Information Technology and Financial Reporting By Deposit Money Bank in Nigeria: An Empirical Study

The study investigated the impact information technology has on the preparation and publishing of financial reports in deposit money banks in Nigeria. It examines whether Information Technology improves the qualities required by the international financial reporting standards on financial reports, and if it affects compliance with required standards as well. The study adopted descriptive research design method with a population of 2,500 accountants and a sample size of 345 which was derived using Yaro Yamani formula. The study made use of primary data. Data collected were analyzed using simple regression analysis. Results from the study based on the regression analysis which gave an outcome of 90% and a p-value of 0.00 for the first hypothesis show that information technology makes financial reporting more accurate, useable and of better quality. The regression analysis gave a result of 2.9% and a p-value of 0.680 for the second hypothesis which means that information technology does not hinder compliance with international financial reporting standards. Finally, the study recommended that information technology should be made a core part of the curriculum in schools and professional training of accountants so as to improve their skills. Also, research on advancements accounting technology should be taken serious in Nigeria, as there is constant change and improvement in this area. Key words: Information, Technology, Financial Reporting, Money Deposit Ban

Working Capital Management and Performance of Food and Beverage Industry in Nigeria.

Working capital is a strategic management tool to ensure the success of any organization because it determines its ability to carry out its operations effectively and efficiently so as to improve its performance. This study explored the impact of working capital on the operation of an organisation particularly the food and beverage firms in Nigeria. The study aimed at determining if there is any relationship between working capital management and the performance (efficiency, liquidity and profitability) of the food and beverage industry in Nigeria. The population size used includes the all food and beverages firms quoted on the Nigeria stock exchange.  Ratios were calculated from the selected companies annual reports and accounts (such as acid test ratio, current ratio, debtors collection period, creditors payment period, stock holding period, net profit margin, gross profit margin) and the data were presented and analyzed using  simple regression and correlation analyses. The results of the analysis showed that a significant impact in Three hypothesis were analyzed which include testing the relationship between working capital management and efficiency; working capital management and profitability; working capital management and liquidity (p < 0.05). Positive relationship was revealed between working capital and the efficiency of management in Food and beverages industry in Nigeria  (p < 0.05), improved accurate cost and profit information (p < 0.05), there is a relationship working management and the profitability of food and beverages industry. (P < 0.05).. This is evidenced by p-value of 0.000.  The study concluded that working capital management affects organizations’ performance in terms of their liquidity and also in the aspect of them being efficient however; it does not determine their profitability. In order to achieve its’ goals firms in Food and Beverages industry should  effectively manage their working capital when carrying out the company’s operations since it leads to liquidity in terms of meeting the company’s current obligations and efficiency in terms of the company’s survival. Key words: working Capital, Performance, efficiency, profitability, liquidity and managemen

Influence of Environmental Factors on Academic Performance of Business Studies’ Students in Upper Basic Level in Edo State

This study investigated the influence of environmental factors on academic performance of Business Studies’ students in Upper Basic level in Edo State. Three research questions were raised with three corresponding hypotheses formulated and tested at alpha level of 0.05.  The study utilized a correlational design and a total sample size of 2,374 Business Studies’ students and 65 Business Studies teachers were used for the study. Three instruments were developed by the researchers and they were all validated by experts and only Business Studies Achievement Test (BUSAT) was subjected to reliability and it yielded a co-efficient of 0.87. The data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS). The analysis yielded the following results among others: there is a no significant relationship between school location and students’ academic performance in Business Studies; there is a significant relationship between facilities and students’ academic performance in Business Studies and there is no significant relationship between school type and students’ academic performance in Business Studies. Based on the findings and conclusion, the study recommended among others that: Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) should assist the government in providing some of the needed facilities in schools

Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs): A Catalyst in Promoting Economic Development in Nigeria

This research paper has specifically x-rayed the concept of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and it was defined as a business which is owned, led by one or a few persons, with direct owner(s) influence in decision making, and having a relatively small share of the market and relatively low capital requirement. The contributions of SMEs to the economy were examined in this paper. The problems confronting SMEs and the possible strategies of combating the problems were also examined. A conceptual framework was developed by the authors and it explains/illustrates the series of variables that are integral in the area of SMEs and the effects it can possibly have on the economy. The concept of Economic Development was briefly described. A section was devoted to examining the roles of SMEs for economic Development in Nigeria. One of the major recommendations advanced in this paper was that the Government should urgently invest massively in improving the current infrastructural base in the country. Keywords: SMEs, Economic development and growt

