bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AI and the Future of Cyber Competition
Authors:   Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Hoffman Wyatt
Published: January 2021

As states turn to AI to gain an edge in cyber competition, it will change the cat-and-mouse game between cyber attackers and defenders. Embracing machine learning systems for cyber defense could drive more aggressive and destabilizing engagements between states. Wyatt Hoffman writes that cyber competition already has the ingredients needed for escalation to real-world violence, even if these ingredients have yet to come together in the right conditions.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SELF-CURING CONCRETE
Authors: Yuan Xiao , Peng Xiao , Yi Liu , Yong Xiao
Published: January 2021

The study aim was to make comparison between self-curing and traditional concrete qualities in terms of hardiness and water absorption. The study was experimental in nature and made use of material including Portland Pozzolana cement, fine aggregate, and angular coarse aggregate. The three grades of concrete were used in the experiment including M10, M20, and M30 based on cube and cylinder format. The tests involved in the study included non-destructive test, compression and split tensile strength test, and water absorption test. The findings show that overall, self-curing concrete shows better performance compare to the sprinkler or fully cured concrete. Thus, the study makes recommendation that traditional concrete may be replaced with the self-curing concrete.
THE EFFECTS OF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT ON THE PROFITABILITY OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE BANGLADESH
Authors: Mamoor Abdullah , Raana Muhammad
Published: January 2021

No economy can survive without the development and growth of the small and medium size enterprises. For development of small size businesses, inventory management plays important role. In this study, the inventory management of small businesses in the Bangladesh is assessed. We tested the influence of the effect of inventory value on profitability of small businesses for a period of 10 years. The analysis is based on the regression analysis framework. The results show that there is positive and significant relationship between inventory management of small businesses and the profitability of small businesses in the selected areas of Pakistan. We conclude that for small businesses, effective inventory management is important for generating higher profitability.
IMPORTANCE OF FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONALS IN INDONESIA
Authors: Alshenqeeti Hamza , Inderawati Rita
Published: January 2021

The focus of the study was to test the financial technology for professionals and its influence on the financial system. The study notes that those professionals who fails to align with the ever-changing technology will not be able to survive their field. Therefore, it is recommended that professionals must be proactive to use financial technology. Furthermore, the regulators in particular field must be technologically inclined with regard to financial technology. Based on regulators pressure and personal motivation, the professionals and firms must take efforts to develop workers for financial technology such as data protections of customers. The government can also develop policies to boost financial technology in Indonesia.
A STUDY OF POSITIVE EFFECTS OF YOGA
Authors: Kim Taekyoon
Published: January 2021

In this study, the objective was to test the influence of Yoga on diabetes patients by comparing the pre and post-test scores of subjective well-being. The study nature is pre and post experimental design. We used two groups including control group and the experimental group or group on which intervention is administered. The intervention in this case is the Yoga exercise. The sampling is based on convenience non-random sampling consisted of 30 patients who were diabetic patients. For experiment purpose, we divided the group into two equal parts including control group and the experiment group. The data is collected from survey method and target of the survey was diabetic type II patients. The duration of the study was 6 months. The results show that for experimental group, subjective wellbeing in the pre-test score was 153.73 which increased to 172.84 in post-test. In control group, the mean score of subjective-wellbeing in pre-test was 154.71 while in post-test, the score was 155.56. This result shows that in control group, the subjective wellbeing did not change much compare to the experiment group. The results support the notion that Yoga if administered can help diabetic patients in reducing the overall wellbeing including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.
IS TANZANIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH PRO-POOR?
Authors: Wetengere Kitojo
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study was to investigate if the Tanzania’s economic growth is pro-poor or not. The information for this study was obtained from secondary data. The study found that for the 1991/91 - 2007 period, while economic growth made a notable positive change, reduction in poverty and inequality has not been significant. This was because the growth of the economy was driven by capital intensive sectors which were unable to absorb a good number of job seeker nor did they provide markets for the agriculture produce. In contrast, for the 2007 - 2011/12 period, poverty and inequality declined though disproportionately as economic growth expanded. The reduction in poverty and inequality was attributed to increased education levels, ownership of land and other assets, and access to employment opportunities and basic services and the returns from the endowments. The disproportionate benefits were related to rural status, family size, education level, wage employment and non-farm businesses, access to public infrastracture and internal migration. This study suggest that conscious efforts should be made to ensure that the emerged signs of pro-poor are spread to the majority poor. The study, therefore, recommends policies such as land reforms and strategies to improve land productivity, improve provision and access by the poor to social and economic services, promote off-farm activities, government redistributive measures, adoption of labour intensive techniques particularly for the activities undertaken by the poor and in areas where the majority poor live, and the introduction of safety net programmes.
INTRODUCTION TO CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR PAKISTAN
Authors: Anam Rabia
Published: January 2021

