A conceptual framework to measure the effectiveness of work-life balance strategies in selected manufacturing firms, Lagos metropolis, Nigeria.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.Achievement of work-life balance (WLB) by manufacturing firms in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria is still a major challenge. Most manufacturing companies have put in place various work-life balance strategies (WLBS) such as parental leave, employees’ health and wellness programmes (EHWP), dependant care, personal development and flexible work arrangement to overcome this challenge. However, the efficacy of these WLBS at helping employees to address work and family stressors are still in doubt. Exploring the mediating influences of WLB satisfaction and WLBS on the link between work-family stressors and organisational performance could contribute to the body of literature in human resource management. Given the preceding, developing a conceptual framework to measure the effectiveness of WLBS in the selected manufacturing firms is of utmost importance to human resource management practice. This study employed explanatory sequential mixed methods research design in providing the required explanations of the mediating influences of WLBS and work-family satisfaction on the link between work-family stressors and organisational performance. A simple random sampling technique was adopted to select respondents for quantitative data ollection. A self-reported questionnaire was used as the main research instrument for this study. A total of 350 structured questionnaires were administered, while 315 questionnaires were returned from which three were not properly completed and were discarded. The remaining 312 which constituted an 89% response rate were coded and analysed for this study. Subsequently, six members of the management staff were purposively selected to participate in interviews for qualitative data. Five hypotheses which align with the research questions and objectives were formulated and tested using multiple regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Qualitative data was analysed utilising NVivo 11. The result of the statistical analysis revealed that there was no relationship between WLBS and employees’ job performance in the selected manufacturing firms. This implies that, the WLBS in place at the selected firms did not impact on job performance. The results also showed that there was no direct link between work-family stressors and the selected manufacturing firms’ performance. Rather, work-family stressors exert indirect influence on the selected manufacturing firms’ performance through WLBS and work-family satisfaction, indicating full mediation. The managerial implication of this study was drawn from the mediation analysis which illustrated that WLBS and work-family satisfaction mediate the relationship between work-family stressors and manufacturing firms’ performance. It is recommended that the manufacturing firms HR operate an inclusive policy in the redesigning of the WLBS by getting the employees involve in the redesign process

Work-Family Stressors and Manufacturing Firms Performance: Influence of Work-Life Balance Strategies

Managing employees’ work-family pressures without resulting in negative influence on employees’ contributions and performance remains a challenge to human resource practitioners in the manufacturing industry. Efforts geared towards tackling this challenge have led to the development of various work-life balance strategies in the industry. Yet, the effectiveness of the developed work-life balance strategies to manage employees’ work-family stressors and performance remains an issue. This study investigated the influence of work-life balance strategies on the interplay between work-family stressors and performance in the manufacturing industry. A quantitative survey research design was adopted. Data were collected from 312 employees in the manufacturing firms operating in the Lagos metropolis using a simple random sampling technique. A self-report questionnaire was used for data collection. The preliminary data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 24. The variance-based Structural Equation Modelling was run using SmartPLS 3.3 for hypothesis testing and for path analysis of the structural model. This study found that work-life balance strategies fully mediate the relationship between work stressors and manufacturing firms’ performance. It is recommended that the family aspect of the work-life balance strategies be redesigned to reduce the negative influence of family stressors on manufacturing firms’ performance

International Trade, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and International Technology Transfer: A Comparative Study of Asian and African Economies

Abstract: This paper investigates the long-run equilibrium relationships and short-term effect of international trade and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on international technology transfers in selected African and Asian countries from 1980 to 2013.The Johansen and Juselius multivariate co-integration technique and the granger causality test was used to test these relationships. The findings confirmed the presence of co-integrating vectors in the models of these countries. The outcome of the test posits short-run causal relationships, which run either bidirectionally or unidirectionally in all the variables for the selected countries. However, the most interesting lesson for many developing countries in Africa and Asia is that this study confirmed that international technology transfers supported domestic investment, economic growth, exports and imports of goods and services in some of these countries. Finally, all the variables in each model adjusted to equilibrium in the long-run, except for domestic investment in the Malaysian, Nigerian and Indian systems. The study thereby suggests an improved government policies and regulatory framework to improve international technology transfers, domestic investment, economic growth, and exports and imports of goods and services.Keywords: International Technology Transfer, Foreign Direct Investment, Trade, Vector Error Correction Modeling, Africa, Asi

Constraints that Hinder the Sustainability of Small Businesses in Durban, South Africa

South Africa is viewed as one of the developing countries when compared to other African countries. However, the challenges that are experienced by the Small Business Enterprises (SMEs) continue to limit the economic growth of the country. Thus, these challenges are linked to the high rate of business failures. The main aim of the study is to evaluate constrains that hinder the sustainability of small businesses in Durban, South Africa. Employing the sociological entrepreneurship theory to understand the context of entrepreneurship and the challenges that pose a threat to the entrepreneurial activities, a qualitative approach was employed to achieve the objectives of study. A convenience sampling technique was employed to conduct in-depth interview among ten (10) entrepreneurs who participated in this study. NVivo 12 software was employed to analyse the data using a thematic and content analyses. The study findings revealed poor management, poor planning and lack of appropriate technology as some of the challenges confronting small businesses. Recommendations and conclusion are provided in this article

Mediating Influence of Self-Efficacy in the Development of Entrepreneurial Intentions Among Undergraduates

Increasing unemployment and high demand for social services call for a new action plan by government and higher education institutions in Nigeria. The article explores the mediating influence of self-efficacy on the association between entrepreneurial pedagogy and students’ intentions toward social ventures. A quantitative approach was adopted in data collection and analysis. A sample size of 367 was drawn from the total population (3, 777) of final-year students at selected universities in Nigeria. Multivariate statistical tools were used in analysing the data collected through structured questionnaire from respondents at three selected universities in Nigeria. The results reveal that entrepreneurial self-efficacy mediates the positive relationship between social entrepreneurship pedagogy and undergraduates’ intentions toward social ventures creation in Nigeria. This study recommends that inculcation by instructors of social entrepreneurial orientation among students toward social venture creation, might be a valuable resource in combating unemployment and filling the vacuum in social service delivery in Nigeria

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways