AFTER-SALE SERVICES AND SUBSCRIBERS' SATISFACTION WITH TERRESTRIAL TELEVISION SERVICE PROVIDERS

This study centered on the effect of after-sale services on subscribers’ satisfaction with terrestrial television service providers. It was conducted to determine the effects of product delivery, installation service, warranty service and customer support on subscribers’ satisfaction with terrestrial television service providers. The study adopted cross-sectional survey research design. Primary data were obtained from 246 subscribers of terrestrial television service providers using a structured questionnaire. The data obtained for the study were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics while the hypotheses of the study were tested using multiple linear regression. The findings of the study revealed that installation service (? = .444; p-value = .000 < 0.05) had the highest significant positive effect on subscribers’ satisfaction with terrestrial television service providers, followed by warranty service (? = .384; p-value = .003 < 0.05), product delivery (? = .352; p-value = .000 < 0.05) and customer support (? = .301; p-value = .000 < 0.05). Consequently, the study concluded that subscribers’ satisfaction with terrestrial television service providers could be effectively improved by applying after-sale service practices. To that end, the study provided practical implications for managers of terrestrial television service providers.  Keywords: After-sale Services, Subscribers’ Satisfaction, Terrestrial Television Services

Part 4: Human Nature Theories of Motivation

At the turn of the 20th century, Frederick Taylors’ Scientific Management Theory dominated the industrial landscape. Managers focused on the best, most efficient ways to accomplish tasks, and viewed workers as replaceable cogs in a machine. But a series of experiments at a factory outside of Chicago led to a new perspective of management and motivation, one that focused on people. This approach, developed by Elton Mayo, established Human Relations Theory and laid the groundwork for future human-nature models to follow, including the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Motivation 3.0, and the Golden Circle.https://stars.library.ucf.edu/motivationforpublicservants/1003/thumbnail.jp

Lecturers’ knowledge, access and utilization of inclusive virtual learning platforms in Nigerian tertiary education: Implications for learners with visual and hearing impairments

INTRODUCTION: The ability of lecturers to choose and use appropriate virtual e-learning platforms for learners with visual and hearing impairments comes from the awareness of its existence, accessibility, and their perceived level of competence. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the knowledge, access and utilization of lecturers of virtual learning platforms that accommodate learners with visual and hearing impairments. DESIGN: Descriptive survey method was used. Simple random sampling was used to select representative samples from the study. A structured questionnaire adapted from Okoro (2015) and titled “Lecturers e-learning knowledge, access and utilization questionnaire (LEKAUQ) was used for data collection. Collected data were analyzed using statistical mean. The results of the analysis were used to answer research questions. The study population is made up of all lecturers from the Alvan Ikoku Federal Colleges of Education Owerri in Nigeria as at the time of the study. RESULTS: The result showed that the lecturers had knowledge of multimedia virtual learning resources that accommodate learners with visual and hearing impairments. Their perceived level of accessibility is moderate. The variation in ways of utilization is low; however their use of voice notes and WhatsApp is high. Challenges that affect lecturers ‘use of virtual learning platforms and resources include poor supply of resources, data, electricity, funding, and students’ absence from online classes. RECOMMENDATIONS: It is recommended that institutions of higher learning should take responsibility for making virtual learning resources available and accessible to lecturers and students. Equally lecturers should be formally sensitized on the need to use a variety of inclusive virtual learning resources. Institutions of higher learning should get lecturers involved in designing institution based resources

The bond and retention of Chinese seafarers for international shipping companies: a survey report

The shortage of junior seafarers in China in recent years raises a salient question as to how international shipping companies can improve retention rates among Chinese crews. This issue has become increasingly prominent in the context of a global lockdown resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. This paper examines the dilemma through the lens of the “bond” between seafarers and the shipping companies they service, a term used to reflect the need to recognise, consent and integrate into management systems, safety culture, and organizational values. The value of this bond concept is investigated in a survey of Chinese crews (N = 318). The paper aims to reveal the features and underlying factors of the bond, and its influence on needs, perceptions and seafaring careers in foreign shipping companies. The study finds that the majority of respondents do not have a bond with their shipping company, but typically do wish to develop one. Furthermore, this form of attachment appears to be closely related to career satisfaction and retention. To address the shortage of junior seafarers in China, we call for the development of mutual trust, respect and shared values between global seafarers and international shipping companies. A number of policy recommendations are provided

CD4-T Cells as a Predictor of Immune Status and Its Outcomes Following Second-Line Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in Adult HIV-1 Infected Patients Attending Apin/Juth HIV Clinic in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Deficiency in immune cell number or activity is a cardinal feature of HIV.  Second line antiretroviral therapy is geared towards improving immune cell activity and improving treatment outcomes. More people are now accessing free combination antiretroviral therapy through public health programmes in resource limited settings. There is currently no third line therapy for patients failing second line therapy in most of these programmes and data on effectiveness of second line antiretroviral therapy are limited. To adequately address and prepare for this scenario, critical assessments of the outcomes of second-line cART are needed. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients accessing second line cART at the APIN/ JUTH, Jos adult HIV clinic from 2004 to 2018, to determine the proportion of patients failing second line cART, to evaluate time to immunologic failure, time to lost to follow up and time to death using Kaplan Meier estimates. Immunological failure occurs when there is a fall of CD4 counts to pre-therapy baseline (or below) or 50% fall from the on-treatment peak value (if known) or persistent CD4 levels below 100 cells/mm3 6 months after ART initiation. A total of 285 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 45±9.5 years. Females where 194 (68.1%) All the patients were on boosted protease inhibitor, the predominant combination antiretroviral therapy for second line regimen was Lopinavir boosted with ritonavir in combination with Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Zidovudine (43.9%). The baseline CD4 count was 134 (IQR 54-272). The CD4 count increased to 339 (IQR213-498) at 72 weeks.   In conclusion, Second line cART immunologic failure rates are low in our cohort and patient stay longer on cART before failure. Keywords: CD4 cells, Immunologic failure, Antiretroviral therapy DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/107-02 Publication date: April 30th 202