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) consist of various projects related to energy, telecommunication, and highways linking Gwadar Port to China thus creating a shorter route. This route has strategic importance as it provide cost effective way of exporting Chinese products to the world market and reducing transportation cost on oil imported from Middle East to China. The CPEC project is beneficial for Pakistan as it has potential to reduce country’s energy shortage, boost economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty. The challenges to the project include security issues, political will, and foreign interference. It is recommended that government of Pakistan include key stakeholders such as local people, communities, Chinese government, and neighboring countries in the process in order to better overcome these challenges.
APPLICATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR ADDRESSING FOOD SECURITY IN GHANA
Authors: Asare Yaw
Published: January 2021

The contribution of the Horticultural farming for Ghana economy is that it produces horticultural products which generate income for poor farmers and foreign reserves for the country by means of exporting products. With appropriate policies and technologies like biotechnology, horticulture increases the incomes of smallholder farmers, enhancing rural development. Conventional plant breeding techniques have made considerable progress in the development of improved varieties of horticultural products, there is still room for major improvement which can be achieved using the biotechnology. There is the need to integrate biotechnology to speed up crop improvement programs. Biotechnological tools have revolutionized the entire crop improvement programs by providing new strains of plants, supply of planting material, more efficient and selective pesticides and improved fertilizers. This study assesses the relationship between horticultural farming, biotechnology and food security. The impact of biotechnology on the welfare of smallholder farmers is also assessed. The paper concludes that the role of biotechnology in food security in Ghana cannot be overemphasized but still has a long way to go. Agricultural production and productivity problems in developing countries like Ghana go beyond technological solutions alone; already existing challenges of smallholder farmers should be addressed first. Biotechnology could however contribute to sustainable development by increasing agricultural productivity using new breeding techniques. It can also increase the revenues in agricultural production.
PREDICTION OF TAX AVOIDANCE BEHAVIOR AMONG TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTIC SECTOR FIRMS IN BRAZIL
Authors: Kalil Nelson
Published: January 2021

The study was focused towards investigation of corporate mechanisms on tax avoidance behavior of corporations. The study objective was to measure the effects of corporate governance mechanism on tax avoidance behavior of rims. Sector wise, the study focused on transportation and logistic sector in Brazil. The methodology was quantitative and data was from 2012 to 2017 from 18 selected firms listed in the stock exchange. Regression analysis is used for testing the hypothesis. The indicator of corporate governance included independent commissioner, managerial ownership, institutional ownership, size of directors, audit committee, liquidity, and company size. Findings shows that there is significant negative effects of institutional ownership and audit committee on firm tax avoidance behavior. These findings imply that there must be a strong audit committee and institutional ownership in order to avoid negative financial behavior by corporates in this particular sector.
IS CREDIT AVAILABILITY AND GROWTH RELATED? CASE OF BRAZIL
Authors: Kayo Eduardo Kazuo , Sampaio Joelson , Olivo Rodolfo Leandro de Faria
Published: January 2021

The focus of the current study was to test the influence of credit availability on economic growth of Brazilian economy.  The study time period was from 1951 to 2014 for overall bank credit; while, credit data at sectoral level covered the time period of 1973 to 2014. The annual overall and sectoral data for GDP is based on GDP at factor cost/GVA at basic prices at 2004-05 prices. Different metrics for credit and output is used to test the relationship at an overall as well as sectoral level. The credit growth and GDP growth variables are tested for stationarity using ADF test, PP test and KPSS test.  For establishing long term relationship, we utilized Johansen test. For establishing the short-run relationship, we utilized Granger causality test. Data related to the GDP states that there is significant improvement in average growth rate during the 1990s. Co-integration test results as provided indicate that a long-term association between overall growth and overall credit exist for the period of 1952-1992, however, this relationship is not established post1992 time period. Our analysis suggests that there exist a long-term co-integration relationship between manufacturing credit and manufacturing GDP. However, we did not find the relationship between industrial credit and industrial GDP which suggest these are not co-integrated. Overall, our results show that there is correlation between Credit Growth and GDP Growth.
THE STUDY OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TOBIN’S Q AND US STOCK PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED FIRMS
Authors: Ghosh Papiya , Guha Brishti
Published: January 2021

The objective of study was to test the dynamic effects of changes in Tobin’Q on stock prices of selected 249 US public companies of different industry categories. Panel unit roots tests and cointegration tests are implemented. Next, DOLS and GMM models are estimated. Annual data for the 2004-2012 period are used for the above selected US companies. Panel unit root tests provide somewhat mixed evidence of non-stationarity of both variables. There is clear evidence of cointegration between the above variables. The negative coefficient of the error-correction term shows convergence toward long-run equilibrium, though at slow pace. The estimates also reveal shortrun net positive interactive feedback effects between the variables. Both DOLS and GMM estimates display similar picture of overvaluation of stocks in terms of upward movement in Tobin’s Q beyond 0-to-1 range. For most parts of the sample period, the US stock market was in declining mode due to heightening of economic uncertainties during the Great Recession and several years beyond. Tobin’s Q should be improved to boost stock prices. This is more of a long-run phenomenon. In the short run, both reinforce each other. The topic is unique and the existing literature on this topic is scant. Relatively new econometric techniques have been applied for estimation using panel data. The results are quite insightful, in our view.
AFRICAN ECONOMIC PARADOX: INDUSTRIALIZATION CREATING JOBS AND ADDED VALUE OR ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL VALUE CHAINS: WHAT SOLUTIONS TO DEVELOP FOR THE LESS ADVANCED AND LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES LIKE BURKINA FASO?
Authors: Carbonell Nicolas , Nassè Dr. Théophile Bindeouè , Akouwerabou Dr. Denis
Published: January 2021

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (2016) calls for resources for the implementation of the Action Plan for Accelerated Industrial Development in Africa, and states that: “Industrialization is essential for African countries as a means of increasing income, creating jobs, developing value-added activities and diversifying economies”. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the African Development Bank (AFDB), and the Organization for Cooperation and Economics Development (OCED, 2014, p. 16) explain the benefits to African countries’ participation in Global Value Chains (GVC) to industrialize without having to implement all stages of the chain. They add that the acquisition of new production capacities can allow countries and companies to move upmarket, which is to say to increase their share of value added in a GVC. But the opposite is the case, at least in some countries like Burkina Faso. We are witnessing a “specialization of primary products (cotton and non-monetary gold), to the detriment of manufacturing industry with high potential for multiplier effects on local economies” National Plan for Economic and Social Development of Burkina Faso (PNDES, 2017, p.12). Cusolito and al. (2016) mention that overcoming a series of obstacles (such as bad policies and governance, insufficient technology and skills) is the way to actively participate in GVCs. Yet OPEN it is these same obstacles that have always prevented the industrialization of Sub-Saharan Africa (excluding South Africa). The results show that the Global Value Chains (GVC) contribute to the creation of added value in developing countries what has an effect on industrialization
DEVELOPING THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION COMPETENCE OF TEACHERS IN ONLINE TEACHING
Authors: Phan Thanh Chi , Ngo Thanh Tu , Phan Tien Minh
Published: January 2021

Developing the competence to use information technology in teaching is one of the important occupational competencies for teachers in the digital age. Information technology application development has many implications in promoting the training process to train and develop students, in accordance with the actual conditions of education in Vietnam and the general trend of the world is essential.Research paper on needs assessment using information technology of teachers in online teaching, proposing the process of identifying the structure of information technology competencies and requirements for capacity development to use information technology in online teaching of training institutions. The parameters in this paper present an empirical research result to address the need to develop the information technology application competence in online teaching, necessary to successful organize online teaching with a variety of theoretical and practical pedagogies in technology in education.
COMMUNICATION PLANNING AND POLICY: COMMUNICATION PLANNING PT. ABADI LIGHT TELEVISION (TATV) BRANDING
Authors: UKka Ibrahim T.I.
Published: January 2021

The presence of PT. Eternal Light Television (TATV) as local television in Surakarta and surrounding  there initially, viewed pessimistically by the surrounding community. This is very reasonable considering that no television has been established in Surakarta. On April 29, 2004, TATV began broadcasting on air, and was called "Jelang Tayang Perdana". At the start of launching on air or the trial broadcast by TATV it still seemed to be less professional. There are no programs that can be presented such as national television, only limited to advertisements in the form of slides. The screenings are still very simple and not very interesting. In addition to image quality, it may be due to the lack of human resource management.At first, TATV only broadcast for 3 hours and the ShowTime is still limited to daylight hours. After conducting a grand launch on September 1, 2004, TATV began broadcasting for 8 hours per day. After surviving several months with broadcasts for 8 hours per day in subsequent developments, TATV then began pursuing the target to be 14 hours per day. And the current situation of TATV has had broadcast hours of 18 hours per day which continue to the present day. TATV has a strong commitment to fight for the creation of an advanced Indonesian society in all aspects of life, based on positive life values. This commitment is communicated by TATV management, to viewers via TV PROMO, Content (Program on air), or through continuous (intense) event affair. The aim is to create a single perception that is strong in the minds of viewers.
HECTIC NEWS IN INTERNET: CONFLICT ISSUES NORTH KOREA – SOUTH KOREA (DISCOURSE ANALYSIS ON NORTH – SOUTH KOREAN CONFLICT ON THE INTERNET)
Authors: Ukka Ibrahim T.I.
Published: January 2021

Conflict is an event that often the pros and cons and both causalities and material causalities. Indonesia is a country that has diverse culture, religious, and political perspective as well as a variety of social status that can cause a variety of views among the community. Internet today has become one of the means to provide information to the public. Coverage of all events happening in the world today would be very easy to access via the internet with up to date from time to time. Topics of conflict will be a very interesting issue for everyone in any country it belongs, where one of them is the country of Indonesia. Some media have their own opinions in response to the impact of the conflict between North Korea and South Korea.Some experts argue that the conflict has a positive function and negative one. However, the mindset of conflict theory opposites with structural functional theory. Functional Theory and structural theory, both equally likely to focus on their own variables and ignore variables of concern to other theories. In an effort to reconcile these two theories, the conflict can contribute to the integration and reverse integration can also result in conflict (Bolter and Grusin, 2000).   .This research uses discourse analysis to answer the problem. Its typically, the expansion of the meaning of the term is associated with a broader context which affects the meaning of the term is associated with a broader context which affects the meaning of a whole series of expressions.Internet gives impacts to the conflict between North – South Korean. They give an up to date information as long as the conflict has attended. The conflict news from internet can be able to access faster than other medias. It will influence the stabilization and continuing of its conflict. Internet has big playing role in communication politics among both country North and South Korean.
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY
Authors: Ukka Ibrahim T.I.
Published: January 2021

The media is the fourth pillar of democracy after the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Media as control over the three pillars and underpin their performance with checks and balances. to be able to perform its role should be upheld the freedom of the press in conveying public information in an honest and balanced manner. besides that also to uphold this fourth pillar, the media must also be free from capitalism and politics. Media that does not merely support the interests of the owners of capital and perpetuates political power without considering the interests of the larger society. the possibility of freedom of the press institution that is captured by the interests of capitalism and politics, encourages the spirit of citizen journalism. the term citizen journalism to explain the processing and presentation of news by citizens rather than professional journalists. journalism activities undertaken by citizens as a manifestation of aspirations and the delivery of popular opinion is the background that citizen journalism as part of the press is a means to achieve a democracy.
A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF PAKISTANI WORKING WOMEN’S ADVANCEMENT TOWARDS UPPER LEVEL MANAGERIAL POSITIONS
Authors: Tahir Muhammad
Published: January 2021

Women’s presence at top managerial positions is less than men across the world and Pakistan is also no exception. Pakistan is a conservative and male dominated society where working women face a lot of obstacles while making advancement in their careers. However, due to the increase in literacy rate and greater efforts from government, civil societies, and media, working women and women at managerial positions are becoming more acceptable by the society. Keeping in view this changing scenario, the objective of the current study is to understand the working women’s experiences, barriers, and related issues while making advancement towards managerial level positions. The study is qualitative in nature and used phenomenology as a main mode of inquiry. Sample of the study was drawn from banking, education, and telecom sector in Pakistan. Data was collected from thirty female managers working at various levels among the three mentioned sectors. Key findings of the study are that Pakistani female managers face familial, organizational, and cultural barriers. The study also identified that there is greater acceptance of female managers as compared to the past. Moreover, Pakistani female managers also possess some unique leadership characteristics which are not very common among male managers.
TEACHERS FEEDBACK AND ITS IMPACT ON STUDENTS ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF NEW EDUBIASE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Authors: Ampofo Justice Agyei
Published: January 2021

