Showing papers in "Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies in 2015"

Towards an Innovation Culture: Enhancing Innovative Performance of Malaysian SMEs

Abstract: The ability to have high level of innovative performance is essential in competitive global market, particularly for small and medium-sizes enterprises (SMEs). SME is the cutting edge of economic policy debate which innovation can be one of the engines of the growth. An examination of the relationship among organizational learning, innovation culture, and innovative performance leads to a conceptual framework that can help SMEs structure their business strategies and practices to keep them aligned with dynamic market. The framework may guide SMEs sector how to adopt innovation activities in their practices to gain a desirable performance in the competitive environment. A pilot study was conducted with a sample of five SME entrepreneurs from Malaysia participated in this study. A series of interviews were conducted among these entrepreneurs to probe into their outlook on innovation culture. The results showed that SME entrepreneurs highlighted the importance innovation culture via organisational learning in their business activities. Although some entrepreneurs perceived innovation culture is difficult to nurture, it serves as a key trend shaping their innovative performance in term of generating new ideas, knowledge and skills. In sum, this study generates agenda for researchers to reach more conclusive evidence about the practice of innovation culture and innovative performance among SMEs in Malaysia. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2p85

The Business of Lobbying in the European Union

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to give an overview of the developments in the European lobbying arena and its main actors. The thesis is based on the latest studies in this field. Along with the dynamic development of the European institutions, the number of interest organizations at European level increased. Besides the EU institutions, the private actors operating at the European level can be divided into two main groups: the group that protects business interests and the group that does not protect them. After the first direct elections for the European Parliament and the adoption of the Single European Act, an increase of lobbying activities in EU is noticed. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p445

Differential Roles between Owner and Manager in Financial Practice that Contributes to Business Success: an Analysis on Malaysian Small Business

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to assess the moderating effect of business owner and manager in financial practice towards business success in Malaysian small business. To meet the research objectives, this study employed survey method where the unit of analysis is the individual respondent consisting business owners and managers. A sample of 302 data was considered as the final sample size for the current study. Using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), moderating effects were observed to test the hypotheses. The results indicate that, the owners and managers do have different moderating roles in financial practice to guide the business success in Malaysian small business. Thus, this research conveys an understanding to the entrepreneurs regarding the difference of ownership and managerial role to achieve the business success swiftly. Finally, the current study brings some implications to the policy makers and regulators as well. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n1s2p123

Board Characteristics and Firm Performance: Evidence from Nigerian Quoted Companies

Abstract: The broad objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between board characteristics and corporate performance. Time series data from 166 firms quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange market from 2005 to 2012 in the Food and Beverages sector was used for the study. We adopt the log of profit after tax as the measure of performance. The study found a positive and significant relationship between independent directors on audit committee and firm performance in Nigeria. The study suggests the need for a competent and sizeable board and a cut down on the waste of resources on too frequent board meetings as the findings reveals that there is a negative relationship between board diligence and performance. The study also gave emphasis on the need to strengthen the independence of audit committee to continuously achieve the control mechanism and oversight functions. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p283

How useful are the main existing theories of ethnic conflict

Abstract: This paper explores the utility of these theories in terms of the extent to which they explain the phenomenon of ethnic conflict and provide a basis for meaningful intervention. It argues that given the multi-dimensional nature of ethnic conflicts, there is no single theory that is robust enough to explain the origin and dynamics of ethnic conflict and although each of these theories has significant contributions to understanding the phenomenon, they are all limited in their explanatory, predictive and prescriptive ability mainly as a result of their implicit bias regarding the origin of ethnic identity. It suggests that a framework that incorporates all the strengths of these major theories can explain how all the different factors, they highlight, interact to trigger ethnic conflict; and this will in turn produce balanced narratives that will drive more effective intervention policies and programs in specific contexts. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p147

Financial Inclusion and Turkey

Abstract: Financial inclusion is the most recent item to be added explicitly to the social inclusion agenda and promotes the need for access among all segments of society to a range of financial services at affordable cost. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have played a crucial role in boosting the economy, increasing employment, and creating industries. However, many SMEs in developing economies lack access to loans and lines of credit. With global financial crisis, developing economies have started to promote financial inclusion, especially greater access to financial services for SMEs, as part of their overall strategies for economic and financial development. In this perspective, this study provides a survey of progress on financial inclusion in Turkey on the basis of SMEs. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n1s2p269

