Annals of Humanities and Development Studies

Technological Innovativeness and Growth: A Study of Small- scale Manufacturing Firms in Lagos State, Nigeria

2020-08-26T12:45:54+00:00

The study determined the extent of the relationship between technological innovativeness and growth of small-scale manufacturing firms in Lagos State, Nigeria. The independent variable (technological innovativeness) was operationalized into product-oriented and process-oriented innovativeness while the dependent variable (firm growth) was operationalized into (sales growth, employment growth, growth in firm size and market shares growth). Data were subjected to Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation analysis to determine the relationship between the identified variables and the extent of relationship was explored with simple linear regression analysis using the statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23.The association between the independent and dependent variables were low to moderate. Product-oriented innovativeness had moderate positive correlation with sales and employment growth while the process-oriented innovativeness had low positive correlation with firm size.

Key words: Technological innovativeness, business growth, productoriented innovativeness, process-oriented innovativeness.

Social Cleavages, Regime Type, and Economic Systems in Africa

2020-08-26T12:54:10+00:00

Since achieving independence, economies of African nations have struggled to grow. Nearly all countries in Africa have dealt with economic crisis, corruption, poor governance, political conflicts, and poverty in one instance or another following independence. This study argues that politically stable countries are likely to experience increased economic growth despite the political regime. This paper holds that regime type, whether democratic or authoritarian does not necessarily matter in economic performance. What is critical is to provide a stable and predictable environment for investors and development to take place. The paper highlights the best model, which includes all the factors deemed critical for growth. The paper concludes that for any economic growth to be experienced there is need for political stability, control for corruption, and inclusion of all groups in the political system. The paper also found that some political indicators such as political rights and civil liberties are not significantly important in economic growth. This conclusion builds on the hierarchy of needs that economic growth is more important to people than civil liberties, political rights, or regime type in general. Democracy is necessary, though certainly not sufficient, to achieve economic growth.

T’EBI B’ATI KURO NINU ISE, ISE BUSE: The Dilemma of Conceptualizing Poverty Among the Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria

2020-08-26T13:02:35+00:00

Societies all over the world have defined their existence based on the understanding of their environment, but their contacts with other cultures have often redefined their existence. Such is the case with the conceptualization of poverty in the contemporary world. Central to the question of poverty among the Yoruba of Southwestern Nigeria was the necessity of food. Today, the definition of poverty has extended far beyond this point. Indeed, the ‘new’ definition seems to have become elusive as it is popularized through western images. As the concept of poverty becomes increasingly elusive, development continues to be a mirage. This paper shows this dilemma as developing nations seek to redefine their existence. Except the people return to the basics, underdevelopment and the perpetuation of poverty shall continue to be inevitable.

Key words: Poverty, western images, Indigenous knowledge, underdevelopment.

Social Protection for Disability in Central Uganda: A Human Development Perspective

2020-08-26T13:09:59+00:00

There is ample empirical evidence of the nature and functioning of formal and informal social protection systems in Uganda, but few studies have
examined their implementation and influence on the lives of youth living with disabilities. This study contributes to the discourse on this subject by
exploring the meaning and functioning of social protection strategies among youth living with spina bifida and hydrocephalous in central Uganda. Using data from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with youth living with the disability, focus group discussions and key informants, we observed a widespread knowledge of social protection systems among the respondents. Overall, social protection is understood by these individuals as encompassing all measures implemented to address their perceived social exclusion and other forms of vulnerabilities related to their disability condition. A philosophical twist to the design and implementation of social protection is recommended, by integrating the human development model of disability which—unlike the widely used medical and social models of disability— places the elements of the health conditions, impairments and their causes and consequences on the wellbeing of these vulnerable individuals at the core of the theoretical discourse.

Key words: Social protection, spina bifida and hydrocephalus, disability,Uganda.

Comparative Analysis of Multidimensional Welfare Deprivation Among Women in Rural and Urban South- South Nigeria

2020-08-26T13:17:42+00:00

This study examined multidimensional welfare deprivation of women in rural and urban South- South (SS) Nigeria. Secondary data from Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS, 2013) were used for this study. A total number of 1965 women in rural and 1275 in urban SS were covered in the study. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and fuzzy analysis. The mean age of women was 34 years in rural SS and 28 years in urban SS. The highest level of education was complete primary education in rural SS and complete secondary in urban SS. This level of education had effect on their deprivation status because women in rural SS were less educated and more deprived than women in urban SS. In The mean household size was 6 in rural SS and 5 in the urban area. The Deprivation Index for rural women ranged from 0.05 to 0.89 with a mean value of 0.39 in rural SS and from 0.19 to 0.96 with a mean of 0.29 in urban SS. In the study area women had a Deprivation index between 0.000-0.9000 in both rural and urban SS. Women in urban SS had higher deprivation than those in rural SS; this can also be related to their educational attainment since the urban women were more educated than the rural women. For women’s deprivation status to be improved, the rural community should be educated on the need to improve on their housing and sanitation standards and autonomy. Also interventions in the area of housing and sanitation and education should be made in urban SS.

Keywords: Deprivation, Multidimensional Poverty, South- South Nigeria, Welfare, Women,

Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Gender Equality in Top Leadership Positions at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2020-08-26T13:23:16+00:00

Women are continually experiencing under-representation in higher education management throughout the world, especially in Tanzania. This study investigates the perception of the university community, specifically women on gender equality in the topmost academic leadership positions such as Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vicechancellor, Directors and Deans of Colleges. The following questions were addressed in the study, which was informed by the feminist theory: What is the current female representation at the UDSM top management? What are the stakeholders’ views on the position of women in top management posts? What are the barriers for the full participation of women in top management posts in the University of Dar es Salaam? Qualitative case study design and purposive sampling technique were used. Semi-structured interviews and an in-depth documentary review were used for data collection while thematic analysis was used to generate the themes that emerged in data analysis. Several issues such as women marginalization in top leadership positions, failure on on the part of women and patriarchy system elements are still strongly felt and experienced in top leadership positions in the University of Dar es Salaam. Women leaders are experiencing several gender stereotypical constrains, exclusion and gender stereotype posts. There is need to intensify efforts at publishing so as to attain the professorship cadre and the college should have a serious mission for ensuring gender balance in top leadership posts while suppressing the background gender
stereotypical posts.

Strategizing for Sustainable Peace and Security Model in Africa: Rethinking Hybridization

2020-08-26T13:27:23+00:00

There is a growing concern over the reckless marginalization of traditional African indigenous peace mechanisms by Africans in favour of Western models, and its consequent liability for the upsurge of intractable conflicts and insecurity in contemporary Africa. In this paper, we discuss strategies for overcoming these contemporary peace and security challenges confronting our societies. Models for forging robust security management and conflict resolutions are proposed.

Keywords: Peace, Security, Africa, Conquest.