Incidence of poverty, budget cuts and under development in Nigeria calls for a rethink on the economic planning and social policies if we really want to see sustainable economic development. This is informed by the increasing widening gap that has developed overtime between the rich and the poor, and between rural areas and urban areas. It seems that government’s provisions are either not enough or failing, this study will want to take a deep look into the system and provide an alternative way out to ensure and foster cooperation and sustainable economic development in Nigeria. To do these, the study evaluates the impact of rural road constructions; unemployment and school enrolment on Poverty Index and Gross Domestic Product. Secondary data was collected from reliable and authentic sources and these were analyzed by multivariate regression. The result obtained show that Expenditure on Rural Roads (ERC) (ß = -4.177, t-statistic = -1.257; P>0.05), Unemployment Rate (UR) (ß = -0.018, t-statistic = -0.035; P>0.05) and School Enrolment (SE) (ß = 0.086; t-statistic = 0.721; P>0.05) were insignificant independent predictors of Poverty Index. - PI = 62.731-4.177ERC-0.018UR+0.086SE. Also Expenditure on Rural Roads (ERC) (ß = -14.452, t-statistic = -0,265; P>0.05) and Unemployment Rate (UR) (ß = -11.644, t-statistic = -1.427; P>0.05) were insignificant independent predictors of Gross Domestic Product while School Enrolment (SE) (ß = 6.424; t-statistic = 3.275; P<0.05) is a significant independent predictors of Gross Domestic Product. - GDP = -1005.852-14.452ERC-11.644UR+6.424SE. These, show the need for Social investment when nearly all acclaimed variables have failed.

At this time, e-governance transformation is considered as one of the most important and biggest challenges among and within the IT-related sector from the scale and complexity perspective. In this respect, the researches have reviewed and studied some of the factors that affect implementing the e-governance for Public and private schools in Governorate of Al Buraimi, Oman. The aim of the study was to determine whether there existed organizational differences that demanded different approaches and strategies for the implementation of e-governance. The research considered three organizational factors, which included, the type of the organization (public or private), size of the organization and the work experience of the employees of the organization. In addition, the research considered the some of the requirements needed for the implementation of e-governance. These requirements included, physical, financial, administrative and management requirements. Through the research it was evident that the different types of requirements needed for the implementation of e-governance varied by the organizational factors. In other words, the findings indicated that the approaches and strategies that needs to be adopted will differ with the organizational characteristics. This differences needs to be considered at the time of implementation and should be incorporated when developing the implementation plans by the implementing organization.

Branding is the process involved in creating a unique name and image for a product in the consumers’ mind, and this happens mainly through advertising campaigns with a consistent theme. It aims to establish a significant and differentiated presence in the market that attracts and retains loyal customers. Brand not only creates loyal customers, but it creates loyal employees and gives them something to believe in, something to stand behind and finally it helps them understand the purpose of the organization or the business. A strong brand is invaluable as the battle for customers intensifies day by day. It’s important to spend time investing in researching, defining, and building your brand after all; your brand is the source of a promise to your consumer. Brand serves as a guide to understanding the purpose of business objectives and it enables the business or a company to align a marketing plan with the objectives and the effectiveness of brand doesn’t just happen before the purchase, but it’s also about the life of the brand of the experience it gives a consumer. A business or companies’ brand is one of your greatest assets and it is not just the logo, slogan and design scheme, but the customers’ total experience of your business.

The purpose of this research was to empirically investigate the effect of capital structure on financial sustainability of deposit-taking micro finance institutions (DTMs) in Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the impact of debt on the financial sustainability of DTMs in Kenya, to assess the influence of retained earnings on the financial sustainability of DTMs in Kenya, to examine the effect of ordinary share capital on the financial sustainability of MFIs in Kenya, and to investigate the impact of preferred share capital on the financial sustainability of DTMs in Kenya. The target population of the study was all the 13 DTMs in Kenya registered with the Central Bank of Kenya. Secondary data was collected on all the DTMs financial data from the Central Bank of Kenya reports. Data was analyzed using multiple regression model using SPSS and R as the data analysis tool. Based on the findings 76.9% of the DTMs did not earn enough revenue to cover the actual financing direct costs, which include the total operating costs, loan loss provisions and the financing costs but excluding the cost of capital. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) table indicated that the predictor variables influenced the predictor variable significantly at 5% significance level. Among the four variables; debt and retained earnings were statistically significant variable at 5% significance level with 1.265 and 1.630 coefficient respectfully. Whereby the financial sustainability change by 1.265 and 1.630 for every unit change of debt or retained earnings respectfully. Therefore, for the deposit-taking microfinance institutions to remain afloat in the lending business, they should utilize any borrowing opportunity, plough back profits to the business, and low proportion of preferred share capital. Deposit-taking microfinance institutions should avoid usage ordinary share capital as it negatively affected financial sustainability.

