What makes a good minister of a political party? Impact of party- and field-related experience on party pledge fulfilment

The article examines the effect of the personal characteristics of ministers on their party and coalition partners' pledge fulfilment. Partisanship and additional party-related experience is expected to help party pledge fulfilment. Previous field-related experience should additionally open up the space for alternative principals. However, in combination of both variables, the partisan motivation shall be the leading mechanism for the behaviour of the minister – and the field-related experience can help partisan ministers to follow party mandate better. The joint dataset of objectively testable pledges in the Czech Republic (2007–2015) supplemented by the information of government ministers is used for the test of hypotheses. The article shows that not only holding the portfolio but also the particular features of ministers, especially those related to the party-related experience, influence their ability to fulfil party promised policy.

Disentangling the Evolutionary Drivers of Social Complexity in Human History: a Comprehensive Test of Hypotheses

During the Holocene the scale and complexity of human societies increased dramatically. Generations of scholars have proposed different theories explaining this expansion, which range from functionalist explanations, focusing on the provision of public goods, to conflict theories, emphasizing the role of class struggle or warfare. To quantitatively test these theories, we develop a general dynamical model, based on the theoretical framework of cultural macroevolution. Using this model and Seshat: Global History Databank we test 17 potential predictor variables proxying mechanisms suggested by major theories of sociopolitical complexity (and >100,000 combinations of these predictors). The best-fitting model indicates a strong causal role played by a combination of increasing agricultural productivity and invention/adoption of military technologies (most notably, iron weapons and cavalry in the first millennium BCE).

The impact of political programs on Lebanese television on political knowledge of the youth

The study aimed to find out the effect of watching political programs on Lebanese television on the level of political knowledge of Lebanese university youth and the extent of their dependence on them, according to many variables. The study also aimed to apply the test of hypotheses of the knowledge gap theory. The researcher used the descriptive approach, to achieve the aim of the study, through the "questionnaire tool", which was implemented on an intentional non-probability sample of (400) single Lebanese university students in Beirut, which included a set of questions related to questions and hypotheses of the study. And its goals and variables. The researcher came out with many conclusions. The important ones are: In general ,viewing the political programs in the Lebanese satellite channels was medium among the participants, the high level came in the second place while the law level got the third and last place. The political knowledge among the participants was high; the participant with middle political knowledge was in the second place while the low political knowledge came in the third place. There is a non-statistically significant correlation between the volume of exposure to television channels and the size of political knowledge of the respondents. There is a statistically significant correlation between the size of the respondents' political knowledge and the degree of their interest in the political issue raised. 5- There are statistically significant differences between the respondents in the size of political knowledge, according to the variable of the economic and social level.

Strategies for boosting students’ enrolment into business education programme of colleges of education

<span>A close observation in recent times has shown a steady decline of students’ enrolment into business education programme especially in the colleges of education. The situation is becoming worrisome considering the social implications it has on the education industry. Thus, the study was conducted to determine strategies for boosting students’ enrolment into business education programme of colleges of education in Delta State. Design of this research was descriptive survey and 118 business education lecturers in the colleges of education in Delta State participated in the survey. Data were collected with questionnaire. The results of data analysis showed that the respondents agreed that the attracting and retaining strategies considered in the study were necessary frameworks for boosting students’ enrolment into business education programme. The test of hypotheses showed that irrespective of the years of work experience of the respondents, their responses did not differ significantly. This indicated that the examined attracting and retaining strategies were critical for boosting students’ enrolment. It was concluded that the attracting and retaining strategies determined by the study are effective means of reversing the steady decline of students’ enrolment experienced in recent years at the colleges of education in Delta State, Nigeria.</span>

