Investigating How Tacit Knowledge Management Inclination and Explicit Marketing Agendas Impact Business Success.

This study empirically tests the relationship between tacit knowledge management inclination, internal explicit marketing agendas and external explicit marketing agendas and how they act together to enhance business outcomes. This was done to fill in the gap in the body of knowledge on the dearth of empirical research on tacit knowledge management inclination and marketing orientation. Using the quantitative research method and purposive sampling technique, data were collected from 89 respondents with significant business and marketing experience through a well-structured questionnaire with closed-ended questions. Employing regression analysis, the hypotheses were tested, and the finding highlighted that tacit knowledge management inclination positively affects external explicit marketing and internal explicit marketing agendas. At the same time, the result obtained from the interaction of the three constructs shows that they all have a positive effect on business success. In practice, Firms can operationalise and implement tacit knowledge management activities with existing explicit marketing programs to attain business success

Investigating the role of knowledge management in the development of asset management practice in selected public sector organisations in Nigeria.

Research Aim: This research explores the conceptualisation of knowledge management in developing asset management practices in a developing country. Nigerian public sector is used as a case because it is a developing country where asset management practices and knowledge management are not fully implemented. Methodological adoption processes:This study assumes that knowledge is fluid, and based on this assertion, exploratory research was used to investigate how knowledge management can be used to facilitate the development of asset management practices in the public sector and since this research aims to examine a problem driven by the respondents’ views as such an interpretivist stance was employed. The study employed a qualitative research method with an inductive approach and used federal government organisations in Nigeria as a case. Using zoom and Microsoft teams, semi-structured interviews were conducted. 30 participants, comprised of asset managers, fixed asset officers, and information technology experts, were interviewed, and guided by open-ended questions. It was purposively ensured that the data reflected the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. Summary of findings: Applying the system thinking approach, organisational development theory, and institutional theory, this study found that knowledge management is not recognised and established while asset management practice is yet to be at its peak within the various critical institutions and organisations in the public sector in Nigeria. Lack of knowledge of asset management practices, lack of understanding of the relevance of establishing Knowledge Management and its processes which includes inadequate sources for acquiring knowledge on asset management, consultants’ unwillingness to train asset managers effectively, lack of adequate training and development for asset management officers, lack of understanding of public sector asset management, non-existent knowledge repositories, non-established knowledge sharing and exchange culture, lack of IT infrastructure for knowledge management and asset management practices, lack of synergy between Government Integrated Financial and Management Information and various asset management departments in various ministries. Also, the study confirmed that asset management is not developing due to the non-existent of knowledge-oriented leadership, ineffective knowledge governance, lack of continuous capacity building, inadequate funding due to poor political will, lack of legal and operational framework, lack of employees’ participation in decision making and unestablished reward systems. Research contributions: This is the first study that integrates three theoretical concepts, system thinking, organisational development theory and institutional theory, to show how knowledge management and asset management practices are intertwined and related and how they function together to produce enhanced organisational performance. In addition, this study shows the importance of knowledge management and asset management practice in the public sector, specifically in developing nations where such research is dearth and, to some extent, not recognised. This study also highlights how knowledge management, its processes; knowledge creation, organisation, storage, application, sharing, transfer, and its mechanisms; knowledge management governance, monitoring and evaluation, and knowledge-oriented leadership, together with other inner organisational dynamics such as organisational culture, crisis management, incentives, sociocultural context, function holistically as an entity to foster the development of asset management practice. Developing a framework that explains how knowledge management can boost asset management growth provides a starting point for examining the challenges of establishing asset management in public sector organisations like those in the Nigerian context. Similarly, this study points out how the government and policymakers can overhaul and implement a viable asset management practice through established knowledge management by introducing and implementing knowledge management practices, setting, and adopting technology adoption to boost productivity through knowledge management processes that facilitate competitive advantage. Finally, various reward systems were identified and adopted based on asset managers’ and fixed asset management officers’ needs, which can significantly boost employees’ satisfaction, and productivity and ultimately enhance asset management practice within the country

Effect of Ulraviolet Light, pH and Temperature on the Thickening Property of Pectin Extracted from Banana, Orange and Lime Peels

Pectin is a polysaccharide used as rheology modifier in products such as food and beverages. This work assessed the effect of UV light, pH and temperature on the thickening property of pectin extracted from banana, orange and lime peels. Pectin was extracted using alcohol precipitation method and was analyzed using FT – IR spectrometer and GCMS. pH and UV light degradation/depolymerization of pectin solutions were carried out using viscometric and statistical methods. Increase in temperature negatively affects the viscosity of the samples. The viscosity of the banana, orange and lime pectin samples decreased on exposure to UV light for both 30 and 60 days. The observed decrease in the kinematic viscosity of the samples might be attributable to depolymerization which might have occurred with the samples on exposure to the UV light. The viscosity of the samples remained the same at the pH of 4, 7 and 10. Analysis of variance (one way) indicated significant difference in the kinematic viscosity measured to determine the effect of ultraviolet light and temperature (p < 0.05). No significant difference in viscosity was observed in the effect of pH (p > 0.05). Therefore, exposure to sunlight of pectin containing food drinks can cause decline in the quality of the product.Keywords: Pectin, viscosity, temperature, UV light, p

