

Factors Influencing Green Practices Adoption and Infusion by Manufacturing Companies in Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examined factors influencing the adoption and infusion of green practices by manufacturing companies in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional and descriptive survey research design. Area-based technique in which multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 321 employees of medium and large-sca2le manufacturing firms in Ogun State, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The data were analysed using factor analysis and multiple regression. An examination of the research objective revealed two technological factors which are a combination of adoption cost and complexity (as the first factor) as well as the combination of relative advantage and compatibility (as the second factor) that influence green practices adoption in every manufacturing company. Also, five organizational factors (regulatory support, organizational support, quality of human resources, environmental factors and customer pressure) influence green practices adoption with eigenvalues greater than 1 and Cronbach’s alpha greater than 0.700. Test of hypotheses revealed that compatibility (β =0.191, t = 2.033; P .05), complexity (β =0.022, t = .264; P .05), quality of human resource (β =0.125, t = 1.364; P > .05), government support (β =-.031, t = -464; P > .05), regulatory support (β = -.118, t = -1.562 P > .05) and customer pressure (β = -.119, t = -1.557; P > .05) had no significant independent prediction on infusion of green practices. The findings of the study were discussed within the existing literature and recommendations were provided for policy intervention