The purpose of the study was to investigate how feedbacks from teachers affect the academic achievement of New Edubiase Senior High School students in the Adansi South District of Ghana. The descriptive survey design was employed for this study. The researcher used questionnaire as the main instruments for data collection. The target population for the study was all the teachers and students of New Edubiase Senior High School. In all, 60 teachers and 60 students were used for the study. Simple random and purposive sampling strategy was employed to select respondents for the study. Percentages were used for the analysis of the response and presented in tables and charts. Findings showed that students of New Edubiase Senior High School are aware of the importance of teachers’ feedback, both formal and informal type of formative assessment is used in assessing students of New Edubiase Senior High School by their teachers but the type of formative assessment that is mostly used in assessing students is formal. The study also found out that feedback help students to know the benefit of learning, encourages students to be more active and participate in class activities, help students to internalize and process the demands of task given to them by their teachers, increases self-esteem of students, guides students in on their performance, feedback deepen the understanding of students on their performance and also clarify what students should do. The study concluded that feedback can be used as an effective teaching tool by teachers in improving students’ academic achievement. Based on the findings, it was recommended that teachers of New Edubiase Senior High School should use formative feedback effectively as an effective tool on student learning and achievement and must also see the importance of assessment and clearly show how feedback can have a positive impact on student learning. Keywords: Teachers Feedback, Impacts, Senior High School Students, Academic Performance, New Edubiase.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEE EFFECTIVENESS OF NIGERIAN DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS
Authors: Friday Edeh Ogbu , Blessing Ukpe Edem
Published: January 2021

This study investigates the relationship between knowledge management and employee effectiveness of deposit money banks in Nigeria using cross-sectional survey. Sixty branch managers from ten deposit money banks operating in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State were surveyed using convenience sampling technique. Forty four copies of questionnaire were filled Statistical tool used to analyse the hypotheses is Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (rs). Respondents’ profiles were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study found that knowledge management has positive significant association with employee effectiveness in deposit money banks in Abakaliki. It concluded that knowledge management measured in terms of knowledge acquisition, knowledge dissemination, knowledge conservation and knowledge retrieval enhances employee effectiveness when resources are provided for the employees quite apart from setting goals on how jobs should be carried out.  Based on the conclusion above, one of the recommendations is that managers of deposit money banks should encourage their subordinates to make contributions in decision-making to enhance employee effectiveness.
GLOBALIZATION: DO AFRICAN WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS MATTER?
Authors: Ndemo Elijah Bitange , Mkalama Ben
Published: January 2021

Even with the increased number of women enterprises and efforts to help women entrepreneurs in Africa exploit the potential benefits globalization, gender inequalities (perception and treatment of women in Africa) still stand in their way.   This paper seeks to address three questions:  First, what the literature suggests with respect to re-thinking alternative analytical approaches to a new understanding of globalization, entrepreneurship and gender equality in global commerce.  This will be followed by the question on how Africa conceptualizes women entrepreneurship and lastly, if the current African conceptualization of women entrepreneurs could precipitate exploitation of opportunities that the emerging global order presents.  The literature suggests that women still have a long way to go in changing environmental forces and perceptions to fully exploit their potential in the global stage.  A new theoretical way of analyzing their progress is imperative.
AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE FACTORS AFFECTING FIRM PERFORMANCE: INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRIAL SECTOR PESHAWAR
Authors: Hayat Dr. Kauser , Nadeem Dr. Amir , Jan Dr. Shahid , Shah Dr. Fayaz Ali , Raza Wahid
Published: January 2021

The current research work is aim to achieve a better understanding of the corporate sector and their adaptation of green strategies in their production and decisions; related to firm performance. This is an effort to check the effects of green marketing strategy on firm performance. The study was grounded on quantitative method to check the framed hypotheses. Survey technique is used to collect the data. 264 respondents were taken into account by using (Krejcie, R. V, & Morgan, D. W., 1970) formula of sample determination and allocation. Purposive sampling technique with five-point Likert scale was utilized for data assortment. PCA were used to assess the unifactoriality of the variables. Structure Equation Modeling was used to check the hypothesized relationship b/w dependent and independent variables. Findings of the study suggests that green trust and conserver’s awareness are positively correlated to firm performance with significant P-value <.05.- The current research study can help managers and owners of the firms in identifying best solutions for replacing conventional activities used from the place of production to place of consumption.
EFFECTIVENESS OF TAXPAYER EDUCATION ON TAX COMPLIANCE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN KENYA: A STUDY OF SELECTED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN KITENGELA TOWN IN KAJIADO COUNTY
Authors: Aondo Robin Marita
Published: January 2021

