scholarly journals Enhancing Market Orientation of Cocoa Farmers through Farmer Business Schools: The Ghana Cocobod Experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-138
Author(s):  
Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum ◽  
Ernest Laryea Okorley ◽  
Joseph Kwarteng ◽  
John-Eudes Andivi Bakang ◽  
Fred Nimoh
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
Business School ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Practical Experience ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Attitudinal Change ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Cocoa Farmer ◽  
Cocoa Farmers ◽  
Descriptive Survey

The study sought to ascertain how the Farmer Business School (FBS) introduced in 2012 by the Ghana Cocoa Board as an extension approach makes the Ghanaian cocoa farmer more business and entrepreneurially minded. The research methods included using the descriptive survey and multi-stage sampling techniques to cover the six cocoa regions and 600 cocoa farmers. The 600 cocoa farmers selected were made up of 230 non-participants and 370 participants of the FBS. In terms of competency, the results showed that FBS participants had greater knowledge, a more positive attitude, and better skills than non-participants. In terms of market orientation, FBS participants were more competitor oriented, had less intelligence generation, were less market responsive, had less intelligence dissemination, had more customer emphasis, and had more interfunctional coordination than non-participants. The market orientation of cocoa farmers can be enhanced by provision of relevant practical experience for attitudinal change.

scholarly journals Farmer Business School Participation in Ghana: Implications for Market Orientation, Entrepreneurial Proclivity and Livelihood Performance

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum ◽  
Fred Nimoh ◽  
John-Eudes Bakang ◽  
Jones Ebenezer Osei ◽  
Kwadwo Amankwah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Deviation ◽  
Market Orientation ◽  
Business School ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
T Test ◽  
School Participation ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Cocoa Farmer ◽  
Cocoa Farmers

The study assumes that participation in the Farmer Business School (FBS) gives the cocoa farmer an advantage over the non-participants. The following objectives were set to give an overall appreciation of the research; determine the extent to which participation in the FBS has influenced the market orientation of the cocoa farmers, determine the extent to which participation in the FBS has influenced the entrepreneurial proclivity of cocoa farmers and determine the extent to which participation in the FBS has influenced the livelihood of the cocoa farmers. With this in mind, 600 cocoa farmers were sampled in Ghana using the multi-stage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and the independent sample t-test. The results show that participation in the Farmer Business School indeed gives the cocoa farmers an advantage; market orientation (p<0.05), an entrepreneurial proclivity (p<0.05), and livelihood outcomes (p<0.05). There is a need to continually strengthen activities that promote these three key areas.

scholarly journals Market Orientation and Entrepreneurial Proclivity as Antecedents of Innovative Behaviour: Implications for Cocoa Farmers in Ghana

2021 ◽  
pp. 132-139
Author(s):  
Enoch Kwame Tham-Agyekum ◽  
Joseph Kwarteng ◽  
Ernest Laryea Okorley ◽  
Fred Nimoh ◽  
John-Eudes Bakang
Keyword(s):  
Market Orientation ◽  
Business School ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Innovative Behavior ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Innovative Behaviour ◽  
Market Responsiveness ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Cocoa Farmers

Despite the increasing importance of innovation in literature, there is no agreement about its antecedents. This clearly makes it difficult and risky for cocoa farmers to choose suitable strategies to adopt, develop and promote successful innovations to fit their farm situations. The research questions were aimed at assessing the level of the entrepreneurial proclivity of cocoa farmers, their level of market orientation, their level of innovative behavior, and the influence of entrepreneurial proclivity and market orientation on innovative behavior. Cocoa farmers were sampled from all the six Cocoa Regions in Ghana. In total, 370 cocoa farmers, who participated in the Farmer Business School, were sampled using the multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multiple linear regression). The study showed evidence that market orientation and entrepreneurial proclivity can be considered as antecedents of innovation with the key factors being, customer emphasis, intelligence dissemination, and market responsiveness. The study recommends improved flexibility in the cocoa marketing system of Ghana giving attention to the systems of customer/export options available to cocoa farmers.

scholarly journals The Level of Teacher’s Preparedness for Teaching and Assessing Children at a Hospital-Based School in Peninsular Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4S) ◽  
pp. 225
Author(s):  
Sugendran Nagandran ◽  
Aminuddin Hassan ◽  
Noraziela Abdul Majid ◽  
Norlizah Che Hassan ◽  
Siti Suria Salim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Health ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
The State ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Hospitalized Children ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Self Sufficiency

The establishment of hospital-based school (HBS) in Malaysia is an excellent step forward in helping patients, who are unable to attend school, continue receiving their education. The Education Ministry of Malaysia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, initiated the idea of (HBS) in response to concerns over the fate of hospitalized children who were missing out on school. However, the effectiveness of the program depends largely on the willingness of teachers to go beyond the school infrastructure and facilities. This study was conducted to identify the level of self-sufficiency of HBS teachers when implementing teaching and learning (PdP) in various aspects such as controlling the concept of entertainment in PdP, motivation and positive attitude of teachers, as well as the state of their emotional and physical health. The study adopted a quantitative method using questionnaires as the key research instrument. Respondents of this study consisted of 95 HBS teachers in Peninsular Malaysia using sampling techniques. The findings of the study showed that the ability and creativity of a teacher to manage various aspects including entertaining, portraying motivational and positive attitude, and maintaining emotional as well as physical health affects the level of preparedness of teachers during PdP in HBS.