Reading Comprehension Problems Encountered by Foreign Language Students, Case Study: Albania, Croatia

Abstract: Reading Comprehension is a crucial component of second language acquisition. As a core part of language learning it is, obviously, not an effortless process. Students often complain of not understanding a text, therefore they fail in answering to the comprehensive questions. Unfortunately, this is a reality evidenced and proven from unsatisfactory results of students in English Language Matura Exam in Albanian high schools (as these students have been the objective of this study). In this context it is very important to reveal why do students have difficulties in comprehending a text. At first, it is necessary to detect the problems that generally appear along this process. In this context, focus should be given to questionnaires as their results are good detectors of problems encountered by students. This would direct us to a proper strategy for problem solving and improving the situation. The survey in question was submitted to students from three different high schools in Albania, using questionnaires, sample texts, observations, focus groups etc. Second, theories related to these problems and strategies that could be of help should be provided. Basically, theories and approaches of Reading Comprehension are: 'bottom-up', 'top-down` and ‘the meta cognitive view’. Third, but not less important, focus should be given to questionnaires as their results are good detectors of problems encountered by students. This would direct us to a proper strategy for problem solving and improving the situation. The survey in question was submitted to students from three different high schools in Albania, using questionnaires, sample texts, observations, focus groups etc. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1s1p91

Deregulation of the Nigerian Telecommunication Sector:Interrogating the Nexus Between Imperialism and Development

Abstract: This study investigates the deregulation of the Nigerian Telecommunication Sector within the precinct of Imperialism and development. This is premised on the fact that Nigeria’s Telecommunication sector has not only been moribund over the years but has more importantly been dominated by foreign and local bourgeoisies after its deregulation in 1999. In view of this, the study borrows from Structural Imperialism which argues that the elites in the Centre and Periphery states connive, indeed conspire to undermine development in the latter. It relies heavily on the use of secondary data, by virtue of the nature of the work, thus probing the dynamics of these Centre/Periphery trajectories. Findings reveal that certain levels of development have been recorded in the Telecommunication sector particularly in terms of contribution to the Nigerian economy through the ubiquitous provision of telecommunication lines, especially the mobile phones. Similarly, jobs have been created within this sector in terms of its contribution to Nigeria’s GDP profile. However, beneath these efforts, the predatory and materialistic character of the foreign and local bourgeoisie, a permanent feature of the post-colonial Nigerian state remains the greatest bane of the growth of this sector. The study concludes that until this “unholy alliance” between the foreign and local bourgeoisies is demolished, the deregulation effort of the federal government will remain a mirage. To this end, it recommends an immediate measure to increase the legislative oversight of the regulatory body, Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) over the activities of the foreign mobile operators in Nigeria, while not neglecting, indeed promoting the indigenous operators of the telecommunication services in the country. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p173

Influence of Gender on Teachers’ Self-Efficacy in Secondary Schools of Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract: The study investigated the influence of gender on teachers’ self-efficacy in public secondary schools of Kisumu County, Kenya. Bandura’s (1989) Social Cognitive Theory guided the study. The study employed the mixed methods approach within which a concurrent triangulation design was used. The target population was 1790 teachers in 143 public secondary schools from which a sample size of 327 teachers was drawn using stratified random sampling. Questionnaires and interview schedule were used to collect data. Piloting helped to clarify the test items, determine construct validity (r = 0.564 for items expected to have similar responses and r = -0.325 for items expected to have different responses) and establish internal reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.9976). Two experts in Educational Psychology established face validity of the data collection instruments. Qualitative data was transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). The MANOVA results revealed that there was no statistically significant influence of gender on teachers’ self-efficacy, but the qualitative results revealed that gender had an influence on self-efficacy of teachers in co-educational and Boys’ schools. The study recommended that teacher counsellors be empowered to counsel female teachers on the challenges of teaching in co-educational and Boys’ schools. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3p189

Collaborative Strategic Reading to Enhance Learners' Reading Comprehension in English as a Foreign Language

Abstract: Teaching reading to students in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is not a simple task. Teachers use various strategies to enhance students' reading skill. These strategies are applied at pre-reading, during reading and post-reading stages. One common strategy is Collaborative Strategic Reading (CSR). CSR has been in practice since 1980. The theoretical foundation of CSR based on Vygotsky’s theory of social constructivism. The main four stages in CSR are preview, click and clunk, get the gist and wrap up. All the four stages have been described in detail. Through CSR, EFL learners learn various skills such as brainstorming, predicting, monitoring understanding, and finding the main idea. The findings of the previous studies support the idea of the effectiveness of CSR. Of course, teachers can play important role in the successful implementation of CSR. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p161

Ownership Structure and Dividend Policy of Conglomerate Firms in Nigeria

Abstract: Dividend policy is considered an integral policy in company decision that can have a big impact on the investors’ reaction. This study examines the effect of ownership structure on the corporate dividend policy in the line with agency context. This study covers the period of ten years (2001-2010), with a sample of eight (8) conglomerate firms, consisting of 80 firm-observations. Data were extracted from the annual reports of the conglomerate firms. The empirical results depict a positive association between dividend pay-out and institutional ownership as well as block-holders ownership, but a negative association with managerial ownership. The results reveal that the higher the institutional and block-holders shareholdings the higher will be the firm dividend pay-out. The result also suggests that dividend policy is used by managers expropriate the shareholders wealth. In line with the result, it is recommended that conglomerate firms in Nigeria should encourage more shareholdings by institutions as well as block-holders to reduce the opportunistic practices through dividend policy. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2p279

Supply Chain Risk Management for the SME’s

Abstract: Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are a vital component in economic development and bring benefits to the country as they provide employment, increase income, and foster economic growth. However, SMEs have many shortcomings including small size, short capital, and reliance on support from the government. In addition, SMEs are usually companies that are less structured, with small management group, inadequately organised, as well as having informal risk management structure. This study argues for the benefit of adopting SCRM in Malaysian SME. Supply chain risk management (SCRM) focuses on supply chain risk phenomena and provides models for the analysis of several types of supply chain risks that occur in both supply and demand sides of the supply chains. The purpose of SCRM is to recognise the potential supply chain uncertainties and prevent the uncertainties with appropriate action. SCRM is made of four basic categories; risk sources, risk consequences, risk drivers, and risk mitigation strategies. This study focuses on risk mitigation strategies that should be implemented by SME to overcome challenges that they faced. The main problem is that there is lack of knowledge in the application of SCM, especially SCRM in the context of SMEs. In fact, there are still plenty of companies that have not establish a structured supply chain risk management and mitigation system and unaware of supply chain disruption risk management. Therefore, this study seeks to examine risk mitigation strategies and their effect on the company’s performance in Malaysian SME’s. Data was collected through survey questionnaire and the respondents consist of SMEs located in Malaysia. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and findings indicate that there is significant relationship between risk mitigation strategies adopted by the SMEs and their company performance. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n1s2p151

Risk Factors of Poor Posture in Children and Its Prevalence

Abstract: Postural deviations are a common problem among children caused by long-term effects of poor posture induced by different factors of modern lifestyle. Television, video entertainment, motorized transportation, fast food and lack of regular physical activity and weight gained are the most common risk factors of postural deviation in children. In this review article we investigated and analyzed recent data about the prevalence of postural deviation among children and the risk factors that influence the occurrence of these deviations among children. To gather as much as possible scientific data we used “Jab Ref” as a research-sector focusing more in navigating on Medline, Google Scholar and Inspire options that this program contain. As selection-criteria of scientific articles we collected were these key words such as: poor posture, risk factors, postural deviation and children. This review article shows that the prevalence of poor posture in children caused by inactive lifestyle has increased this last decade. There are scientific data even why “obesity” is not considered “as the primary factor” that affects the occurrence of postural deviations in children but as a risk factor that increase the probability of its occurrence. It is very important to emphasize that the existence of poor posture in children is necessary to be diagnosed earlier than growth process finishes in order to prevent its aggravation. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3p97

Impact of Culture on Organizational Development: Case Study Kosovo

Abstract: In today's environment of competitive business, the level of satisfaction of the requirements of the market is an increasingly more important element for organization to be effective. For this reason, each enterprise has its culture which provides the basis for the recognition of behavior in it and one of the key factors for its success. In the literature we often encounter the culture in terms of environment in which enterprises operate, but often the object of our study was the culture in the society. However, the culture can be discussed in the context of its impact on an enterprise, and that in essence it does not differ from the discussion of culture in the society. Also the in an enterprise is based on certain values and norms. Since studies have shown that companies that have been successful in the market for a long time have had a strong organizational culture but also adaptable, we will try that through this paper to analyze how culture affects on an enterprise, giving the fact that culture has a significant impact, both on the organizational effectiveness of competitive advantage or as a controlling and integrated mchanism in a business organization. We Will also understand how organizational culture can facilitate but also prevent changes in organizations with an enterprise culture, and those organizations with a rigid culture such as bureaucratic organizations. Through this work we aim to answer several research questions related to organizational culture in an enterprise, with a special emphasis in Kosovo.This project shows which factors affect organizational culture, as we view the organizational culture, as a whole of values, traditions, norms, standards of conduct, and common expectations within an enterprise. To achieve this goal we stop pause to review the factors that influence organizational culture in an enterprise, and finally to identify the impact of dimensions of organizational culure on the organizational effectiveness in enterprisess in Kosovo. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2s1p206

Trafficking in human beings in Albania

Abstract: This research was conducted to show that trafficking is a major problem of our society after the 90s, when Albania came from the isolation of the communist regime and entered the transition stage. Human trafficking included not only exploitation for prostitution, but also illegal transportation of immigrants, the use of children and many other trafficking types. The trafficking took place individually in the beginning, then in a more organized form. The women and children were more affected by trafficking. Even the persons belonging to the poorest social strata were also affected by trafficking. Children belonging to the Roma and Egyptian communities were and are more exposed to the various exploitations and trafficking. Albania is seen as a destination of exploitation for prostitution of women coming from other countries in Eastern Europe. According to data, 8000 Albanian women are exploited for prostitution purposes in different European countries. The performed studies show that the number of trafficked persons increased during 1997-2001 and after 2002 the Albanian government took austerity measures to curb this bad phenomenon of our society. These kinds of trafficking seriously violate fundamental human rights protected by the European Convention of Human Rights. This study showed that trafficking as a phenomenon can be prevented if the Albanian government takes precautions against this trafficking as coercive measures and creates favorable conditions for the education of children and awareness of Albanian society to fight against these phenomena that violate the fundamental rights of Human beings such as the right of every man not to be enslaved by others, but to live his life with dignity and to put themselves on his life. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p57

The Use of Social Media for Academic Purposes in Student’ Learning Process

Abstract: Social media has a great impact on student’s lives. They spend a considerable part of their time on these pages. Social media includes social networking sites (SNSs), virtual gaming sites, video sites, projects sites and blogs. Millions of students are using these Web 2.0 tools worldwide, there hasn’t been much research regarding the educational use of social networking. The purpose of this study is to investigate attitudes toward the use of social media in learning process. The findings suggest that social media and social network sites in particular can be very useful as an educational tool. Students using SNSs as a supplement to their curriculum showed that they loved spending time on SNSs, and exercises, videos and other sharing in group are useful for their academic purposes. The paper concludes with suggestions for improving academic purpose and it highlights the fact that every educator must regard how their current teaching standard can be improved or how they could perhaps be replaced because of a prevalent web. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2p393

Oil Price Volatility and Stock Price Volatility: Evidence from Nigeria

Abstract: The goal of this study is to empirically estimate a model that helps to explain the behaviour of stock price volatility, movements in oil prices and real exchange rates in Nigeria using quarterly data from 1990 to 2012. Statistical and econometric techniques such as the Error Correction Mechanism (ECM) and the Bi-variate GARCH model were used to test for the relationships and to check if volatility in oil prices are transmitted to stock prices in Nigeria. The study showed that oil price volatility generates and stimulates stock prices volatility in Nigeria. The authors recommended that the excess crude oil revenues should be transform into physical capital and infrastructure rather than distribute the windfalls to the state and local government, a situation that ensures easy transmission of oil prices into the Nigerian economy. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p253

The Role of Leadership in Achieving Sustainable Organizational Change and the Main Approaches of Leadership during Organizational Change