This research paper aim was to establish the effectiveness of taxpayer education on tax compliance for SMEs in Kitengela town. There are reasons why KRA never met its revenue targets and the revenue collected has never surpassed the target set aside by the commission. The non-compliance of tax by SMEs can be attributed to the tax gap that is available in every fiscal year. KRA conducts taxpayer education to all registered SMEs in an effort to improve the existing level of tax compliance. The only way KRA will meet their target revenue is when they include all SMEs in the generation of the revenue. The study was anchored on Theory of Reasoned Action and Fisher Tax Compliance Model while the study variables were PAYE form of tax, tax rates, tax compliance cost, tax penalties and fines. The target population of the study were 1400 SMEs with a sample that was random stratified chosen of 140 SMEs. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics and SSPS version 24.0. The inferential statistics was employed to establish the relations that exist between the study variables. Pearson correlation matrix was used for predicting and describing the variables in terms of directions and magnitude while regression analysis was conducted at a level of 5%. The data analysis tools will be   SSPS and the use of inferential statistics. The study established that the effectiveness of taxpayer education on tax compliance and all the predictors as shown by beta coefficients: PAYE (? = 0.542); tax rates (? = 0.482) and tax penalties and fines (? = 0.632). However, the study established there is a positive but statistically insignificant relationship (? =0.06, p= 0.671>0.05) between tax compliance cost and tax payer education. The study concluded that tax rates, PAYE, tax penalties and fines contribute greatly to tax compliance and finally tax compliance cost have the most significant influence on tax compliance. The study recommends that KRA should have an office in every county that will address tax issues at county level and the services to be offered should include tax penalties, filing of tax returns, tax computation and tax differentiation.
IMPLEMENTING VALUES OF LOCAL WISDOM IN MANAGING THE BUDGETS OF RURAL FINANCING AT PORINGAN VILLAGE IN WEST SULI DISTRICT OF LUWU REGENCY
Authors: Saleh Mahadin , Kamal Helmi , Abdullah Muh Ruslam , J Jerianto , Takdir Dr.
Published: January 2021

The focus of this article is to explore the practical concepts of local wisdom values in managing the budgets of Rural financing at Poringan Village in West Suli District of Luwu Regency. This study also highlights the inhibiting factors for the implementation of local wisdom values in managing the budget of rural financing. For such purposes, this research applies qualitative research that enables the analysis of field evidence-based data without the involvement of statistical and numeric analysis. This study found that there were three fundamental values of local wisdom practiced in the management of budgets of rural financing. The values were concepts related to adele (just), lempu (honest) and getting (persistent).
THE EFFECTS OF JOB CHARACTERISTICS ON EMPLOYEE’S ORGANIZATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOR AMONG BANKING SECTOR EMPLOYEES IN PESHAWAR CITY
Authors: Adil Muhammad , Haroon Muhammad , Zakar Muhammad , Shah Mian Jawad , Tahir Muhammad
Published: January 2021

The objective of the study was to measure the relationship between job characteristics and organizational citizenship behavior among banking sector employees. The study was conducted in the banking sector in the city of Peshawar. The research methodology used is quantitative approach and survey for data collection. Through sampling, we generated a sample of 60 respondents belonged to the six different banks. Our results indicate that task significance and autonomy has significant influence on staff OCB; while, results for skills variety, task identity, and feedback turned out to be insignificant. The five dimensions of job characteristic model together explained 27.8% change in the dependent variable of employee OCB. Our results support the previous studies finding that OCB is influenced by job design.
CONSTRAINTS FACTORS TO MAINTENANCE OF GOVERNMENT SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN WA MUNICIPAL
Authors: Ampofo Justice Agyei
Published: January 2021

A number of people see government senior high school buildings maintenance as an avoidable task, fragmented and uncoordinated which contributes little to the built environment. Maintenance of public senior high school buildings ensure sustainable management of state property which brings about improve utilization of buildings. However, there seems to be paucity of studies on constraints factors to maintenance of public buildings in general and public senior high school buildings in the Wa Municipal in particular. This research seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by appraising the constraints factors to maintenance of public senior high schools’ buildings in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana. Study methods include the use of questionnaire, interview guides, focus group discussion guide and observation checklist for data analysis. A total of 393 respondents (197 students, 140 teachers and 56 school management) who took part in this study were purposively selected. The study found out that lack of coordination between authorities responsible, lack of funds from government, poor maintenance culture, embezzlement of funds on the part of management via the inflation of maintenance costs, frequent shortage of maintenance materials, users’ attitude and the persistent breakdown of building components through students indiscipline are the constraints factors to public SHS buildings maintenance in the Wa Municipality. The study recommended that there should be corporation between GES, school management and the Assembly (Department of Works and Housing) in the Wa Municipality to ensure good maintenance of their senior high school buildings. 
Keywords: Constraints Factors, Maintenance, Building Maintenance, Public Senior High School Buildings, Wa Municipal.
EXAMINATION OF THE CURRENT STATE OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN WA MUNICIPAL
Authors: Ampofo Justice Agyei , Amoah Dr. Samuel Twumasi , Peprah Professor Kenneth
Published: January 2021

