A Transportation Model For Demand Responsive Fleet Operation In A Manufacturing Firm

We study the problem of determining the number of vehicles needed to provide a demand responsive transit service with a predetermined quality for the user in terms of waiting time at the stops and maximum allowed detour. We propose a probabilistic model that requires only the knowledge of the distribution of the demand over the service area and the quality of the service in terms of time windows associated with pickup and delivery nodes. This methodology can be much more effective and straight forward compared to a simulation approach whenever detailed data on demand patterns are not available. Computational results under a fairly broad range of test problems show that the model can provide an estimation of the required size of the fleet in several different scenarios

Total quality management, employee commitment and competitive advantage in Nigerian tertiary institutions. A study of the University of Lagos

[EN] The quality of education offered by the tertiary institutions in Nigeria in recent times has critically degenerated. Unfortunately, this has led to the unprecedented rise in the poor quality of Nigerian graduates which contributes to the very alarming high rate of unemployment in the country. This article therefore examines the relationship between total quality management (TQM), employee commitment and competitive advantage among tertiary institutions in Lagos State with a particular focus on the University of Lagos, using a survey research design with a random selection of 350 respondents from a population of 2,047 staff strength across the 11 faculties in the university. The data used for this article were derived from a systematic review of the relevant literature and a structured questionnaire. The data obtained from the questionnaire was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The result showed that the adoption of total quality management practices and employee commitment significantly affects competitive advantage. The findings suggest that proper adoption of TQM practices coupled with employee commitment will guarantee competitive advantage outcomes measured in terms of increase in revenue, customer satisfaction and employee satisfaction. TQM and employee commitment through its principles can successfully contribute to enhanced organizational performance and dynamic competitiveness.Abimbola, B.; Oyatoye, E.; Oyenuga, O. (2020). Total quality management, employee commitment and competitive advantage in Nigerian tertiary institutions. A study of the University of Lagos. International Journal of Production Management and Engineering. 8(2):87-98. https://doi.org/10.4995/ijpme.2020.12961OJS879882Addae-Korankye, A. (2013). Total quality management (TQM): a source of competitive advantage. a comparative study of manufacturing and service firms in Ghana. 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(1996). Understanding and managing organizational behavior. California: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc.Karia, N., Asaari, M. (2006). The effects of total quality management practices on employees' work-related attitudes, The TQM Magazine, 18(1), 30-43. https://doi.org/10.1108/09544780610637677Kothari, C.I. (2004). Research methodology, methods & techniques (2nd ed.). New Delhi: New Age International Publishers Limited.Kruger, V. (2001). Main schools of TQM: the big five. The TQM magazine, 13(3), 146-155. https://doi.org/10.1108/09544780110366042Lamptey, S.O. (2009). Quality management systems of Unilever Ghana limited (Master's thesis). St. Clement University, Turks and Caicos Island.Mathur, P. (2015). Achieving competitive advantage through employees. International Journal of Arts, Humanities and management sciences, 1(9), 66-71.Mehra, S., Hoffman, J.M., Sirias, D. (2001). TQM as a management strategy for the next millennia. 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J. of HRM, 5(2), 301-326. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585199400000020Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis (2nded). New York: Harper & Row.Zheng, W., Sharan, K., Wei, J. (2010). New development of organizational commitment: a critical review (1960-2009). African Journal of Business Management, 4(1), 12-20

Application of Queueing theory to port congestion problem in Nigeria

This paper stresses the importance of queueing theory to the problem of port congestion in order to enhancesustainable development of Nigeria ports. Nigeria Ports are characterized with incessant congestionproblem in the recent past. This has resulted in diversion of ships scheduled for Nigeria Ports to otherneighbouring country ports which has caused the country to lose a lot of revenue. The effectiveness of aPort is contingent upon loading and unloading of ships. The traffic movement through a port is a complexphenomenon because of the random nature of the arrival and service time of the ships. This requires asystematic approach in port planning and management. Queuing model was applied to the arrival andservices pattern which causes the problems of congestion and proffer solutions to the problem areas. It isalso used to predict the average arrival rate of ships to Tin Can Island Port and the average service rate pership in a month. The study to found out the number of berth in Nigeria port is adequate for the trafficintensity of vessels but other factors leading to port congestion were identified through the content analysisof the interview conducted with stakeholders at the port. Policy recommendations that could make Nigerianports to be cost effective, more attractive and enhance quick turnaround of vessels at the ports were made.Key words: Queue theory, port congestion, berth, arrival time, service time

Multivariate analysis of morphological traits of sexually mature Sarotherodon galilaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Ogun State Coastal Estuary, Nigeria

Morphological variation in sexually matured Sarotherodon galilaeus was assessed from commercial fishermen operating Iken brushpark – fish aggregating device in Ogun State coastal estuary, Nigeria. Fifteen morphometric features and nine meristic characters were analysed using both univariate and multivariate analyses between the sexes of the population. Univariate analysis showed higher mean values in most of the morphometric and meristic counts of the female population than the males, but significant differences (p<0.05) were recorded in total length, standard length, head length, pectoral ray and gill raker of the first arch. Two and four Principal components were extracted for morphometric and meristic characters with 78.702% and 63.428% total variances respectively. Sexual differences occurred in morphometric characters such as, eye diameter, body weight, head width, length of dorsal base and length of pectoral fin while meristic counts showed overlapping in spinous dorsal fin rays, pectoral fin rays, scales along lateral line, scales above lateral line and gill rakers on the first arch. Canonical Discriminant function revealed the heterogeneity of total length, pectoral fin rays and gill rakers on the first arch in both sexes and these features could be used for the identification of the fish. This study revealed that multivariate statistical tools are effective means of analysing data for proper taxonomy, conservation and management of fish stocks.Keywords: Morphological traits, Multivariate analysis, Sarotherodon galilaeus, brushpark, meristic character