Strategic marketing management of oil and gas industry: A review of literature

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on strategic marketing management. This study adopted an expost facto research methodology to examine the strategic marketing management literature in an attempt to attain their desired level of performance. The overall findings suggest that strategic marketing is a driver of organizational positioning in a dynamic environment, and that it helps to enhance the development of new products/services for existing markets. These findings, along with other interesting findings of the study, are discussed. From the empirical and anecdotal managerial evidence as well as from the literature, implications are drawn for the efficient and effective strategic marketing practices in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Based on the findings of the study, the concepts and principles of total quality management within a holistic framework it is recommended that (i) efforts should be made by organizational marketers towards understanding the relevant economic factors that affect both clients’ behaviour and the strategic options that may be adopted to cope with such behaviours; (ii) in a constantly changing business environment, firms can adopt different strategic marketing practices since the yardstick is the enhancement of business performance.Strategic Marketing, Strategies, Dynamic environment, Deployment, Resources, Management

Perceived Attributes of Factors Influencing Consumers’ Engagement with Electronic Banking

This study intends to critically analyze the relationship between perceived attributes as factors and consumers’ engagement with electronic banking technology. A survey method was used to gather data from 200 secondary school teachers from five selected local government in South-Western part of Nigeria namely; Ibadan North, Egbeda, Ido, Ibadan North-East and Ibadan North-West Local government. Data was collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed with several descriptive statistics to identify consumers’ engagement in electronic banking technology in Nigeria. The results of the study therefore reveals that the most common influential factors hindering consumers’ adoption of electronic banking in Nigeria are relative advantage of economic gains and non-economic gains, social character, communication behavior, trialability as well as observability. Hence, it therefore recommends that the banks should create channels through which customers’ awareness will be enhanced and employ IT trained personnel to monitor and report any fraudulent transaction in order to secure customers’ trust on safety risk/security

Investigating heat stress in gari frying

One of the greatest discomforts widely reported in gari frying is heat stress experienced by the processors.  The effects of this risk, among other inherent risks, on the workers call for detailed investigation into the cause and effects with a view to mitigating them.  When excessive, this can cause heat stroke, a condition that can either threaten our lives or cause dire consequences.  This study was carried out in 40 gari-frying workstations in Ifo Local Government area of Ogun State and its environs.  Data were collected with questionnaire and oral interview, together with the use of a heat stress assessment checklist.  Further qualitative analysis was done using Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT).  Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to test hypothesis on the WBGT.  The mean value of WBGT index recorded was 35oC, which is above the permissible WBGT of 31oC, indicating the prevalence of heat stress.  The use of other low level but more effective source of heat has been recommended, such that workers would have less contact with heat during the frying task.   Keywords: heat stress, gari frying, wet bulb globe temperature index, check list, ergonomics

Production traits of broiler chicken strains fed Ad Libitum and raised on deep litter system in the humid tropics

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of strain and age on production traits of commercial broiler chickens reared on full-feeding, and under the same housing, feeding regime, agro-climatic zone and management practices. A total number of 150 broiler dayold chicks, that, is 50 chicks each of Arbor Acres (strain A), Hubbard (strain B) and Marshall (strain C) were purchased from local hatcheries, and raised on deep litter in separate pens for 49 days (7 weeks). Data collected include live body weight, body length, breast girth, shank length and thigh length. In addition, data on feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency at two weeks interval beginning from 1st week were taken. Analyzed results showed that genotype and age of birds had highly significant (P<0.01) effects on all the performance traits of broiler chickens. Strains A and B appeared superior to strain C in body weight, but the latter was better (P<0.01) in shank length and breast girth than the former. As regards feed conversion, strain C was the poorest, intermediate in strain B, and strain A the best. The feed efficiency and feed conversion ratio were related but in a reverse manner. Strain A was adjudged good and profitable because the strain had the highest mean values in body weight and feed efficiency coupled with the lowest feed conversion ratio at maturity, and could be recommended to poultry farmers in this zone for increased productivity, income generation and maximum profit.Keywords: Poultry, Broiler, Strain, Traits, Body weight, Feed efficiency, Feed conversion, Feed efficiencyAnimal Research International (2012) 9(1): 1529 – 153

Determination ofthe Optimal Manpower Size Using Linear Programming Model

Abstract: There would be no meaningful development lllltil manpower that involves in the transformation of production facilities into useful goods and services is well trained and planned. Recent advances in mathematical programming methodology have included: development of interior methods, competing with the simplex method, improved simplex codes, vastly improved performance for mixed-integer programming using strong linear programming formulations and a renewed interest in decomposition. Application areas have been expanding from the traditional refinery planning and distribution models to include finance, scheduling, manufacturing, manpower planning and many others. We see the acceleration of better methods and improved codes moving together with faster, lower-cost and more interesting hardware into a variety of application areas, thereby opening up new demands for greater fi.mction of optimization codes. This study applies Linear Programming (LP) model based on integer programming to the determination of effective size of manpower to be engaged. The study also incorporates global constraints such as production capacity/demand rate and allowable time of operation into the model to reflect the reality activities in production organizations in developing colUltries. The results obtained show that the model is more efficient than the existing model for effective manpower determination

