MBA (Information and Knowledge Management): Core Structure-A Proposed Curriculum for Social and Business Development by Promoting Information Transfer Cycle |
Author : P. K. Paul ; A. Bhuimali ; D. Chatterjee |
Abstract | Full Text |
Abstract :Information is treated as superpower and most valuable resource for each and every type of organizations and institutions and all most all service sectors. Virtually information is also a valuable tool for home and personal purpose also. Practically managing information is very much urgent and important aspects. Without managing and proper management of information and similar facet, societal, organizational and personal development is tough enough. Around the world Information Management is coming as important education programme. However, the need of Information Management and allied task fulfils few other domains, importantly a very few programmes is developed in Information Management with MSc Degree. In India and some other countries, MBA consider as vital management degree. Here several specializations are offered but still Information Management or Knowledge Management specialization is not so much available. This paper is actually present a proposed MBA curriculum with IKM specialization.
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Survey of Ict Awareness, Utilization and Challenges in Managing Secondary Schools in Onitsha Education Zone of Anambra State, Nigeria |
Author : Gladys Uzoechina ; Adaeze Oguegbu |
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Abstract :This study surveyed Information and Communications Technology (ICT) awareness, utilization and challenges in managing secondary schools in Onitsha Education Zone. Three research questions guided the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population comprised 80 respondents made up of all the 32 principals and 48 Computer Science teachers in Secondary Schools in Onitsha Education Zone of Anambra State. The researchers studied the entire population since it was not large. The instrument for data collection was a structured type questionnaire developed by the researcher. It validated by experts and the reliability was established using the split half method which yielded a coefficient value of 0.80 using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. Data was analyzed using the mean method for the three research questions. From the findings of the study, it was found that principals to a high extent are aware of ICT facilities used in school management but utilize them to a low extent. Recommendations were proffered based on the findings of the study and they include: increased provision of ICT facilities used in school management by the government, training and retraining of principals on ICT utilization and testing of principals skills on ICT before appointment amongst others.
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Interface between Local Actors, Livelihoods and Conservation around the Kivu Lake Watershed in the African Great Lakes Region |
Author : Ngome-Tata Precillia Ijang ; Mveme Mireille ; Cleto Ndikumagenge ; Nso Ngang Andre |
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Abstract :This paper sets out to portray the complexity of stakeholders, the views associated with them, and the tensions between livelihoods and conservation interests in the Africa Great lakes region. Through an exploratory study and field visits carried out between 2006 and 2012, this study analyses the various socio-economic and politico-institutional arenas impacting on the Kivu Lake watershed with the objective of identifying a win-win scenario for conservation and livelihoods. Drawing on the institutional theory, emphasis was laid on analyzing the structure and forms of institutions, the existing arrangements, and the ways in which these shape access to, use and management of resources. It depicts institutions as social networks (endowment, capability and entitlement) using the case of HELPAGE and the HIMO approach. Overall, this study has demonstrated how many happenings (resource characteristic, political and social processes and various institutional arrangements) contribute to the tensions between conservation and livelihoods. It has also shown that although field efforts try to set a balance between the two processes, for instance through the agroforestry project, many other agendas undermine these efforts such as the scattered and uncoordinated actions of field actors and the multiplicity of resource users’ group. This paper has proposed some guiding rules emanating from the implementation of the HIMO program that if applied, will reduce conflicts between communities and projects.
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Foreign Direct Investment and the Development of Neo-Colonial Economies: A Survey Approach |
Author : Jide Chime ; Frank N. Enor |
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Abstract :In their search for sustainable development and endurable development strategies, neo-colonial economies of the Third World and Africa in particular gloss over massive corruption in public office and sit-tight syndrome of leaders. Rather, since attaining independence in the 1950s and 60s, their leaders have tinkered with several development strategies drawn from both the capitalists and socialist models. In all of these, development has remained a far cry as a result of many challenges faced by these economies. Strategies ranging from indigenization to export promotion and import substitution of the 1960s, to privatization and structural adjustment of the 1980s and Foreign Direct Investment of the 1990s have been experimented with varying degrees of success. Little has been done in the area of checking financial corruption and abuse of office by public office holders, building of strong institutions from which economic oriented strategies can be rooted and checking tenure elongation by leaders of states. The results have been huge failures and frustration on the part of development partners. This paper has attempted a survey approach to Foreign Direct Investment as a way out of structural imbalances of neo-colonial economies. Basing this examination on Nigeria, findings have shown that Foreign Direct Investment can work for development only if host government regulate the activities of foreign investors and also create enabling environment for investment to yield expected results.