Actually utilized foreign direct investment (AUFDI) and the number of FDI contracts are two indicators that could be used to assess the performance of foreign investments in an area. This paper mainly aims to investigate if these two statistical variables could be used to predict each other in the long run as well as in the short run. Data were monthly time series and spanned 2002-2016. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller and Phillips-Perron tests indicated two series were integrated of order one. Both the Engle-Granger and Johansen tests did not detect a cointegrating vector. Hence, the study constructed a first-differenced lagged vector-autoregression model, within which estimated short-term coefficients were statistically insignificant. Log AUFDI did not Granger cause log FDI contracts and vice versa. Therefore, changes in foreign investment contracts and changes in actually used foreign investment could not forecast each other either during a short term or a long term. This paper suggests that the market orientation in foreign investments is growing. For purposes of foreign investment statistics, while actually used foreign direct investment definitely measures the investment level, the contract number must be treated with care.

The study was carried out to explore the relationship between entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria based on the Dangote phenomenon. Entrepreneurship implicates the state of being an entrepreneur. The entrepreneurship process leads to employment generation and poverty reduction all of which help in sustainable development, which is the type of development that protects the environment, meets the current needs of society and also enables future generations to meet their own needs. Entrepreneurship is concerned with change because it is capable of creating opportunities and threats. The consequences of change may present viable business opportunities or render current products or services obsolete. Therefore, a meaningful entrepreneurship research must provide necessary information about successful entrepreneurs as a guide. The qualitative case study approach was employed for the study, empirical literature provided relevant information for analysis and it was found that entrepreneurship has significant positive relationship with sustainable development.

The past two decades have recorded significant improvement in the Nigerian financial markets. The banking sector migrated from arm-chair of banking to a more sophisticated and globally competitive banking practices. The capital market has also moved from the traditional trading system to automated trading system while more marketable securities that are globally competitive are now traded in the Nigeria’s capital markets. The study examined the relationship between financial innovations and the sustainable economic development in Nigeria. The study examined ATM Banking, Web (Internet) Banking, POS Banking and Mobile Banking as proxies of financial innovations and the GDP as the proxy for the nation’s economic growth and development. The study established that a positive and significant relationship exists between all the variables and GDP with the exception of Mobile Banking. The study also identified some risk issues that can mitigate the positive contributions of the financial innovations to the sustainability of the Nigerian economy.

The importance of marketing to any business can not be over emphasized . There are so many defects in the present marketing system such as the way of making the prospective customers know the products the firms have, locating the right firms that have the products needed by consumers. The broad objective of this work is to assess the use of emarketing by agribusiness firms in South Eastern Nigeria. Specifically, the study ascertains the extent of use of emarketing by agribusiness firm in south east, the perception of the agribusiness firms to the use of emarketing in their business, and the performance of firms as they age in e-marketing. The data were obtained from primary sources through well-structured questionnaire, observation and oral interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression and likert rating scale techniques. Findings from the study show that e-marketing has not be fully adopted in south east Nigeria, and that e-marketing when well-practiced can help reduce cost, reduce time, promote sales, improves sales and increase production generally.

This study empirically investigates the impact of institutional variables on financial development in 29 African countries. The Pooled Mean Group estimation method was applied to annual data covering the 2000 to 2014 period. The results show that in the short run, economic freedom has a positive impact on financial development. In the long term, democracy has a negatve impact on financial development while corruption and economic freedom positively affect financial development. This suggests that promoting economic freedom is conducive to financial development. However, in African countries, democracy is not in favour of financial development.