Investigation of the awareness of rural students on M-learning using smartphones

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sudden transition from face to face to online teaching and learning practices in various parts of the world. Meanwhile, the level of awareness and adoption of mobile learning (M-learning) by means of smartphones in many rural parts of Africa tends to be considered low. The reasons for this include various factors, such as poor access to internet facilities, a lack of funds, the cost of smartphones, amongst others. This study investigates the level of awareness of South African rural higher institution students (SARHISs) on M-learning using smartphones. A quantitative method was adopted for the study. Convenience sampling was used to select the institution and the 75 respondents who took part in the study. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire, entitled “Smartphone questionnaire (SQ)”. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 25. The findings of the study show that the adoption of M-learning using smartphones by the respondents who are students from the South African Rural Higher Institution (SARHIS) is moderate – a little above the average. Based on the study, it is recommended, that students’ awareness should be raised and that M-learning should be supported given the recent transition from onsite to online teaching and learning practice

Optimal Design and Cost Analysis of Hybrid Autonomous Distributed Generation System for a Critical Load

One of the universal targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is affordable and clean energy. It is on this premise that this study presents the integration of PV-wind distributed generation system into an existing diesel generator powered water treatment plant in a suburban town of Wudil, Nigeria. Inadequate and epileptic supply from the grid caused the dependence of the plant on the generator. The optimal design was determined using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) software developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Simulation results produce an optimal hybrid system which includes photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines, converter, batteries and a generator with a cost of energy of $0.26 at a renewable fraction of 95%. An analysis also demonstrates that implementing this design will result in low and fairly constant fuel price in the lifecycle of the project. This will, in turn, support sustainable economic development of communities served by the water treatment plant

An Assessment of Corruption in the Public Sector in Nigeria: A Study of Akure South Local Government Area, Ondo State

Issue of corruption in Nigeria has been a major concern to all and sundry in the society. The upsurge of this social menace in Nigeria in recent times is disturbing and it seems the menace has defied all kinds of treatment and the damage it has caused to national life cannot be quantified. The objective of this paper therefore, is to examine and assess corruption in the public sector in Nigeria with particular reference to Akure South Local Government Area of Ondo State. It has generated data based on questionnaires, on the public perception and level of corruption in the study area. The questionnaire and the groups tested were segmented. However, it was observed that many factors such as; lack of transparency, moral laxity, weak government institutions, unemployment and poverty etc were significant factors stimulating corruption in Nigeria. By this result, it means that proactive measure must be shaped towards eradicating corruption in Nigeria. This paper recommends, among others, that government should strengthen the institutions established to fight corruption

Organizational Ethics and Employee Level of Productivity in Nigerian Private Universities

Employee level of productivity is one of the many possible outcomes of ethical issues in an organization. An organization with strong ethical beliefs leads to a greater sense of commitment among its employees. The purpose of this research paper was to establish the relationship between organizational ethics and employee level of productivity in higher education institution (private university) in Nigeria. The researcher utilized both explorative and cross-sectional survey research method to gather the needed information. The participants of the study were faculty of Covenant University from the College of Development Studies (CDS) and College of Science and Technology (CST). The population for this study was 390 academic staff of Covenant University out of which a sample of 198 participants were determined using Yard’s formula. The gathered data were analysed with the use of frequency, percentage, standard multiple regression analysis and correlation analysis. The findings of the study revealed that Wasted Time, Leisure, Degree of Gratification, Self-Reliance, Centrality of Work, Hard Work, and Morality are not statistically significant to employee rewards and hours worked. The study recommends that: 1.) Private universities should embark on creating leisure periods for their faculty in order to increase their level of productivity; 2.) Private universities should continue to use reward system and increase promotion as a way of maintaining faculty loyalty. Keywords: Organizational Ethics, Productivity, Employee, Private University, Reward, and Work Hours

Corporate Entrepreneurship, HRM Practices and Firm Performance

AIn modern business dynamics, firm growth and sustainability significantly depends on corporate entrepreneurship (CE) and entrepreneurship (E) practices. Because of their significance, we have examined the direct and indirect effect of corporate entrepreneurship (CE) and entrepreneurship (E) on firm performance (FP) in SMEs of Nigeria. We have used a sample of 387 for collecting the data non-randomly. The tool we used for collecting the data was a close-ended questionnaire, which we adapted from earlier studies. The authors have used Smart PLS for statistical analysis. We found that corporate entrepreneurship (CE), entrepreneurship (E), and human resource management (HRM) affects firm performance (FP). We also found that HRM practices also have a significant link with corporate entrepreneurship (CE), entrepreneurship (E), and firm performance (FP). The results also suggest that entrepreneurship (E) and corporate entrepreneurship (CE) mediates HRM practices and firm performance (FP). The above findings were consistent with the view that HRM practices are an essential component of an organization. HRM activities besides conventional functions also promote entrepreneurial (E) behaviour and organizational outcomes. Thus, the HRM department must continuously revisit the policies and procedures to ensure that they are aligned with the changing environment. Entrepreneurial (E) and corporate entrepreneurial (E) orientation support an environment that encourages employees to participate in decision making, which enhances employees’ sense of belonging and promote a positive attitude towards work.Keywords: Corporate entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship, practices, firm performance, Nigeri