BUSINESS PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN ANAMBRA STATE

The growing significance of SMEs cannot be overemphasized in view of its contributions to the economic growth of the State through employment. The major objective of this study is to establish the relationship between Business Planning and the Performance of SMEs in Anambra State. The specific objectives are: to examine the relationship between benchmarking and earned income of the operators of SMEs in Anambra State; to ascertain the relationship between brand identity and deduction for goods returned to SMEs operators in Anambra State and to determine the relationship between accuracy of the action plan and discounts in SMEs in Anambra State. The study was anchored on McClland’s theory of needs, goal setting theory, social and recognition theories. Three research questions and Hypotheses which are in line with the objectives guided the study. The study adopted survey research design. Both primary and secondary data were used to carry out the study. A five point Likert scale structured questionnaire was used in collecting data. A sample size of 400 was obtained through the use of Taro Yamane and Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test the hypotheses. Findings from the test of hypotheses carried out indicates that there is a strong positive and significant relationship between benchmarking and earned income; that there is a significant relationship between brand identity and deductions for goods returned; finally, there is a significant positive relationship between accuracy of the action plan and discounts in SMEs. Since there is a positive strong relationship between decomposed variables of the independent and dependent variables then we concluded that business planning plays a crucial role in determining the performance of SMEs. The researcher recommends among others that every SMEs need to embrace business planning for effective performance.

THE IMPACT OF FIRM SIZE, LEVERAGE, AND LIQUIDITY ON SUSTAINABILITY REPORT DISCLOSURE WITH PROFITABILITY AS MODERATING VARIABLE

This study aims to examine the effect of firm Size, leverage, and liquidity on the level of sustainability report by using profitability as a moderating variable. Firm samples were gathered from Sri-Kehati Index of Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period of 2016-2019. Applying purposive sampling technique, as much as 56 observations are available for further analysis. Test of hypotheses were conducted by using moderated regression analysis (MRA). Results support hypothesis one suggesting larger firm size is associated with higher sustainability report disclosure. Meanwhile, hypothesis two is rejected suggesting that leverage has no effect on sustainability reports disclosure. The results of this study also reject third, liquidity has no effect on the disclosure of sustainability reports. As for moderating variable, the results show that profitability does not affect the relation between firm size, leverage, and liquidity with sustainability report discolure. Results of this study are expected to serve as a guideline for companies to assess the benefit of sustainability report disclosures. As for investors, the results may help investors in making investment decision.

INFLUENCE OF THE USAGE OF SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION

<p>The study investigated the influence of the usage of social networking sites on academic performance of students in Entrepreneurship Education. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population consisted of 120 students (60 males and 60 females) from University of Calabar in Nigeria. A questionnaire with a-4-point rating scale was used to elicit responses from the respondents. The instrument was tested for reliability using Cronbach Alpha, and it yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.89. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and t-test to test the hypotheses at a confidence level of 0.05. The findings from the study revealed that the motives of students using social networking sites include: connecting with family and friends; searching for new friends; online news; entertainments; information sharing, chatting, downloading music and movies and searching for study materials. It was also found that the usage of social networking sites had strong positive influence on the students. Similarly, the test of hypotheses indicates that there is significant difference in the motive of using Social Networking Sites (SNSs) by male and female students in Entrepreneurship Education. Besides, it was found that there is a significant difference in the opinion of male and female respondents on the influence of social networking sites usage on the academic performance of male and female students in Entrepreneurship Education. The implication of the study is that social networking sites could be used as educational resource in order to improve academic performance of both male and female students. However, usage of the networking sites may also influence academic performance negatively. Teachers and counselors need to particularly take notice of this for necessary remedial actions. Based on the findings, it was recommended that Universities and lectures in particular should adopt the usage of social networking sites to enhance teaching and learning in Entrepreneurship Education and other related disciplines.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0789/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Teachers’ Perception on the Challenges of Utilizing Problem-Based Learning in Teaching Computer Science in Public Senior Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt Metropolis