The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) Mission Concept Study Final Report

The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory, or HabEx, has been designed to be the Great Observatory of the 2030s. For the first time in human history, technologies have matured sufficiently to enable an affordable space-based telescope mission capable of discovering and characterizing Earthlike planets orbiting nearby bright sunlike stars in order to search for signs of habitability and biosignatures. Such a mission can also be equipped with instrumentation that will enable broad and exciting general astrophysics and planetary science not possible from current or planned facilities. HabEx is a space telescope with unique imaging and multi-object spectroscopic capabilities at wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to near-IR. These capabilities allow for a broad suite of compelling science that cuts across the entire NASA astrophysics portfolio. HabEx has three primary science goals: (1) Seek out nearby worlds and explore their habitability; (2) Map out nearby planetary systems and understand the diversity of the worlds they contain; (3) Enable new explorations of astrophysical systems from our own solar system to external galaxies by extending our reach in the UV through near-IR. This Great Observatory science will be selected through a competed GO program, and will account for about 50% of the HabEx primary mission. The preferred HabEx architecture is a 4m, monolithic, off-axis telescope that is diffraction-limited at 0.4 microns and is in an L2 orbit. HabEx employs two starlight suppression systems: a coronagraph and a starshade, each with their own dedicated instrument

The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory (HabEx) Mission Concept Study Final Report

The Habitable Exoplanet Observatory, or HabEx, has been designed to be the Great Observatory of the 2030s. For the first time in human history, technologies have matured sufficiently to enable an affordable space-based telescope mission capable of discovering and characterizing Earthlike planets orbiting nearby bright sunlike stars in order to search for signs of habitability and biosignatures. Such a mission can also be equipped with instrumentation that will enable broad and exciting general astrophysics and planetary science not possible from current or planned facilities. HabEx is a space telescope with unique imaging and multi-object spectroscopic capabilities at wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet (UV) to near-IR. These capabilities allow for a broad suite of compelling science that cuts across the entire NASA astrophysics portfolio. HabEx has three primary science goals: (1) Seek out nearby worlds and explore their habitability; (2) Map out nearby planetary systems and understand the diversity of the worlds they contain; (3) Enable new explorations of astrophysical systems from our own solar system to external galaxies by extending our reach in the UV through near-IR. This Great Observatory science will be selected through a competed GO program, and will account for about 50% of the HabEx primary mission. The preferred HabEx architecture is a 4m, monolithic, off-axis telescope that is diffraction-limited at 0.4 microns and is in an L2 orbit. HabEx employs two starlight suppression systems: a coronagraph and a starshade, each with their own dedicated instrument.Comment: Full report: 498 pages. Executive Summary: 14 pages. More information about HabEx can be found here: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/habex

E-marketing Strategies and Performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: A New-normal Agenda

This study examined E-marketing strategies and performance of small and medium-sized enterprises: A new-normal agenda. It aimed to explore the effects of social media marketing, online advertising, and email marketing on the performance of SMEs in the new-normal era. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. It used a structured questionnaire to obtain primary data from 295 operators of SMEs. The hypotheses developed for the study were statistically tested using multiple linear regression with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 23). The findings of the study revealed that social media marketing, online advertising, and email marketing had significant positive effects on the performance of SMEs in the new-normal era. Therefore, the study recommended that SMEs adopt social media platforms (such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp); online advertising tools (such as search engine, display, and website advertising); and email marketing tools (such as welcome email, email newsletters, and dedicated email promotions) to promote their products and services in order to enhance sales and marketing performance. Suggestions for further studies are also made as a guide for intending researchers

Positive Psychology and Its Application in Marketing: An Appraisal

This study took a critical appraisal of positive psychology with the aim of exploring its application in the practice of marketing from the standpoint of extant literature. The main purpose of this paper was to expatiate on the several ways in which contemporary marketing organizations are applying positive psychology’s principles and concepts in their operations. The study adopted desk research methodology, which relied on published literature in several relevant journals. From extant literature reviewed, it was highlighted that positive psychology is a relatively new field of psychology concerned with promoting positive emotions, positive character traits, positive institutions and positive relationships in the society. Given its enormous potential, positive psychology is rapidly being applied by marketing organizations in several ways including: emotion-based marketing, product personalization, social proof, brand storytelling, influencer marketing, gamification, social media marketing, and sustainability marketing. For its effective implementation in marketing, we have recommended, among others, that marketers should use positive psychology to highlight features that enhance well-being, promote personal growth, and contribute to positive experiences of customers; marketers should craft promotional messages and experiences that evoke positive emotions (such as joy, gratitude, and inspiration) and resonate with customers on an emotional level; marketers should also highlight social proof and create a sense of community around their brand to enhance trust and belonging by showcasing customer testimonials, reviews, and success stories. The application of these insights will ensure that marketing campaigns and operations not only create value for customers, but also promote positive wellbeing, character traits and positive emotions among customers