scholarly journals Ameliorating the Plight of Awaiting-trial Inmates in Ebonyi State, Nigeria Through Reasonable Bail Conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Okorie Ajah ◽  
Emmanuel Ekeoma Uwakwe ◽  
Bonaventure N. Nwokeoma ◽  
Cyril O. Ugwuoke ◽  
Rebecca Ginikanwa Nnamani
Keyword(s):  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Economic Capacity

Bail is a privilege granted to suspects at the discretion of a court. The court exercises this discretion to give temporary freedom to crime suspects pending the conclusion of court trial. Where the bail conditions become stringent, unattainable or out of reach for suspects, suspects overreach themselves and this defeats the moral intentions of ‘bailing’ and the law. This paper discusses how awaiting-trial inmates are the most victimized by the challenges of the criminal justice system in Ebonyi State and how easing bail conditions for awaiting-trial inmates could reduce suspects’ costs of victimization. Using qualitative and quantitative research approaches, a sample of 1498 respondents comprising 623 awaiting-trial inmates, 617 police officers, 145 prison officers and 113 court staff was drawn from Ebonyi State. Multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques were used to reach the respondents. Questionnaire and in-depth interviews were instruments for data collection. Findings confirmed that keeping suspects in prisons longer than necessary is traumatic to suspects. Key recommendations include easing of bail conditions for awaiting-trial inmates by cutting the high bail prices to match the economic capacity of Ebonyi State’s neighborhood or relaxing bail terms that could enable inmates to meet bail requirements.

Training and Development as Correlate of Effectiveness and Loyalty of Employees: A Case of Transmission Company of Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-44
Author(s):  
Zaccheaus Olufunminiyi Olonade ◽  
Oluwatobi Oyewumi Omotoye
Keyword(s):  
Employee Training ◽  
Training And Development ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Intensive Training ◽  
Correlation And Regression Analysis ◽  
Descriptive Survey ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The study aims to examine the impact of training and development on effectiveness and loyalty among workers of Transmission Company of Nigeria, Osogbo, Osun State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study collected data through a structured questionnaire which contained three sections for demographic variables, Employee Training and Development Scale, and Employees' Effectiveness and Loyalty Scale respectively. 80 respondents were selected through the use of random sampling techniques across the establishment. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyses the data. The hypotheses were tested with Pearson Product Moment Correlation and regression analysis. Hypothesis one revealed a positive correlation between employee training & development and employees’ effectiveness. The result of the second hypothesis indicated a positive correlation between training & development and employees loyalty. The study recommended regular intensive training to achieve the company's objectives through staff effectiveness. Management should also focus on innovative developmental programmes and policies for employees to be more loyal.

Lean in higher education

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yigit Kazancoglu ◽  
Yesim Deniz Ozkan-Ozen
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Business School ◽  
Stage Structure ◽  
Fuzzy Decision Making ◽  
Multi Criteria Decision Making ◽  
Stage Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Multi Stage

PurposeThis research aims to investigate and define the eight wastes of lean philosophy in higher education institutions (HEIs) by proposing a multi-stage model.Design/methodology/approachThe authors have used a specific multi-criteria decision-making method, fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory, to investigate the cause–effect relationships and importance order between criteria for wastes in HEIs. In total, 22 criteria were categorized under eight wastes of lean. The study was implemented in a business school with the participation of faculty members from different departments.FindingsThe results showed that the most important wastes in the business school selected were repeated tasks, unnecessary bureaucracy, errors because of misunderstanding/communication problems, excessive number of academic units and creation of an excessive amount of information. Another important result was that all the sub-wastes of talent were in the causes group, while motion and transportation wastes were in the effect group.Practical implicationsA road map to guide lean transformation for HEIs is proposed with a multi-stage model and potential areas for improvement in HEIs were presented.Originality/valueThis study proposes a multi-stage structure by applying multi-criteria decision-making to HEIs, focussing on wastes from a lean perspective.

scholarly journals Marital Stress among Working Class Women in Kwara State, Nigeria: Implications for Counselling Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-40
Author(s):  
Aminat Adeola Odebode
Keyword(s):  
Working Class ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Test Reliability ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Marital Stress ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Reliability Method ◽  
Working Class Women ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
Descriptive Survey

This study investigated the sources of marital stress among working class women in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study also examined the influence of age, type of marriage, and length of years in service on the respondents’ views. The study employed a descriptive survey method. A total of 422 working class women in Kwara State were selected from a population size of 7,237 through a multi-stage sampling procedure. The participants responded to a researcher-designed questionnaire entitled ‘Sources of Marital Stress Questionnaire (SMSQ)’. The validity of the instrument was done by a team of experts (5) from the Department of Counsellor Education, University of Ilorin and the reliability was established using test re-test reliability method, which yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.65. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics at 0.05 level of significance. Results showed that the sources of marital stress of working class women were sexual incompatibility with their spouses, financial constraints, in-laws’ interference, and religious differences among others. Results further indicated that there were significant differences in the sources of marital stress among working class women in Kwara State on the bases of age, type of marriage and length of years in marriage. In view of the findings of this study, it was concluded that the sources of marital stress among working class women were numerous. Recommendations were made that counsellors should assist working class women to cope with their sexual incompatibilities with their spouses through appropriate counseling services.

