The Performance Evaluation of State Grassland Ecological Compensation and Rewards—A Case Study in Yili, Xinjiang, China

Since 2011, the State Grassland Ecological Compensation and Rewards(GECR) had implemented in 13 provinces (regions) in China. This policy controlled livestock carrying capacity on pasture and provided subsidies to pastoralists, aimed at reducing livestock number on grassland, increasing income of pastoralist households, and restoring degraded grassland ecosystem. Taking Nileke County of Xinjiang, China as a case study, this research evaluated the ecological, economic and social performance of GECR in agro-pastoral area. Using annual series data during 2006-2010 and 2011-2015, the change of grassland ecological condition, household living standard and labor population was compared between the two periods, and the influence of GECR were validated and detailed with semi-structured household interviews. The results showed that after 2011, livestock number in pastoral area decreased. In contract, the livestock in agricultural area showed large growth. Farmers’ livestock use pasture through grazing transaction, which means farmers paid herders to graze their livestock on the herder’s pasture. Widespread transactions between farmers and herders led to overgrazing on pasture and grassland degradation. GECR also had no significant contribution on improving household income and encouraging livelihood transition. The policy had no significant benefits in ecology, economy and society in case area. Based on the findings, we put forwards suggestions from three aspects: improving the design of the GECR policy, establishing performance evaluation system, strengthening the supervision and punishment of grassland overgrazing and improving local human capital quality .

Top Management Team Shared Responsibility and Non-Financial Performance of Star-Rated Hotels in Uganda: The Moderating Role of Innovativeness

This study aimed to examine the moderating effect of innovativeness on the relationship between Top Management Team Shared Responsibility (TMT) and non-financial performance of star-rated hotels in Uganda. A positivism research philosophy and an explanatory research design with a cross-sectional approach were adopted, while a multi-stage sampling technique; stratified and simple random techniques was used to collect quantitative data using self-administered questionnaires to a sample of 265 managers from 53 star-rated hotels. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed and a hierarchical regression model was used to test the set hypotheses. Results indicate a positive, significant relationship between TMT Shared Responsibility and non-financial performance. Innovativeness as a predictor of non-financial performance and also exerts a moderating effect on TMT Shared Responsibility and Non-financial performance of star-rated hotels in Uganda. Based on the findings the study concludes that under high level of innovation, TMT Shared Responsibility highly imprives non-financial performance of star rated hotels. Thus, hospitality management should create a conducive environment for innovativeness through research and development, rewarding creative ideas and responding to changes in the hospitality environment as these enhance performance. The novelty of this research resides in the moderating role of innovativeness in enhancing non-financial performance of star-rated hotels. Also, conceptualization of the TMT Shared Responsibility and innovativeness as intangible resources for enhanced performance.

Perception of Women on Commercialisation of the Nigeria-Canada Indigenous Vegetables Project in Southwestern Nigeria

The paper investigated the perception of women toward the commercialisation of the NICANVEG indigenous vegetables project. A survey research design was used for the study. Samples of 390 women (300 for quantitative and 90 for qualitative) were used for the study. The samples were selected from three out of the four states in Southwestern Nigeria where the project took place between 2011 and 2014. Two adapted instruments titled “Questionnaire on NICANVEG Project and Commercialisation (QNPC)” and “Interview on NICANVEG Project and Commercialisation” (INPC) were used to collect data. Data collected were analysed using percentages, relative significant index, chi-square and software package (Atlas ti) statistical analyses. The results showed that 182 (60.7%) of the women expressed a positive perception towards the commercialisation of the product. It was showed that the extent of involvement of women in the commercialisation indicated that 78.0% of the women participated in full-scale commercialisation of NICANVEG indigenous vegetables. Again, the result showed the major challenges facing commercialisation of the vegetables were expensive farm equipment ( = 3.57, RSI = 0.719), untimely fund ( = 3.53 RSI = 0.711) and poor market prices of vegetables ( = 3.32, RSI = 0.666). Above all, the result showed a significant relationship between levels of participation in the training on NICANVENG indigenous vegetables project and the extent of commercialization of the product (χ2 = 111.865, p < 0.05). The study concluded that positive perception of the participants had enhanced the commercialization of the indigenous vegetables.

Exploring Small and Medium Scale Manufacturing Firms and Quality Management of Medicinal Material Supply in a Developing Economy: The Ghanaian Perspective

The quality of herbs used to make herbal medicinal products largely influences the safety and effectiveness of these herbal treatments. It is therefore important to investigate the extent to which manufacturers are ensuring the quality supply of herbal medicine used in production of herbal medicine. This study examines how small and medium scale manufacturers assure the quality and continual improvement of the raw materials (raw materials) used for production of medicinal products in a developing economy, the state of Ghana, and the methods used by the company. The study adopted exploratory research design. Using interview quide with open ended questions, data was collected from 88 respondents (small and medium scale manufacturers and their representatives). The data was analysed using NVivo 11. Findings of the study indicated that herbs were collected from the wild (forest), physical inspection of the herbs and best manufacturing practices, good relationship management or collaboration were measures used to promote quality of raw material supply. Also, proper documentation or recording of processes and quality measures do not have much attention or acceptance among Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs).