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Effect of Cooperative Membership on the Economic Empowerment of Women in Osun State of Nigeria
Taiwo Abdulahi Olabisi,
Udunze Ugochukwu MacDonald,
Agbasi Obianuju Emmanuela
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
21-29
Received:
29 January 2015
Accepted:
19 February 2015
Published:
2 March 2015
Abstract: Cooperative societies are organizations that have primary aim of providing needs of their members and enhance the quality of their members’ livelihood. As such the study examined the effect of cooperative membership on the economic empowerment of women in Osun State of Nigeria. Data were obtained from 375 women cooperators across two senatorial zones of Osun State. Data obtained were analyzed with both descriptive statistics and inferential model of regression, T-test, ANOVA non parametric correlation test as well post –hoc test. Evidence from the study revealed that socioeconomic variables of the respondents are determinant factor for their membership in cooperative society. It was also revealed that women cooperative societies in Osun State are involved in different economic empowerment activities that are accessible and capable of empowering women in Osun State. Findings also revealed that economic empowerment activities of women cooperatives have positive effects on the level of entrepreneurial skills acquired by the women cooperators in Osun State. Therefore, in a bid to strengthen the economic empowerment efforts of women cooperative, the following recommendations are made necessary, the cooperative incorporate adult education as part of their empowerment programme. The cooperative should seek for more innovative skills and programmes that will boost economic status of the women cooperators. Since cooperative has membership effect on income level women should be encourage to join cooperative society if they want to improve their livelihood. Finally, extensions service should be provided with competent facilitators.
Abstract: Cooperative societies are organizations that have primary aim of providing needs of their members and enhance the quality of their members’ livelihood. As such the study examined the effect of cooperative membership on the economic empowerment of women in Osun State of Nigeria. Data were obtained from 375 women cooperators across two senatorial zon...
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Identification the Factors Influencing Customer Satisfaction on Service Quality in Jamuna Bank
K. M. Salah Uddin,
Nymatul Jannat Nipa,
Mamunur Rashid
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
30-35
Received:
29 January 2015
Accepted:
15 February 2015
Published:
2 March 2015
Abstract: The aim of this research was to examine the level of service quality as perceived by customers of Jamuna Bank Limited situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Literature tells us that if the banks are providing higher service quality then the customers are satisfied. Service quality measure is based on modified version of SERVQUAL as proposed by Parasuraman et al. (1988), which involve five dimensions of Service quality, namely Reliability, Responsiveness, Empathy, Assurance, and Tangible. One sample Z test analysis was employed to test the impact of service quality on customer satisfaction. The results of this study indicated that service quality is an important antecedent of customer satisfaction. It is apparent from the present study that banks in Bangladesh to seek and improve the elements of service quality that make the most significant factor of customer satisfaction.
Abstract: The aim of this research was to examine the level of service quality as perceived by customers of Jamuna Bank Limited situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Literature tells us that if the banks are providing higher service quality then the customers are satisfied. Service quality measure is based on modified version of SERVQUAL as proposed by Parasuraman ...
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The Drive for a Regional Hub Port for West Africa: General Requirements and Capacity Forecast
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
36-44
Received:
9 February 2015
Accepted:
15 February 2015
Published:
2 March 2015
Abstract: Currently there is a drive by a number of West African Ports to attain the status of hub port for the region. This has been driven largely by increasing container throughput in the region in addition to increasing costs for shippers; the latter being attributed to the lack of economies of scale and inefficiencies in ports. This study gathers from literature a consensus on the basic requirements or influential factors of a potential hub location. A survey is carried out to determine the relative importance of hub port requirements according to the major shipping lines operating in the West African region. From the survey, it was established that high port efficiency and performance, stable political environment of the country concerned, and adequate port infrastructure and handling facilities were the three most important requirements/influential factors respectively for a potential West-African hub port, according to the major shipping lines calling at ports in the region. In addition, container throughput levels for West Africa are analysed and a forecast of throughput levels made utilizing a regression model. On average, container throughput will increase at a rate of 10% per annum in West Africa for the next decade as the economies of the region also continue to grow with a forecasted GDP growth rate of about 11% per annum. The regression model expands on the relationships between certain economic factors and container throughput levels in West Africa.
Abstract: Currently there is a drive by a number of West African Ports to attain the status of hub port for the region. This has been driven largely by increasing container throughput in the region in addition to increasing costs for shippers; the latter being attributed to the lack of economies of scale and inefficiencies in ports. This study gathers from l...
