Accounting for Social Capital: A Panacea for Project Sustainability in Ebonyi State

The study titled Accounting for Social Capital: a Panacea for Project sustainability in Ebonyi State seeks to determine whether stakeholders participation in project decision processes impact significantly on projects sustainability, determine the extent of stakeholders participation in selecting public projects in Ebonyi State. . The researcher employed the use of Statistical Programming for the Social Sciences (SPSS) package 17.0 version in the analysis. The statistical techniques for the data collected varied in accordance with the nature of research questions and hypotheses. Tables were designed in line with the responses of the respondents to generate relevant data necessary to answer the research questions. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to test the two hypotheses as postulated. The result revealed that community participation impact significantly on projects sustainability, that stakeholders participation in selecting public projects in Ebonyi State is low. The implication of these finding is that public projects will continue to be unsustainable until the ingredients of social capital becomes very effective in the State. Key words= Social Capital, Project sustainability, Participation,, Stakeholders, Public

Evaluation of the Financial Performance of Banks In A Deregulated Banking Environment: A Focal Study Of First Bank Of Nigeria PLC.

This study was undertaken basically to evaluate the financial performance of banks in a deregulated banking environment using an ordinary Least Square (OLS) method of regression analysis to analyze the results of First bank of Nigeria plc. The data set for this research constitutes an annual time series data spanning from 2001 – 2010. The selection of this timing was informed by the era of bank consolidation in Nigeria and from the fact that the banking sector has already been liberalized even before this period. The objective of this research is to find out the effect of the nominal lending rate, the exchange rate and the credit volume on banks financial performances in terms of their profitability. The data sources were mainly from a ten year financial summary of First bank of Nigeria Plc and CBN Statistical Bulletin, various years. The empirical evidence of the study revealed that the nominal lending rate and credit volume impacted positively to the profit of first bank Nigerian Plc, while the Exchange rate showed a negative significance. In summary, it was garnered that the variables employed are statistically significant as over 98 percent of them were explained at the long run. The researcher, therefore, submits that greater policy sensitivity towards the creation of credits and regulation of exchange rate volatility is urgently needed so that enough funds will be made available for potential investors in the Nigerian banking system. Key words: Deregulation, Financial performances, Banking environment, Exchange rate, Nominal Lending rate, Credit Volume

Sustainable Social Reporting and Community- Business Relations in South- South Communities of Nigeria

This study basically sought to identify the extent to which sustainable social reporting of oil companies’ impact on community-business relations in Niger-Delta part of Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design and a sample of 104 respondents representing various stakeholders in the affected communities. Hypotheses were formulated in line with the research objectives and research questions and were tested using Spearman correlation statistical tool via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The significant findings of the study is that sustainable reporting  of the oil companies in the area of  community  projects impact significantly on  community-business relations. The study also revealed that sustainability accounting affect the level of profitability of the companies in Nigeria. The implication of findings is that community- business relations are enhanced through effective reporting of commitments of companies in improving social infrastructure in the communities. This will not only promote healthy relationship between the principal place of location of the companies but will promote the level of profitability of the companies. Keywords:--Sustainability accounting, Social Reporting, Community, South-South Nigeria, Relations

Impact of Sustainable Social Reporting on Community - Business Relations in South - South Communities of Nigeria

This study basically sought to identify the extent to which sustainable social reporting of oil companies’ impact on community-business relations in Niger-Delta part of Nigeria. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design and a sample of 104 respondents representing various stakeholders in the affected communities. Hypotheses were formulated in line with the research objectives and research questions and were tested using Spearman correlation statistical tool via Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The significant findings of the study is that sustainable reporting  of the oil companies in the area of  community  projects impact significantly on  community-business relations. The study also revealed that sustainability accounting affect the level of profitability of the companies in Nigeria. The implication of findings is that community- business relations are enhanced through effective reporting of commitments of companies in improving social infrastructure in the communities. This will not only promote healthy relationship between the principal place of location of the companies but will promote the level of profitability of the companies. Keywords:--Sustainability, Social Reporting, Community, South-South Nigeria, Relations

Cost Implication of Packaging and Labeling on Profitability of Bakery Firms in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

The food processing industry and their distributors are presently facing extra challenges and demands on how to provide the variety of foods that are expected from them by the consumers and still strive to remain profitable. The study aims to ascertain the cost effect of packaging and labeling on the profitability of bakery firms in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design. The data used was mainly time series data which are quantitative in nature and the ten year-data generated for the study was analyzed using multiple regressions. The Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was used to transform the data into its usable format for analyses and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed for data analysis at 5% level of significance. The findings, however, revealed that the cost of packaging and labeling has no significant effect on the profitability of bakery firms in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Notwithstanding the potential for packaging to successfully achieve marketing goals in bakery, it is recommended that managers should be mindful of the percentage of their operating costs that goes into packaging in order not to affect their profits negatively. Keywords: Bakery, Packaging, Labeling, Profitability