The Impact Of Technology Trust On The Acceptance Of Mobile Banking Technology Within Nigeria

With advancement in the use of information technology seen as a key factor in economic development, developed countries are increasingly reviewing traditional systems, in various sectors such as education, health, transport and finance, and identifying how they may be improved or replaced with automated systems. In this study, the authors examine the role of technology trust in the acceptance of mobile banking in Nigeria as the country attempts to transition into a cashless economy. For Nigeria, like many other countries, its economic growth is linked, at least in part, to its improvement in information technology infrastructure, as well as establishing secure, convenient and reliable payments systems. Utilising the Technology Acceptance Model, this study investigates causal relationships between technology trust and other factors influencing user’s intention to adopt technology; focusing on the impact of seven factors contributing to technology trust. Data from 1725 respondents was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis and the results showed that confidentiality, integrity, authentication, access control, best business practices and non-repudiation significantly influenced technology trust. Technology trust showed a direct significant influence on perceived ease of use and usefulness, a direct influence on intention to use as well as an indirect influence on intention to use through its impact on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Furthermore, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness showed significant influence on consumer’s intention to adopt the technology. With mobile banking being a key driver of Nigeria’s cashless economy goals, this study provides quantitative knowledge regarding technology trust and adoption behaviour in Nigeria as well as significant insight on areas where policy makers and mobile banking vendors can focus strategies engineered to improve trust in mobile banking and increase user adoption of their technology

Reclaiming Our Power: Black Women Resisting Medicalized Birthing

This project explores Black women’s reclamation of power, autonomy, and consent outside of the medical system during and after pregnancy. Through the use of midwives and doulas, Black women throughout the United States have started to return to traditional methods of birthing as a result of the rising U.S. maternal mortality rate, and the increasing racial disparity in birth outcomes. Reclaiming power, autonomy, and consent, are important factors in dismantling the systemic and historic racism ingrained within the modern U.S. medical system. This project examines the historical medicalization of birth as an entryway point for this discussion. Starting with a discussion of U.S. slavery and moving into the present, this project investigates the history of gynecology and the rise and fall of midwifery in the United States. As part of my investigation, I conducted interviews with midwives and doulas in the Texas area about the new rise of midwifery. Ultimately, the main objectives of this project are: 1) Analyze the medicalization of birthing in the United States 2); Explore how midwives and doulas empower Black women through birth work and the midwifery model of care; and 3) Address the importance of patient power, autonomy, and consent within and outside of the medical system.Anthropolog

Payments for Environmental Services under Emerging International Agreements: A Basis for Inclusion of Agricultural Soil Carbon Sinks.

This review places in context the role agricultural soils play in global carbon dynamics, and their potential interaction with climate change through soil carbon sequestration. The paper first examine the potential of soils as carbon sinks, agricultural practices and dynamics in soil organic carbon, emerging agreements on payments for environmental services (PES) that mitigate global warming through enhanced carbon sinks, exclusion of agricultural activities in PES under Kyoto Protocol, and the basis for inclusion of agricultural soil carbon sinks through sustainability based production systems. Soils are one of the planets largest sinks for carbon and hold potential for expanded carbon sequestration through changes in management. The global soil organic carbon (SOC) inventory is estimated to be 1200-1600 billion metric tonnes, which is equal to or slightly greater than amounts stored in terrestrial vegetation (500-700 billion metric tonnes) and the atmosphere (750 billion metric tonnes), combined. Agricultural soils, having been depleted of much of their native carbon stocks, and occupying an estimated 1.7 billion hectares, have a more significant potential SOC sink capacity. Global estimates of this sink capacity are in the order of 20-30 billion metric tonnes over the next 50-100 years. The total global agricultural soils SOC stocks are estimated at 167-170 billion metric tonnes. When soil is put into cultivation, associated biological and physical processes result in a release of SOC over time, often 50% or more, depending on soil conditions and agricultural practices. Consequently, there is potential to increase SOC in most cultivated soils. Many management practices have been demonstrated to increase SOC, including incorporation of crop residues, and increases in cropping intensity and fertilization. Past and on-going biophysical studies have been able to identify and demonstrate organic based soil fertility management practices, with modest applications of mineral fertilizers that would concurrently lead to improvement in SOC levels, nutrient loss amelioration and improved agricultural productivity. Management practices that could add 4 T C ha-1 yr-1 in the system have been demonstrated. Due to the potential impacts of climate change on the environment as a result of increasing concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere, particularly carbon dioxide, the world community established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. The responsibility of IPCC is to undertake an assessment of the science, impacts, adaptation, and mitigation options in relation to climate change and advise the Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). At the sixth Conference of the Parties (COP-6) in Marrakech, Morocco, limits were placed on the nature of activities that could be undertaken and the amount of carbon credits that could be generated through land use change and forestry activities to benefit from PES. These limits excluded all activities associated with management of natural forests and agricultural lands. This review argues that a demonstration of sustainability of carbon sinks in agricultural soils under empirically derived predictable management practices could serve as a basis for arguing the case for inclusion of carbon sinks in such systems in payments for environmental services under the Clean Development (CDM) of Kyoto Protocol.Environmental Economics and Policy,