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Determinants of Uganda’s Export Performance: A Gravity Model Analysis
Henry Tumwebaze Karamuriro,
Wilfred Nahamya Karukuza
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
45-54
Received:
16 February 2015
Accepted:
2 March 2015
Published:
6 March 2015
Abstract: Exports play an important role in Uganda’s economy, influencing the level of economic growth, employment and the Balance of Payments. Uganda has initiated several trade policy reforms aimed at promoting the export sector. However, Uganda’s share in total world exports is still very low. Given the central role of exports in the economy, it was important to identify the plausible factors affecting export flows between Uganda and its trading partners. Thus, this paper examines the factors affecting Uganda’s exports using an augmented gravity model of trade. The panel dataset used was for the period 1980 to 2012. The results suggest that Uganda’s GDP, importer’s GDP, importer’s GDP per capita, per capita GDP difference between Uganda and its trading partners, real exchange rate, official common language, and contiguity had a positive and statistically significant effect on Uganda’s exports. The study further, shows that the formation of COMESA and EAC had a significant positive effect on Uganda’s exports. On the other hand, Uganda’s GDP per capita and distance between Uganda and its trading partners had a negative effect on Uganda’s export flows. These results are important for trade policy formulation in order to ensure that Uganda’s export potential is exploited so as to enhance economic growth.
Abstract: Exports play an important role in Uganda’s economy, influencing the level of economic growth, employment and the Balance of Payments. Uganda has initiated several trade policy reforms aimed at promoting the export sector. However, Uganda’s share in total world exports is still very low. Given the central role of exports in the economy, it was impor...
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Scenario Analysis of Profits in Further Processing Lumber to Furniture in Ghana for Export: A Case Study of a Local Firm
Peter Kessels Dadzie,
Kwasi Frimpong-Mensah,
Martin Amoah,
Ernest Boampong
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
55-66
Received:
15 February 2015
Accepted:
4 March 2015
Published:
24 March 2015
Abstract: Scenario analysis was used to investigate whether incurring extra costs towards adding value to lumber through further processing is an economically viable venture or not. In-factory study, observations, records review and interviews were used to collect data on costs and incomes relating to lumber and furniture production and exports. The accounting rule for decisions to sell or further process a semi-processed product at the split-off-point was used to assess the profit level under each of five scenarios developed. Results revealed that, it costs €1,336 (66.80% of FOB value/m3 of furniture) to convert kiln-dried lumber to 1m3 of garden furniture which yields income of €2,073.13/m3. Scenario analyses indicated that, 1m3 of garden furniture in general could yield additional incomes in the range of €66.077 to €334.414 representing 12.4% and 62.7% respectively over the export values of lumber used. Three species (odum, mixed redwood and teak) were profitable with mixed redwood and teak respectively obtaining the highest (from 48.14% to 123.63%) and the lowest (from 37.59% to 9.44%) additional profits in relation to the FOB value of their kiln-dried lumber. In conclusion, maintaining costs and increasing production volumes appeared to be the best scenario for higher profits in furniture production. Also, further processing lumber to garden furniture for export appear profitable and should be encouraged as an economic decision towards high revenue generation. It was recommended that the three profitable wood species should be considered for plantations by stakeholders in the afforestation and reforestation of degraded forests in Ghana to ensure their continuous availability for the furniture industry.
Abstract: Scenario analysis was used to investigate whether incurring extra costs towards adding value to lumber through further processing is an economically viable venture or not. In-factory study, observations, records review and interviews were used to collect data on costs and incomes relating to lumber and furniture production and exports. The accounti...
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Supply-Chain Coopetition
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 2, April 2015
Pages:
67-71
Received:
24 January 2015
Accepted:
9 February 2015
Published:
31 March 2015
Abstract: This paper addresses the power struggle among supply chain partners. It is asserted that when firms are collaborating to deliver value in the market; the creation of critical asset requires more than just monopoly ownership of supply of a resource over competitors. A critical asset can only be truly owned and/or controlled effectively to leverage value if there is a dominance of one party in an exchange relationship over another. The implication is that to better understand the rent-earning capability of any supply chain resource, the relative power attributes of both buyer and supplier must be understood. Specifically these rents are earnings in excess of the firm's costs of production that are not eroded in the long run by new market entrants. In economic terms, rents persist in long-run equilibrium while profits tend towards zero.
Abstract: This paper addresses the power struggle among supply chain partners. It is asserted that when firms are collaborating to deliver value in the market; the creation of critical asset requires more than just monopoly ownership of supply of a resource over competitors. A critical asset can only be truly owned and/or controlled effectively to leverage v...
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