The critical success factors for stakeholder management in the restoration of built heritage assets in the UK

PurposeBuilt heritage or historic assets (BHAs) constructed in the pre-nineteenth century in the UK are perceived to have certain characteristics which instil cultural significance in them and have seen them become valuable to the economy of the country. The heritage sector makes significant contributions to the UK economy through provision of tourist attractive sites, construction and servicing of heritage assets, heritage conservation, research, and commercial activities carried out within and around heritage assets. These benefits have seen them draw considerable interests from diverse stakeholders within and outside the heritage sector. Hence, a lot of attention is drawn towards restoration of such assets, from stakeholders of different interests, ranging from advocacies for no alteration to complete alteration of the heritage assets. As with construction projects, conflict of interests amongst stakeholder affect the outcome of restoration projects and the purpose of this paper is to examine the critical success factors (CSFs) for managing the stakeholders to achieve the projects’ objectives. Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines the views and experiences of practitioners in the heritage sector who have been involved with BHA restoration projects. A total of 32 CSFs for stakeholder management, obtained through rigorous reviews of literature, were subjected to a severe scrutiny with eight restoration experts to determine the importance of the CSFs in restoration projects. The outcome of the exercise was a modified list of 20 CSFs which were further tested on 52 restoration practitioners in the United Kingdom (UK) using a structured questionnaire to determine the degree of importance of each of the CSFs in restoration projects and their relationships as perceived by the practitioners. FindingsThe results of the analyses performed on the data show that most of the CSFs were perceived by restoration practitioners as truly critical and vital for successful management of stakeholders in restoration of BHAs. The results also indicate that there is a strong consensus amongst a vast majority of practitioners on rankings of the CSFs. Practical implicationsThe identified CSFs could be used by the restoration practitioners as a “road map” for the development of appropriate solutions for successfully managing stakeholders associated with the promotion and BHAs restoration assets. Originality/valueAlthough CSFs for stakeholder management in construction have been studied by many scholars, no specific research could be identified prior to this study to have been done in defining the CSFs for stakeholder management in restoration projects. In this project, the authors have explored BHAs to identify and rank the CSFs for stakeholder management in restoration projects. Keywords: Built Heritage Assets, Stakeholder Management, Critical Success Factors, Restoration Projects, United Kingdom

RAPID INCREASE OF INFIDELITY AMONG MARRIED WOMEN IN NIGERIA - CAUSES AND EFFECTS: IMPLICATION FOR COUNSELLING

Marriage is a socially sanctioned union typically between one man and one woman usually called husband and wife. Marriage is a uniquely comprehensive union of hearts and minds, but also distinctively a bodily union made possible by sexual complementarities. It is more than physical attraction and biological union; it involves total commitment, self-donation to one another and taking responsibilities that lead to mutual well-being and marital stability. Infidelity among married couples has been responsible for most cases of marital separation and divorce. This study investigated the Rapid Increase of Infidelity among Married Women in Nigeria, and it was interested to find out the possible factors that are responsible; early marriage; imposition of marriage partners; sexual incompatibility; childlessness; uncaring attitude of a partner; hopelessness; depression; revenge; lack of preparation for marriage; and parental disapproval; that if found in family, will definitely drop the happiness of that family. The study also focused more on effects that are associated with infidelity, effects of major conflicts in spouses’ relationship for social, cultural and psychological reasons, effects of extra marital affairs, different impacts on marital satisfaction and mental wellbeing. The study still considered some implication for counselling and recommendations that will help couples having infidelity related issues at homes. Article visualizations

The Role of Board in Corporate Social Responsibility: A Normative Compliance Perspective

Purpose: This paper focuses on the board’s influence on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) among Public Liability Companies (PLCs). The paper uses normative compliance theory to develop the theoretical framework thereby advocating and complementing other theories CSR. Methodology: The paper adopts balanced random effect regression model to estimate the relationship between board characteristics (such as board composition, diversity and size on CSR, while controlling for firm size, sector and risk). This involved the use of balanced panel data of 174 PLCs from 2003 to 2009. The random effect estimator is used to test the specific effects of the board composition, board size and board diversity on CSR of PLCs in Nigeria. The data are obtained from Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) fact book from 2003 to 2009. Findings: The paper found that Non-executive directors (NEDs) and board size are positively significantly correlated with CSR, while the executive director was negative and significantly related with CSR. Originality: The testing of the theory in the context of Nigeria contributes to the body of knowledge on sub-Sahara Africa, particularly Nigeria which offers a developing country perspective. The paper explores the relationship between board characteristics and CSR thereby contributing to the governance processes of listed companies and how good governance should be encouraged by understanding the board dynamics. Study Contribution: The implication is that, for managers and corporations focusing on shareholder interest, must also acknowledge that the society wants companies to accommodate multiple stakeholders interest for them to compete and survive in the long run. Social Implication: The social implications for companies to understand that business and the society are interwoven. Also efforts should be made by the board and companies to be morally and socially responsible to the society. Limitations: The data employed for this paper is majorly limited to listed companies on the NSE and the study covers only firms and industrial sectors within a single country but do not cover country to country differences or factors. It nevertheless presents implications for understanding CSR challenges in developing markets and provides insights into how to structure the board of listed companies. Finally, we hope this paper encourages future studies on the board dynamics and social performance of companies

Is the Bandwagon Bias Effect Theory Driving Institutional Investors Impact on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Practices?

