Learning to Innovate in Nigeria's cable and wire manufacturing sub-sector: inferences from a firm-level case study

Firm performance is known to be connected to firm-level innovation capability. Innovation capability, in turn, is an output of technological learning. This paper evaluates technological learning among firms in the Cable and Wire manufacturing sub-sector in Nigeria, using a purposively selected case firm. We developed a model of the relationship between the innovative activities of the firm - as evidence of its capability – and its knowledge acquisition methodology. These are discussed within the context of the firm’s stock of human capital. We found low technological innovation capability and high capability for organisational and marketing innovation. Preparedness for technological learning is relatively poor with staff training intensity of 5% and innovation intensity of 0.0075%. We therefore propose stronger interconnectedness of the National Innovation System and creation of industry specific structures that could enhance learning.Technological learning; sub-sector; Cable and Wire manufacturing industry

The Microstructure and Properties of Niobium-doped Diamond-like Carbon Thin films

Doping diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films with metals is an excellent way to reduce stresses in DLC films and improve their adhesion to artificial hip joint biomaterials. This improvement would translate to improving the implants' overall performance and ultimately extending their service life. However, limited investigation has been reported on Nb-doped DLC films in the literature. This research attempts to fill the research gap to understand the effect of Nb doping on the structure and properties of these films. Nb-doped DLC films were deposited on silicon (100) and biomedical-grade CoCrMo alloy substrates by radio-frequency magnetron sputter technique with different Nb contents. The structure of the deposited films was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Rockwell C indentation, nanoindentation, optical profilometry, and pin-on-disc wear testing were used to obtain the mechanical and tribological properties of the films. The corrosion behavior of the films in NaCl were also investigated using a potentiostat. It was found that the doped films show a nanocomposite structure with DLC as matrix and nanocrystalline Nb or Nb-C as the dispersed phase. As Nb incorporation decreases sp3 bonded carbon bonds in the thin films, the hardness of the doped DLC films is slightly reduced. Despite this slight reduction in hardness, Nb doping drastically reduces the compressive stress in the DLC films and thus enhances the films' adhesion to the substrate. Additionally, Nb-doped DLC films reduced the wear of polymer counterparts compared to the CoCrMo alloy without coating or DLC film without doping. Likewise, the corrosion resistance of the coated substrates, especially those with Nb-doped DLC, was at least 82 % higher than the uncoated ones

Assessing the Influence of Foreign Direct Investment on the Economic Growth of United States

Researchers have found mixed empirical results on the significance of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on countries around the world. Foreign direct investment has been a major driver in the economic growth of both developed and developing economies. This study examines the influence of FDI on economic growth in a single developed country, the United States. Even though the United States has been the largest attractive nation for foreign direct investment among developed economies, there is need to research on how FDI has contributed to its development. Therefore, this paper uses multiple linear regression model and its estimation using ordinary least squares (OLS) to study the impact of FDI on economic growth in the United States. Analysis of secondary data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), and Bureau of Labor Statistic (BLS) for the year 2000 to 2018 revealed that foreign direct investment has a positive influence on the economic growth of United States. Therefore, the study recommends that the government of United States should continue to revamp investment and fiscal policies to attract new foreign investors through continuous investing in social infrastructures, improving the quality of their institutions and their governance. Keywords: Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Foreign Direct Investment, Inflation Rate, Economic Growth. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-16-12 Publication date:August 31st 202

The Impact of International Trade on the Economic Development of New Hampshire State, USA

International trade is an integral part of the growth of a state and globalization has made it easier for states in the United States to do business with nations outside their main spheres of influence. This study analyzes the relationship and impact of international trade on economic development in New Hampshire. Since states can easily buy from or sell products to another country, the trade has contributed to the economic growth of New Hampshire. In this study, a regression analysis was employed to evaluate data from the United States Census Bureau and other agencies from 2010 to 2019. Results show that these trade factors have a positive correlation on New Hampshire’s economic development. The understanding of the behavior of these factors can provide useful information to New Hampshire government and policy makers as they seek to improve export promotion, encourage domestic investment and attract new investors to the state. Keywords: International trade, Foreign trade, Economic growth, Economic development, Export, Import, Exchange rate DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-20-04 Publication date:July 31st 202

Plant diversity and tree community structure along an elevation gradient in Apra Hills Sacred Grove, Ghana

The Apra Hills Sacred Grove has one of the best patches of the threatened Southern Marginal Forest of Ghana, yet a study on vegetation has not been undertaken. We evaluated plant diversity and tree community structure in relation to an elevation gradient using 25 m x 25 m plots demarcated along a 1km transect in the grove. Vascular plants within the plots were identified, and trees with diameter-at-breast-height (dbh) ≥ 10 cm were measured. A total of 128 plants taxa were identified, and 21 species of trees were enumerated. Mean tree density was 292.33 ± 14.05 per ha, and dbh-size class distribution of the trees showed an inverted J-shape curve. Overall plant species richness decreased with increasing elevation whereas tree species diversity increased with elevation. But the relationships between elevation and tree species richness, tree density and basal area were statistically insignificant. Future studies on effects of edaphic and anthropogenic factors along the elevation gradients would improve our knowledge about the distribution of the plant diversity as well as their conservation

