An Assessment of the Determinants of Productivity in the Electricity Industry in Nigeria

The study examined the productivity in the electricity industry in Nigeria. The aim of the study was to ascertain the determinants of productivity in the electricity sector. The research design adopted for the study was a longitudinal study of productivity in the electricity industry in Nigeria. The study considered time series data for a 20 year period from 1996 to 2015. Data on study variables were obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) statistical bulletins, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) annual publications, and the websites of both Transparency International (TI) and Energy Information Administration (EIA). Based on the study objectives, the fully modified ordinary least square (FM-OLS) technique was used to estimate the multiple regressions between productivity and the explanatory variables. Data analyses were carried out using the software application of E- View 9.0. Results from the study showed that the total factor productivity which is an indication of efficiency in the electricity sector was 0.29. This is low when compared with international best practice of 0.80. Also, results from the study revealed that funding, weather condition, vandalism and labour supply have significant effect on productivity of the electricity industry in Nigeria. However, tariff structure and corruption were not statistically significant in the prediction of productivity in the electricity industry. The study recommended that increased budgetary allocations should be made available to the electricity industry to provide the needed improvements in the sector

Exploring the Variability in the Gray Scale Imaging Process of Asphalt Samples

Gray scale image analysis is a powerful tool for testing asphalt concrete materials. From material composition to surface properties, gray scale analysis has shown evidence as a non-invasive way to obtain information from asphalt samples. Casillas et al. used a gray scale analysis to measure the Representative Volume Element of three asphalt sample geometries to understand the minimum size at which an asphalt sample is representative of a larger homogeneous mixture [1]. While the gray scale analysis used in this experiment yielded results, there were unknown factors in the image capturing process. Particularly, not much was known about the effect of varying the distance of asphalt samples from a camera or varying the sizes of asphalt samples on subsequent gray scale histograms. The purpose of this research was to quantify the effect of these two variables on a gray scale analysis and to understand the extent and significance of their impact. For each of the 12 samples analyzed and 34 histograms generated, it was discovered that for images that were captured closer to a camera, more pixels per intensity were captured for non-white intensities (#0 - #254). Secondly, it was discovered that sample geometry affected histograms when the area of images captured was not the same, meaning that the image capturing software generated histograms based on the image area captured rather than the sample geometry. Finally, over 75% of the pixels for this mix design fell between the range of intensities #30 - #160

Entrepreneurship Education and Self-employment Intentions among Fresh Graduates in Nigeria

Over a decade, the Nigeria Federal government introduced entrepreneurship development programmes in the country’s tertiary institutions with the primary objective of gearing entrepreneurship development of Nigerian graduates. However, the unemployment level in Nigeria has persistently been on increase level. This paper therefore examined the key determinants of entrepreneurship intentions and the link between entrepreneurship attitude orientations and business ownership intentions among Nigeria’s fresh graduates. This study utilized a survey research design. Data used for this study were collected using questionnaire from 230 randomly selected National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members serving in Ondo state. Appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed to analyse the data collected. This study showed that entrepreneurship education (β = 0.165; ρ = 0.038), ability to take risk (β = 0.291; ρ = 0.000), and the influence of family, friends, and mentor (β = 0.305; ρ = 0.00) were the major determinants of entrepreneurial intentions the selected participants. Moreso, this study revealed that entrepreneurship education has a positive and significant(r = 0.313; ρ = 0.000) influence on fresh graduates’ business start-up intention. This study concluded that establishment of more skills acquisition and innovation centers across Nigeria to equip the young graduates with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes required to be self-reliant will assist in making them job creators rather than job seekers, and in the long term effect, graduates unemployment and criminal activities among Nigerian youths will be reduced. Keywords: Entrepreneurship Education, Self-employment Intentions, Fresh Graduates, Nigeria

ANALYZING SUCCESSION MANAGEMENT PRACTISE IN THE CONTEXT OF ORGANIZATIONAL SURVIVAL: A QUALITATIVE APPROACH

Qualitative data analysis methods are becoming more and more useful in management sciences. In this paper, an attempt is made to qualitatively ascertain the extent to which effective management succession influences organizational survival. An open-ended interview schedule with 15 questions was administered on 15 randomly selected individuals belonging to top, mid and low level management cadre across 5 money deposit banks in Nigeria. Qualitative content analysis was used to carry out coding of the responses. Cohen Kappa (κ) inter-coder reliability test of trustworthiness gave a coding consistency value of 0.86, showing a near-perfect agreement. The final themes generated include; succession ingredients; succession results, and succession checks. It was found that for succession to truly drive an organization towards survival, certain key inputs, otherwise known as ingredients must be in place. Furthermore, the many short-comings in the process of succession must be checked and corrected. If rightly corrected, succession checks could help gain positive results, however, if not carefully monitored, results could be negative

