Politics, Ethnic Diversities and the Future of Nigeria’s Federation | Author : Sa’idu Abdullahi, PhD | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The chapter is qualitative in nature as it relied on secondary data. It was found that it was because of increasing relevance of state in the distribution of resources that intensify process of political competition among diverse ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, making pertinent for the use of ethnic identity to mobilise support for ethnic ascendance to political power. It was found that through this process, the weaker ethnic groups tend to be marginalised and excluded by the strong ethnic group, and this risen animosity and deepen suspicious among the diverse ethnic groups that made up of the Nigerian federal state. Consequently, this aggravate the formation of ethnic inclined association agitating for better political inclusion and sometimes, threats of secession. The situation that further overheating the polity, which endangers the corporate existence of the Nigerian federal state. To ensure the survival of the Nigerian federal state, the paper recommended that ethnic politics should be avoided by ensuring other ethnic groups are accommodating in the running of state’s affairs. It was concluded that the survival of the Nigerian federal state largely dependent on the willingness of the entire ethnic groups to come together and be cemented as one indivisible. |
| The Problem of Financing and Access to Credit for SMEs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo | Author : Jean René Ngandu | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Project financing in Congo has become a leitmotif since Congo reached the completion point under the HIPC initiative. Banks are over-liquid and companies are in need offinancing. In the context of being an "emerging country" requiring competitive companies capable of entering the global market, the issue of lack of project financing is a major obstacle for Congolese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have never achieved economies ofscale. What is the problem of lack of project financing in Congo? What are the determinants? This note presents a synthesis of the arguments put forward on thisissue in the light of good financial management practices that seem to reveal the major weaknesses of Congolese SMEs. It presentsthe problems,solutions and perspectives. |
| The Problem of Human Capital and Economic Growth in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Through the Analysis of Statistical Data | Author : Ngandu Oleka Jean Rene | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :This paper aims to detect the interactions between human capital in its educational dimension and economic growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo over a period of thirty-one years, from 1980 to 2011, using a vector autoregressive model. The non-adaptability of students to occupations, the mismatch between sectors with high employability and fields that graduate students, the low fundingof education by the state and the very low creative capacity of learners at the primary level remain challenges. Thus, the results showed a positive but small impact of the variables of gross secondary school enrollment rate, physical capital investment rate, and the worker-total population ratio. On the other hand, the impact was very considerable with public spending on education and population growth, and an impact. |
| Foreign direct investment and job creation: empirical verification on data from the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2000 to 2016 | Author : Fataki Donatien Alexandre, Faray Makonga Fabrice | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Using an error correction model, the ultimate objective of this paper was to investigate the influences exerted by foreign direct investment as well as those of other variables to which the theoretical literature gives some credit on the employment rate in DR Congo. The paper concludes that there is no or negligible relationship between foreign investment and unemployment during the period under review, regardless of the period of analysis. More concretely, the coefficient associated with FDI is positive in the dynamic relationship, but negative in the static relationship. In both cases, this coefficient is statistically not different from 0. It goes without saying that these investments contribute to job creation in the long term, but at a very marginal rate. In the short run, there is a substitution of FDI for domestic investment and thus an increase in the unemployment rate. Public capital expenditure and the accelerator effect, on the other hand, do not play much of a role in increasing the volume of employment in DR Congo. Moreover, the Phillips relationship is sufficiently robust in both the short and long run. |
| The Impact of Financial Inclusion on Economic Growth in the Democratic Republic of Congo | Author : Ngandu Lushimbula Glory | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The recent financial crises have revived the debate on the interactions between the financial and real spheres. In both developed and developing countries, financial inclusion is becoming a major issue. It is perceived as a real tool for economic development and poverty alleviation. The analysis of the interactions between the financial and real spheres is therefore renewed. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of financial inclusion on economic growth in Congo, based on the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model and the descriptive analysis
The study shows that financial inclusion has a significant and positive influence on economic growth in the Congo, particularly on the growth of non-oil Gross Domestic Product (GDP). |