An examination of social and environmental disclosures in Nigerian oil companies

A review of the Social and Environmental Disclosures (SED) literature reveals that this area of accounting has been the subject of various studies in different countries, particularly in developed countries. SED does not apply universally to all countries that are in various stages of economic development and to companies that have differing levels of awareness and attitudes. SED are often perceived as a tool for communicating the social and environmental effects of a company’s actions to its relevant interest groups and to the society as a whole. Stakeholders have become increasingly concerned about the way in which companies interact with society and the environment. Consequently, the increased interest in the social and environmental impacts of companies has resulted in heightened pressure from stakeholders for SED. This study seeks to: (1) identify Nigerian host communities’ (HCs) perceptions of SED by oil companies; (2) examine the quantity and quality of SED in Nigerian oil companies; and (3) distinguish if there are differences between local and foreign oil companies in regards to their SED. This study is divided into three parts. In the first part, identifying factors influencing and shaping HCs perceptions present fertile ground for a better understanding of community actions. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews from members of three HCs in the Niger Delta; Ogbunabali community in Port Harcourt (Rivers State), Biogbolo community in Yenagoa (Bayelsa State) and Ogunu community in Warri (Delta State). The interview data was recorded, transcribed and qualitatively analysed through content analysis using the NVivo 10 software program. The results show that HCs perceptions are largely informed by the contradictions of wealth generation through oil production amidst widespread poverty resulting in anger, frustration and hostility towards the oil companies. The companies are perceived as being responsible for the negative impacts of oil exploration and extraction. Perceptions regarding both the negative and positive aspects of the oil companies operations were identified. These included environmental concerns; lack of compensation; health effects; lack of social development; neglecting communities; not creating enough employment opportunities and infrastructure; and not providing community and educational support. In the second part, this study examined the quantity and quality of SED of the oil companies. Fifteen companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, as well as an additional three non-listed major foreign companies (Shell, Chevron and Agip), were selected for analysis. The latter were chosen because of the scale of their operations in Nigeria. Annual Reports (AR) from 1992 to 2011 were examined using content analysis. SED activities were reported by most of the companies and by quantity, employee information was found to be the most common type of disclosure. Most SED were almost always general and limited in nature, declarative (that is, descriptive) with non-monetary quantification in terms of financial impacts. Companies are engaging in impression management to convince stakeholders, government and the HCs that they are ‘good corporate citizens’. SED quantity and quality in the environment category was found to be overwhelmingly low despite the large scale public concern expressed about the level of environmental degradation caused by the operations of oil companies. In the third part, this study sought to distinguish SED levels by comparing local and foreign companies operating in the oil sector. It sought to identify differences between local and foreign companies’ SED practices. A Social and Environmental Disclosure Index (SEDI) was constructed to evaluate the contents of SED in AR. Furthermore, a dichotomous method was employed to identify SED sentences based on a checklist of 62 items in the SEDI. Local companies were found to provide more extent, type and nature of SED than foreign companies. However, local companies reported mostly general SED information. Results reveal that majority of the total SED in both local and foreign companies was positive news. This study enriches the existing SED literature by examining the state of voluntary disclosures made by companies in the context of a developing country. The findings of this study provide more insights into the current status of SED in an environmentally sensitive industry

Harnessing the potential of digital media for business growth of legacy media in Kenya.

In today’s digital era, businesses in Kenya have a unique opportunity to leverage digital technology to drive growth, improve operational efficiency, and enhance customer experiences. By embracing digital transformation, the media industry can expand its market reach, streamline operations, foster innovation, and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving business landscape. However, this transition is not without challenges, including cybersecurity risks, skills gaps, and ethical considerations. This study provides an analysis of the digital technology for business growth of the legacy media in Kenya. To conduct this research, a descriptive research design was employed, and the researcher collected primary data from legacy media houses that have print, broadcast and digital sectors. A simple random sampling technique was utilized to ensure equal representation from different sectors and geographical locations. Both quantitative and qualitative data techniques were used to analyze the collected data. Descriptive statistics were employed for quantitative data to provide a summary of the key findings, while qualitative data was integrated into quantitative data to identify patterns, themes, and insights. The study reveals a promising yet evolving scenario of digital integration within Kenya’s legacy media, emphasizing both opportunities and challenges. While the industry showcases initial strides in digital adoption, there are clear areas for improvement, particularly in leveraging analytics tools and addressing financial constraints and cybersecurity risks. In conclusion, the study underscores the need for a concerted effort to fortify digital literacy, enhance cybersecurity measures, and foster collaborative innovation. The proposed strategies, ranging from specialized training programs to governmental infrastructure support, offer a comprehensive blueprint for media entities to navigate the digital landscape effectively. These recommendations aim to ensure sustained growth and innovation within Kenya’s media industry

