Number Manipulation Strategy: A Model of Experiential Instruction and Interest in Arithmetic Learning of Pupils of Lower Basic Level in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study investigated the efficacy of the number manipulation strategy (NUMAS) as a model of experiential instruction and interest in arithmetic learning for pupils of lower basic levels. The population of the study consisted of 1205 lower basic III level pupils of the 2018/2019 session in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Enugu State. A sample of 121 primary five pupils from 4 schools out of 53 primary schools in the study area was randomly sampled. The 121 pupils were composed of 42 males and 79 females used for the study. The study was guided by four research questions and four hypotheses. The hypotheses were tested at a p<.05 level of significance. The instruments used for the study were Arithmetic Test (ART) and Mathematics Interest Inventory Questionnaire (MIIQ) developed by the researcher. The ART and MIIQ instruments were faces validated by experts and their reliability indexes were 0.85 and 0.79 respectively, established using Cronbach alpha and split-half methods respectively. The data obtained with the instruments were analyzed using mean, standard deviations (SD), t-test and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) statistics. Mean and SD was used in answering the research questions, while t-test and ANCOVA statistics were used in testing the hypotheses at P<.05 level of significance. The findings of the study showed that NUMAS is effective in teaching arithmetic, especially in enhancing the addition and subtraction skills acquisition of the pupils. Gender was found not to be a significant factor of variance in arithmetic achievement when the teaching of arithmetic is NUMAS based. The use of NUMAS was recommended to teachers, lower basic mathematics textbook authors and stakeholders in education, to ensure that NUMAS is adopted and adapted for use in Mathematics classroom instruction and learning.

The Role of Communication in the Process of Forming Market-Oriented Party (Mop): Its Importance and Approaches

This paper discusses the role of communication in the process of market-oriented political modeling. Our theoretical framework benefits from the idea of Lees-Marshment’s model, there are three types of parties that can help meet voters’ needs: product-oriented party (POP), sales-oriented party (SOP) and market-oriented party (MOP). The focus here is MOP, which means developing political policies on the ground of voters’ needs to gain from the voter “market”. The MOP approach relies heavily on effective party-voter communication, before, during and after an election. Specifically, the communication aspect in the process of the MOP approach is discussed, which covers political marketing as a social or communication process in image-building and different approaches in such communication. Various communication modes in gathering voter information are compared in terms of advantages and disadvantages, especially in trust-building and two-way (both verbal and non-verbal) communications. Lastly, a section related to political canvassing is also presented.

The Effect of Risk and Uncertainty Factors on Managerial Decision Making

This study evaluated the effect of risk and uncertainty factors on financial decision making. The long-term goals and ways for achievement are constantly attached with uncertainty since we don’t know the circumstances, either positive or negative, which happen later. Uncertainty is a key logical factor that influences the dynamic. The reason for this investigation is to check how risk and factors of uncertainty impact the financial aspects of a firm. The risk factors incorporate, financial risk, market fluctuations hazards, fluctuation of unfamiliar and loan costs. Uncertainty factors incorporate political, monetary and environmental uncertainty. The results reveal that management knowledge and expertise related to these factors are utmost important for effective decision making and sustainable growth.

Staff Assignment Rotation and Project Sustainability in South Sudan

The primary objective of this study was to determine the existence of a causal relationship between Staff Assignment Rotation vis-à-vis Project Sustainability in South Sudan. The research followed the qualitative methodology predicated on the “philosophical dimensions” of constructivism and interpretivism. The participants for the research consisted of 50 individuals drawn from four population groups: Refugees as the primary beneficiaries, humanitarian workers and project staff. Qualitative data collection was chosen as the research methodology and in-depth interview and focus group discussion as the research techniques in the data collection. Narrative analysis was the method of data analysis. The study revealed that 81 percent of the respondents indicated security as the single most important factor that impacts project sustainability. Staff assignment rotation followed with 16 percent. Data analysis was compartmentalized and looked at the profile of the respondents to see any noticeable variance from the functional perspective. Contextualizing the data helped to balance any perceived unbiased in the responses based on their functional affinity. In addition to Security as the prominent factor that impacts project sustainability, staff rotation, government regulation, and funding could also impact significantly depending on the context. The study recommends a comprehensive review of the current mandatory policy to align the operation management cycle; encompassing the project initiation, planning, implementation, monitoring and closure to the standard assignment length of staff assigned to implement these projects.