| Calculus Teaching Based on Steam Education Philosophy Taking the Teaching of Limit Concept as an Example | Author : Zheng Shuxian, Meng Xiangju | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :STEAM education philosophy is based on mathematics. It is particularly important to promote and develop STEAM education philosophy through the wide application of mathematics. Calculus is an important course offered by university. With the implementation of popular education, the level of college students is uneven and the problems in calculus teaching are increasingly prominent. Taking the teaching of limit concept as an example, many college students can carry out limit operation, but they do not understand the philosophy contained in the limit concept and they can t innovate the application of limit. Therefore, it is the key to teaching reform to find the cognitive difficulties of students in the concept of limit. Using Geogebra as teaching tool, the mathematics culture and mathematics history are integrated into the teaching design, so that students can experience the fun of mathematics course and feel the application value of interdisciplinary. In this study, questionnaire survey, interview and experimental comparison are used to study the teaching practice by 2 teachers and 80 freshmen. The result shows that teaching content integrating into the history of mathematics and mathematics culture, teaching with Geogebra improves the students enthusiasm, their learning achievement and promotes the professional development of teachers. The following conclusions are drawn: 1. The understanding of limit concept is one-sided, some even wrong. 2. Based on STEAM education philosophy, new teaching design can improve students 4 learning stages based on APOS theory and then cultivate students habit of lifelong learning. 3. The teaching design based on STEAM education philosophy can promote the professional development of teachers. |
| Mutual Health Insurance Model: Strategic Axis for Access to Health Care for Households in the DRC. Case Analysis of the Mutuelle De Santé De Kinshasa | Author : Ngandu Selua F., Lowenga Koyamondja P., Lubongo Mbilu Y. | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :This paper analyzes the issue of access to health care for households with health care needs while facing several constraints. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the risk of a child dying before his or her fifth birthday is 8 times higher in Africa than in Europe. Rich countries have an average of nearly 90 nurses and midwives per 10,000 people, while in low-income countries, the ratio of health care personnel is barely more than 5 per 10,000 people. Inequality in access to health care is highly dependent on location. In the DR Congo, obstacles to accessing health care include: difficulties in finding certain medicines, stock-outs, lack of money and the high cost of care. Despite the low level of household income, the financing for health care access is on average 14.28% by the public authorities, 39.43% by the rest of the world (external financing) and 39.17% by households according to the national health accounts. It appears crucial to provide concrete and adapted solutions to this population which needs to access care on a daily basis when they are in a vulnerable situation. Our estimates show that none of the variables taken into account have a significant influence at the 5% threshold on access to health care for members of the Kinshasa mutual health insurance scheme, which means that membership of a mutual health insurance scheme is a valid way of accessing health care in low-income countries such as the DRC. The comparative analysis of behavior-based approach by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), helped us reflect on the mutual insurance and access to health care in the DRC. |
| Determining Factors by using Hedging Policies Derivative Instruments in Non-Financial Companies in Indonesia | Author : Yusbardini | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :The purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of hedging policy in manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesian Effect Exchange. The determining factors tested in this study are financial distress, market to book value of equity, and liquidity against the companys hedging policy with foreign currency derivative instruments. The proxy used to measure financial distress is the debt-to-equity ratio (DER). Market to book value of equity (MBVE) is usually to measure firm value and current ratio as a proxy for liquidity. This study uses panel data. The study was conducted on 41 companies and 246 observations during the period 20102015. This study used a logistic regression model. The results showed that financial distress, firm value, and liquidity had a significant influence on hedging policy. The results of testing on the second hypothesis, financial distress affected. positive and significant impact on hedging policies in public companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. The test results on the second hypothesis, firm value have a positive and significant effect on hedging in public companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange. The test results on the third hypothesis, liquidity has a negative effect. and significant to the hedging policy of public companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. |
| Open Innovation and Organizational Performance in Selected Firms in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria | Author : Abaikpa Udeme Anthony, Thomas Cornelia David, Dr. Udom, Daniel | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :This study was designed to examine the relationship between Open Innovation and Organizational Performance in selected firms in Akwa Ibom State. To achieve this objective, a survey research design was utilized. Data were collected through questionnaire carefully designed and administered to the respondents. A total of 30 copies of questionnaire were distributed to respondents, out of which 28 copies were returned and found to be correctly filled. This gave a response rate of about 97%. Regression analysis was conducted to examine the strength of the relationship between each of the dependent and independent variables. The result of the study showed a positive significant relationship between open innovation and organizational performance in selected firms: Airtel Nigeria Limited, Uyo, Globacom Nigeria Limited, Uyo and MTN Nigeria Limited, Uyo. It was recommended from the study that, Airtel Nigeria Limited, Uyo, Globacom Nigeria Limited, Uyo and MTN Nigeria Limited, Uyo should be more proactive in the provision of modern technologies to encourage rapid knowledge sharing and be more concerned with personnel training to encourage employees’ effectiveness and improved performance. |
|
|