Understanding the causes and consequences of work-family conflict: an exploratory study of Nigerian employees

Purpose - An important theme for a 21st century employee is a desire for work and family balance which is devoid of conflict. Drawing on detailed empirical research, this article examines the multi-faceted causes and consequences of work-family conflict in a non-western context (Nigeria). Methodology - The paper uses qualitative data gleaned from the semi-structured interviews of 88 employees (44 university lecturers and 44 medical doctors) in cities in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Findings – The findings showed that work pressure, heavy familial duties, poor infrastructural facilities, and a lack of suitable and practicable work-family balance policies are the main causes of work-family conflict in Nigeria. Juvenile delinquencies, broken marriages/families, and an unhappy workforce are among the grave consequences of work-family conflict among Nigerian employees. Originality/value – This article suggests that the availability of basic infrastructural facilities, more governmental support, practicable work-family policies, inter alia, will reduce the level of work-family conflict for Nigerian employees and will also results in positive spill-over from the work domain to the family domain and vice-versa

Work-family balance: a case analysis of coping strategies adopted by Nigerian and British working mothers

Purpose – Given the reality that working mothers experience difficulties in achieving work-family balance as a result of the social restrictions that arise from parenting combined with career goals, this article explores the various coping strategies that are employed by working mothers in the cities of London (UK) and Lagos (Nigeria). Methodology – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 72 mothers who worked in banks in London (UK) and Lagos (Nigeria). Thematic analysis and investigator triangulation are used. Findings – The findings reveal various coping strategies that are used by working mothers in the cities of Lagos and London. The article also unearths the efficiency and the shortcomings of the use of au pairs among British working mothers and the similarities and disparities of such use compared to the traditional use of housemaids in Nigeria. Originality/value – This article contributes to existing work-family balance literature by exploring coping strategies of working mothers as a result of socio-cultural and institutional differences in the UK and Nigeria

What happened to the border? The role of mobile information technology devices on employees' work-life balance

Purpose: Mobile information technology devices (MITDs) are of special interest for researchers who seek to understand the role of these devices on employees’ work-life balance (WLB). This study examines the role of MITDs on employees’ WLB. Design/methodology/approach: This article uses semi-structured interviews to investigate the role of MITDs on employees’ WLB. Findings: The findings underscore the important role of MITDs in terms of the attainment of flexibility (how, where, and when work is done), which is significant for achieving WLB. However, the use of MITDs has blurred the division between work and non-work domains. This has inadvertently lengthened employees’ working hours, has affected their family relationships, and affected their general health and wellbeing. The evidence suggests that MITDs have the potential to improve WLB but could also lead to work-life conflict if not properly managed. Originality/value: The study calls for a re-examination of WLB policies and practices, specifically border theory, in order to ensure that MITDs can enhance productivity without inadvertently resulting in poor WLB

The challenges of employee resourcing: the perceptions of managers in Nigeria

Purpose – The existing literature on the recruitment and selection process in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) context has not sufficiently revealed inherent challenges. This article examines managers’ perceptions of employee resourcing in Nigeria. Methodology – This article uses qualitative data which was generated from the semi-structured interviews of 61 managers across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Findings – The article finds that in addition to the Federal Character Principle and the Quota System Policy, favouritism, ethnicity, age and gender discrimination, as well as corruption significantly inhibit the recruitment and selection process in Nigeria. Consequently, the ability to hire the best workers to improve competitiveness is also inadvertently hampered. Originality/value – The paper shows that the institutional and cultural variations in SSA require a nuanced approach in the recruitment and selection process in order to enhance organisational competitiveness

Regional Crises and Corruption: The Eclipse of the Quality of Working Life in Nigeria

Purpose – In recent years, there has been a rapid decline in the quality of working life (QWL) of Nigerian workers at all levels. This phenomenon is cryptic and knowledge thereof is inadequate due to a dearth of compelling research on QWL in Nigeria. This article seeks a deeper understanding of QWL among Nigerian workers by investigating the impact of corruption and regional crises on QWL in this non-western context. The study also examines what QWL means to Nigerian employees. Methodology – The study employs qualitative data gleaned from semi-structured interviews. Findings – The research reveals that corruption has a strongly negative effect on employees’ QWL, which in turn affects their motivation, attitude towards their job, and the psychological contract between them and their employers. Furthermore, the findings revealed that regional crises (such as the heinous activities of the Boko Haram sect in the north-east, the continuing agitation of the secessionists (e.g. the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)), in the south-east, and the tumultuous activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) in the south-south, have combined to reduce employees’ QWL. Research limitations/implications – The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the selected sample of the research (public sector employees). Originality/value – These results and the practical implications thereof will be useful to the Nigerian government, policymakers and organisations for creating and enhancing good QWL in Nigeria

Understanding the Trajectory of the Academic Progress of International Student In the UK