Building maintenance is a phenomenon that transcends all disciplines over the world and its importance cannot be overemphasized It has become very critical in institution success such that its intervention is indispensable. Public senior high school buildings in Ghana represent significant investment of the tax payers’ money and therefore maintaining these buildings is important. However, there seems to be paucity of studies on the examination of the current state of maintenance of government buildings in senior high schools in general and Wa Municipality in particular. This research seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by examining the current state of maintenance of government buildings in senior high schools in Wa Municipal of the Upper West Region of Ghana. Study methods include the use of questionnaire, interview guides, focus group discussion guide and observation checklist for data analysis. A total of 393 respondents (197 students, 140 teachers and 56 school management) who took part in this study were purposively selected. The study also found out that the current state of all the public senior high school buildings in the Wa Municipality is satisfactory for academic work; albeit poorly maintained with some buildings in a bad state. The study identified that the major defects on some of the school buildings are related to the state of services (students mean = 2.523, teachers mean = 2.321, school management mean = 2.464), fittings and furniture (students mean = 2.457, teachers mean = 2.500, school management mean = 1.982), as well as the finishes and windows (students mean = 2.609, teachers mean = 2.429, school management mean = 1.804). The school buildings which were highly affected were detected to be school dormitories, and teachers’ bungalows; whereas the school administration block and the school laboratory were found to be relatively in good state with reference to the number of defects. The study recommends that there is an urgent need for maintenance works to be carried out on public senior high school buildings in the Wa Municipality and also there should be a conscious effort to include maintenance activities in the budget both at the Assembly level and the school level in the Wa Municipality to ensure regular maintenance of their senior high school buildings.
Keywords: Current state, buildings, senior high schools, building maintenance, Wa Municipal
WASTE DISPOSAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SELECTED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS WITHIN THE WA MUNICIPALITY OF GHANA
Authors: Ampofo Justice Agyei
Published: January 2021

Waste disposal management is an issue of concern among stakeholders responsible for waste management. The purpose of this study was to examine waste disposal management practices in three selected Senior High Schools (SHS) within the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study adopted a mixed method explanatory sequential approach with both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. The tools used to capture the required data includes; questionnaires, interview schedules and observation. The study respondents were students, teachers and school management of selected Senior High Schools within the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study respondents were one hundred and twenty-two (122) respondents comprising 45 students, 45 teachers, 30 school management officials,1 education officer and 1 waste management officer. The study found out that different kind of solid wastes are generated in Senior High Schools within the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study found out that the commonest types of solid waste generated in these schools were food waste, rubbish, and ashes. Again, it was found out that waste is been disposed off in open spaces in Senior High Schools within the Wa Municipality. The study further revealed that, students, teachers and school management are worried about the waste disposal situation in senior high schools within the Wa Municipality. It also emerged from the study that there are no proper waste dump sites in Senior High Schools within the Wa Municipality. The study also found out that waste is being thrown away without separation in senior high schools within the Wa Municipality. It also emerged from the study that waste management practices are very important to students. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommends the provision of adequate dustbins in Senior High Schools within the Wa Municipality. The study further recommends regular collection of waste in Senior High Schools within the Wa Municipality by the institutions responsible. At least, waste should be collected once in every week in Senior High Schools within the Wa Municipality. The study further recommends regular monitoring of waste collection by the Wa Municipal Assembly. This will keep the place constantly clean and prevent any possible outbreak of communicable diseases such as cholera and typhoid.Keywords: Waste Disposal Management Practices, Senior High Schools, Wa Municipality, Ghana.
IDENTIFYING BRAND EQUITY DIMENSIONS AND MEASURING ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH PRODUCT QUALITY DIMENSIONS: A STUDY ON JUICE BRANDS IN INDIA
Authors: Ghosh Saugat , Roy Karnak
Published: January 2021