scholarly journals Sexual Risk Behaviour: The Roles of Impulsivity, Family Type and Peer Pressure Among Undergraduate Students in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 15-23
Author(s):  
Opeyemi Oyewunmi Ekundayo ◽  
Oyeyemi Bukola Babalola
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Sampling Procedure ◽  
Family Type ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽  
Southwestern Nigeria ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Descriptive Survey

AbstractThe study examined the influence of impulsivity on undergraduates’ sexual risk behaviour and also scrutinized the mediating roles of family type and peer pressure on undergraduates’ sexual risk behaviour in Southwestern Nigeria. The study was a descriptive survey that employed a multi-stage sampling procedure in which respondents were selected at different levels and stages. A total of 1080 respondents selected from six Universities participated in the study. Their age ranges from 15-19 years with a mean of 15.9±1.2 years. Data gathered through Impulsive Behaviour Scale and the Sexual Behaviour Inventory was analysed by t-test and ANCOVA. The result showed that impulsivity (t = 6.04, df =1078, p <0.05) had significant influence on the sexual risk behaviour of undergraduates in Southwestern Nigeria. The result further showed that age: F (2, 1077) = 18.20, p < 0.05; family type F (2, 1077) = 25.41, p <0. 05 and peer pressure F (2, 1077) = 53.13, p< 0.05 have an intervening impact on the influence of impulsivity F (2, 1073) = 1.37, p < 0.05) on sexual risk behaviour of the undergraduates. The study concluded that impulsivity enhances sexual risk behaviour of undergraduates in Southwestern Nigeria.

scholarly journals Extent of Utilization of Medicinal Plants among Rural Households in Imo State, Nigeria

1970 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-160
Author(s):  
Samson Ejike Onu ◽  
Grace O. Mbah
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Rural Households ◽  
Aloe Vera ◽  
Sampling Techniques ◽  
Tobit Regression ◽  
Imo State ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Tobit Regression Analysis ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The study investigated the extent of utilization of medicinal plants among rural household in Imo State Nigeria. The study made use of multi- stage random sampling techniques in sampling 120 respondents in the study area. The data for the study were collected with the use of structured questionnaire and analysed using both descriptive (such as frequency, percentages and mean count) Results showed that the available medicinal plants in the study area were pawpaw (100.0%), mango (100.0%), bitter leaf (95.0%), cocoa (81.67%) and Uziza leaf (78.33%, avocado (71.33%) among others. The result further revealed that cocoa (x̄= 3.47), pawpaw (x̄= 3.33), avocado (x̄= 3.25), raphia palm (x̄= 3.15), bitter leaf (x̄= 3.10), aloe vera (x̄= 3.03), uziza leaf (x̄= 2.93), morringa (x̄= 2.70) were highly utilized in the study area. Tobit regression analysis revealed that age, household size, farming experience, income and education at significantly influenced the utilization of medicinal plants among the rural households in the study area. The study recommended that the conservation of medicinal plants should be pursued vigorously by both government and individuals via establishment of botanical gardens and horticultural centres in order safe guard them from indiscriminate use, overexploitation and destruction.Key Words: Medicinal plants, Availability and Rural households.

scholarly journals Reading Habits of Freshmen of Gedu College of Business Studies

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Chencho Wangchuk ◽  
Nima Wangchuk ◽  
Dhanapati Sharma ◽  
Phub Dorji
Keyword(s):  
Positive Attitude ◽  
T Test ◽  
Elementary Reading ◽  
Reading Habits ◽  
Recreational Reading ◽  
Attitudinal Differences ◽  
Academic Reading ◽  
Business Studies ◽  
College Of Business ◽  
Descriptive Survey

Aim: The main purpose of this study was to determine college students’ attitude towards reading against the backdrop of perceived poor habit of reading among Bhutanese students and evidences showing decline in attitude towards reading observed among students as they matured. Study Design: Descriptive survey. Place and Duration of the Study: Gedu College of Business Studies (GCBS), a constituent college under the Royal University of Bhutan, during the 2019 academic session. Methodology: The authors administered Elementary Reading Attitude Survey (ERAS) questionnaire to 500 freshmen. Results: A descriptive statistical analysis of questionnaires returned revealed a positive attitude towards reading. Specifically, from the two types of reading, the respondents preferred recreational reading slightly more than the academic reading. In addition, an independent-samples t-test revealed a statistically significant attitudinal differences between genders towards reading. In both cases, female-respondents were found more positive towards both recreational and academic reading than their male counterparts. Conclusion: Analysis of the data revealed that the freshmen of GCBS held positive attitude towards reading with slight preference being given to recreational reading. Also, from the two genders, independent-samples t-test showed that females were more positive towards reading than males.

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