Purpose – The UK is a popular educational hub for international students from different parts of the world. These students often face different transitional challenges, which have a significant impact on the success or failure of their studies. This study systematically investigates the issues and challenges confronting international students in UK in their efforts to acquire academic knowledge and achieve personal development. Design/Methodology/Approach – A total of 104 UK-based international students in five higher education institutes in London from 25 countries participated in this study. The study was undertaken qualitatively through 21 semi-structured and 13 focus group interviews. Findings – The findings reveal that the process of transitional adjustment is affected by various issues, all of which determine the duration of the students’ involvement in each stage of the transitional process. International students in the UK experience language/accent-related difficulties; impaired communication; and a difficult adjustment to the British education system and culture. Research Limitations/Implications – The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited scope of the research. Practical Implications – In choosing to study in the UK, international students primarily seek to obtain a qualification, other life experiences, and cultural assimilation. The students’ parents, institutions, and the UK authorities (such as the Department of Education) have an important role in ensuring that the students achieve success. While the roles of parents and the UK authorities are not the focus of this article, their supportive roles certainly allow students to complete the different stages of the process of transitional adjustment quickly and smoothly. Originality/Value – The study offers valuable insight into understanding the challenges facing international students in acquiring knowledge in a foreign land. The article contributes to the pedagogic literature on this topic by proposing a three-stage scaffolding model

Understanding the Trajectory of the Academic Progress of International Students in the UK

The UK is an important educational hub for international students from different parts of the world. These students often face different transitional challenges which have a significant impact on the success or failure of their studies. This study systematically investigates issues and challenges confronting international students in UK in their efforts to acquire academic knowledge and achieve personal development. A total of 104 UK based international students in five higher education institutes in London from 25 countries participated in this study. The study was undertaken qualitatively through 21 semi-structured and 13 focus group interviews. The findings reveal that the process of transitional adjustment is predicated on issues such as language/accent difficulties, impaired communication, and adjustment to the British education system and culture, all of which determine the duration of the students’ involvement in each stage of the transitional process. The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited scope of the research. International students primarily seek to obtain a qualification in addition to other life experiences and cultural assimilation. The students’ parents, institutions, and the UK authorities (such as the Department of Education) have an important role in ensuring that the students achieve success. While the roles of parents and the UK authorities are not the focus of this article, their supportive roles will certainly allow students to complete the different stages of the process of transitional adjustment quickly and smoothly. The study offers a valuable insight into understanding the predicament of international students in acquiring knowledge in foreign land. The article contributes to the pedagogic literature by proposing a three-stage scaffolding model

Investigating the Effect of Medium Chain Triglycerides on the Elasticity of Pulmonary Surfactant

In recent years, vaping has increased in both popularity and ease of access. This has led to an outbreak of a relatively new condition known as e-cigarette/vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI). This injury can be caused by physical interactions between the pulmonary surfactant (PS) in the lungs and toxins typically found in vaping solutions, such as medium chain triglycerides (MCT). MCT has been largely used as a carrier agent within many cannabis products commercially available on the market. Pulmonary surfactant ensures proper respiration by maintaining low surface tensions and interface stability throughout each respiratory cycle. Therefore, any impediments to this system that negatively affect the efficacy of this function will have a strong hindrance on the individual’s quality of life. Herein, neutron spin echo (NSE) and Langmuir trough rheology were used to probe the effects of MCT on the mechanical properties of pulmonary surfactant. Alongside a porcine surfactant extract, two lipid-only mimics of progressing complexity were used to study MCT effects in a range of systems that are representative of endogenous surfactant. MCT was shown to have a greater biophysical effect on bilayer systems compared to monolayers, which may align with biological data to propose a mechanism of surfactant inhibition by MCT oil

The influence of individual readiness for change dimensions on quality management implementation in Algerian manufacturing organisations

YesA comprehensive literature review reveals a lack of empirical studies investigating the influence of individual readiness of change (IRFC) as a multidimensional construct on effective quality improvement programmes (often referred as TQM) implementation. Much of the normative literature is conceptual in nature. Moreover, there is very limited research investigating the mediating role of employee affective commitment to change (IACC) between IRFCs and TQM. Therefore, this study proposes to fill this gap by providing empirical evidence leading to advancement in the understanding of direct and indirect influences of IRFC components on TQM implementation. To achieve this, a questionnaire-based survey was developed and self-administered to 226 middle managers in Algerian manufacturing organisations (AMOs) with a good rate of return of 52%. The analysis of the collected data revealed that two of the IRFC components, namely personally beneficial and change self-efficacy are the most supportive IRFC dimensions for TQM implementation. Furthermore, the results of this study show support for the mediating role of IACC in the relationship between IRFCs and TQM implementation. Therefore, this paper makes a novel contribution by providing a refined and deeper comprehension of the relationships between IRFCs and TQM implementation

Presence Of Keratinophilic Fungi In Schools Playing Grounds In Sagamu

Abstract: A total of 80 soil samples was examined from 10 school playinggrounds in Sagamu city for the isolation and identification of keratinophilicfungi using hair baiting technique. Results from this study revealed sixspecies of of organisms belonging to three different genera viz; Aspergillus, Penicillium and Trichophyton. The prevalence rate of these organisms were Aspergillus niger 45 (15.56%), Aspergillus flavus 45(35.56%), Aspergillusfumigatus 45(15.56%), Pencillium species 45(15.56%),Trichophtyonrubum 45(11.11%) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes 45(6.65%). This studytherefore confirmed the biodynamism of the isolated organisms in theschools playing ground studied