Organisational Transparency and Teachers’ Job Performance in Ogun State Public Secondary Schools

This study investigated Organisational transparency as determinant of teachers’ job performance in public secondary schools in Ogun State Nigeria. The study also sought to determine how organizational transparency affects the job performance of male and female teachers in the state. A total of 1037 teachers selected through multistage sampling procedure throughout 20 educational zones in Ogun state participated in the study. Data were collected with three instruments which were adapted, pilot tested and found to be reliable and valid. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the data collected. The results showed that Organisational transparency determined teachers’ job performance to a large extent. The variable was significant (P<0.05). Organisational transparency significantly determined teachers’ job performance. The variable also significantly determined male and female teachers’ job performance in Ogun state public secondary schools. The study therefore recommended that the principal should improve his openness, be honest, be beneficial to his/her workforce to gain their acceptance and trust in his/her school. Also principal should engage in activities that can enhance Teachers’ trust in principal. Organisational transparency as demonstrated by principals’ dealings is a vital factor in achievement of organisational goals. Keywords: Organisational transparency, Male teachers, female teachers, teaches’ job performance, secondary school

Comparison of use of Information and Communication Technologies between Agricultural Researchers and Extension Personnel in Nigeria

The study compared the use of ICTs between researchers and extension personnel. Agricultural researchers and extension personnel constituted the study population. Multistage random sampling was adopted to select the respondents. Proportionate random sampling technique was used to select three, two and two of the research stations in the South-West, Central and North-West agricultural zones respectively while the only research stations in each of South-East and North-East zones were selected. Ten percent of the researchers at the selected stations were randomly sampled. Then, 10% of the extension personnel in the 6 state ADPs, where the research stations are located were randomly selected. Structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the variables of the study at p=0.05.  Most researchers (75.3%) and few extension personnel (34.1%) had high ICT knowledge score. Mean ICT use score was 33.0±15.8 for researchers and 25.8±15.0 for extension personnel. The log likelihood of researchers’ use of ICTs was significantly reduced by grade level (β=-0.729), increased by access to ICTs (β=1.807) and increased by perception of use of ICTs (β=0.303). The log likelihood of extension personnel’s use was significantly increased by available ICT facilities (β=0.343), access to ICTs (β=1.410), and constraint assessment (β=0.182). The disparity in ICT availability to agricultural researchers and extension personnel presents a serious challenge to agricultural information management in Nigeria. Hence, availability and accessibility were the major determinants of Information and Communication Technologies used by researchers and extension personnel

Comparison of use of Information and Communication Technologies between Agricultural Researchers and Extension Personnel in Nigeria

The study compared the use of ICTs between researchers and extension personnel. Agricultural researchers and extension personnel constituted the study population. Multistage random sampling was adopted to select the respondents. Proportionate random sampling technique was used to select three, two and two of the research stations in the South-West, Central and North-West agricultural zones respectively while the only research stations in each of South-East and North-East zones were selected. Ten percent of the researchers at the selected stations were randomly sampled. Then, 10% of the extension personnel in the 6 state ADPs, where the research stations are located were randomly selected. Structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the respondents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the variables of the study at p=0.05.  Most researchers (75.3%) and few extension personnel (34.1%) had high ICT knowledge score. Mean ICT use score was 33.0±15.8 for researchers and 25.8±15.0 for extension personnel. The log likelihood of researchers’ use of ICTs was significantly reduced by grade level (β=-0.729), increased by access to ICTs (β=1.807) and increased by perception of use of ICTs (β=0.303). The log likelihood of extension personnel’s use was significantly increased by available ICT facilities (β=0.343), access to ICTs (β=1.410), and constraint assessment (β=0.182). The disparity in ICT availability to agricultural researchers and extension personnel presents a serious challenge to agricultural information management in Nigeria. Hence, availability and accessibility were the major determinants of Information and Communication Technologies used by researchers and extension personnel

Recycled Polypropylene Reinforced Coconut Shell Composite: Surface Treatment Morphological, Mechanical and Thermal Studies

Abstract The mechanical, morphological and thermal stability of the recycled waste polypropylene composite reinforced with treated and untreated coconut shell particulate have been investigated under two coconut shell particulates sizes of 80 and 150µm. The thermal stability, microstructure and water absorption capacity were characterised using TGA 701, Scanning Electron Microscope model EVOMA 10 LaB6 Analytical VP-SEM at 20KV, Instron Testing Machine and Brinell Hardness Tester respectively. The surface treatment enhanced significantly the mechanical properties of the developed composites. At 10% coconut shell particulates addition, the impact energy of the developed composites and thermal stability of the treated coconut shell reinforced composite started decreasing

Lean business model canvas and sustainable innovation business model based on the industrial synergy of microalgae cultivation