Abstract: In this research paper is analysed the role of leadership in organizational change and is identify the main approaches that leaders implement during organizational change. The leadership role in process of organizational change is very necessary and the responsibility of leadership is due of continuous development of organizational environment and evolutions of internal and external environments in organizational change. The process of change is associated with different difficulties and during process of change, leadership is challenged from these difficulties and in same time they have to create sustainable organizational change through their authority in decision making, experiences, educations and interpersonal relation within organization. In process of change, leadership has different approaches and in this research paper is used effective approach of leadership and transformational leadership approaches. Then, as main objectives that are defined in this research papers, are as following: What is the main features and challenges in process of change? Which is the role of leadership in organizational change? What is the impact of leadership toward outside development and ethical behaviour in process of change? Which are the main actions that leaders need to have in process of change? Which are the main approaches of leadership in process of change? DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3p65

Exploring Diplomatic Crisis of Nigeria and South Africa between 1994 and 2013

Abstract: Nigeria’s relations with South Africa were of double standard during the apartheid era. The post-independence Nigeria and the apartheid regime in Pretoria relations were sour and confrontational, while it was friendly between Nigeria and the liberation movements in South Africa, especially with the African National Congress (ANC). It was more so because Nigeria adopted Africa as the centerpiece of its foreign policy, and committed itself to the total liberation of the African continent from colonialism and racism. Nigeria staged untiring opposition to colonialism on the African continent, and the racism that existed in South Africa before 1994. The beginning of a new era started in the final days of apartheid in South Africa when President de Klerk visited Nigeria in April 1992 to discuss bilateral issues, mostly trade relations. The paper examines, however, Nigeria and South Africa’s diplomatic fluidity since re-establishing formal relations in 1994 in order to understand the causes of the misunderstanding and the effect on both countries’ relations and suggest better ways to foster their relations. The study argues that Nigeria plays big brother roles in Africa from 1960 but is now unable to continue with such big brother projects. South Africa on the other hand quickly recognized economic opportunities in Africa and seek to establish neo-imperial post in the continent. However, the study suggests that the two African giants can have a smooth relations but Nigeria needs to step up its development in order to create parity with South Africa to help them form alliance of strength for Africa. It also notes that South Africa is the real giant of Africa, but Nigeria covers her internal weaknesses while engaging in diplomacy, especially with South Africa. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p65

Fashion Conscious Consumers, Fast Fashion and the Impact of Social Media on Purchase Intention

Abstract: The fashion conscious segment is an influential force within the fashion industry, which has been facilitated by the growth of the new media. However, very little research has looked at the behaviour of fashion consciousness consumers, and the impact of the social media with regard to the adoption of fashion trends and purchase intention. The study investigates the correlation between positive negative conversation in social media channels, fashion conscious consumers and increase of decrease of purchase intention. Data was gathered from a self-administered questionnaire online which was sent to women and men ages 21-65, using Google Drive. A questionnaire of 276 respondents has been encoded and the scales have been adjusted. Validated tests were performed using Step Wise linear Regression. The hypotheses that fashion conscious consumers are more influenced by social media buyers’ reviews and discouraged by a negative opinion was confirmed. The study, contributes to a further theoretical understanding of the fashion conscious segment, impact of social media social media, and shopping behavior. The fast fashion segment which adopted late the social media will have to adapt to the increase impact of social media amongst different types of segments DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3s1p173

Mandatory International Financial Reporting Standards 7 (IFRS 7) Disclosure by Listed Banks in Nigeria

Abstract: The paper assesses the extent of mandatory compliance with international financial reporting standards 7 (IFRS7) by fourteen listed banks on the Nigerian stock exchange. Using a disclosure checklist of 132 mandatory disclosure requirements, the study covers a two year period of 2012 and 2013. Findings from the study reveal non-compliance with disclosure requirements. However, compliance is above average for the two years under study, an improvement is nonetheless recorded if the two years of the study are compared. Based on the result, it is recommended that monitoring and enforcement mechanisms of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) especially on bank surveillance should be given urgent priority in view of the complex nature of banking and the need to mitigate banking crisis in Nigeria. Although Nigeria is only two years into the adoption process, banks in Nigeria can do better than what is reported in the current study. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2p435

Distributed Leadership and Empowerment Influence on Teachers Organizational Commitment

