Information technology: a tool for effective SME material management practices

Nowadays, various strategies have been adopted to ensure reduction or elimination of waste in materials management practices in the construction industry for overall project performance. However, there are significant challenges related to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) materials management practices, these challenges arise due to shortage of skills, practical know how, workers capability and financial difficulties in information technology (IT) adoption. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the potentials of IT as a tool for waste elimination or reduction in the Nigerian SME materials management practices for overall projects performance. The data were collected using structured questionnaires and administered to SME in the construction industry in the Northeast of Nigeria. The obtained data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) to determine significant level of IT in SME materials management practices. Outcome from the model of this study revealed that, IT adoption is significant with R2 =0.622 (62.2%) which indicates that adoption of IT can improve SME materials management practices for overall projects performance

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Corruption Management in Nigeria: A Perceptual Assessment of its Legal Framework

The menace of corruption and the fight against it the world wide has been a major preoccupation amongst pundits and administrators, especially amongst the third world countries. The existence of Anticorruption Agencies virtually in all countries of the world justifies this assertion. While some of these agencies in their countries of operations succeed others are still grabbling with the dynamics and complexities of the scourge thus looking for a durable methodology to curtail it spread. This paper assessed the perception of Nigerian on the strength of the EFCC against its functional responsibilities to determine the adequacy and appropriateness of the powers. The research is a survey type that explored both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were gathered through administration of questionnaire with a content analysis for the secondary data. Relying on Structural Functional theory, the study reveals among other things that, EFCC lacks adequate prosecutorial powers; it also cannot effectively ensure and monitor compliance to the limit of foreign currency transfer ($10000) and the local cash transaction limit; the court system in Nigeria has also frustrated the efforts of the commission in addition to the unruly behavior of some senior legal counsels who often connive with some judges to subvert justice. The paper therefore submits that the EFCC operate within unfavorable legal space that hinders to a large extent its operational success. It is therefore recommended inter alia: a specialized and separate court with specialized judges to handle financial crimes, streamlining the areas of responsibilities to just financial crimes for the EFCC

Municipal awareness as a tool for enhancing citizen satisfaction in municipal councils of Malaysia

This research study critically analysed the existing literatures on municipal awareness relevancy of LAs service delivery for the purpose of enhancing citizen satisfaction. The purpose of the study is the investigation of citizen satisfaction level of municipal services; analysis of the existing literatures on relationship between municipal awareness and citizen satisfaction. The Material and methods were carried out using secondary data and were meticulously and critically analysed to come up with reliable results. The study shows the relevancy of the public awareness, citizen satisfaction and municipal council performance in Malaysia. It is evidence in the research that citizen consent is importance before municipal services should be provided in the local community. The research study highlighted many discrepancies in many literatures related to the existing research study, evidence based analysis were carried out to buttress importance and significance of the related study to the research work. The literatures were reviewed to ascertain the current happening in the area of local government service delivery. The study shows that many municipal councils in Malaysia provide adequate and satisfactory services to their citizens’. The study also revealed that municipal council plays important role on citizen awareness of municipal service delivery. The study concludes that municipal service delivery can be enhanced through citizen awareness campaign, to sensitize the local community on various aspects of service delivery including maintenance of the facilities provided. The study also concludes that LAs lack of awareness section affects their performance in service delivery process. The study recommends that LAs need to consults the citizen for their needs and wants; awareness campaign need to be regularly carried out to maintain cordial relationship between LAs and their citizen; it is also recommended that municipal services should be delivered the needed services by the local inhabitants’ after duly consultatio

A Study of the State of Infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

The goal of this study was to investigate the present condition of infrastructure in Kuje, Gwagwalada and kwali towns, and head quarters of Kuje, Gwagwalada and Kwali Area Councils respectively. Data for the study were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were derived from field work, which involved direct interview technique including focused group discussion and administration of questionnaire. Structured questionnaire contained questions about the provisions and conditions of infrastructure in the study area. Through focused group discussion, information about the various opinions of the people were also obtained. Secondary data were sourced from related journal and articles and publications from governments and non-governmental organizations. The set of questionnaire administered were supplemented by field observation. A total of three hundred (300) questionnaires were administered to the various residents. Presentation of data was done using the relevant descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Relative importance index (R. I. I. = (4n4+3n3+2n2+1n1)/4N) was used to rank the level of importance the residents attached to the infrastructure. The results of the study showed that the infrastructures in the study area were in bad condition where provided and not able to perform the services desired of them. Hence, the study was of the view that this revelation should be taken by the government at various levels as a serious situation which needed immediate action considering the fact that without infrastructural development, there could be no meaningful socio-economic activities in any area