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Predictive Model for Road Pavement Deterioration Indices |
Author : : Aderinola, O.S. ; Akingbonmire, S.L |
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Abstract :Nigeria has a matured flexible pavement road network owned by the public sector called the Federal Road. The 72km road networks from Ilesha – Akure are providing excellent service to road users for interstate movement. Due to movement of vehicles on the road, bitumen pavements tend to crack at some point of their lives under the combined action of traffic and the environment. These cracks are defects in the pavement surfacing which weaken the pavement and allow water to penetrate and cause potholes on the pavement. The results of a study conducted to facilitate the development of road pavement performance models that are appropriate for Nigeria and other similar developing countries, which could predict the rate of deterioration over their lifespan, have been presented. Comprehensive investigations were carried out on the expressway from the Federal University of Technology (FUTA) North Gate to NNPC Mega Station in Akure, Ondo State – apparently one of the busiest section along the road. The data collected are on traffic characteristics, Structural Number (pavement thickness), potholes and other distress types. Using these data and with the help of stepwise regression analysis, models were developed to predict the road pavement deterioration within the area of study and that could be useful for evaluating the failure susceptibility of the road. The calibrated model has 98.8% and 98.7% as R2 and adjusted R2 respectively. The model also has 8.8% (as average) difference between the predicted and actual rate of deterioration. The model can therefore, be used for planning maintenance programs of flexible pavement roads.
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Management Gradients Vis-à-Vis Information Science: Towards Potential Information System Building |
Author : P. K. Paul ; A. Bhuimali ; K. Kumar |
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Abstract :Management is a process or mechanism to manage any facet or things; where the things or facet may be tangible or may be intangible in nature. In other sense, management is an art of techniques to manage the asset. The study and academic domain of management is called as Management Science. Practically management is applicable in all most all the sector or place or academic domain. In computer science, medical science and even sociology there is a full-fledged role and importance may be seen as far as management is concerned. Practically in Information Science also management deal a lead role. Traditional Information Science or computational Information Science, Management may be applied in several places. This paper is talks about management, its requirement; role of management in information science both the traditional and contemporary and future potential.
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Re-Evaluating Value Systems for Kenyan Youths for Social Transformation |
Author : Juma Thomas Otieno |
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Abstract : This paper sought to re-evaluate value systems for Kenyan youths in order to experience social transformation. This discourse takes a moralist perspective and believes that there is an ideal body of values, one that over-rides others. In this paper, it would be appropriate to ask pertinent questions such as; what forms societies’ value systems? What value systems are there for Kenyan youths? How can value systems of youths be useful for social transformation? The first two questions concern a present analysis of value basis of societies while the last question is a positivist futuristic question of building a gap. Using a qualitative approach, this study sought for relevant literature from other scholarly articles which formed the basis of conclusions and recommendations. In overall sense, value systems are good, and if re-evaluated, social transformation is bound to occur. This transformation is likely measured by the meaningful socio-eco-political input to the society and the acceptance thereof. Value systems of Kenyan youths have been influenced by; one, familial relations; two, peer pressure; and three, the external factors. This study recommends that for social transformation to occur, re-evaluation of such value systems ought to take place both horizontally and vertically.
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Exchange Rate Channel and Economic Growth: Empirical Investigation in a Developing Country?s Setup |
Author : Salman Ali Shah ; Chen He ; Mao Yu ; Wang Xiaoqin |
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Abstract :Developing economies are different than developed economies in many aspects, i.e., in terms of institutional framework and political situation etc. Thus, the monetary policy needed in developing countries is also different than developed countries. The goal of this study is to investigate exchange rate channel of monetary transmission mechanism in a developing country’s setup. The variables included in our analysis are interest rate, exchange rate, exports, consumer price index and gross domestic product. Johansen cointegration technique is applied to analyze the long run relationship among variables while multivariate VECM granger causality test is used to explore the direction of causality among the set of our variables. We use annual data ranging from 1980 to 2015 while taking account of the limitations of time series data. Our findings suggest that output has a negative long run relationship with exchange rate and interest rate, positive relationship with exports and no statistically significant relationship with inflation. Interest rate granger causes all four of our variables thus showing the power of this policy tool. Exchange rate causes exports, consumer price index and output which means exchange rate is the second most powerful variable in our analysis. Output is granger caused by interest rate, exports and exchange rate which confirms the sensitivity of output to these variables. Consumer price index is granger caused by all four of our variables and came out to be the most sensitive variable in our analysis.
