Organisational Climate and Performance: A Case Study of Nigerian High Growth SMEs

There have been extensive explorations of organisational climate (OC) and performance in large organisational contexts but predominantly in western economies. Despite the rich and growing body of literature on the topic, there is considerable lacuna in the understanding of how the composites of organisational climate factors coalesce into business enablement and performance outcomes especially in economically resurgent African economies of which Nigeria is one. More fundamentally, the dimension of High Growth Small and Medium Enterprises (HGSMEs) exemplify the dearth of knowledge of the intricate role of OC in reconfiguring strategic positioning and performance of organisations, especially the genre of SMEs attributed as the main driver of economic growth. Against this backcloth, this study explores the dynamic interaction between OC and HGSME performance in Nigeria with a view to providing situated understandings of how organisational performance is moderated by variabilities of OC. This relationship is investigated empirically using as conceptual prisms four principal constructs distilled from the extant literature; leadership, organisational strategy, HRM practices and entrepreneurial orientation. Methodologically, a triangulation procedure was applied in order to afford both rich-context and scaled datasets. From a sample of HGSME drawn from the national database maintained by Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the mixed method approach used encompassed data gathered through (a) in-depth interviews conducted with senior executives of sample organisations and (b) survey questionnaires administered to 300 employees within two Nigerian HGSMEs. Qualitative data was analysed through thematic analysis. The quantitative data treatment rigour was achieved through descriptive statistics; correlation and multivariate regression analysis. OC was measured at the firm level using the validated instrument (Organisational Climate Measurement instrument, OCM, Patterson et al., 2005), while the organisational performance was measured subjectively using efficiency and quality as performance proxies. Results show direct effects of organisational factors (leadership, strategy, HR practices and entrepreneurial orientation) on organisational climate configuration. The relationship between organisational climate and performance is significantly positive while the direct effect of some HR practices on organisational outcomes such as efficiency (training vs. efficiency, employee involvement vs. efficiency) was negative. The results are robust in indentifying the nature of internal organisational systems and networks that triggers growth and sustainability of HGSMEs

Adoption of Trauma Sensitive Practices in NYC Elementary-Level Community Schools

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence student learning, behavior, and lifelong health and success. About one in four children have experienced at least one traumatic event (e.g., household dysfunction, neglect, and/or abuse) before the age of four, and that rate more than triples for children living in poverty. Trauma sensitive schools have been disseminated as a way to address this need, but there is little research on the topic. This study sought to improve understanding about adoption of trauma sensitive practices in a representative sample of the 77 elementary-level community schools in New York City and to identify facilitators and barriers to adoption of these practices. Thirty schools were randomly-selected, and interviews were conducted with 23 (76.7%) community school directors. Comprehensive Educational Plans were reviewed to supplement the interviews. The measurements and data analysis were informed by the Behavioral Health and Public Schools Framework (The Framework). Diffusion of Innovation Theory was used to classify facilitators and barriers. Data analysis comprised both deductive and inductive approaches. The findings indicated that community schools have adopted some practices aligned with the Framework, though services and resources are not delivered in strategic and coordinated ways. School cultures, priorities, and goals are not always well aligned with trauma sensitive practices. There is a wide range of experience among staff and agencies responsible for driving the adoption of trauma sensitive practices, and this is a barrier to adoption of coordinated school-wide approaches. Consequently, while community schools are a promising model, many social-emotional, mental health, and other needs of children and families persist. Schools are clearly an important social institution within society to foster upward social mobility and increase the chances for youth and children to develop in healthful fulfilling ways and contribute to the democratic society in which they live. But given the unequal and unfair distribution of access to educational resources, employment, housing, health care, income among other social resources, long-term efforts by communities as well as government policies, and investments are needed to ameliorate the traumatic experiences that continue to affect children and families and to prevent the intergenerational trauma that has occurred for centuries

Impact of Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in Nigerian Oil Sector

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of foreign direct investment by Chinese investors in the oil- Sector in Nigeria. This study explores the impact of foreign direct investment on the Nigeria oil sector. The secondary data originates from 2018. The analysis results show that China's opening to direct trade in Nigeria's oil sector has consequences. In addition, there is no significant impact on Nigeria's oil market size and infrastructural development. This result supports the trend of results from similar literature studies. Based on these results, the study recommends paying particular attention to the introduction of new promotional rules necessary to support the country's economic objectives. The aim is to improve the flow of economic growth and direct investment into Nigeria. The main conclusion of the analysis is that Nigeria, as a country, has not yet deduced its potential (taking into account available resources and size of the market) in order to attract foreign investment. Keywords: Foreign Direct Investment, Nigeria, Oil Sector, Economics, China DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-16-03 Publication date:August 31st 202

Irreversibility analysis for reactive third-grade fluid flow and heat transfer with convective wall cooling

Inherent irreversibility in the flow of a reactive third grade fluid though a channel with convective heating is examined. It is well known that heat dissipated from the exothermic chemical reaction passes through fluid in an irreversible manner and as a result entropy is generated continuously within the channel. Analytical solutions of the resulting dimensionless non-linear boundary-value-problems arising from the governing equations were obtained by using a perturbation method. These solutions are utilized to obtain the entropy generation rate and Bejan number for the system. The influence of various important parameters on the entropy generation rate and Bejan number are shown graphically and discussed accordingly