Reformulation of Work Relationships on the Outsourcing System in Indonesian Order to Protecting the Rights of Workers

The research entitled Reformulation of Work Relationship Norms in the Outsourcing System in Indonesia in the Framework of Protecting Workers' Rights was carried out based on normative legal research methods. Based on the analysis and study, it is found that in the Manpower Law, there are 2 (two) types of work agreements that are applied in the outsourcing system, namely a work agreement for an unspecified time (PKWTT) and a certain time work agreement (PKWT).  In each outsourcing company, it is regulated with the option that the work relationship at the company receiving the contract, the option is PKWTT, but it can be agreed upon through PKWT if it meets the requirements of Article 59 (Law No.13 / 2003). Whereas the work relationship option for a company providing worker / labor services is basically PKWT if it meets the requirements referred to in Article 59 (Law No.13 / 2003), but if it does not meet the requirements of Article 59, the working relationship must be PKWTT as long as it is made in writing and signed handle the parties. However, it turns out that Article 59 of the Law No. 13 / 2003 not only regulates the terms of PKWT, but also regulates 2 (two) possible choices of types of work agreements for a job, namely: first, Article 59 paragraph (1) of Law of the Republic of Indonesia. No. 13 of 2003 concerning work relations through PKWT, and second, Article 59 paragraph (2) of Law of the Republic of Indonesia. No. 13 of 2003, regarding employment relations through PKWTT. In relation to the working relationship of the contracting recipient company, the Elucidation of Article 59 paragraph (2) states that part of the production process cannot be agreed upon through PKWT. Meanwhile, in the outsourced work contracting agreement, the option is a work relationship through PKWT or PKWTT. Thus there is a conflict of norms, between the norms of work relations in the outsourcing system required by the employer (user), and the norms that are applied to the outsourcing company. However, outsourcing companies continue to implement a working relationship through non-permanent contracts. As a result, there are at least 15 (fifteen) basic rights, including the constitutional rights of outsourced workers / laborers that are lost or cannot be realized. For this reason, presumably the laws and regulations regarding labor made during the Dutch East Indies government (in Indonesia) are more structured in accordance with the hierarchy of laws and regulations and are harmonious both vertically and horizontally and are coherently intertwined with one another. There is no sectoral ego and no interest from certain parties, so that it can last for decades or even more than one hundred years until now. Even though during the Dutch colonial period, the political law that was enforced was how to regulate the colony so that the monopoly on natural resources could be controlled. In this regard, it is suggested that in the formulation of laws and regulations it can be guided by the laws and regulations at that time which are completely clean from the secular ego without any interest from certain parties. The norms of working relations in the outsourcing system in Indonesian legislation are not harmonious and coherent. Between one another there is a discrepancy and conflict of norms. Therefore, it is necessary to reformulate (rearrange) so that each content of legislation is coherent (interlinked with one another) and reflects the principle of legal certainty, harmony and harmony, so that it can provide protection (protection) to all parties in an equitable manner. Keywords: Reformulation; Work relationship; Transfer System; Legal Protection DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/103-10 Publication date: November 30th 202

Public goods delivery as a contributing factor to the property tax revenue generation in Malaysian local governments

Provision of facilities and delivery of strategic services to improve the quality of life the people living in the sub-urban communities is an imperative issue to municipal councils. Similarly, Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (PGMC) is a local government in Malaysia. However, the PGMC property tax assessment revenue generation has decline due to inadequate public goods delivery which tend to have an effect on the amount of property tax assessment revenue generated. The aim of this research is to examine how public goods delivery affects property tax assessment revenue generation at PGMC. Quantitative approach was employed in order to determine how public goods delivery affects property tax revenue generation. Questionnaires are administered to about 300 respondents (taxpayers) using random sampling in order to find out the consequences of insufficient provision of facilities and services. The respondent’s responses were ranked showing the highest and lowest rank according to the questions designed to establish how performance of local government affects its capacity to generate revenue through property tax. The findings from the research show that poor delivery of facilities and services affects the revenue generation. The taxpayers are very observant; if there are no commensurate provisions of facilities and services they avoid paying the property tax assessment because they believe that the revenue generated is not effectively utilized. The study is limited to property tax assessment revenue generation at PGMC. In conclusion, it is observed that sufficient provision of public goods will motivate the taxpayers to settle their property tax assessment. This will inevitably increase the property tax assessment revenue generation and encourage regional development. The research also provides opportunity for future research in the area of service delivery

A review of FM services for enhancing and provisioning of optimal quality municipal services for local government in Malaysia