Budgetary Control: A Tool for Cost Control in Manufacturing Companies in Nigeria

This study deals with budgetary control as an effective tool for cost control in manufacturing Companies in Nigeria. The study examined the impact of budgetary control on cost control, profitability of manufacturing companies, the reasons for deviations and how these variances are reported as a means of control in budgeting and also examined whether the manufacturing companies can reduce cost as well as maintain the quality of their products and services. The survey method was used and the companies encompass staff members of Cadbury Nigeria PLC, Friesland Foods Wamco Nigeria PLC and Nestle Nigeria PLC. The study employs the use of questionnaire instrument for the purpose of data collection and the data collected were tested with chi-square statistics through a Statistical Package for Social Sciences. It was discovered that budgetary control contributes to the profitability of manufacturing companies and it was also discovered that there are deviations from planned budget. It was also discovered that manufacturing companies can reduce cost and maintain high quality products. The study recommended that realistic forecasts should be made and that there should be sound planning with effective and efficient formulation of policies and strategies Keywords: Budgetary Control, Manufacturing Companies, Cost Contro

Entrepreneurship Education and Student Intention to Launch a Business: Does Entrepreneurial Knowledge and Skills Acquisition Act as a Mediator?

This paper examined the mediating role of entrepreneurship knowledge and skill acquisition (EKSA) in the interaction between entrepreneurship education (EE) and students' intention to launch a business (SILB), in the case of Nigeria. A quantitative correlational design was adopted for the study. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire for data collection was validated once by three experts, two from the field of business education and one from the field of measurement and assessment. Pearson's correlation statistic, linear regression statistic and bias-corrected bootstrapping technique were performed to analyse the data collected from a randomly selected sample of 412 university students. The results of the Pearson’s correlation analysis showed a significant correlation among EE, EKSA and SILB. The results of the linear regression analysis also indicated a significant association among EE, EKSA and SILB. The results of the bias corrected bootstrapping technique also showed that EKSA mediates the association between EE and SILB. The results showed the extent of association between EE and SILB and offer some logical implications for curriculum designers, university students and university administrators. This study contributed significantly to EE, EKSA and SILB literature

Energetic analysis of fruit juice processing operations in Nigeria

Abstract Energy and exergy studies were conducted in an orange juice manufacturing industry in Nigeria to determine the energy consumption pattern and methods of energy optimization in the company. An adaptation of the process analysis method of energy accounting was used to evaluate the energy requirement for each of the eight defined unit operations. The types of energy used in the manufacturing of orange juice were electrical, steam and manual with the respective proportions of 18.51%, 80.91% and 0.58% of the total energy. It was estimated that an average energy intensity of 1.12 MJ/kg was required for the manufacturing of orange juice. The most energy intensive operation was identified as the pasteurizer followed by packaging unit with energy intensities of 0.932 and 0.119 MJ/kg, respectively. The exergy analysis revealed that the pasteurizer was responsible for most of the inefficiency (over 90%) followed by packaging (6.60%). It was suggested that the capacity of the pasteurizer be increased to reduce the level of inefficiency of the plant. The suggestion has been limited to equipment modification rather than process alteration, which constitutes additional investment cost and may not be economical from an energy savings perspective.

Lifestyle behaviors, obesity, and perceived health among men with and without a diagnosis of prostate cancer: A population-based, cross-sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A better understanding of how prostate cancer survivors differ from men without prostate cancer and whether these potential differences vary across demographic subgroups will help to focus and prioritize future public health interventions for improving the health and well-being of prostate cancer survivors. Therefore, our study aims were to compare lifestyle behaviors, body mass index (BMI), and perceived health in men with and without a diagnosis of prostate cancer in a national, population-based sample and to explore whether these comparisons differ for demographic subgroups.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a cross-sectional study, men aged ≥ 40 were identified from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2002 data (n = 63,662). Respondents reporting history of prostate cancer (n = 2,524) were compared with non prostate cancer controls (n = 61,138) with regard to daily fruit and vegetable servings (FVPD), smoking, alcohol, sedentary behavior, BMI, and perceived health. Multivariable logistic regression calculated adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the entire sample and for age, race, education, and urbanicity subgroups.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Men with prostate cancer did not differ from men without prostate cancer with regard to smoking, alcohol, sedentary behavior, and obesity but were more likely to consume ≥ 5 FVPD (OR, 95% CI: 1.30, 1.09–1.56) and report poor or fair health (OR, 95% CI: 1.62, 1.33–1.97). Subgroup analyses demonstrated attenuation of the higher likelihood of ≥ 5 FVPD among prostate cancer survivors in rural respondents (OR, 95% CI: 0.98, 0.72–1.33). Poorer perceived health was greatest if ≤ 65 years of age (OR, 95% CI: 2.54, 1.79–3.60) and nonsignificant if black (OR, 95% CI: 1.41, 0.70–2.82). Smoking and alcohol which were not significant for the sample as a whole, demonstrated significant associations in certain subgroups.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although efforts to enhance perceived health and healthy lifestyle behaviors among prostate cancer survivors are warranted, demographic subgroups such as prostate cancer survivors ≤ 65 and rural populations may require more aggressive interventions.</p

Investigation of the biomechanical effect of variable stiffness shoe on external knee adduction moment in various dynamic exercises

10.1186/1757-1146-6-39Journal of Foot and Ankle Research61