Corporate Social Responsibility in Cameroon: Practices and Environmental Impact

The purpose of this study is to examine how CSR is practiced by local businesses and their influence on environmental protection and sustainable growth in Cameroon. Grounded on the stakeholder theory, a multi-method data collection tool was used to collect data for qualitative analysis. A thematic content analysis was approached was used in this study to examine the CSR practices of 20 local businesses in Cameroon. Findings from the study revealed that the concept of corporate social responsibility is relatively new and local corporations are not fully equipped to address the needs of their stakeholders. Also, environmental concerns and community issues were not areas of concern to companies when adopting CSR strategies. Additionally, government intervention to enforce existing laws and regulations on environmental and social issues was lacking. The study implies that by neglecting environmental concerns local businesses are endangering the environment and failing to plan for sustainable growth. Besides expanding knowledge about the level of CSR awareness and practice in Cameroon by exposing the limitations of local companies in adopting CSR and the laxity of the government in enforcing the relevant laws and legislation. It is recommended, that to plan for sustainable development and environmental protection, the government should be more proactive in upholding laws and regulations related to environmental protection and businesses, being more ethical in their daily practices. CSR policies should also be codified to encourage and compel businesses on the need for environmental protection by requesting businesses produce mandatory CSR disclosures.

Influence of Brand Credibility, Satisfaction and Quality on Brand Equity in Non-Conventional Health Industry

Consumer perceptions of quality, satisfaction, and brand credibility are critical ingredients for developing healthy brands with high value in a competitive market. However, few authors have looked into the brand credibility`s intervening role in the effect of quality and satisfaction on brand equity in the non-conventional health industry. Hence, this paper sought to evaluate the mediating role of brand credibility in the effect of quality and satisfaction on brand equity in the non-conventional health industry. A covariance-based structural equation model was the analytical tool employed to evaluate the hypotheses stated in this paper. Data were gathered from 265 customers using a systematic sampling technique. The research confirmed that brand credibility contributes partially to the impact of quality on brand equity and completely to satisfaction on equity in the non-conventional health industry. Accordingly, this paper contributes to expanding the current brand management literature by demonstrating the brand credibility`s intervening role in the path between satisfaction, quality, and equity, particularly in the non-conventional health industry. This paper also adds to the brand manager`s knowledge of how to build and harness credibility, quality, and satisfaction to increase brand equity in the non-conventional health industry.

Enterprise Resource Planning Tools Management in Private Higher Education in South Africa

In this research on Enterprise Resource Planning Tools Management in Private Higher Education in South Africa, the study objective was to determine critical issues influencing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools selection in academic management in Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) in South Africa. A mixed-methods (qualitative and quantitative) research methodology was used to triangulate the results of the research from an interpretive position. The research analyzed and reported on subjective and quantitative data to ascertain knowledge about the participants’ recognition of critical issues affecting the management of ERP tools in academic management in PHEIs in South Africa. In this study, the following groups of participants were purposefully sampled: students, lecturers and management staff working in the three PHEIs in Gauteng. The study found that academic attainment in PHEIs could be enhanced through ERP tools management in ICT integration. The research outcomes suggest that there is enhanced coaching and students' personal interactions through online conference tools, a practice that may be backed up and carry the same weight and recognition as physical learning contact hours. Issues of integration in the selection of any robust, dynamic PHEI tools may call for a firm’s financial readiness and company-wide consultations with potential users of the system. Any HE ERP system that does not have a student portal, without integrated online issues of applications, checking of results, enhancement of teaching and learning but partly integrating one or two departments in isolation to others, may not be considered fit or robust as a higher educational ERP tool.

