Cross cultural and gender differences in leadership:experiences of prominent Nigerian female leaders

Gender and culture are subsets of leadership influence that contain within them implications for modern organizations and society in general. There is much published literature exploring cultural differences in leadership as well as gender differences in leadership. In contrast, there are few literature contributions that explore the nexus of the two phenomena. This study addressed the gaps in existing literature concerning women in leadership within the Nigeria context. Research questions were raised to provide answers to the notion that culture rather than gender will be a better predictor of leadership styles among women. As a result, understanding unique cultural dimensions related to women leaders is germane for theoretical, empirical and practical implications on organizational studies in Nigeria. A qualitative research method was adopted for this study. Primary and secondary sources of data were used in this study. Content analysis was employed in the analysis of existing research on cultural and gender differences. Further, thematic elements that were consistent across literature were highlighted and applied to the current study. Also, qualitative semi-structured interviews of was used to collect data from ten notable Nigerian female leaders selected through non-probability random sampling technique. The results of the content analysis indicated that the majority of existing research works affirms that gender is not a strong predictor of leadership style among women. The results of the second portion of the study revealed that there are cultural elements that inherently make Nigerian female leaders different from their male counterparts. This implication of this finding is that rather than gender itself as a predictor of leadership styles, the self image and expectations of a society toward the female gender are strong predictors of female leadership styles. This study advances gender and leadership literature and also contributes in a cross curricular sense to African and organizational studies in Africa

MULTIPLE-INTELLIGENCE-BASED LEARNING INFLUENCE ON DEVELOPING CREATIVE THINKING IN SOCIAL STUDIES AMONG NINTH-GRADE STUDENTS IN ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

This study aimed to examine the influence of multiple intelligence-based learning on the development of creative thinking for ninth-grade students in Abu Dhabi private schools. This study used a quasi-experimental design. Also, this study used a control group (30 students) and an experimental group (30 students) of ninth grade students from private schools in Abu Dhabi. The two groups were selected randomly. The instruments used were pre and post-tests in creative thinking skills. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, ANCOVA and t-test. The findings revealed a significant difference in the creative thinking post-test mean score after controlling for the effect of pre-test between both groups. The experimental group (M = 82.97, SD = 9.98) exceeded the control group (M = 61.20, SD = 15.85) after controlling the effect of the pre-test of creative thinking on both groups, F (1, 57) = 38.31, p = .000. The t-test revealed that there was a significant effect for gender in the elaboration skill (post-test), t (28) = -2.12, p = .043, with females (M = 22.50, SD = 1.95) receiving higher scores than males (M = 20.25, SD = 3.53). In conclusion, the findings reveal the influence of multiple intelligence-based learning on the students’ creative thinking skills.    Article visualizations

Science Teachers Self Perception about Metacognition

Metacognition is a significant part of human abilities. Metacognitive knowledge can be described as what we know about our own cognitive processes (Young & Fry, 2008). This research aims at measuring perception of science teachers about metacognitive awareness. The sample consists of 52 science teachers from six schools in Perak, Malaysia. Metacognitive awareness was measured using Metacognitive Awareness Inventory for Teachers (MAIT) developed by Cem Balcikanli (2011) that consists of 24 items, it has a good validly and reliability indicators. The results reveal that the science teachers have a high level of perception about metacognition. No significant differences found related to teachers gender or age. Although there are no significant differences found related to the teachers' gender, but there is a significant difference found related to the teachers' age and there is an interaction between teachers' age and educational level concerning their c. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2015.v5n1s1p7

Adopting E-Commerce to users’ needs

The objectives of this paper are to identify and analyse the extent to which the site is fulfilling all the user’s requirements and needs. The related works comprise the history of interactive design and the benefits of user-centered development, which is the methodology followed in this survey. Moreover, there is a brief comparison between Waterfall and User-centered methodology in terms of addressing the issues of time saving and addressing fulfilment of users’ needs. The data required to conduct this study was acquired using two research methods; the questionnaire and direct user observation, in order to address all the performance related attributes in the usability stage of the evaluation. An evaluation of the website, based on statements of usability goals and criteria, was undertaken in relation to the implementation and testing of the new design. JARIR bookstore website was chosen as a case study in this paper to investigate the usability and interactivity of the website design. The analysis section includes needs, users and tasks and data analysis, whereas the design phase covers the user interface and database design. At the end of this paper, some recommendations are presented regarding JARIR website that can be taken into account when developing the website in the future