This study investigated teachers’ perception on the challenges of utilizing Problem-Based Learning in teaching computer science in public senior secondary schools in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. This study adopted descriptive research design. Two research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide this study. The population for the study comprised one hundred (100) computer science teachers in the thirty six (36) public senior secondary schools located in Port Harcourt metropolis of Rivers State. Census sampling procedure was used to obtain one hundred (100) computer science teachers as the sample size due to the manageable size of the entire population. A structured questionnaire titled “Teachers’ Challenges of Utilizing Problem-Based Learning in Teaching Computer Science in Public Senior Secondary Schools in Port Harcourt Metropolis” (CUPOBALETCOS) was used for collection of data. The questionnaire was validated by experts. Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the instrument which gave a value of 0.84. Mean and standard deviation were used to analyse data and test of hypotheses was done with the use of z-test statistics. Results obtained from the findings revealed that the challenges of utilizing the Problem-Based Learning approach in teaching computer science and the aids to the utilization of this approach in teaching computer science were highly perceived by computer science teachers in senior secondary schools in the metropolis of Port Harcourt, Rivers State in Nigeria. Based on the findings, it was recommended that: Professional programmes, in addition to training exercise, need to be carried out frequently to enable teachers to get acquainted with the utilization of innovative teaching approaches and combat the associated challenges. Administrative duties or demands of teachers should be adjusted in order to have enough time for utilization of innovative teaching practices in the classroom. Curriculum for Problem-Based Learning should be fully introduced in the secondary and primary school education, so as to have facilitators who can help students by facilitating the Problem-Based Learning practices in the learning environment.

Integrated Reporting Disclosures and Firm Value of Listed Insurance Companies in Nigeria

This study empirically investigated integrated reporting and corporate financial performance of listed insurance companies in Nigeria for the period 2010 to 2019. The study employed ex post facto and correlational research design. The sample size of the study consisted of insurance firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The data for the study was obtained from the published annual financial statements of the sampled insurance companies and descriptive statistics, diagnostic test, unit root test, was used for data analysis while multiple regression analysis for the test of hypotheses. The result from the regression analysis revealed that integrated reporting positively and significantly affects the corporate financial performance of listed insurance firms in Nigeria. Also the control variables of debt, liquidity, corporate size and risk suggested both negative and positive significant influence on corporate financial performance of listed insurance firms in Nigeria. The paper concluded that integrated reporting affects the corporate financial performance of listed insurance companies in Nigeria. Therefore, the paper recommends amongst others that the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) should make the adoption of integrated reporting compulsory across companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in a bid to improve the relationship between integrated reporting and financial performance of firms.

Narcissism, risk and uncertainties: Analysis in the light of prospect and fuzzy-trace theories

Purpose This study aims to analyze the relationship between the nonpathological traits of narcissism and decisions under conditions of uncertainty and risk in light of the prospect (PT) and fuzzy-trace theories (FTT). Design/methodology/approach This paper conducted an empirical-theoretical study with 210 Brazilian academics from the business area (accountants and managers), using a self-reported questionnaire to collect data. This paper analyzed the data through descriptive statistical techniques, correlation, test of hypotheses and logistic regression. Findings The results point to a lower disposition of respondents to narcissistic traits, although the characteristics of self-sufficiency, authority, exploitation and superiority have been demonstrated. Most participants chose the sure gain in positive scenarios and risk in light of possibility of losses. However, those with high levels of narcissism showed higher propensity to make risky decisions, both in positive and negative scenarios. Research limitations/implications The empirical results about risky decision-making behavior of individuals with narcissist traits spur further investigation on the impacts of attitudes and behaviors in organizations as they are affected by psychosocial factors. These attitudes and behaviors, reflected in administrative and financial reports, influence future decisions of investors. Originality/value The interaction between the areas of business administration and psychology in regard to the effects of the narcissist personality trait and the FTT is both original and valuable for the business area. The simplest scenario based on the FTT theory can help eliminate issues around the interpretation and complexities of calculations regarding decision-making scenarios in PT format.