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of school distributed leadership (DL) on teachers’ organizational commitment (TC) and to investigate if teachers’ empowerment (TE) mediates the relationship between distributed leadership and teachers’ organizational commitment. The study distributed 750 questionnaires to the sampled respondents out of which 550 or 73% were returned. However, after excluding questionnaires with serious missing information 499 usable returned questionnaires were used for this study. The study used SPSS and AMOS (versions 16.0) to analyze the data collected. The findings indicate that school distributed leadership has considerable effect on teachers’ organizational commitment (standardized coefficient .39). The study also proved that teacher empowerment considerably mediates the relationship between distributed leadership and teachers’ commitment (standardized coefficient .26). As for the implications, the findings of this study bring to the fore the need for head teachers, zonal directors and other stakeholders to find more means of distributing leadership in secondary schools in order to enhance teachers’ commitment and empowerment. The study is one of the few studies conducted to investigate the influence and the relationship of distributed leadership on teachers’ organizational commitment and the mediating role of teachers’ empowerment on distributed leadership and teachers’ commitment, in Katsina state in particular and Nigeria in general. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1s1p73

Biblical Research in Africa: Historical Jesus Quest in Inculturation Perspective

Abstract: The Historical Jesus research is a very interesting and challenging academic enterprise especially as it relates to Africa. This type of research is new in Africa but is being attempted by African scholars. The historical Jesus research is gradually gaining ground in Africa especially in South Africa. However, the African scholar needs to explore more ground on this department of research in biblical studies. Therefore, using the inculturation paradigm, this paper aimed at reconstructing the historical Jesus research in Africa. The work showed that historical Jesus research is new in Africa but have been attempted by African scholars with a view to making it more constructive to African Christianity. Unlike Reimarus’ and Schweitzer’s opinion that separate Jesus of history from Jesus of the Christian faith, African scholars see Jesus of Nazareth as the same with Jesus of Christian faith. More significant meanings are made when African Christology is formulated within inculturation design such as African languages, symbolism, etc. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2p183

Production Subcontracting: A Policy Issue for Small and Medium Scale Manufacturing Industries in Nigeria

Abstract: This study set out to examine production subcontracting as an alternative policy strategy for the development of small and medium scale industries in Nigeria. Using a purposive random sampling, the study selected 50 SMIs from 100 SMIs identified from the industrial directory of the study area. Based on the literature, harnessing economic potentials of SMIs in Nigeria will continue to be a mirage since several policies aimed at SMIs development have not stand the test of time due to poor and erratic implementation. Analysis carried out in this study showed that while 63% of the respondents (SMI operators) were motivated to use production subcontracting process because it reduces their cost of production, 20% of the respondent made use it because of the market it creates for their products. Similarly, there was a general acceptance of the process as reducing cost of operation; improving service quality, enhancing core business capacity and creation of markets were the most commonly accepted benefits of production subcontracting by the respondents. This paper therefore recommended that subcontracting processes be made an industrial policy or infused into the existing SMI policies so as to make them more proactive and pragmatic in the development of SMIs in Nigeria. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2p375

The Contributions of the Christian Missionaries in Building the Nigerian Nation, 1840-1960

Abstract: Much of the existing works on the history of the evolution of modern Nigeria seem to be concentrated on the activities of three principal bodies from Britain: the British explorers, the British traders and the British colonial administrators. Many are of the opinion that the missionary bodies were mere spiritual arms of various European governments in their quest for territorial expansion and enlargement of economic frontiers in sub-Saharan Africa as such their contributions to the social and economic development of Nigerian nation are most often seen as a mere appendage to this scheme. Nevertheless, the galvanizing of the diverse people of Nigeria may not have been achieved by the mere order of British royalty. Even the tools of military, economic and political impositions were not enough to nurture a national consciousness. There was the wrestling down of traditional cultural/tribal consciousness, educational re-tooling of the mind and the personnel training in preparation for nationhood. This is the gap that this paper has filled. The missionary activities in Nigeria, especially their educational programs helped to whip-up the consciousness of a shared identity and helped to train a new set of elite that championed the course of nationalism and constituted a virile leadership for the young nation at independence. The paper made copious use of recorded history of missionary involvement in shaping the society and training its first generation of leaders and of observable evidences of continued impact of the emergent churches on the social, cultural, political and economic life of present-day Nigeria. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2p159

Father and Daughter Relationship and Its Impact on Daughter’s Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement

Abstract: Present study examined the father and daughter relationship and its impact on daughter’s self-esteem and academic achievement. Sample is comprised of total 321 unmarried adolescent girls aged 13 to 21 whose fathers are alive and they are living together. The Quality of Relationship Inventory, Rosenberg self-esteem scale were used to measure quality of father-daughter relationship and self esteem. Academic achievement was assessed through participant’s reporting on demographic sheet. It was a survey design, participants were asked to fill the above mentioned battery of tests including demographic sheet and researcher remained there to answer any query. For the analysis of results, descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. The correlation between quality of Father-Daughter relationship with self esteem, academic achievement, found significant at 0.01 alpha level. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p311

Job Security and Performance: Case Study of the Albanian Public Administration

Abstract: Job security in a simple language is defined as the knowledge that your job is permanent as long as you want to be. Defined in this way is understandable that job security involves the emotional part of the individual, and in the other hand is a real challenge for the organization for the consequences it may have. For that reason job security is treated as an important practice of human resources management and not like an isolated episode. Public organizations operate under several pressures, as politics, legal framework, group of interest. The main purpose of this paper is to present the main theoretical approaches related to job security and how it is perceived in influencing performance. Further, in a more practical level, other purpose of this paper is to analyze the relationship of job security with performance seen in two levels; individual and organizational. To realize the goals of this paper are following two main ways. Initially he conducted a theoretical picture of attitudes to assess performance and its position in view of the performance of public administrator. Later in order to answer to key questions of research is designed and distributed a questionnaire on the Albanian public administration whose data are processed further. At the end of this work based on literature review and practical results are reflected some recommendations and conclusions. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2p19

Building Parent-Teacher Partnerships as an Effective Means of Fostering Pupils’ Success

Abstract: Nowadays teachers and other school personnel are aware of problem behaviors among students stemming from different reasons. Awareness of these problems in the classroom is a first step toward preventing disruptive attitudes which are likely to negatively affect classroom environment. Educators and researchers are trying to encourage parent-teacher partnership in the 9th grade educational system as an effective means of improving students’ academic success, as well as reducing behavioral problems. Teacher parent relationships can be the most critical component affecting student’s learning. Thus, it is most important to get to know the family and share the accomplishment and improvements of the student. Students’ learning improves when the teachers communicate with parents on a broad range of issues. Good communication is central to cooperation and support. So in recognition of the importance of parent cooperation and support of children’s education, educators are calling on schools to promote partnerships with parents aiming to improve their pupils’ progress. This paper aims to answer questions such as: How can schools’ directories increase parental participation? What can schools do to foster positive parental involvement? How much would parental participation help in reducing behavioral problems in the classroom? Therefore building a parent-teacher partnership would be a positive solution of decreasing behavioral attitudes of students in the classroom environment. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1s1p101

School Type and Students’ Academic Performance in Social Studies in Junior Secondary Certificate Examination (JSCE)

Abstract: School type determines the level of performance in social studies by students at the junior secondary certificate examination (JSCE) This paper examined the difference in academic achievement of students in both private and public secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State Research question was formulated to guide the study The sample size was 940 respondents drawn from both private and public schools Ex-post facto design was used for this study and t-test analysis was adopted to analyze the data The findings of this study revealed that students in private secondary schools performed better in Social Studies than those in public schools Based on the result, conclusions were drawn, recommendations made and suggestions for further research offered DOI: 105901/ajis2015v4n2p421

Spatial Trend and Management of Road Traffic Accident Fatalities in Nigeria

Abstract: Nigeria has an unenviable record of road accident fatalities when statistics of road traffic accident across the globe are contrasted. The magnitude of road traffic accident in Nigeria has been known to vary significantly among the various traffic corridors located in all the states of the federation. The occurrence of accident is somewhat influenced by the level of economic and social development at the state level. This paper attempt to provide an insight to the spatial and geographical dimension of Road Traffic Accident in Nigeria over time. Adequate attempt has been made to examine the relative impact of the Federal Road Safety Commission in its effort to achieving its mandate. The methodology of study involved the ranking of the states of the federation and federal capital territory using available records of road accident fatalities. This is with a view to provide insight to the need for variation in the application of accidents prevention strategies across the states of the federation. The paper advocated for the application of accident prevention strategies with due consideration of the uniqueness of the distinctive spatial attributes of each states. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v4n1p25