Sensory evaluation and microbial status of meat floss from West African Dwarf Goats fed graded levels of broiler litter

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion levels of Broiler Litter (BL) on meat quality of West Africa Dwarf (WAD) goats. Five complete diets were formulated using BL to replace 40 % composition of Cottonseed Cake (CSC) as dietary protein source at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % levels, thus each level of replacement served as a treatment. Thirty WAD bucks with average weight of 10.57±0.42 kg were randomly allotted to five treatments in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). After feeding trials and digestibility studies, the bucks were humanly slaughtered and two kilograms of meat from uniform parts (hind leg and loin) of each buck were processed to Meat Floss (Dambun nama) and evaluated for proximate, sensory qualities and microbial status during storage for 60 days at room temperature. Twenty semi-trained panellists were used to evaluate the processed meat, using a five-point hedonic scale, Total Aerobic Plate Counts (TAPC) and Total Coliform Counts (TCC) was also determined. The result revealed that proximate nutrients composition of fresh Chevon was not significantly (p>0.05) different in all the treatments. The results of sensory parameters revealed that aroma, taste, colour, tenderness, juiciness and acceptability were significantly (p<0.05) affected by levels of BL inclusions. Similarly, there was also interaction (p<0.05) between levels of CSC replacement with broiler litter and time of storage of Dambun nama on sensory parameters. It was concluded that replacing up to 50 % of CSC with BL improved meat sensory qualities

Evaluation of Multi-hop Ad-hoc Routing Protocols in Wireless Seismic Data Acquisition

Due to impediments associated with cable-based seismic survey, Wireless Seismic Data Acquisition (WSDA) has recently gained much attention fromcontractors, exploration companies, and researchers to layout enabling wireless technology and architecture for Wireless Geophone Networks (WGN) in seismic explorations. A potential approach is to employ multi-hop wireless ad-hoc communication. In this study, we propose a multi-hop WGN architecture consisting of several subnetworks to realize the expected network performance. We investigate the performance of proactive and reactive routing protocols to examine the optimal number of geophones that could be effectively supported within a subnetwork. The performance metrics used are packet delivery ratio (PDR) and average end-to-end delay

REGULATION AS PANACEA FOR MICROFINANCE FAILURE IN NORTHERN NIGERIA: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Objective: The objective of this paper was to examine Regulations as a panacea to microfinance failure in Northern Nigeria.   Design/Methodology/Approach: This study critically examined 14 peer-reviewed empirical papers on a range of topics related to the failure of microfinance. The evidence obtained from this review and the authors’ deep understanding of the microfinance institutions’ failure causes formed the development of a practical implementation blueprint for achieving effective management of the microfinance finance institutions in Northern Nigeria.   Findings: The lack of effective regulations that reflect the specificities of Microfinance Institutions has affected their successful management.   Practical Implications: The regulation blueprint gives an idea of how the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in conjunction with the Nigeria Deposit and Insurance Cooperation (NDIC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) can minimize the failure of our microfinance institutions in Northern Nigeria and Nigeria at large.   Originality/Value: As a critical review, this study adds to the existing body of research by emphasizing the importance of microfinance sustainability to financial inclusion and poverty alleviation, through a review of works of diverse authors from different jurisdictions

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Global economic burden of unmet surgical need for appendicitis

Background: There is a substantial gap in provision of adequate surgical care in many low-and middle-income countries. This study aimed to identify the economic burden of unmet surgical need for the common condition of appendicitis. Methods: Data on the incidence of appendicitis from 170 countries and two different approaches were used to estimate numbers of patients who do not receive surgery: as a fixed proportion of the total unmet surgical need per country (approach 1); and based on country income status (approach 2). Indirect costs with current levels of access and local quality, and those if quality were at the standards of high-income countries, were estimated. A human capital approach was applied, focusing on the economic burden resulting from premature death and absenteeism. Results: Excess mortality was 4185 per 100 000 cases of appendicitis using approach 1 and 3448 per 100 000 using approach 2. The economic burden of continuing current levels of access and local quality was US $92 492 million using approach 1 and$73 141 million using approach 2. The economic burden of not providing surgical care to the standards of high-income countries was $95 004 million using approach 1 and$75 666 million using approach 2. The largest share of these costs resulted from premature death (97.7 per cent) and lack of access (97.0 per cent) in contrast to lack of quality. Conclusion: For a comparatively non-complex emergency condition such as appendicitis, increasing access to care should be prioritized. Although improving quality of care should not be neglected, increasing provision of care at current standards could reduce societal costs substantially

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe