Exploring the growth challenges of social enterprises: Identifying staffing, earnings-generation and communications as critical success factors

How best to support the sustainability and growth of social enterprises is important to multiple stakeholders (Cavusgil & Knight, 2015; Thompson, Mawson & Martin, 2017). Evidence highlights that social enterprises struggle to scale-up, as reflected by a majority of UK-based social enterprises failing to breakeven. This research studies over one hundred social enterprises to explore the reasons for ineffective scaling and to identify where the priorities and challenges lie in achieving success. Recent literature and the Bloom & Smith (2010) SCALERS model (Staffing; Communicating; Alliance-building; Lobbying; Earnings-generation; Replicating; and Stimulating market forces) are used to determine key issues. The findings indicate that the effective scaling and impact (Kim, 2015) of social enterprises is reliant on three critical success factors: Staffing; Earnings generation; and Communications. Social enterprises need to optimise the recruitment and deployment of employees and volunteers, bearing in mind that they are essential for the replication of successes and in building alliances with networks of stakeholders (Stam, Arzalanian & Elfring, 2014). A robust earnings generation model is essential and may require the development of innovative income streams. Effective staff and robust finances helping establish strong coalitions, joint-ventures and partnerships across the stakeholder spectrum

Sb2Te3 crystal a potential absorber material for broadband photodetector: a first-principles study

Antimony telluride (Sb2Te3), a layered semiconductor material, is considered a promising absorbing material for a high-performance optoelectronic device within broadband wavelengths because of remarkable features like strong optical absorbance and the narrow direct band gap. In this work, based on the first-principles approach, we investigate in detail the structural, electronic and optical properties of the hexagonal Sb2Te3 compound. The structural and electronic properties were computed using the first-principles approach, treating exchange–correlation potential with generalized gradient approximation (GGA) within density functional theory (DFT). Furthermore, for accurate prediction of the band gap, we go beyond DFT and calculated band structure using GW correction. The optical properties, namely, imaginary and real parts of complex dielectric function, absorption coefficient, refractive index, reflectivity, extinction coefficient, electron energy loss function and optical conductivity are performed by quasi-particle many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) via Bethe-Salpeter equation (BSE). The computed structural parameters are in good agreement with available experimental data. The obtained quasi-particle (GW) correction band structure show the semiconducting character of Sb2Te3 material with a direct band gap Eg of 0.221 eV, in agreement with previously reported value (Eg = 0.210 eV) while the projected density of states indicates (PDOS) that the p-orbital of Sb and Te atoms are responsible for material properties near the Fermi level. To our knowledge, our first reported calculations of optical properties, with the inclusion of electron-hole effects are consistent with available experimental measurements. Consistencies of our findings with experimental data validate the effectiveness of electron-hole interaction for theoretical investigation of optical properties

Assessing the Efficacy of Azadirachta indica Seed Extract on Fusarium Oxysporum

Global population pressure has posed great challenge on food security with over 800 million people having no access to adequate food and about two billion faced with hunger and malnutrition. Banana (Musa spp.) is the world’s fourth most important global food crop after rice, wheat and maize in terms of production. The cultivation of banana is however threatened by pests and diseases and diverse anthropogenic activities which have influenced and changed the climate. Generally, climate change impacts on agriculture and food security across the globe decreasing crop productivity while extreme weather conditions such as flooding, drought, hurricanes etc. increase disease transmission. Fusarium oxysporum, a soil borne fungus affects banana production, causing vascular wilts and damage to banana plantations by infecting plant roots, cortex and stele. Several fungicides have been employed to curb these losses. Plant extracts have, however, played significant role in the inhibition of seed-borne pathogenic F. oxysporum. Eco-friendly Neem (Azadirachta indica) extracts have been reported to gain prominence over inorganic fungicides. This study investigated the effectiveness of Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed extract at varying concentrations of 10, 20 and 50% against F. oxysporum in Potato Dextrose medium for 120 h. using pour plate and cork boring methods. The results obtained showed inhibited growth of the test fungus with 50% having the greatest percentage inhibition. This indicates that A. indica seed extract has fungicidal effect on F. oxysporum and has the potential to curb banana losses and hence enhance banana production and thus ensure food security

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Cu (II), Co (II) and Ni (II) Histidine Complexes

Ternary complexes of histidine amino acid (Schiff base) were synthesized, characterized and tested against multi-drug resistant pathogens. The metal ion centers included Cu (II), Ni (II) and Co (II). These complexes were characterized using physico-chemical and spectroscopic analytical methods. All the complexes are found to be considerably soluble in both polar and non-polar solvents including methanol, ethanol, butanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, and benzene and di ethyl-ether. Electronic Absorption Studies using FT-IR spectrophotometer revealed ν (O-H), ν (C=O), ν (C=N), ν (M -N) and ν (M-O) occurred between 3410 - 3417, 1751 - 1753, 1519 – 1521, 671 – 678, 439 – 470 cm-1 respectively in complexes and ligand. UV-Visible was further used to elucidate the complexes resulting in transitions characteristics of the ligand and complexes. The Schiff base showed no antimicrobial activity at various therapeutic concentrations. However, the metal complexes exhibited broad spectrum antibiotic activities against the multi-drug resistant pathogens at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC ≤ 200 µg/ml). The metal complexes showed strong activity against the isolates at medium and high concentrations, the bacteria strains included E.coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi and S. aureus and the fungi strains of Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. The bioactivity recorded against these multi drug resistant pathogens indicates the potentials of these complexes for further therapeutic studies. Keywords: Histidine complex, synthesis, characterisation, antimicrobial activity, pathogens

Electronic and optical properties of Bi2Se3 topological insulator: a promising absorbing layer for broadband photodetector

Bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) is a van der Waals compound which has been excellently reported as thermoelectric material. Linear dispersion near Fermi energy level is an exciting feature to consider, a promising candidate for photonic device within broadband wavelengths. For this application, detailed knowledge of its structural, electronic and optical properties is very essential. The electronic properties were determined by density functional theory (DFT) calculations implemented in Quantum-Espresso simulation package which uses plane wave basis and pseudopotential for the core electrons. Optical properties are computed by solving Bethe-Salpeter equation of many-body perturbation theory (MBPT) as implemented in Yambo code. The band structure results show the semiconducting behaviour of Bi2Se3. Taken into account the effects of electron-hole interaction by solving Bethe-Salpeter equation, the calculated optical properties are in better agreement with available experimental results. The exciton energy shows that the title material can absorb light within infrared region

A Comparative Study of Energy Demand of Instant- Pounded Yam Flour Production Methods

Traditionally, method of producing pounded yam by pounding cooked yam using pestle and mortar is time and labour consuming, thus discouraging consumption of the food among urban elite. Conversion of yam tubers to instant-pounded yam flour requires quantifiable magnitudes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine energy conservation potentials of the established three instant-pounded yam flour methods of production. Data were collected from nine instant-pounded yam flour producing factory using structured questionnaires, oral interview, and direct measurement of processing parameters. The data were fit into standard equations to estimate energy demand. Energy required for processing 1000 kg of yam to instant-pounded yam flour using cooking method, steaming method and wet-milling methods were 6720.15MJ, 6934.48MJ and 4296.56MJ respectively, equivalent to 6.7 MJ/kg, 6.9 MJ/kg and 4.3 MJ/kg respectively. Energy intensity for peeling, washing, slicing and packaging were 0.0055 MJ, 0.003 MJ, 0.0076 MJ and 0.2 MJ respectively, and are the same for all the methods studied.  Drying consumed more than half of the total energy requirements in each method; cooking (66.26%), steaming (79.04%) and wet-milling methods (76.57%). Using energy demand as criterion, wet- milling method is recommended. Keywords: Instant-pounded yam flour, production method, energy demand, energy pattern

TREATMENTS OF BIODIESEL WASHING WATER

The main objective of this study was to produce biodiesel from palm kernel oil and to purify the biodiesel washing water generated through adsorption, acidification, coagulation and filtration treatment processes. Removal efficiencies of these treatment processes were investigated by analysing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS) and elements present in the biodiesel washing water (before and after treatments). The results of the trans-esterification process showed that the highest biodiesel yield of 87.6% was obtained at a reaction time of 65 minutes and methanol to oil mole ratio of 6:1.The overall removal efficiencies obtained using the stated water treatment processes were 65% (BOD), 38% (COD), 75% (TDS) and 94%(conductivity).The treated washing water met the waste water discharge standards of FEPA. Hence, adsorption, acidification, coagulation and filtration, were effective in treating biodiesel washing water

Linear acenes linked thiophene, electronic and chemical properties: Prospects for molecular organic electronic material

We report a theoretical study of linear acene (n=1 to 7) linked thiophene properties functionality. The total ground state and band gap energies, Coulomb potential and nuclear repulsion energy are calculated by DFT, MP2 at B3LYP exchange level of the theory and 6-311G* basis set. The results are in good agreement with the experimental and theoretical values. It is found that the total ground state energy of the system and band gap energy decreases with an increasing number of electrons in the rings. The addition of thiophene molecules tends to improve the electronic and chemical properties of the linear acenes, the material exhibit potential application in the organic molecular electronic material

Adoption of Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) Among Smallholder Rice Farmers in Nigeria Agricultural Transformation Agenda

This study assessed the adoption rate and identified factors influencing adoption of rice technologies among participants of Agricultural Transformation Agenda across the targeted implementation zones of Adani-Omor, Bida-Badeggi, Kano-Jigawa and Kebbi-Sokoto. Multi-stage sampling procedure was used in selecting eighty respondents for the study. The data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Tobit regression model were employed in the analysis of data. The study revealed that majority of farmers participating in Agricultural Transformation Agenda Project (ATASP-1) are youths and still in their active age as indicated by the average age of 42 years. About 62% have secondary and tertiary education. On the gender distribution of the people engaged in ATASP-1 project, it was revealed that about 92% were male while only 8% were female. Substantial numbers of technologies were disseminated on rice being promoted under ATASP-1 project and the adoption rate of these technologies was very high. More than three-quarter of the respondents have adopted technologies introduced to them. Adoption of rice technologies among participating farmers is largely depends on socioeconomic characteristics of farmers such as age, education and gender of the respondents. The study recommends that there should be continuous training of farmers on the importance of these technologies as well as techniques behind their utilization to ensure continuous usage of the adopted technologies. Women should be encouraged to participate more in the project and to take up farming as a business. Also, adequate attention should be given to farmers socioeconomic characteristics as these are the determinants of technology adoption. Keywords: Adoption, GAP, Rice Farmers, Agricultural Transformation Agenda DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-15-02 Publication date: August 31st 201

Measurement of Technical Efficiency of Irrigated and Rainfed Onion Farms in Kano State of Nigeria

This study estimated technical efficiency of irrigated and rain-fed onion production in Kano State of Nigeria, and was carried out in six selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 217 onion farmers involved in both irrigated and Rain-fed production systems. The study made use of primary data, collected through structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and stochastic frontier model were used to analyse the data. Generally, young literate married men with 5 household size and14 years of farming experience were involved in onion farming. The Maximum Likelihood Estimate (MLE) for production frontier shows that the variable inputs (farm size, hired and family labour, seeds and fertilizers) have positive coefficients and were significant at 5% level. This implied positive effect on onion yields under both production systems, while agro-chemical was negative under rain-fed. The mean technical efficiency was higher for irrigated onion farmers than rain-fed farmers indicating that onion production was technically more efficient under irrigation system of production than rain-fed system of production. Educations, experience, membership of cooperative, access to credit are socio-economic variables that reduce technical inefficiency in both systems of production. The following recommendations were made; contract farming, introduction of hybrid seeds, formation of cooperative societies and private partnership participation with government should be encouraged to boost irrigated onion production not only for home and local industry but also for export to other countries of the world. Keywords: Technical efficiency, irrigated, rain-fed, onion production DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/54-02 Publication date: April 30th 201