Re-Examining the Nexus between Exchange and Interest Rates in Nigeria

Nigeria has experienced somersault of foreign exchange policies by the Central Bank. One policy concern in recent times is to have an appropriate target of the exchange and interest rates. Therefore, this paper seeks to provide a foundation for the targeting of an appropriate exchange and interest rates for the country. Using the Johansen Cointegration and Vector Error Correction Mechanism approaches, it specifically examines the relationships among Nigeria’s weak exchange rate, its local rate of interest and world interest rate. Contrary to many studies, a control measure involving inclusion of inflation, money supply and national output in the model is done. The analysis showed an equilibrium association between exchange rate and interest rate-cum-other variables and steady rectification of deviance from long-run stability over a sequence of incomplete short-run modifications. Increase in domestic and world interest rate, inflation, money supply and GDPat equilibrium would strengthen the exchange rate. Besides, further findings showed some bidirectional causal associations among the variables. By long-run implication, the targeting of an appropriate exchange rate in Nigeria requires a tightened monetary policy that is not inflation and growth biased. However, increase in world interest rate, money supply and inflation rate must be moderate in order not to worsen the exchange rate as suggested by the short-run result.&nbsp

Advancements and applications of Artificial Intelligence in cardiology: Current trends and future prospects

Using Artificial intelligence technologies in cardiology has witnessed rapid advancements across various domains, fostering innovation and reshaping clinical practices. The study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these AI-driven advancements and their implications for enhancing cardiovascular healthcare. A systematic approach was adopted to conduct an extensive review of scholarly articles and peer-reviewed literature focusing on the application of AI in cardiology. Databases including PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science were systematically searched. Articles were screened following a defined selection criteria. These articles' synthesis highlighted AI's diverse applications in cardiology, including but not limited to diagnostic innovations, precision medicine, remote monitoring technologies, drug discovery, and clinical decision support systems. The review shows the significant role of AI in reshaping cardiovascular medicine by revolutionising diagnostics, treatment strategies, and patient care. The diverse applications of AI in cardiology showcased in this study reflect the transformative potential of these technologies. However, challenges such as algorithm accuracy, interoperability, and integration into clinical workflows persist. AI's continued advancements and strategic integration in cardiology promise to deliver more personalised, efficient, and effective cardiovascular care, ultimately improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of cardiology practice

The work–family balance of British working women during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has affected women in unique gender-specific ways, particularly their traditional status as home managers. This study aims to draw on the role theory to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women's work–family balance during the lockdown. Design/methodology/approach The current COVID-19 pandemic, which has altered the ways in which we live and work, requires specific methodological tools to be understood. The authors, therefore, opted for an interpretive–constructivist and constructivist–phenomenologist approach. The dataset, thus, comprises of semi-structured interviews with 26 working women in the UK. Findings The findings illustrate how the COVID-19 lockdown has intensified British women's domestic workload and has, thus, caused unbridled role conflict, which has further been exacerbated by structural and interactional roles undertaken by women, especially during the lockdown. Remote working has contributed to women's role congestion and role conflict and poses severe challenges to role differentiation. Furthermore, we found that the lockdown has facilitated the rediscovery of family values and closeness, which is connected to the decline in juvenile delinquency and low crime rate that has resulted from the lockdown. Originality/value Through the lens of the role theory, this study concludes that the cohabitation of work and family duties within the domestic space undermines the ability to achieve work–family balance and role differentiation due to the occurrence of inter-role conflicts. This study enriches our understanding of the effect of remote working on female employees' work–family balance during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic lockdown

An Examination on the Effect of Regional Disintegration on Industry Performance: The Post-Brexit Decision

