Effects of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction in Nepalese Commercial Banks

Service Quality and customer satisfaction have long been recognized as playing a crucial role for success and survival in today's competitive market. This study has tried to discover the impact of service quality on customer satisfaction in Nepalese commercial bank. A structured questionnaire with 5 point Likert scale has been used to collect the data by conducting survey. The sample size is 392 and is chosen on a convenient basis. Data has been analyzed by using SPSS software (version: 22).Both primary and secondary sources of data are collected and used. Result of the study shows that tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy significantly and positively influence customer attitudes in terms of satisfaction, i.e. service quality dimensions are crucial for customer satisfaction in public, private and joint venture commercial banking sector in Nepal.The Journal of Development and Administrative Studies (JODAS) Vol. 24 (1-2), pp. 1-16

Factors Determining the Technical Efficiency of Rural Households in Dak Lak Province of Vietnam

Most agricultural programs generally aim at helping poor households.They become the cornerstone to enhance some self-employed activities. Thus, identifying factors which are significant to extend their existing skills and income-generating opportunities is considered an important step in designing a program to improve performance of rural households. This paper derives some statistically significant determinants of the technical efficiency of rural households and gives some implications for poverty reduction efforts in rural areas of Ea H’leo district, Daklak province.The Journal of Development and Administrative Studies (JODAS)Vol. 24 (1-2), pp. 17-24

Demographic and Socio-economic Factors Affecting Antenatal Care Services Utilization in Nepal

In Nepal, Antenatal care (ANC) services seeking behavior has improved since the 1990s. More pregnant women are seeking the services now than ever. Still a relatively high percentage does not seek even a onetime ANC care and the percentage of women who seek 4 or more ANC care from a skilled service provider is still low. Research in developing countries shows that various demographic, social and economic factors influence the utilization of ANC services and the number of times the care is sought by pregnant women. This paper examines the likelihood of utilization of ANC services 4 or more times in relation to women’s demographic, social and economic status in Nepal. The 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data set has been utilized by applying bivariate logistics regression analysis technique to examine the effects of these variables in 4 or more ANC use in Nepal. The analysis findings show large variations and gaps in the utilization of ANC care based on demographic, social and economic status of women. Against this finding, the study recommends implementation of appropriate policy and program measures by the government and other agencies to address the existing variations and gaps in ANC services utilization among different sub-groups of women in Nepal. Further research studies focusing on the existing barriers in ANC services utilization need to be conducted in Nepal especially among the women who are disadvantaged and marginalized. The Journal of Development and Administrative Studies (JODAS)Vol. 24 (1-2), pp. 71-87

How Homogenous are the Madhesis? Implications for Inclusive and Affirmative Agendas

Ethnicity, social inclusion/exclusion and inequality have been much more important and also equally debatable issues in contemporary Nepal. Some scholars (Bhattachan, 2009, 1995; Gurung, 1997; Gurung, 2012; Lawoti, 2005, 2012; Mabuhang, 2012) argue Bahuns, particularly hill Bahuns is the most privileged group with highest access to resources and opportunities and all other non-Brahmans such as Janajatis, Dalits, Madheshi, Muslims, and so on are the most deprived/excluded groups with least access to resources and opportunities. This paper, in contrast, based on NSII(2014) data, argues that Madhesis is neither a single nor a homogeneous group rather it is a broader caste/ethnic category which includes a number of Tarai/Madhesh caste/ethnic groups distinctly different from each other in terms of education, health, economy and politics. Some caste/ethnic groups, within Tarai/Madhesh groups or Madhesis, have better access to resources and opportunities and other Tarai/Madhesh groups have poor access to resources and opportunities. This kind of intra-group inequality can also be observed within all caste/ethnic groups of Tarai/Madhesh; Tarai Brahman/Chhetri, Tarai Dalit, Tarai Janajati, other Tarai Castes, and Muslims including heterogeneous Bahuns (Gautam, 2015). Therefore, Madhesis, as broader Tarai/Madhesh caste/ethnic group, is neither a single nor a homogeneous group rather it is a heterogeneous category with wider inter-group inequality in terms of access to resources and opportunities. The Journal of Development and Administrative Studies (JODAS), Vol. 24 (1-2), pp. 25-38

A Note on Lapsi Production in Bhaktapur District of Nepal

Lapsi (Choerospondias axillaris: an indigenous fruit tree of Nepal) is grown in temperate climate. The study of socio-economy of Lapsi Fruits in Bhaktapur District of Nepal was conducted in 2016. Bhaktapur district is selected on the basis of coverage area of Lapsi production, processing small scale industries, marketing value and its use by consumers. Forty respondents are selected and interviewed for group discussion and collection of primary and secondary data from different institutions. The coverage of production area of Lapsi fruits is 198.0 hectare and total production is 105.0 metric ton with productivity of 0.9 metric ton per hectare. The harvested Lapsi fruits are sold to local and urban markets. Major processed products of Lapsi fruit are Candy sweet, Candy hot, Titaura, Mada, Pickle, Jam and Lapsi powder. The overall average cost of production of Lapsi fruits is NRs. 2250.0/ropani and gross return NRs.7150.0/ropani with net profit of NRs4900.0/ropani. Therefore, the benefit cost ratio is 3.1. The wholesale prices of the products Mada, Titaura, Candy sweet, Candy hot, Pickle, Jam and Powder are NRs,.105.0/Kg, NRs.158.0/Kg, NRs.175.0, NRs. 190.0/Kg, NRs290.0/Kg, NRs225.0/Kg and NRs275.0/Kg respectively. The study findings suggest that improved varieties of Lapsi fruits should be disseminated to local farmers to increase in production. Government policies should be clear to facilitate Lapsi fruits producers with loans of minimum interest. The quality products of Lapsi candies should be exported as it helps to earn foreign currency and promotes economic development of Nepal.The Journal of Development and Administrative Studies (JODAS)Vol. 24 (1-2), pp. 63-70

Growth and Structural Changes in the South Asian Economies of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka

South Asian region is characterized by developing economies with varying degrees of socio- economic development. These economies find low position in terms of human development at the global level. The South Asian economies are now being looked upon with high growth potentials. India is emerging as one of the fastest growing economy in the world and other economies are also showing better growth momentum. Sri Lanka has been especially showing better growth realization for the last one decade. But with regard to Nepal, growth momentum now seems to be getting weakened after showing better prospects earlier.Economic growth and structural changes generally go together in developing economies. This helps in realignment of sectoral behavior and productivity. We examine these issues in this paper. Moreover, we analyze growth trend in the South Asian economies of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Besides, we compare the structural changes in the three economies with the help of an index (NAV) along with the growth pattern. The study covers different periods for these economies while using secondary data. Trend growth rate, acceleration test and index of structural change (NAV) are used for analysis. These analyses suggest varying levels of growth performances in the three economies. However, relationship between growth rates and structural transformations does not get statistical support in any of the economies. The Journal of Development and Administrative Studies (JODAS), Vol. 24 (1-2), pp. 39-62

Sexual Violence and Consequences of Unintended Pregnancy among the Street Based Sex Workers in Nepal

Unintended pregnancy, concerning particularly in street based female sex workers (SFSWs) who solicit in streets or public places for sex, is closely associated with sexual relation involuntarily and often unwillingly. It seriously challenges in physical, mental, social and economic wellbeing hazardously. The aim of the study is to explore the sexual violence, use of contraception and events and consequences of unintended pregnancy, the study of which is lacking up to the present time in Nepal. A cross-sectional study is conducted using mixed method consisting of questionnaire-based survey with 110 SFSWs along with case studies and observations. Respondents are identified by using snowball sampling technique. The findings are presented descriptively after arranging in different themes. Results show that almost all the SFSWs had experienced sexual violence at least once after involving in sex trade; 74 percent had threatening experience and 87 percent induced abortion among the unintended pregnancy from clients. The results indicate that the forced prostitution and threatening experience to follow clients' interest and unprotected sex are significantly hazardous for SFSWs' overall health. High prevalence of sexual violence and unintended pregnancy result in poor health outcomes for SFSWs. Assuring the sexual health and life safety of SFSWs from group sexual violence is another risk area for further exploration.