Modern-Day Slavery? The Work-Life Conflict of Domestic Workers in Nigeria

Purpose – The trend of domestic employment thrives almost in every society. It is most common in developing countries, and Nigeria is no exception. This article examines the nature of the role of a domestic worker in Nigeria and the work-life conflict issues involved in such work. Design/Methodology/Approach – This study uses a qualitative research approach to examine the nature of the role of domestic workers and the associated work-life conflict issues. Findings – The findings show that the nature of the jobs of domestic workers in Nigeria gives rise to a situation of modern-day slavery in which an employee works without a formal employment contract, with little or no rights to private time. Long and unstructured working hours, employers’ perceptions about domestic workers, and an enormous workload fuel and exacerbate work-life conflict among domestic workers in Nigeria. Research Limitations/Implications – The extent to which the findings of this research can be generalised is constrained by the limited and selected sample of the research and the research context. Practical Implications – The primacy of the employer over the employee in domestic employment means that both time and work-based conflicts continue to buffer work-life conflict if domestic workers’ working hours remain unscheduled and their employers’ perceptions about them remain unchanged. This invariably has a negative impact on the domestic workers’ health and productivity. Therefore, domestic employment should be regulated by law, and domestic workers should be treated like other formal employees. Originality/Value – This research contributes to the debates on work-life conflict by highlighting the nature of the role of domestic workers in a non-western context, Nigeria, and provides a nuanced insight into the work-life conflict issues involved in such work. The findings add conceptual thought and empirical evidence to the debate on work-life conflict

Undergraduates Perspectives on Sex Education and Teenage Pregnancy in Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

This study examines undergraduates' perspective on sex education and teenage pregnancy in Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. The study population was 250 undergraduates of Covenant University. Frequency tables, linear regression analysis and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data collected via self-administered questionnaires. Two hypotheses were tested in this study. The results derived from this study are: firstly, that the level of awareness on sex education is significantly related to teenage pregnancy .. Secondly, the t statistics at p=O.OOO shows that there is a high significant relationship between the use of contraceptive and teenage pregnancy. Also, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicated that at p= 0.000, there is a high significant relationship between sex education and teenage pregnancy. Thus, the paper recommends the following: Firstly, that there should be, as a matter of urgency, the establishment of functional youth-friendly services that will enable teenagers to express their opinions on sexual activity. Secondly, teenagers should be exposed to basic sex education in both primary and secondary schools so that contraceptive methods and their usage will not be strange to them. Thirdly, training of teenagers by healthcare service providers should be made available to the teenagers so that they would be able to open up on matters relating to their sexual life

Implementation of Server Virtualization Technology: The Human Resource capacity factors to consider.

Virtualization is gradually losing its image as a new, highly advanced technology and it is becoming a mainstream data management technique. Indeed, two-thirds of all organizations (whether IT is their core business or not) are implementing virtualization in live production and even for core applications. Thus, virtualization is no longer considered to be a risky or unreliable technology. The findings and recommendations of this study will be useful to IT managers and other IS policy makers in organizations intending to implement server virtualization. The results of this study identify key factors that will influence the success or failure of server virtualization in their organisations. As such they will be in a position to understand the server virtualization process and avoid the pitfalls that may face them. The study employed a correlational survey research design and targeted the chief information technology officers, information communication technology managers, Management information systems managers and other managers involved in policy making decisions on computing systems in the listed companies on the NSE. The target population consisted of 360 persons, and the sample size was 25% of the population, namely 89 persons. Primary data were collected in completing this study. Primary data is collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive and content analysis techniques were employed on the collected data. Quantitative data analysis was done by descriptive statistics by use of SPSS version 20.0 to obtain percentages, tabulations, means and other measures of central tendency. The analysis indicates that 97.5% of the respondents indicated that server consolidation minimizes wasted capacity. The study found out that 82% of corresponding change in the implementation of server virtualization technology induced human  resource capacity factors.  Test of overall significance ANOVA, at 0.05 level of significance and found the  model to be significant. The study recommends that organizations should develop proper infrastructure in order to keep up with the demands of the constantly evolving virtualized environment that runs their servers. Keywords: Technology, Server, Virtualization, Resourc

Paradox of Changing United States-nigerian Relations since Nigerian Independence: a Decision-making Explanation of "Lag" in United States Policy Toward Nigeria

Political Scienc

Server Virtualization Technology: A proposed Implementation Model

The study sought to fill the existing gap on issues surrounding the implementation of Server virtualization technology, which have received relatively little attention.. The study investigated the implementation of server virtualization technology by companies listed in the Nairobi Securities Exchange. It employed a correlational research design and targeted the IT and Operations departments of listed companies on the NSE. The target population consisted of 120 persons, and the study used a census method. Primary data was collected through use of questionnaires. Data collected was sorted, coded and input into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 for production of graphs, tables, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Correlation analysis revealed that environmental factors, technological factors, organizational factors and human factors had a positive and significant association with server virtualization implementation. DOI: 10.7176/IKM/9-4-01 Publication date: April 30th 201