Innovation in Nigerian SMEs: types and impact

This paper seeks to explore the types of innovation that are predominant in SMEs in developing countries and to investigate the impact of these innovations on different dimensions of firm performance based on an industry-wide innovation survey carried out in Nigeria in 2007. Although innovation is important for superior firm performance, our result found that the type of innovation that SMEs pursue is not a critical consideration in their performance. While there was no difference found in the focus of SMEs on either of product or process innovations, evidence showed that SMEs would focus more on incremental product and process innovations. Incremental innovation was found to be very important for Nigerian SMEs and a significant predictor of product quality and not of revenue. The authors conclude that SMEs chooses to pursue such innovations that most fit their strategies and available resources. Such level of innovation affords Nigerian SMEs to more extensively exploit the domestic market but cannot support extensive new product development required to enter export markets.innovation; small and medium enterprises; Nigeria; impact

Nigerian University Quality: Why the Hero Fails

This paper was designed to take an in-depth look into the establishment and practices of university education in Nigeria from 1960 to 2015, to investigate the reality of what caused Nigerian university education to gradually decline. The paper takes a critical realist approach to review the relevant literature in the field, and forming a base from which to answer the question of ‘why the hero fails\u27. Three major questions are raised, but not answered, in this paper, as three other papers focus solely on answering these questions. They are; where have things gone wrong? Where are things going wrong? and where may things continue to go wrong? This paper is particular about identifying areas where things are happening within the university sector. The findings reveal that not only is the quality of education declining, but human thinking on tasks, involvement/pro-activeness, and funding are also declining, a major reason why Nigerians ignorantly give way to corrupt practices, which slip in like wolves and continue to evolve the system

Traditional/Alternative Medicine: An Investigation into Identification, Knowledge and Consumption Practices of Herbal Medicine among Students with Hearing Impairment in Ibadan, South-Western Nigeria

The use of traditional medicine as alternative or complimentary therapy is gaining prominence in primary health care worldwide. This is because of the efficacy in the management of mild, chronic seemingly incurable ailments/diseases. Though the publicity is on the increase from country to country in the world, however, one cannot conclude that the information has reached all classes of people. This study therefore investigated identification, knowledge and consumption practice of herbal medicine among the hearing-impaired. The study adopted survey research design. A total of 50 students with hearing impairment were selected from different locations in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Traditional medicinal inventory was used to collect data with reliabilities of 0.72, 0.80 and 0.67 respectively based on perception, knowledge and consumption practices. Two research questions were answered and two hypotheses tested. Result revealed wrong perception and low knowledge of traditional/alternative therapy. Also, there was no significant difference in the identification and consumption practice and no significant influence of religion on consumption practice among the respondents. Based on the results, it is recommended that proper education should be given to students with hearing impairment about traditional medicine. Keywords: Alternative medicine, Students, Hearing-impaired, Cultural belief, Nigeri

Effectiveness of self-management therapy in the management of psychological distress among adolescents with hearing impairment in Oyo State, Nigeria

Psychological wellbeing has been linked to wellness in all facets of life. However, these processes become altered when man becomes distressed because of some factors ranging from intra to inter personal factors influencing man’s stable psychological wellness. Hence, such conditions need to be moderated. This study examined the effectiveness of self-management therapy in the management of psychological distress among adolescents with hearing impairment. The study employed quasi experimental pre-test-post- test design with a sample of 39 adolescents with hearing impairment purposively selected using Kesler Psychological Distress Scale with index scores of 19 and above as distress threshold. Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (Core-10) and Rosenberg Self-esteem Rating Scale were used for both pre and post- test among participants. Three hypotheses were tested in the study. The results revealed that there was a significant main effect of treatment (self-management therapy) on management of psychological distress among adolescents; there was a significant main effect of onset of hearing loss on participants’ management of psychological distress and there was a significant interaction effect of onset of hearing loss and self-esteem on participants management of psychological distress. Stakeholders in the education and care of adolescents with hearing impairment were encouraged to employ self-management therapy in reducing their psychological distresses

Assessing Attitude to and Knowledge of Entrepreneurship among Students with Hearing Impairment in Nigeria

This study investigated attitude and knowledge of secondary students with hearing impairment towards entrepreneurship. The main goal was to know the depth of their knowledge and attitude in becoming entrepreneurial in line with millennium development goals. A sample of 124 students with hearing impairment was selected through purposive sampling from Ijokodo High School and Methodist Grammar School in Ibadan. Three research questions and one hypothesis were raised and tested. A questionnaire tagged Entrepreneurial Inventory (EI) was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics and chi-square were the major statistical tools employed in data analysis. The findings revealed high entrepreneur knowledge and positive attitude among the participants, no significant influence of knowledge on attitude of the participants and no significant difference in entrepreneurship knowledge and attitude of students with hearing impairment to entrepreneurship. The findings showed that people with hearing impairment in Nigeria have started changing the age long orientation of total dependence to independent living. Based on the findings from the study, it was recommended that disabled micro-credit facility should be established to take care of their financial needs. They should be encouraged if exceptional performance in small scale business has been demonstrated over time. Entrepreneurship education should be made a core curriculum for people with special needs as these will further encourage their economic independence.Keywords: Attitude, Knowledge, Students, Hearing impairment, Entrepreneurshi