Detection of Bacteria Causing Early Onset Pneumonia among Neonates Admitted to NICU In Children Hospital, Zagazig University

Background: Early onset pneumonia could be caused by bacteria, virus or fungi. Early identification and treatment with antibiotics is vital in reducing mortality and morbidity. Objectives: The current study aimed for detection of organisms that cause early onset pneumonia guided by nasopharyngeal aspirate culturing, in addition to blood culturing. Patients and methods: This study was applied on 36 neonates admitted to NICU in Zagazig University Children Hospital, during the period from October 2018 to April 2019. Results: There was no relation between gestational age and birth weight with neonatal pneumonia (NP) incidence rates. The prevalence of confirmed early onset NP with positive blood culture was 88.9%. The hospital stays of studied subjects were 7.2 ± 3.5 days. Neonatal pneumonia caused by Gram negative bacteria (53.1%) was more common than Gram positive bacteria (46.9%). K. pneumonia (37.5%) was the most common microorganism isolated from the blood cultures. S. saprophyticus (21.8%) was the most frequently recovered CONS isolate from blood cultures, followed by S. cohnii (9.4%) and S. haemolyticus (6.3%). The most prevalent organism isolated from BAL fluid was Klebsiella (38.5%).Conclusion: Neonatal sepsis remains a major problem in neonates. Gram-negative bacteria were the most common cause of early onset NP in Zagazig University Hospital with K. pneumonia being the most common pathogen. Regular periodic surveillance of the causative organisms of neonatal pneumonia is needed to implement the rational empirical choice of antibiotic prescription while waiting for blood culture result to come out

Evaluation of drug promotional literature directed to consumers and physicians

Background: The present study aims at analysing promotional brochures and direct-to-consumer advertisements using the criteria for ethical medicinal drug promotion compiled by World Health Organization.Methods: Using World Health Organization criteria for ethical medicinal drug promotion, thirty brochures were evaluated for their fulfilment of the criteria and claims they are making. Also eight Direct to Consumer (DTC) TV advertisements were coded for their claimed indications and the factors used to attract consumers. An overview of what impact does drug promotion has provided through reviewing the published literature.Results: Brochures and advertisements directed to physicians were found to lack information with regard to generic (17.2%), brand (0%), indication (13.8%), dosage regimen (27.5%), safety information (62%), references (10.3%), manufacture (3.4%), safety (24.1%), efficacy (34.5%), suitability (20.6%), pharmacokinetics (3.4%) pharmaceutical property (3.4%) and extravagant emotional claims (3.4%). Information lacking in DTC TV advertisements include, risk factors (62.5%), alternative treatment (62.5%), indications (37.5%), side effects (75%), contraindications\precautions (50%), and sources for more information about the promoted drug (25%).Conclusions: Drug advertisements presented to physicians or directed to consumers did not fully satisfy the WHO criteria and their lack of essential information may lead to medication misuse

The relation between the timing of coronary angiography and renal function post coronary artery bypass grafting

Background: Acute kidney injury is a serious complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). This work aimed to assess the impact of the timing of coronary angiography on kidney function after on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.   Methods: We included 60 patients who underwent elective isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting from 2017 to 2018 at the National Heart Institute and Benha University Hospital. We divided the patients into two groups; group І included 30 patients with coronary angiography performed less than seven days prior to CABG, and Group ІІ included 30 patients who had coronary angiography more than seven days prior to CABG. Postoperative acute kidney injury was defined according to the consensus kidney disease: Improving Global Outcomes Definition and Staging criteria. Results: The mean body mass index was significantly higher in group I (35.89±5.15 Kg/ m² vs. 31.72±4.99 Kg/ m², P = 0.002). The mean preoperative hemoglobin was higher in group II (12.7 ± 1.5 g/dl vs. 13.9 ± 1.5 g/dl, P = 0.004). The frequency of acute kidney damage was higher in patients who had coronary angiography less than seven days before CABG but did not reach a significant level (46.7 % vs. 30%, P =0.184). There was no difference in the creatinine postoperatively between both groups (1.2 ±0.5 vs. 1 ±0.3 mg/dl; p= 0.214). Conclusions: We found no association between the timing of coronary angiography before on-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery and postoperative acute kidney injury