Climate Change Adaptation related Hindrances among Rice Farmers in Nepal: Farm Level Analysis

The objective of this study is to measure the hindrances of climate change adaptation among rural rice farmers in Nepal and its possible way forward. This study was done in seven districts, one district from each of seven provinces, where three from Terai region (i.e. Bara, Dang and Kailali) and four from Hilly region (i.e. Ilam, Sindhuli, Syangja and Surkhet) of Nepal. A structural questionnaire with both closed and open - ended questions were prepared and used to obtain required information from 773 rice farming households from the targeted study areas. Interviews were conducted for the crop year 2016 and for the main season rice cultivation in Nepal covering from June/July to October/November of each year (i.e., monsoonal cultivation of paddy). Results show that, factors such as inadequate operational capital, poor access to weather forecast and climate change information, inadequate awareness program on climate change from government and non-government agencies are the major barriers for over 90 percent of the farmers surveyed by this study. Similarly, about 80 percent of the sample surveyed farmers opined that high cost of improving seeds, fertilizers and irrigation, inadequate knowledge on coping mechanism or in building resilience and inadequate access to credit facilities are the major hindrances to them for addressing weather and Climate Change (CC) related vagaries. Hence, the empirical results drawn from this study suggest that there is an urgent need in Nepal for greater investment at agrarian sector to address these farmers’ level constraints and including supports for improving access to market and credit issues to farmers ( institutional and policy supports). Poor and ultra-poor farmers are more vulnerable from the vagaries of climate change, thereby immediate actions are needed from Ministry of Agriculture, and newly set up local government units in terms of more public investments at local and national level to enhance the climate change resilience of smallholding and poor farmers of Nepal.

Invisible Corruption in Iraqi Universities: Causes and Solutions

Corruption is a global phenomenon driving towards the non-productive activities, and its result becomes more risky if corruption is widespread. Corruption in high education institutions has detrimental consequences on the quality of education, the student’s ethics, the future opportunities for students, and the quality of future leadership. This paper aims to explore the role of universities in the spread of invisible corruption at the Iraqi high education sector. The main research problem is an attempt to explore the role of students, academic and other staff in the spread of invisible corruption at the Iraqi high education sector, and what best solution are used to limit its effects. This study pursues both deductive and inductive approach and uses the analysis which is supported by both theoretical evidence and statistical techniques. The study was conducted at the University of Basra and the Southern Technical University, where, the sample included professors with experience and specialization in the field of teaching and analyzing corruption in high education. The results showed limited visible corruption in the Iraqi education sector, while Invisible corruption was the most common in the Iraqi high education sector, because of the difficulty of discovering its practices. The spread of this type of corruption was due to the common interests between students and academic and administrative bodies. This requires Popularizing the culture of integrity and exposing corruption and its dangers in the external and internal community levels of Iraq's high education sector.

Demographic and Socio-economic Factors Affecting on Health Facility Delivery in Nepal

In Nepal, health facility delivery has improved since the 1990s, but child health delivery facility is still low. In 2001 about 9 percent of the births was delivered at a health facility (MoH, New ERA, and ORC Macro, 2002) which increased to 35 percent in 2011 (MOHP, New ERA, and ICF International Inc, 2012) and further increased to 57 percent in 2016 (MoH, New ERA and ICF, various 2017). This is a rapid increase in health facility delivery since 1996 but still nearly one-half of delivery take place at home. Research in developing countries shows that demographic, social and economic factors influence the utilization of health facility for delivery of births. This paper examines the likelihood of health facility delivery in relation to women’s demographic, social and economic status in Nepal. The 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) data set has been utilized by applying bivariate logistics regression analysis technique to examine the effects of these variables in health facility delivery in Nepal. The analysis findings show large variations and gaps on delivery care based on demographic, social and economic status of women. Against this finding, the study concludes that there is a need for the implementation of appropriate policy and program measures by the government and other agencies to address the existing variations and gaps in utilization of health facility for delivery of births among different sub-groups of women in Nepal. Further research studies focusing on the existing barriers in health facility delivery need to be conducted in Nepal especially among women who are disadvantaged and marginalized.