scholarly journals Analysis of multi-factors affecting the performance of Nigeria's refineries: a systems thinking approach

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Obinna Iheukwumere ◽  
David Moore ◽  
Temitope Omotayo
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Policy Intervention ◽  
Loop Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Leverage Points ◽  
Causal Loop ◽  
Significant Factors

PurposeThe challenges facing the productivity of Nigeria's refineries have generated much academic discourse. This study was carried out to develop a causal loop model showing the interrelationships of the multiple factors driving the poor performance of the refineries. Using a framework of political, economic, social and technical (PEST) factors, the developed model helped identify leverage points for policy intervention in the system.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-method approach was adopted to collect quantitative data from 118 refinery workers and qualitative data from 14 participants polled from the various Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) subsidiaries. The quantitative data were analysed through structural equation modelling (SEM) to prioritise the more significant factors, while the qualitative data were analysed by content analysis to further validate the questionnaire findings and provide clearer contexts for the operationalisation of the factors.FindingsThe structural equation model identified several PEST factors such as government interference, political indecision, funding issues, spare parts costs, pipeline vandalism, oil theft, maintenance issues as some of the significant factors affecting the performance of the refineries. The interviews validated these findings and provided richer contexts on how these factors operate within system. A causal loop model was developed based on these findings to identify key leverage points upon which policy intervention through best practice, management autonomy and stakeholder satisfaction was proposed to address these challenges.Research limitations/implicationsThe study uncovers that the factors which affect the performance of the refineries have significant multiple interrelationships, the understanding of which is crucial for developing effective solutions by policymakers.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study lay important foundations for a deeper understanding of how PEST factors interact to drive suboptimal performance across NNPC refineries.Originality/valueThe causal loop model developed in this study provides a new approach to viewing and analysing the associated factors affecting the performance of Nigeria's refineries from a non-linear perspective.

Factors Affecting the Use and Consequences of Management Accounting Practices in A Transitional Economy: The Case of Vietnam

2016 ◽  
pp. 54-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anh Doan Ngoc Phi
Keyword(s):  
Significant Influence ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Management Accounting ◽  
Transitional Economy ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Enterprise Performance ◽  
Factors Affecting

This study seeks to help fill an important gap in the literature by investigating factors that have facilitated the use of management accounting practices (MAPs) in Vietnam - a transitional economy. Data were collected from 220 medium-to-large enterprises. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 20 accounting heads/vice heads to obtain further information and clarification. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics (including t-tests and structural equation modeling), while the qualitative data was used to shed further light on the various relationships described by the quantitative analysis. This paper reveals that both decentralization and competition have a positive, significant influence on the use of new MAPs except for the old ones. Consequently, the use of MAPs has a positive, significant influence on enterprise performance.

Factors affecting the number of building defects and the approaches to reduce their negative impacts in Malaysian public universities’ buildings

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Hauashdh ◽  
Junaidah Jailani ◽  
Ismail Abdul Rahman ◽  
Najib Al-Fadhali
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Maintenance Phase ◽  
Research Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Building Maintenance ◽  
Safety And Health ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Significant Factors

Purpose The largest share of a building maintenance budget goes towards preventing or repairing building defects. Also, building defects shorten a building’s lifetime, impact the user’s safety and health, prevent the buildings from performing their functions well and repairing building defects generates waste. Therefore, this study aims to specify the factors that affecting the number of building defects and how to reduce their negative impacts. Design/methodology/approach A case study was used as a research strategy and convergent parallel mixed methods were used as research design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected concurrently, followed by independent analyses of the quantitative and qualitative data, and then merged the two sets of results according to the procedure of using the convergent parallel design. Descriptive statistics analysed quantitative data, whilst qualitative data was analysed by the content analysis technique. Findings The findings of this study explored the factors that affect the number of defects in buildings, the significant factors were related to the building’s life cycle in terms of design, construction, operation and maintenance phase; relevant attributes were construction teams, building users and maintenance teams. The study also addressed the approaches to minimise the negative impacts of those factors. Their negative impacts mainly contributed to increased building defects that increase maintenance costs, affect users’ safety and health, reduce buildings’ lifespan and cause environmental impact due to resource extraction. Originality/value The existing studies have not adequately addressed the significant factors that affect the number of building defects. Also, emerging technologies and environmental sustainability considerations related to building defects have not been linked in previous related work. Therefore, the present study has contributed to filling this gap.

Investigating consumer alienation toward broiler leading to food insecurity

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana Muhammad Ayyub ◽  
Saira Naeem ◽  
Shehzad Ahmed ◽  
Chanaka Jayawardhena
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Broiler Meat ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe main purpose of this paper is to study the changing consumer behavior toward broiler meat and apprise its consequences toward food insecurity.Design/methodology/approachThis is a sequential exploratory mixed-method study in which qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 38) by snowball sampling. The quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire survey (n = 975) by convenience sampling. The qualitative data were analyzed through NVivo 10 software by using thematic analysis, i.e. the qualitative content analysis (QCA). The theory of consumer alienation provides the theoretical underpinning for a quantitative study. The established scales were adopted and adapted. The quantitative data was analyzed through AMOS 24 software by using structural equation modeling (SEM).FindingsIt was found that people have many reservations regarding broiler meat. Thus, consumer alienation negatively (ß = −0.10) and the subjective norm positively (ß = 0.82) affects the intention to buy broiler meat.Research limitations/implicationsThe ongoing consumer alienation toward broiler will force them to avoid using this cheapest protein and ultimately will lead to food insecurity in developing countries. It is recommended that people must be adequately educated about the real broiler business and its operations to counter their ongoing misperceptions.Originality/valueIt is the original empirical Research Work.

Knowledge needs in the non-profit sector: an evidence-based model of organizational practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dinesh Rathi ◽  
Lisa M. Given ◽  
Eric Forcier
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Organizational Practices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Types Of Knowledge ◽  
Survey Responses

Purpose – This paper aims to present findings from a study of non-profit organizations (NPOs), including a model of knowledge needs that can be applied by practitioners and scholars to further develop the NPO sector. Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted with NPOs operating in Canada and Australia. An analysis of survey responses identified the different types of knowledge essential for each organization. Respondents identified the importance of three pre-determined themes (quantitative data) related to knowledge needs, as well as a fourth option, which was a free text box (qualitative data). The quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistical analyses and a grounded theory approach, respectively. Findings – Analysis of the quantitative data indicates that NPOs ' needs are comparable in both countries. Analysis of qualitative data identified five major categories and multiple sub-categories representing the types of knowledge needs of NPOs. Major categories are knowledge about management and organizational practices, knowledge about resources, community knowledge, sectoral knowledge and situated knowledge. The paper discusses the results using semantic proximity and presents an emergent, evidence-based knowledge management (KM)-NPO model. Originality/value – The findings contribute to the growing body of literature in the KM domain, and in the understudied research domain related to the knowledge needs and experiences of NPOs. NPOs will find the identified categories and sub-categories useful to undertake KM initiatives within their individual organizations. The study is also unique, as it includes data from two countries, Canada and Australia.

Assessment of the significance of factors affecting the growth of women entrepreneurs: study based on experience categorization

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sucheta Agarwal ◽  
Veland Ramadani ◽  
Leo-Paul Dana ◽  
Vivek Agrawal ◽  
Jitendra Kumar Dixit
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Economies ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Gender Orientation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Emerging Nations ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Significant Factors

Purpose The ascent of women enterprising community (WEC) in a couple of decades draws the attention of various government and non-government bodies. Literature has mentioned various studies that focus on the factors affecting the success or failure of women entrepreneurs (WEs), but understanding of the ranking of the factors depending on the experiences of different WEs is needed. This study aims to identify the significant factors essential for the growth of WEC. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the factors through interview of 33 WEs having different entrepreneurial experiences (less than 1 year, more than 1 year but less than 10 years and more than 10 years of experiences) from different regions of Uttar Pradesh, India, and with the help of analytical hierarchical process, ranks the factors affecting the sustainable growth of WEs. Findings Through analysis, significant factors have been identified such as determination, education, entrepreneurial resilience, personal satisfaction and provide employment, and these factors have been analysed according to the different experiences of WEs. An investigation of ranking these factors of WEC, especially in the emerging nations, can assist policymakers in designing projects that improve the mindfulness associated with women enterprise and define the compelling methodologies. Practical implications The growth of the WEC is significantly affected by gender orientation ways of thinking as driven by entrepreneurship models. Originality/value This study gives a direction to policymakers by emphasizing on significant factors of various stages of enterprise development for the encouragement of WEs in the emerging economies.

Consumer behaviour towards willingness to pay for Halal products

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 492-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waqar Ahmed ◽  
Arsalan Najmi ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Faizan ◽  
Shaharyar Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Reasoned Action ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Muslim Country ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to empirically analyze the factors affecting Muslim consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for Halal food, products and operations by employing theory of reasoned action.Design/methodology/approachThis study has used quantitative research methodology and collected data from 350 questionnaires from a densely populated city of Pakistan. Partial least squares-structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.FindingsThe results show that the concerns about Halal, religiosity, perception of usefulness of Halal and product ingredients have a significant impact on WTP for Halal foods, while attitude has an insignificant impact on WTP. Moreover, the extent of demand for Halal certification is significantly affected by WTP.Originality/valueThe study highlighted the concerns of the Muslim consumers with respect to Halalness of the products and operations despite living in a Muslim country. It is recommended that the policy makers, food authorities and health institutions should conduct regular inspections of foods, products and producers’/manufacturers’ operations to ensure that all the procedures from manufacturing of the raw material till the finished goods follow Islamic principles to make them completely Halal.