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Community-Based Water Projects Sustainability: Lessons and Challenges-A Case study from Sudan |
Author : S. H. Ibrahim |
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Abstract :In the current paper, sustainability assessment framework was designed using a set of multidimensional indicators to assess and monitor eight community-based water projects in four different states in Sudan. The assessment framework consisted of site visits, a systematic secondary information collection, and analysis (SSICA) approach and documents reviews. The sustainability scores were calculated based on weighted sub-indicators analysis system. The study revealed that 40% of the implemented water projects were fairly sustainable although they are considered as young projects (1-4 years age projects). This weak sustainability was mostly related to the poor organizational and financial performance due to poor post-implementation governmental and/or external agencies involvement and support in terms of monitoring, capacity building facilities, and financial support. There is a strong need to develop post implementation stratigies and models and mechanisms to backup community-based water projects technically as well as financially to assure the sustainability and verify the project implementation goals.
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Energy and Global Warming: Catch-Up Countries against Mature Economies |
Author : Jan-Erik Lane |
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Abstract :At the big reunions of the UNCC, two groups stand against each other. On the one hand, there is the catch-up set of countries that have recently taken off economically and that will not accept a trade-off between economic development and environmental need of cutting emissions. On the other hand, there is the set of mature economies that grow sluggishly and have started to cut back on fossil fuels, especially coal. The first set of nations want the second set to pay for their gigantic energy transformation in a few decades – decarbonisation. The first set claimed that had not created the big problem originally, and that fairness requires that the rich help the poor. At the COP21 summit, a deal was struck, worth 100 billion dollars per year to fund a Stern (2007) like Super Fund. But will it really be put in place and made operational?
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Prospect of Urban Water Supply in Jalingo Metropolis, Taraba State Nigeria |
Author : Oruonye E. D. ; Ahmed Y. M. |
Abstract | Full Text |
Abstract :Urban water supply have been one of the major challenges facing residents of Jalingo Metropolis over the years. Taraba State Government in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) has recently embarked on massive investment in urban water supply in Jalingo Metropolis. The project is aimed at providing water to the citizenry and galvanizing commercial activities in the State. This study examines the various water resource potentials available to the town and the prospect of harnessing these resources and the challenges associated with each of the options. The study relied substantially on existing data sources, fieldwork and discussion with experts and consultants working on the projects. The collected data and information were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study shows that the existing Jalingo Water Supply System relied on open well field consisting of 14 boreholes out of which 4 boreholes are currently operational and 10 are non operational. The findings shows that the water supply to Jalingo town does not have any form of treatment and no provision is made at the moment to disinfect the borehole water which is distributed to the public at the moment. Storm water runoff from Jalingo township discharges into the borehole field (Jalingo Master Plan, 2000) thereby constituting potential hazard as aquifers are susceptible to contamination particularly during the rainy season. At the moment only 30% of the Jalingo town’s water requirements are met. The findings of the study shows that the water resource options in Jalingo Metropolis include the abstraction of ground water through drilling of boreholes, construction of infiltration gallery and construction of dam across River Lamurde. Although, urban water supply prospect in the town is high, none of the options can generate sufficient amount of water supply to the town in the nearest future. This study therefore recommends the need to consider the development of all these water resource options in the study area to complement each other.
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Can OPEC Cartel Reverse Crude Oil Price Downfall? |
Author : Ibrahim A. Onour |
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Abstract :This paper employs time varying coefficient approach to assess sensitivity of crude oil price change to a number of factors among which change in OPEC crude production and change in US oil production. Our finding indicate crude oil price is inelastic to OPEC production change, with elasticity varying between 0.09 and 0.13, but elastic to US oil production change with elasticity between 0.99 and 1.05. This imply on average crude oil price is about 8 times more responsive to US supply expansion than to OPEC supply decisions. As a result, OPEC producers have a limited impact on oil price reversal but the withdrawal of the US high cost shale technology producers from crude oil production at low price levels can be more effective driver of oil price rises in the future. Such low level sensitivity of oil price to change in OPEC supply imply, other things remain unchanged, for oil price to rise from the current $45 per barrel to $70 per barrel, OPEC cartel needs to cut its current daily production of 27 million barrels by 8 percent.
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