This paper employs the bandwagon bias effect theory to explain the influence of institutional investors on CSR Practices. This study focuses on Nigeria and uses the bandwagon bias theory to explore how institutional investors are being influenced by peer and society pressure to go along with the crowd to conform to CSR industrial standards. Using the balanced panel data of 174 PLCs from 2003 to 2009, the study investigates the institutional investors influence on CSR. The findings indicate a significant manifestation of relationship between them, which implies that the bandwagon effect on firm’s CSR engagement exists

The Challenges Affecting Tax Collection in Nigerian Informal Economy: Case Study of Anambra State

The Federal and State Governments might not be able to provide infrastructural development for its citizens if the citizens do not pay tax. Successive government officers and tax administrators in Nigeria have come up with different programs on how to increase tax collection. Each of these programs have proved unsuccessful due to lack of accountability, poor awareness and publicity, and poor implementation. Recently, Anambra state took the unusually step of developing a digital (online) business registration to capture taxpayers in the Informal Economy (IE). This digital registration called, Anambra Social Service Identity Number (ANSSID) have witnessed massive success. Despite the increase in number of business registration, businesses and employees in the IE are finding it difficult to pay tax in Anambra State. By using semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, this study identified the reason why employees and traders in the IE in Anambra State are not willing to pay tax. In total, 35 business owners, managers, accountants, and employees from different industries were interviewed in Anambra State. The reason for using Anambra state is that in the past few years, the state government has been looking for strategic ways to increase revenue in the informal economy, including tax reforms with the introduction of Anambra State Social Service Identity (ANSSID) number which the state has adopted as part of its strategies to pull all taxable adult into the tax-net. This research contributes and offers guidance to policy makers on how to improve tax revenue in the state. This study found that lack of provision of amenities and infrastructural development are among the reasons why many traders and employees do not pay tax in Anambra State, Nigeria, as they have to bear the burden for the provision of such amenities themselves. Lack of accountability, embezzlement, poor accounting records, deficit of empowerment programs and absence of awareness are the key reasons why people and businesses in IE do not pay tax. Recommendations were made to help policy makers improve their tax revenue

Financial inclusion and economic growth of Nigeria (the microfinance option)

The main focus of this study is to establish the relationship between financial inclusion and economic growth with particular reference of microfinance option for the period 1992 to 2013. Using Ordinary Least Square method and employing the Johansen Cointegration tests the study revealed that the activities of microfinance as one of the financial inclusion strategy significantly contribute to economic growth. While total loans and advances of microfinance banks significantly contribute to economic growth, total deposits inversely affect economic growth. The study also established the presence of long-run relationship between the variables considered (GDP, total loans and advances, total deposits, investments and number of microfinance banks) The study reveals that the growth and development of a nation is significantly dependent on the expansion of banking and financial services to the currently financially-excluded class of citizens of the country, as they possess untapped and unexplored valuable potentials that will be of tremendous to the country. In view of the benefits inherent in financial inclusion, this study recommends that microfinance banks should concentrate efforts on low cost deposits which are in line with their operations than competing with the conventional banks in mobilizing fixed deposits that has higher cost attached to it. Financial education is also recommended to enlighten the public on benefits of a financial superstructure

Ultrasound Findings in the Gallbladder of Sickle‑Cell Patients: A Cross‑Sectional Study in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Sickle‑cell disease (SCD) causes chronic and recurrent hemolysis which is a recognized risk factor for gallbladder (GB) disease. The prevalence of GB disease in SCD is high and increases with age. Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis are relatively common GB diseases in SCD. They are important causes of acute abdominal pain in SCD and also increase morbidity. Ultrasound is a cheap and noninvasive means of evaluating the GB; it has a high degree of accuracy and is widely available. Aims: The aim of this study is to sonographically evaluate the GB of SCD patients in steady state at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku‑Ozalla, Enugu, and to determine the prevalence of specific GB diseases in SCD patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross‑sectional study of 130 known SCD patients attending sickle‑cell clinics at UNTH and 130 controls. Ultrasound of the GB was done after at least 6 h fast, using a Dp2200 mindray mobile ultrasound machine equipped with a 2.5–5 MHz convex probe. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16. Results: The GBs of 130 consecutive SCD participants and 130 control group were sonographically evaluated. The prevalence of cholelithiasis in SCD was 10.8%, whereas the prevalence of cholelithiasis in the control group was 3.1%. No other GB diseases were seen. The mean dimensions of theGB for the study group were length (65.78 ± 9.85 mm), width (29.15 ± 6.01 mm), depth (25.58 ± 5.81 mm), wall thickness (1.59 ± 0.74 mm), and volume (26.52 ± 11.18 cm3). Conclusion: The prevalence of cholelithiasis in sickle cell disease in southeast Nigeria is 10.8% while the prevalence of cholelithiasis in the control population is 3.1%. Keywords: Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, gallbladder, sickle cell disease, ultrasoun

Photovoltaic Modules Performance Loss Evaluation for Nsukka, South East Nigeria and Mitigable Designs

The Photovoltaic (PV) systems and technology offer excellent reliability when designed with the right implementation tools and based on good technical judgements of components that make up each of the critical sections of solar power system. The PV array is an essential section of a solar power system and it is expected to function to deliver pre – estimated power based on design estimations. There are factors that derail the performance of PV modules; the contributions of these factors are peculiar to specific sites of installation, hence the need to empirically evaluate and characterize installation sites before deployment of PV systems. This paper presents the characterization of Nsukka (South East, Nigeria) environment using decent instrumentation; and consequently highlights the power loss indicators for PV modules in the target site while presenting equally mitigable design