Impact of Internship Programme on the Performance of Public Health Care Institutions

The study seeks to obtain the impact of internship programme on the performance of public health care institutions Contextual factors are sought that influence the relationship impact and effect between internship programme and performance of public healthcare institutions The research design adopted is descriptive survey through both qualitative and quantitative data This study is conducted in Kakamega County western region of Kenya The population of the study is 2225 with a stratified randomly selected sample of 444 respondents Primary data is collected through questionnaires while secondary data is sourced from official hospital records journals text books and internet articles Data is analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics The study concludes that internship programme influences performance of public healthcare institution

Been, Being, Becoming: An Auto-Ethnographical Analysis of Black Youth in Canada

Black youth often contend with negative external social constructions, labels, and categories, defining who they are as individuals and as racialized others. Regardless of the degree to which Black youth identify with these narratives of deviance, the expectations and assumptions within this discourse have consequences. This research project analyzed Black youth identity and racialization through the lens of my racialized experience of growing up Black in Canada. Thus, this study attempted to answer the following question: How have I as a Black youth made sense of the “narrative of deviance” as I created my identity during adolescence? The method used for this research was an auto-ethnographical approach, which allowed me to analyze my own life experiences and explore the themes in relation to academic literature on Black youth and adolescent experiences. As the primary researcher I coded the selected life experiences using MAXQDA coding software, analyzed them for major themes, and drew on the major connections that existed between the data and the existing literature. The existing literature represented Black youth identity as frequently being fraught with internal identity tension, varying levels of performative tendencies, and denial of individual recognition. My research found that throughout my life, I contended with social process that constructed Blackness, through creation, performance, and judgment, making my Blackness an object that was meant to represent a stereotypical image of a Black male. Presented in absentia on April 27, 2020 at "Student Research Day" at MacEwan University in Edmonton, Alberta. (Conference cancelled) Faculty Mentor: Joanne Minaker Department: Sociolog

Theoretical issues on the African Stock Markets and Portfolio Performance

The study discusses the theoretical issues surrounding the African stock markets and portfolio performance. It examines the issues underpinning the perception of market inefficiency in African stock markets. It has been proposed that the solution to problems faced by African stock markets is to integrate their stock exchanges by merging the stock exchanges. The study adopted an exploratory research design so as to gather preliminary information and help explore theoretical issues surrounding the African stock markets and portfolio performance. Keywords: Africa, stock markets, regional integration, portfolio performance, savings, real secto

Effects of operational factors on organizational performance in Kenyan insurance industry

Performance of insurance firms has largely been influenced by operational factors. Insurance firms have continually performed poorly in the Kenyan market since 1985. So far, there is still limited information as regards this trend. The objective of the study was to establish the extent to which operational factors affect the performance of insurance firms. The study adopted a descriptive census survey design. The study location was in Nairobi and the population consisted of 40 registered insurance companies as at August 2010. Reliability of the results was determined by the test-retest approach. Validity of the research instrument was established by using two firms outside the target population. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The hypothesis was tested using simple regression coefficient at 95% confidence level. The study revealed that operational factors have no relationship with organizational performance

Influence of Online Journalism on News Reach in Kenya

Online journalism is a type of journalism practised through digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, Google, websites and blogs. It has transformed traditional journalism by enabling media practitioners to propagate news in real time to their audiences. However, online journalism and news access has not received enough research. This study sought to investigate the extent to which digital journalism platforms influence news access in Kenyan universities. The study employed descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 63,817. Random sampling was used to sample 381 respondents from the sampled four universities. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The data gathered was analyzed using descriptive statistics using statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17.0. Frequencies and percentages were used for analysis. The study established that digital journalism platforms are to a larger extent is accessible to internet users for news purposes. The study recommends that media practitioners should conceptualize their audiences and adopt digital journalism platforms that are accessible and interest them. Media houses and the government to develop internet infrastructure, formulate ethical framework and policies to guide online journalism practice in Kenya. The study also recommended the review in online journalism curriculum in learning institutions to make it more current in line with online journalism digital developments. Key words: Digital Journalism, Influence, Hyperlink, Online Audienc