As a fundamental principle of natural resource management, sustainability encompasses a range of interrelated concepts, including operational efficiency, environmental effect minimization, and socioeconomic impact analysis. Microalgae have the capability to minimize CO2 emissions while also generating a large volume of oil, which might make them useful in the development of the next generation of biofuels. The emphasis was on researching the technological possibility of biofuel microalgae cultivation with CO2 provision from flue gas manufacturing due to various factors influencing microalgae production. Biodiesel microalgae, on the other hand, are quiet and far from commercially viable products due to numerous bottlenecks, which can be resolved by recognizing microalgae biomass manufacture as a market advantage when combined with a production facility from the perspective of a lean business model canvas for algae cultivation and sustainable business model innovation. This article aims to establish a lean canvas business model and a sustainable, innovative business model based on the industrial synergy of microalgae cultivation in the biodiesel production pathway. The results have contributed to developing scenarios for lean business model canvas and a sustainable, innovative business model for varying degrees of transition in the business model. Improved collaboration with external stakeholders and the introduction of new consumer networks were among the many examples given. The findings of the study contribute to a better understanding of how the global market for microalgae is changing

Volume 1; Issue 5 Paper-2 "An Appraisal of the Role of Retail Packaging in Consumer Buying Behaviour: A Case Study of Dairy Powder"

Abstract The production and packaging of goods in the most efficient and economical manner has continued to be the only reliable option for development, growth and survival both at micro and macro levels. Food safety has also become one of the main priorities for consumers, manufacturers and government. But what do these different parties expect? And what influence do production conditions and retail packaging have on the quality of dairy powder. The roles of Production Management cannot be under estimated in retail packaging, especially for dairy powder. Presently, the two most common packaging methods for dairy powder in Nigeria are pouch/sachet and aluminium cans. The study identified the key drivers, values and belief and attitudes of consumer behaviour in relation to packaging of dairy powder, and examines the retail environment into the near future. In the analysis of data collected during the study, percentages and chi-square statistics with a five percent level of significance are used as the tool to analyze data generated from the survey. The results obtained from the research questions and test hypotheses clearly showed that better dairy packaging does indeed positively impact product valuation. Also appealing dairy packaging led to increased selling price and choice/purchase price. The use of pouch/sachet for displaying dairy products in the retail environment is increasing, and properly designed pouch/sachet enclosures can be moisture resistant, increased shelf life and display friendly

Analysis of E-Readiness of Agricultural Development Practitioners to Emerging Information Challenges: A Case Study of Research and Extension Personnel in South-Western Nigeria

Information is crucial to developmental process and the emerging information age bringsaboutchallenges thatcallfora shiftin the waysofdissemination the resource. The study intends to assess the e-readiness the developmentpractitioner, research and extension personnel in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for their activities. Four research stations in South-west Nigeria were randomly selected for the study Data collected were described using frequencies and percentages while inferences were drawn using Spearman andPearson correlations. The study revealed that most of the digital ICT facilities were not available in the research stations. A test for significance between importance of the facilities to their work andavailable facilities show that only radio (r-0.571) andtelevision (0.549) were significant. Thismeans that thepractitioners'extent ofuse the availableICTfacilities hasnotbeendeep enough to informcorrectperception ofthe relevant facilities for theirwork schedule. The ICT formats that were significant are both analogue formats that have been in use to a certain extent. The test for relationship between level of knowledge andavailability and use of the ICT facilities showed that lack of adequate knowledge affected the choice of ICT formats indicated by the practitioners as important for their work

Analysis of E-Readiness of Agricultural Development Practitioners to Emerging Information Challenges: A Case Study of Research and Extension Personnel in South-Western Nigeria

Information is crucial to developmental process and the emerging information age bringsaboutchallenges thatcallfora shiftin the waysofdissemination the resource. The study intends to assess the e-readiness the developmentpractitioner, research and extension personnel in the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for their activities. Four research stations in South-west Nigeria were randomly selected for the study Data collected were described using frequencies and percentages while inferences were drawn using Spearman andPearson correlations. The study revealed that most of the digital ICT facilities were not available in the research stations. A test for significance between importance of the facilities to their work andavailable facilities show that only radio (r-0.571) andtelevision (0.549) were significant. Thismeans that thepractitioners'extent ofuse the availableICTfacilities hasnotbeendeep enough to informcorrectperception ofthe relevant facilities for theirwork schedule. The ICT formats that were significant are both analogue formats that have been in use to a certain extent. The test for relationship between level of knowledge andavailability and use of the ICT facilities showed that lack of adequate knowledge affected the choice of ICT formats indicated by the practitioners as important for their work

Training needs of women Cassava processors in Ibada/Ibarapa agricultural zone of Oyo State, Nigeria

Cassava is Africa’s second most important staple food after maize and yet the effort made by rural women in its processing has not translated to commensurate improvements in their socioeconomic status which is traceable to inadequate enterprise knowledge. This concern gave rise to this study with the aim is to ascertain the level of knowledge and skills required by women cassava processors. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 180 respondents for the study. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages and means) and inferential statistics (Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation) were used to analyse the data for the study. Majority (72.7%) of women cassava processors were between ages of 36 and 53 years and (62.0%) had no formal education. Thirty four percent of the cassava processors attended courses other than cassava processing. The respondents had a low level of knowledge on cassava processing and their skill level is on the average. The training needs of the women cassava processors were indicated in the following areas; finance/numeracy, cost saving techniques, business management, value addition techniques and labour saving technique. The study concludes that there is need for training and re-training in most of the areas of their needs which will help the women harness maximum benefits from their cassava processing enterprises