Project Portfolio Management (PPM) is a combination of projects or a set of business practices that integrates projects under the sponsorship organizations. These require different approaches, strategies, models, and practices when managing projects and programs within the portfolio. In Nigeria, many organizations have projects, subsidiaries, and branches in many cities across the country. However, they fold, abandoned, temporarily suspended or close within a decade or two, which is worrisome. These are linked to their PPM practices. As such, the aim of this paper is to identify, assess and discuss the PPM practices in Nigeria’s construction organizations with a view to examining the effects of such practices on the project portfolios. The research reviewed data from journals, conference/seminar/workshop papers, the internet etc. on the Project Portfolio Management (PPM) related fields and areas that help to identify, and narrow fourteen-PPM practices within the Nigerian and Global Context. These identified practices form the backbone of the research questionnaire, randomly administered to various professionals in Nigeria’s construction industry. In the overall analyses, these fourteen-PPM practices are significantly effective in terms of good performances in PPM organizations in Nigeria’s construction industry. These practices provide positive results on the overall PPM performances in achieving the organizational objectives in the portfolios.

Bangladesh has enormous young women and productive workforce that will get an opportunity to involve in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector. This paper aims to investigate the factors that affect women involvement as entrepreneur in SMEs sector in Bangladesh. The study adopts the quantitative analysis of possible factors that may affect women involvement as entrepreneur in SMEs sector. By using Convenient Sampling Technique, the data has been collected from 300 respondents. Data are analyzed using frequency, mean, standard deviation and regression analysis. From the outcomes of descriptive statistics analysis, the study is found that business experience, business plan, practical knowledge, security, interest & hobby, others business house profits, adequate capital, business registration procedures, qualified leaders & trainers, and bank & financial institutions support are affected women involvement as entrepreneur in SMEs sector. From the results of regression analysis, this research is found that economical, psychological, knowledge & skills, family, and legal & administrative as the essential factors, which significantly affect women involvement as entrepreneur in SMEs sector in Bangladesh. The research is revealed that women entrepreneur, long-term business success and employment creation as the vital factors, which notably affect economic development. The study is also revealed that economic development as the critical factor, which considerably affects poverty reduction. This examination may contribute to these women entrepreneur issues. The results of this investigation can be applied by government and non-government organization, public institutions, rural development academy, policymakers and even researchers to inspire women involvement as entrepreneur in SMEs sector. The researchers strongly expect that this investigation creates value to the literature because it uses a theoretical framework to give explanation the factors that affect women involvement as entrepreneur in SMEs sector in Bangladesh.

This study explains factors that influence enterprise creation among graduates within a public university in Malaysia. The analysis of the data reflects the vision and mission of that university to promote entrepreneurial skills among its student. This study recognises four factors that influence students starting a business after graduation. These factors are; 1) individual’s intention and characteristics, 2) family background, 3) culture and 4) financial resources. Individual’s intention and characteristics expedite enterprise creation, while family background presents students’ ability to participate in businesses. Culture draws upon cumulative knowledge, experience, belief and values that can cultivate a person’s thought and mindset, meanwhile, financial resources draw upon financial assistance made available to students for starting-up enterprises. These factors were tested using regression coefficient, reliability and descriptive methods. This is to ensure data received are legit and valid to use for this study.

This paper focuses on the gendered inequalities in the informal economy of Zimbabwe with specific reference to Masvingo urban in Zimbabwe. The informal economy in Zimbabwe is made up of unregistered and unrecorded statistics and therefore is not registered, supported or regulated by the Government. Women trading in the informal economy have little or no access to organised markets, credit institutions, formal education and training institutions, public services and amenities. Qualitative research methodology was used for the research. A case study research of Masvingo urban in Zimbabwe was used, while data was collected using key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews, observations and documentary search. The findings of the study indicates that women in the informal economy are affected by environmental, political, economic, social and personal constraints. Women are concentrated in this sector due to the value system in the society; fewer skills required for the jobs in this sector, technological advancement, and the traditional roles assigned to them. The study concludes that gender-sensitive macro-economic policies are an important enabler to address gender inequalities in the informal economy as they shape the economic environment for women’s empowerment. The study recommends that local authorities should come up gender-responsive policies to enable women to operate in an environment that has decent infrastructure for vending, free from police and sexual harassment and adequate security.