Ongoing research on the uncertainties surrounding Brexit as a form of regional disintegration is a teeming challenge for many of the industries in the United Kingdom, and as such, various researches are being undergone by experts in different fields to analyse the potential effects both positive and negative on the various industries. This research, therefore, aimed to focus mainly on the effect of regional disintegration on industry performance with emphasis on Brexit.  The research considers the financial services and insurance industry in the United Kingdom as a case study. To consider the potential effect of regional disintegration, the research examined a 5-year quarterly data trend analysis spanning from 2014 till 2018 which represents two years before and two years after the pronouncement of the referendum in June 2016. The study further adopted a deductive approach while using both quantitative and qualitative research strategies. The data collection method involved the use of secondary data gotten from government reports and statistical bulletins. The variables were grouped into three categories including the macroeconomic factors (inflation, exchange rate and interest rate), trade performance (imports, exports and industry consumer price index), and demand and supply of labour (employment levels). The data analysis was conducted using a t-test statistic to ascertain if there is any significant difference in the population means of the variables. The findings revealed that the macroeconomic factors have more significant adverse effects on the industry's performance, while there are both positive and negative effects of regional integration on trade performance. Lastly, a no-deal outcome is likely to pose a significant threat to the industry’s demand and supply of labour.  In general, the findings of the research allude to the fact that regional disintegration has both positive and negative effects on industry performance. Some recommendations were provided based on a no-deal or deal outcome

An Exploration of the Practices of Locational Flexibility in Developing Economies: Insights from the Nigerian Higher Education Sector

Purpose – This study explores the practices of locational flexibility in the Nigerian higher education sector. It examines the realities of remotely organising and managing academics’ teaching and administrative workload, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach – Relying on the interpretative paradigm, the dataset consists of semi-structured interviews with 92 professionals in the Nigerian higher educational institution (HEI) sector drawn from private and public federal government-owned and regional (otherwise known as state government) tertiary institutions. Findings – The study highlights the practices of locational flexibility across the Nigerian higher education sector. Therefore, it underscores the notions of locational flexibility from the perspective of Nigerian academics. It reveals a paucity in the range and usage of locational flexibility options across the Nigerian higher education sector, as well as the factors shaping its implementation and utilisation. Ultimately, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the findings reveal that locational flexibility is predominantly environmentally induced. Originality/value – This study focused on a salient topic that explores the practices of locational flexibility, particularly in an underresearched context of developing economies, specifically Nigeria. Moreover, the study contributes to the scarce literature on locational flexibility. Additionally, unlike previous studies that are mostly preoccupied with the meaning of the concept and the importance of the practice to employees’ work-life balance, organisational flexibility, and overall operational performance, this study underpins the practices, utilisation and barriers to implementing locational flexibility

Stigma hurts: exploring employer and employee perceptions of tattoos and body piercings in Nigeria

This is an author's accepted manuscript of an article published by Emerald in Career Development International on 15/03/2021, available online: https://doi.org/10.1108/CDI-09-2020-0239 The accepted manuscript may differ form the final published version.Purpose: This study draws on social stigma and prejudice to examine the perceptions and beliefs of managers and employees regarding visible tattoos and body piercings, as well as the impact they have on potential employment and human resource management in the global South, using Nigeria as the research context. Design/methodology/approach: The study uses a qualitative research approach, drawing on data from 43 semi-structured interviews with employees and managers in Nigeria. Findings: Contrary to the popular opinion that tattoos and body piercings are becoming more accepted and mainstream in society, this study finds that some Nigerian employers and employees may stigmatise and discriminate against people with visible tattoos and body piercings. The findings of this study suggest that beliefs about tattoos are predicated on ideologies as well as religious and sociocultural values, which then influence corporate values. Research limitations/implications: The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited sample and scope of the research. Practical implications: Religious and sociocultural preconceptions about people with visible tattoos and body piercings have negative implications for the recruitment and employment of such people and could prevent organisations from hiring and keeping talented employees. This implies that talented employees might experience prejudice at job interviews, preventing them from gaining employment. Furthermore, stigmatising and discriminating against people with visible tattoos and body piercings may lead to the termination of employment of talented employees, which could negatively affect organisational productivity and growth. Originality/value: This study provides an insight into the employment relations regarding tattoos and body piercing in Nigeria. The study highlights the need for mild beliefs and positive perceptions about people with visible tattoos and unconventional body piercings. There should be a general tolerance of the individual preference for body art and physical appearance, and this tolerance should be incorporated in organisational policies, which are enactments of corporate culture.Published versio