scholarly journals Two concepts of community in the Niger Delta

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 254-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nwamaka Okeke-Ogbuafor ◽  
Tim Gray ◽  
Selina Stead
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Place ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Strong Sense ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Solid Foundation ◽  
Attachment To Place ◽  
Poor Communities

Purpose This paper aims to understand what two apparently contrasting concepts of communality and place attachment say about the quality of community life in the Niger Delta. Design/methodology/approach The research for this paper relied on extensive qualitative and quantitative data: qualitative data were collected from five oil-rich and three oil-poor communities across Ogoniland, while quantitative data were collected from four of these communities. Thematic content analysis was used to interpret the qualitative data, while the quantitative data were analysed through Excel. Findings Most participants from both oil-rich and oil-poor communities strongly reject a social sense of communality and strongly endorse a geographical sense of place. Practical implications The wider implication of this finding is that proponents of community development (CD) have a choice between either the cynical option of noting that Ogoni’s strong sense of place means that they will tolerate limited CD, or the noble option of noting that Ogoni’s strong sense of place is a solid foundation on which to build sustainable CD by empowering citizens to create their own future. Originality/value The originality of this study is twofold. First, it shows the complexity of people’s sense of community encompassing widely different and possibly contradictory elements. Second, it reveals the strength and persistence of people’s attachment to place despite its physical shortcomings.

Who are sustainably minded apparel shoppers? An investigation to the influencing factors of sustainable apparel consumption

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo Jung Chang ◽  
Kittichai (Tu) Watchravesringkan
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
College Student Sample ◽  
Buying Behaviour

Purpose Consumers’ environmental behaviours are not only the result of their positive attitudes towards environments, but also different reasons and motivations exist. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to find out important factors affecting sustainable apparel buying behaviour. Applying the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), this study further examines how knowledge about sustainable apparel, perceived money availability, and perceived accessibility to the store influence sustainable apparel consumption. Design/methodology/approach Using a purposive college student sample, 235 usable responses were collected to answer the questions. An exploratory factor analysis with principal component analysis was first performed followed by confirmatory factor analysis, and a structural equation modelling analysis. Findings Results revealed that the TPB was successfully applied in the context of sustainable apparel buying behaviour. Furthermore, it was found that consumers’ perceived money availability and perceived store accessibility are important factors that affect control beliefs and sustainable consumption. Research limitations/implications This study found the needs of educating college students for contexts of environmental apparel and textiles issues. Originality/value Even though previous literature often found the gap between the behavioural intentions and the actual behaviour, this study found the respondents of this study walk their talk. This study successfully applied the TPB to explain consumers’ sustainable apparel buying behaviour.

A comparative analysis of the provision of student housing safety measures

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fredrick Simpeh ◽  
Mariam Akinlolu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Sprinkler System ◽  
Student Housing ◽  
Facility Management ◽  
The Body ◽  
Security Measures ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Security, safety, environment and health have become an integral part of facility management (FM). Therefore, FM departments within organisations are required to put measures in place to safeguard facility users. This paper thus aims to investigate and compare the safety and security measures that are provided in the student housing of two universities in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach A mixed method approach was adopted; interview was used to collect qualitative data, whereas a questionnaire was used as an instrument to collect quantitative data. Content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data, whereas both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the quantitative data. Findings It became evident that university B had a better provision of safety and security measures in the student housing than university A. The study also found that both universities had some lapses in the safety and security measures provided in the student housing. Measures that were lacking in both universities were weapon detector, closed-circuit television (CCTV), water sprinkler system, burglar bars on the doors, lift for disabled students, disabled toilet facility, traffic light, tags for vehicles, first aid box, accident book and medically trained personnel. Research limitations/implications Data were collected from only two universities, making it difficult to generalise the findings of the research. For a broader perspective, a study that expands the number of participating universities is recommended. Practical implications The facility management and safety department in the universities can use the recommendations to improve on the safety and security measures required in the student housing. Moreover, the recommendations can contribute to the development of policy frameworks for student housing safety. Originality/value There is a paucity of studies on student housing safety/security worldwide, and South Africa in particular. With this study, the authors contribute to the body of knowledge in this area of research.

Exploring customers’ attitudes to the adoption of robots in tourism and hospitality

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abou-Shouk ◽  
Hesham Ezzat Gad ◽  
Ayman Abdelhakim
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Technology Acceptance Model ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Robots ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Travel Agencies ◽  
Tourism And Hospitality ◽  
Acceptance Model

Purpose This study aims to explore the factors affecting customers’ attitudes to the adoption of robots in hotels and travel agencies. Design/methodology/approach Structural equation modelling was used to test the extended technology acceptance model based on data collected from 570 customers of hotels and travel agencies. Findings The findings revealed that hotel customers have more positive attitudes to service robots than their peers in travel agencies. Originality/value This research contributes to the literature on robots in tourism and responds to the call to investigate customers’ attitudes to the adoption of robots in developing countries.

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