The objective of the study is to examined Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure in quoted money deposit Banks in Nigeria. The research design used for this study is historical research design. The design was used so as to capture relevant information from annual financial statement of quoted companies. The population of the study consists of Twenty one (21) deposit money banks in Nigeria and a sample of eight commercial banks was randomly selected using convenient sampling technique. Data were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression. The findings of this research indicate an existence of negative relationship between firm complexity and environmental disclosed in the Nigerian banking sector. It also indicates the existence of positive relationship between earnings and CSR disclosure in the Nigerian banking sector and that bank size was negatively related to the extent of corporate social responsibility disclosure by Nigerian banks. The implication of these findings is that as bank increase its activities they should also be concern with the well-being of the environment which they operate. Finally, the study recommends that banks should focus on activities that will synchronize its corporate goals with the sustainability of the environment.

This study aimed at assessing the challenges of MSEs in poverty reduction in Jima Genet district, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Many studies which focused on problems and factors that slow down the growth of MSE failed to address the factors of five economic sectors such as agriculture, trade, manufacturing, construction and service. The objective of this study was to analyze the role of MSE in income generation and poverty reduction in the study. Both quantitative and qualitative research method was used and Primary data was obtained using questionnaires and interview. Secondary data was also collected from reports, journals, past research works, official documents and the internet. Non probability (purposive sampling) was used to determine the sample size and the determined sample size was selected by systematic sampling method from the population in the study area. The data was analyzed based on descriptive statistics such as percentages and graphs. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Enterprises should train by professionals how to develop business plan; the culture of developing cooperation among members, government should improve system of giving production place and formal and informal association should be improved by taking the work of successful enterprises as examples; enterprises must develop sufficient marketing skills and diversified their product.

This research study investigated work hazards and job satisfaction among public servants in Cross River State Nigeria and counselling interventions. To achieve the objectives of this study, one null hypothesis was raised to direct the study. Literatures related to the variables under study were reviewed. A sample of 800 public servants were selected from three senatorial districts of the population through stratified random sampling technique. Ex-post-facto design was adopted for the study. Questionnaire titled “work hazards and job satisfaction among public servants (WHJSPS)” was used for data collection. The hypothesis was tested using independent t-test, at 0.05 level of significance. The result obtained from the findings revealed that the level of job dissatisfaction among public servants in Cross River State is significantly high, showing that they are not job satisfied. Attitude to work has significant influence on job satisfaction; public servants with positive attitude to work were more satisfied with job than their counterparts with negative attitude to work. There is a significant inverse relationship between physical/mechanical work hazards, biochemical work hazards, ergonomic work hazards, psychosocial work hazards and job satisfaction. It was recommended among other things, that adequate and regular worker salaries and wages should be made by the government as workers will be happy to perform efficient job. Government should empower workers for career advancement, adequate prevention of work hazards through provision of safety devices, modern buildings, good roads and education of workers on the use of modern equipment, will greatly energize public servants for efficient work and job satisfaction.

China’s household paper industry saw steady growth in 2017 as the country’s economy stabilized and improved, while benefiting from increased population urbanization and consumption upgrading. On the other hand, under the circumstance of strict environmental protection and high fluctuation of external pulp price, the speed of capacity clearance is accelerating, thus driving the market share closer to the leading position. This Paper analyzes the assets and business performance of three companies, Hengan International Group Co. Ltd, Vinda International Holdings Limited and C&S Paper Co. Ltd, which are the first tier in Chinese household Paper industry. It is concluded that Hengan, as the industry leader, has a large volume and is now in a stable position. Vinda also has diversified development, but the situation is not objective. As a rising star, C&S focuses on living paper. Though it is small in size, it is growing rapidly, and has already surpassed Vinda.

Currently, firm’s dynamics urges management strategies to meet globalized market requirements. This study analyzes the impact of Logistics Flexibility on Competitiveness of Mexican manufacturing SMEs. By using the structural equations modeling and path diagram techniques, it shows the effects of the relationship hypothesized. Managerial significance of results strengthens decision taking and public policy making, providing essential information to managers, owners and human capital of firms’ internal capacities and allocation of their strategical resources.

In September 2013, China proposed the strategy of “One Belt, One Road” for the first time. According to this context, a comprehensive analysis of the import and export commodities between Shaanxi Province and the Belt and Road countries was carried out. The analysis found that mechanical and electrical products of Shaanxi Province took up the largest volume of trade, which had a rapid growth, was followed by light industry and medicine and other products with stable growth. Shaanxi Province, with coutries along “one belt one road”, shared a relatively high trade volume of agricultural products, mechanical and electrical products, mineral products and light industrial and pharmaceutical products, compared to the small one of software and cultural products.

This study aimed at assessing the challenges of MSEs in poverty reduction in Jima Genet district, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Many studies which focused on problems and factors that slow down the growth of MSE failed to address the factors of five economic sectors such as agriculture, trade, manufacturing, construction and service. The objective of this study was to analyze the role of MSE in income generation and poverty reduction in the study. Both quantitative and qualitative research method was used and Primary data was obtained using questionnaires and interview. Secondary data was also collected from reports, journals, past research works, official documents and the internet. Non probability (purposive sampling) was used to determine the sample size and the determined sample size was selected by systematic sampling method from the population in the study area. The data was analyzed based on descriptive statistics such as percentages and graphs. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Enterprises should train by professionals how to develop business plan; the culture of developing cooperation among members, government should improve system of giving production place and formal and informal association should be improved by taking the work of successful enterprises as examples; enterprises must develop sufficient marketing skills and diversified their product.

This paper focuses on the gendered inequalities in the informal economy of Zimbabwe with specific reference to Masvingo urban in Zimbabwe. The informal economy in Zimbabwe is made up of unregistered and unrecorded statistics and therefore is not registered, supported or regulated by the Government. Women trading in the informal economy have little or no access to organised markets, credit institutions, formal education and training institutions, public services and amenities. Qualitative research methodology was used for the research. A case study research of Masvingo urban in Zimbabwe was used, while data was collected using key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews, observations and documentary search. The findings of the study indicates that women in the informal economy are affected by environmental, political, economic, social and personal constraints. Women are concentrated in this sector due to the value system in the society; fewer skills required for the jobs in this sector, technological advancement, and the traditional roles assigned to them. The study concludes that gender-sensitive macro-economic policies are an important enabler to address gender inequalities in the informal economy as they shape the economic environment for women’s empowerment. The study recommends that local authorities should come up gender-responsive policies to enable women to operate in an environment that has decent infrastructure for vending, free from police and sexual harassment and adequate security.

This research study investigated work hazards and job satisfaction among public servants in Cross River State Nigeria and counselling interventions. To achieve the objectives of this study, one null hypothesis was raised to direct the study. Literatures related to the variables under study were reviewed. A sample of 800 public servants were selected from three senatorial districts of the population through stratified random sampling technique. Ex-post-facto design was adopted for the study. Questionnaire titled “work hazards and job satisfaction among public servants (WHJSPS)” was used for data collection. The hypothesis was tested using independent t-test, at 0.05 level of significance. The result obtained from the findings revealed that the level of job dissatisfaction among public servants in Cross River State is significantly high, showing that they are not job satisfied. Attitude to work has significant influence on job satisfaction; public servants with positive attitude to work were more satisfied with job than their counterparts with negative attitude to work. There is a significant inverse relationship between physical/mechanical work hazards, biochemical work hazards, ergonomic work hazards, psychosocial work hazards and job satisfaction. It was recommended among other things, that adequate and regular worker salaries and wages should be made by the government as workers will be happy to perform efficient job. Government should empower workers for career advancement, adequate prevention of work hazards through provision of safety devices, modern buildings, good roads and education of workers on the use of modern equipment, will greatly energize public servants for efficient work and job satisfaction.

This study focused on Record Management and Goals Achievement in the Public Sector: A Study of Selected Local Government Areas in Enugu State. The research design for the study was the descriptive survey research. The population for the study consists of a sample of 49 senior staff of records unit and administrative department of six Local Government Areas (LGAs) selected through purposive sampling from the three senatorial zones of Enugu State. However, in analyzing the data, the researchers relied on the 41 questionnaires that were validly completed and returned. The major instrument for data collection was a five point likert scale questionnaire titled record management and goal achievement in the public sector questionnaire (RM&GAPSQ). It was concluded in this study that record management system employed by the selected LGAs in Enugu state has contributed in the achievement of the goals of the government especially in the area of enhancing process efficiency. It was recommended that Local Government Areas should ensure that results of their socio-economic mapping and project management information should be integrated into the overall information system of the LGAs for enhanced social service and project delivery, training and retraining of record managers in the LGAs should be made an intricate part of the policies of the LGAs in order to update their proficiency and ensure that they contribute optimally to the achievement of the goals of the LGAs and in order to promote cost efficiency and enhance timeliness in information processing, it was also recommended that LGAs should migrate to full electronic information management system.

China’s household paper industry saw steady growth in 2017 as the country’s economy stabilized and improved, while benefiting from increased population urbanization and consumption upgrading. On the other hand, under the circumstance of strict environmental protection and high fluctuation of external pulp price, the speed of capacity clearance is accelerating, thus driving the market share closer to the leading position. This Paper analyzes the assets and business performance of three companies, Hengan International Group Co. Ltd, Vinda International Holdings Limited and C&S Paper Co. Ltd, which are the first tier in Chinese household Paper industry. It is concluded that Hengan, as the industry leader, has a large volume and is now in a stable position. Vinda also has diversified development, but the situation is not objective. As a rising star, C&S focuses on living paper. Though it is small in size, it is growing rapidly, and has already surpassed Vinda.

The current study analyzes the impact of various communicational avenues (Controlled communication, uncontrolled communication) and brand name over brand attitude in the context of Retail Industry in Bangladesh. The nature of the study will be co relational, and the researcher will conduct questionnaire survey for further analyses to examine the relationships among research variables. The researcher will use statistical techniques such as mean, correlation, regression, and standard deviation in this study. The results of the correlation analyses will provide full support to all the research hypotheses; however regression analyses will provide partial support to the research hypotheses.

This study undertook an empirical view towards analyzing the role youth capacity building can play in entrepreneurship development. This study took a descriptive approach in its design and covered a sample of 519 rural entrepreneurs drawn from selected rural communities across the three geo-political zones of Enugu state using purposive sampling technique. Data was gathered using a five point likert scale questionnaire and was analyzed with chi-square test using the 23.0 versions of statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The data analysis was based on the 413 questionnaires that were validly filled and returned by the respondents. The study noted that capacity building is not a choice; it is a fundamental route to youth entrepreneurship development. Hence, giving hand-outs or even equipment without needful entrepreneurial knowledge is no longer fit to pass as youth capacity building. It was therefore concluded that for sustainable entrepreneurship development especially among the youths in Enugu state, there is need for well structured and functional capacity building programmes. The paper recommends that; to ensure consistency and relevance of capacity building in the act of entrepreneurship development, states must institutionalize capacity building, Governments should invest in and leverage on existing educational institutions to advance and reduce the cost of entrepreneurship development oriented capacity building and that there is need to invest massively on innovation biased capacity building programmes.

Key performance ratios indicate the underlying level of performance and health of the enterprise. Therefore, understanding the components of the final accounts and their performance ratios is important because of the crucial nature of ROE. Even though PRA represents one of the best ways to compare the performance of a business and its peers in the same industry it could be highly distorted due to taxation challenges, hidden gains or losses as well as the issues of window-dressing. Generally, ratios look at the path an enterprise appears to be moving towards as well as its recent performance and current financial situation so as to guide management actions with the aim of enhancing ME. The exploratory research design was used for the study. There were 66 participants in the study and data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The multiple method of data generation made it possible for data of the study to be compared and contrasted with each other. Data were analyzed through descriptive and regression statistical methods. The result showed a strong positive correlation between PRA and ME. The study was not exhaustive; therefore, further study could examine the relationship between PRA and Trade Debt in Nigeria as a way of helping firms chart a way of meeting their debt obligations. On the basis of the result of this study it was suggested that management of companies should institutionalize effective PRA mechanism adequate enough to track performance at regular intervals.