Brand Equity, which speaks about the perceived value of a product under a brand name, is one of the key measures of a brand’s success. Higher level of brand equity could be translated as higher perceived value, growing market share and greater ROI. Thus, marketers are in eternal pursuit to device strategies for achieving higher brand equity. But for achieving this, knowledge about brand equity constructing components is necessary. Although theoretical studies have identified some brand equity constructing components, empirical validation of the theoretical constructs are vague. Studies in this field also states that product quality plays a significant role in creating brand equity, but empirically the interrelationship between product quality dimension and brand equity is not properly measured. The present study which is conducted on the juice brands in India aims to identify factors constructing brand equity of juice brands and also to estimate the impact of product quality dimensions of juice as a product on brand equity of the juice brands.Keywords: Brand; Types of Brand Equity; Consumer Based Brand Equity; Dimensions of Brand Equity; Product Quality Dimensions
ASSESSMENT OF ROCURONIUM EFFECTIVENESS FOR PAITENTS
Authors: Lima Marcelo Luiz
Published: January 2021

The study is based on succinylcholine which is a routine muscle relaxant for pediatric patients. Rocuronium is newer non depolarizing muscle relaxant. The objective of this study was to assess time, course and duration of both relaxants as well as intubation conditions. This study was blind and randomized in nature and conducted to test the intubating conditions with two separate kind of muscle relaxants in 50 ASA grade I and II pediatric patients who fall in age category of 2 to 6 years who undergone surgery of less than half an hour. Patients were anaesthetized with injection rocuronium 0.9 mg/kg i.v. or with injection succinylcholine 1.5 mg/kg after injection fentanyl 1ug/kg and injection thiopentone 5 mg/kg. The assessment of Neuromuscular blockade was conducted with twitch response of adductor pollicis longus after supra-maximal stimulation of ulnar nerve. We assessed Tracheal intubating conditions using the blinded anesthetist after 1 month and every 15 seconds till patient got intubated. The time of onset and percentage of neuromuscular blockage was also assessed.
EVALUATING SOCIO-CULTURAL BARRIERS TO ANTENATAL CARE UTILIZATION AMONG REPRODUCTIVE AGE WOMEN IN WUSHISHI AND ZUNGERU COMMUNITIES IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA: A LOGISTIC REGRESSION APPROACH
Authors: Obasohan Phillips Edomwonyi , Obasohan Dorcas Nike , Ahmed Egbako Umar , Toroko Muhammad Jibril
Published: January 2021

More than 33% of Nigerian pregnant women do not use the Antenatal Care service during pregnancy. In 2015, for instance, World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that only 61% of Nigerian pregnant women had attended ANC at least once during their pregnancy period. Only 51% of these women met the WHO standard of a minimum of 4 visits. This ANC rate is, without doubt, lower than the WHO African region average of 77%. The situation in Wushishi and Zungeru communities of Niger State may not be different. Despite the number of health facilities available in these communities, some women of childbearing age do not access antenatal care. Most times, many of them lose their lives during delivery at home, some end up with complications or lose their babies at births. This situation raised concern why pregnant women do not attend antenatal care in health facilities around them? This paper examined the socio-cultural impediments to accessing antenatal care services among reproductive-aged women in Wushishi and Zungeru Communities of Niger State. We used a Multivariate Logistic Analysis. A total of 150 subjects were involved in this study comprising 83 from Zungeru and 67 from Wushishi. The questionnaire used for data collection was a structured consist of 17 items. The results indicated that ethnicity and preference for traditional birth attendant are major influences to accessing ANC in these communities
Complement-substitution nexus in the Nigerian diet: policy gaps in nutrition
Authors: Ikudayisi Adesola Adebola , Omotola Aderonke Mary
Published: January 2021

Purpose. This paper examined urban household food demand patterns in Southwest, Nigeria using complement-substitution relationship. Methodology / approach. Through a multistage sampling technique, the study used cross sectional data of 445 households from two states in Southwest Nigeria which are representative of areas with a rapid rate of urbanisation. Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) modeling framework was used to estimate the demand system for seven food groups considered. Results. The potential nutrition benefits of price and income changes in urban food groups was estimated, which explains the different quantity of food purchased by household as price changes. From the result, the root and tuber group accounted for the largest household food budget share (29.4 %) with the least share found in the legume group (3.3 %). Elasticity estimates revealed that the own-price effect was inelastic for all food groups. The uncompensated cross-price elasticities suggest both substitution and complementary association between groups. More substitution relationships were evident when households’ price changes are compensated. Originality / scientific novelty. This paper presents household’s responsiveness to food demanded through price effects with possible nutrition gap in urban diet. Practical value / implications. The complement and substitution relationship in household food price changes may be effective in changing urban consumer behavior towards healthier diets. Empirical knowledge of the complement and substitution effects would likely impact policy changes on household nutritional outcome. This is necessary as the scourge of malnutrition in increasing especially in urban areas.