Lecturer Perceptions of General Education in Enhancing Self-Efficacy of Accounting Students

The research paper aims to obtain the perceptions of lecturers on the influence of General Education in enhancing the Self-efficacy of accounting learners. Interviews with lecturers from Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) were conducted to tap into their views on the aspect of General Education and establish y impact on learners’ Self-efficacy. The researcher has observed, over many years of lecturing experience at the university that some learners are eager to learn and can address new tasks, while others appear uninterested or unmotivated. Many learners display a high degree of faith in their skills, while others appear uncertain of themselves. The question then arises: What strategies can a classroom teacher or lecturer use to increase learners’ confidence to learn new material? There is an opportunity for the improvement of General Education skills that can enhance learner performance. Hence, the main strategy would be to incorporate General Education Modules into the curriculum. Similar to General Education skills, there is also a lack of Self-efficacy in current learners. Further attention must be devoted to General Education skills, as these are essential. Moreover, these skills appear to be very poor amongst current learners and respondents believed that Self-efficacy could have a positive effect on the academic performance of learners. Methods for enhancing Self-efficacy reveal that the main strategies should revolve around innovative teaching, learning and research methods; increasing skills development such as critical thinking and computer skills; and promoting more Self-efficacy based workshops and programs.

Effect of Mathematics Practical Work Instructional Approach on Mathematics Performance and Retention of Secondary School Students

This study determined if the practical work instructional approach (PWIA) affects senior secondary school students’ academic performance and retention of mathematics. The population of the study was 2709 SSS III students in the public secondary schools in the Nsukka zone of Enugu State, Nigeria. The study was guided by three research questions and three hypotheses. The hypotheses were tested at p£ .05 level of significance. A multi-stage sampling technique was adopted, through which 133 subjects were randomly sampled and used for the study. Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) instrument containing essay items and developed by the researcher was used for gathering data. The MAT was subjected to experts in Mathematics Education and Measurement and Evaluation areas for face validation and its reliability estimate was determined using the Spearman-Brown proficiency formula which yielded 0.85. The MAT was used for data collection. Data collected with the MAT were analyzed using mean and standard deviations (S.D) to answer the research questions while ANCOVA statistic was used to analyze the hypotheses (p£ .05). Results of the study revealed that the practical work instructional approach is effective in teaching and learning Mathematics. Gender was found not to be a significant factor of variance in mathematics performance when PWIA is used in mathematics instruction, among other issues found in the work. It was recommended to teachers to infuse PWIA in mathematics instruction for enhanced science/technology and entrepreneurship development and sustainability in Nigeria, among other issues.

The Economics of Higher Education in Nepal: Developing a Sustainability Plan

Nepal universities are in a delicate transition now. The enrolment of students is not encouraging; rather it is declining over the years particularly in public universities. Consequently, the outflow of Nepalese students has got momentum over two decades; and nearly a half-million Nepalese students are currently enrolled in foreign universities. The quality education in Nepalese universities is crucial for the return as well as the significant inflow of Nepalese students in the universities of their homeland. However, higher education requires a sustainability plan particularly for the resource generation and promotion of scientific research/publications. Long-term vision, mission, and strategic measures are particularly lacking in Nepal universities. This requires setting objectives and attainable milestones along with specific strategic measures and financial planning that are missing now. The contribution of this paper is twofold. First, it proposes a monitoring framework in the form of a regression model to use as a tool and observe the improvement in higher education in the country. Secondly, it has proposed a typical Sustainability Plan considered appropriate to Nepal; however, it might be equally replicable to other universities of the developing world. Moreover, it has also suggested measures to make such a plan a success.