A critical re-think of public administration and management in continental Africa

The essence of this article is to explore the importance and dominance of public administrations approaches in the innovation of strategic leadership styles in the teachings and in the viable re-think of the governance of the state. The discussion will further address the attributes, indicators and domains of what constitutes scholarship in the discipline of Public Administration. The article will also provide some overviews for future ramifications in the field of Public Administration in enhancing leadership skills in continental Africa. This article further suggests that a critical re-thinking of public administration as a discipline must take the form of a co-operative scheme of engagement.am201

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR: A STRATEGIC STANDPOINT

What constitutes ethical behaviour lies in a “grey zone†where clearcut right versus wrong and good versus bad dichotomies may not always exist. This paper is an empirical study on organizational culture and ethical behaviour from a strategic standpoint. Its objectives were to determine if there is a significant relationship between organizational culture and ethical behaviour and if there is a significant relationship between organizational culture and employees’ values. The participants of the study were employees of selected public and private organizations in Lagos, Nigeria. The selection was through simple random sampling technique. The sample size was 92 respondents. Two (2) hypotheses were formulated and tested using regression analysis. Hypothesis one revealed that there is significant relationship between organizational culture and ethical behavior; the coefficient of determination (R2) is 0.370. It shows that 37% of the variation or change in ethical behaviour is caused by variation in organizational culture. Hypothesis two also shows that the coefficient of determination (R2) is 0.423. It means that 42.3% of the variation or change in employees’ values is caused by variation in organizational culture, which connotes that organizational culture has significant relationship with employees’ values. The study recommends that management should constantly review its organizational culture to be sure that it remains strong on the vision of the founders of the organisation, because organizational culture can be eroded as more people come into the organization with their various individual behaviours and values. Â

A decade review of Higher Education in South Africa

The evaluation of higher education at the cluster of a decade of democracy should clearly note the starting point of governmental policy in all sectors of society. It is imperative to take note of the fact that the decade spanning 1994 to 2004 does not represent a stagnant stage in policy development in South Africa. The year 1994 signifies a radical departure from the past regarding all policies, financing systems, organisational structures, human resource utilisation and democratically based representivity and public accountability

RESPONSE INTERACTION OF ARTERY UNDER MECHANICAL VIBRATION

Hypertension or high blood pressure, sometimes called arterial hypertension, is a chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated.  The aim of this work was to analyse mathematically the vibration of the artery and show its relationship to hypertension related cases.  Principles of conservation of mass and momentum inline with Euler-Bernoulis method were used.  By idealising the artery resting on the tissue as an elastic beam that is resting partially on an elastic continuum and simply supported, a boundary value partial differential equation governing the blood- artery- interaction mechanics was formulated. The governing partial differential  equation for the problem was obtained and after linearization was solved using integral methods of Fourier-Laplace Transform.  Simulations for some cases were carried out varying some choice parameters.  Findings show that natural frequency of the artery decreases with increase in the mean arterial pressure (MAP).  It was equally found out that vibration of the artery generally increases with increase in MAP and increase in mode.  It was thus concluded that mechanical vibration of the artery increases with increase in blood pressure, and continuous vibration can lead to fatigue and failure which can cause obstruction in the supply of blood to other parts of the body and may lead to stroke.     &nbsp

Quangos and chapter 9 institutions in the governance of the state : leadership issues and reforms in developing and emerging nations

This article examines the importance of Quangos and Chapter 9 Institutions in the governance of the state. It explores the leadership dilemmas and progress made by many African countries since independence of individual nation states. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 has established six independent state institutions, which contribute to supporting constitutional democracy. These six institutions are namely; the Public Protector, the South African Human Rights Commission (HRC), the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (the CRL Commission), the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), the Auditor-General and the Electoral Commission. This article will discuss the intricacies of the term ‘quango’, as there are varied definitions of the concept, which can ultimately impact the application of the term. An international perspective will be viewed to emphasis the myriad of organisations and bodies that may fall under the common heading of quango. Also, a historical overview of quangos will be provided. In addition, an analysis of the issues of accountability and autonomy surrounding the existence of such public bodies will be provided. In-depth synopsis of the relationship quangos have in relation to chapter 9 Institutions and State-Owned Enterprises in South Africa will be explored. One common misconception is the idea that quangos are new phenomena; the use of such bodies is hardly new.hb2016School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF ASBESTOS FREE BRAKE PAD USING CASHEW NUTSHELL

A brake is a mechanical device used in controlling the speed of a moving vehicle using a frictional material and dissipates the absorbed kinetic energy as heat to the surroundings. A new brake pad composition has been developed with the Cashew Nutshell (CNSL), Silicon Carbide (SC), Steel Dust (SD), Carbon Black (CB), Epoxy Resin and Hardener (ERH). Five different samples of varying constituents were made with two different sieve sizes for each sample was investigated. The result showed that sample D of the 100 μm with composition 55g of (CNSL), 15g of (SC), 10g of (SD), 5g of (CB) and 15g of Epoxy resin and hardener had the best properties. The Brinell hardness value, Coefficient of Friction, Porosity, Ash content, Density and Wear rate were 75.65, 0.3528 1.925, 45.6, 1.521 kg/m3  for 100 μm and 1.17  respectively. These values are acceptable, though the 75μm samples fared better in many of the test results but lacked in the aspect of density when compared with the other sieve grades.  This shows that Cashew Nutshell can be used as filler in the production of eco-friendly brake pads

Accelerating public service delivery through the management of intergovernmental relations in Nigeria and South Africa

The practice of inter-governmental relations ( IGR) and its management has become an important element for facilitating service delivery in the public service. This paper departs from the premise that IGR presents an opportunity for improved service delivery that is yet to be fully harnessed. In order to fully actualise the facilitative potential that is inherent in IGR, it has become essential to identify critical elements that can assist public administration practitioners to harness the possible gains that can be made through effective IGR management. These critical elements are identified in this article and are linked to the generic activities of public administration which are described as involving decision-making, planning, advising, co-ordination, conciliation, arbitration, command and data gathering through which government carries out its responsibilities. The article commences with an overview of the case study contexts - the Nigerian public service and the South African public service. This contextualisation provides an opportunity to highlight and present cross-country findings (lie, 2006: 146-196) that may assist in improving IGR effectiveness in both federalist and unitary states

Evaluation of A Clay Mineral Deposit in Abeokuta, South-West Nigeria

Clay, in regard to its origin is unique. The kaolin of the mine of Ajebo has a hydrothermal geological formation. It presents itself a fragile and crumbly material, of whitish colour. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the clay mineral of Ajebo deposit, its microstructure using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis (DSC/TG). The results showed that Ajebo clay belongs to the kaolin group (Kaolinite, nacrite, dickite, and halloysite). Elementary analysis showed the mineral to be composed mainly of aluminium, oxygen and silicon, with a low content of iron. The dehydrated state of the mineral was confirmed by XRD analysis; the basal spacing reflections indicate a sharp peak at 7Å of d001 and the absence of a peak at 10Å, which is indicative of hydrated kaolin. The SEM/SE studies indicated that Ajebo clay mineral particles are smaller than 10μm, forming agglomerates. &nbsp