Facilities Management services are very significant for effective and efficient service delivery. Facilities Management services is not just to optimize running costs of buildings, but to raise efficiency of the management of space and related assets for people and processes, in order that the mission and goals of the organization may be achieved at the best combination of efficiency and cost. This study reviewed the FM Services for the enhancing and provisioning of optimal quality municipal services of local government in Malaysia. This study shows that FM services are paramount for effective service delivery most especially in local government. But FM services are not much recognized in Malaysia which makes many local government service deliveries inefficient. Indeed, in recent years, the series of services covered within the context of facilities management has been visible as more complex, facilities management has turned into the main operational and technical functions of an organisations. Materials and methods were carried out using secondary data and analyses critically to come up with reliable results. A way forward is that local government authorities should embark on using the FM services by employing staffs that are FM professionals in terms of in-house service delivery and outsourcing for the services that are detriment for the development of local communities. FM and community awareness programs in developmental project and in terms of decision making for any services to be rendered to the populace, local authorities should make sufficient fiscal effort to obtain all the resources that are potentially available to them and accountability should be employ for judicious utilization of financial resources. The research concludes by recommending that Malaysian local authorities should be concerned with their main constitutional responsibilities of provisioning of effective and efficient services based on the needs and wants of the local community through FM services

Review of community participation and FM services contributions toward provisioning of quality municipal services in Malaysian local authorities

Local authorities’ service delivery in recent times has categorised as a function of multiple players. Connecting with stakeholders such as customers, suppliers, employees, and local communities and their needs in an interactive session or communicative process has been classified as significant for successful Facilities Management (FM) services that bridges gaps that exist between those expectations and service provisioning that meets their wants and specific needs. FM will lead curtail wastage, less downtime and improve the bottom line. Beneficiaries of LAs services need to have a say in the decisions relating to the facilities provided, and if possible to take part in its provisioning or development and to manage it after completion. The methodology adopted in this research is secondary sources of data, were article, textbooks and statutory documents were critically reviewed. This study reviewed the community participation and FM services contributions towards enhancing and provisioning quality municipal services of LAs in Malaysia. This study shows that there are enormous benefits that both the LAs and local communities can achieve when community participation and FM services come together as a factor of service delivery. Service delivery changes have been complemented by improved community participation and FM systems. LAs in Malaysia can be successful in public sector service quality through the adoption of a community participation based on FM services approach. The results of this study shows that local government in Malaysia are yet to attain excellent level in times of community participation and FM service approach for adequate service delivery. A way forward lies on LAs to embrace service delivery best practice through synergy between community participation and FM at local levels, LAs should examine the revenue bases and expenditures of their local authorities, and the extent that their differences affect the capacity of local authorities in providing quality municipal services

Review on Intrusion Detection System Based on The Goal of The Detection System

An extensive review of the intrusion detection system (IDS) is presented in this paper. Previous studies review the IDS based on the approaches (algorithms) used or based on the types of the intrusion itself. The presented paper reviews the IDS based on the goal of the IDS (accuracy and time), which become the main objective of this paper. Firstly, the IDS were classified into two types based on the goal they intend to achieve. These two types of IDS were later reviewed in detail, followed by a comparison of some of the studies that have earlier been carried out on IDS. The comparison is done based on the results shown in the studies compared. The comparison shows that the studies focusing on the detection time reduce the accuracy of the detection compared to other studies

The Impact of Ethno-Religious Crisis on Location Decisions and Values of Residential Properties in Jos, Nigeria

Location is among the main determinants of residential property value. It has been realised from the existing literature that location could either be tangible or intangible in nature. Tangible location factors include accessibility, transportation, closeness to central business districts etc. On the other hand, intangible location factors are those attributes of location that are invisible in nature. They include race, ethnic background, crime, safety, skin colour, native inclination, apartheid, cultural background, security, religious inclination, socioeconomic background, indigene ship and the like. This study is intended to examine the effect of these intangible location attributes on the values of residential properties in the study area. The data for this research was sourced through interviews, field survey and questionnaires. Tables and charts were employed in order to analyse the data for the research.  Pictures were also taken in order to give pictorial information of what is on ground. In order to arrive at the required sample size for the research, stratified random sampling was adopted. The study area was divided into two clusters, that is, Jos North and Jos South. The outcome of the research revealed that areas that are classified as violent free neighbourhoods command high rental and sales value of land and landed properties. The research discovered that people prefer areas that are predominantly of their religious and ethnic extraction. As a result of that, the residential pattern of the study area was drastically altered. It can be concluded that intangible location attributes play a vital role in dictating the price of land and landed properties. Investors and real estate developers should take into consideration intangible attributes of location when determining the worth of land and landed property in the study area. Keywords: Intangible Location Attributes, Landed Property, Rental Value, Residential Property and Sales Valu