One of the most controversial issues in the distribution world is whether companies should contract out the various elements of the distribution function or whether they should…
Abstract
One of the most controversial issues in the distribution world is whether companies should contract out the various elements of the distribution function or whether they should operate them on an ‘in‐house’ basis. Dan Pettitt, with long and substantial experience in the transport world, has seen it from both sides; as Chairman of SPD — an own account performer — and currently of the NFC, a professional distribution service company provider. Thus he describes himself as ‘poacher turned gamekeeper’; whilst being receptive to the ‘own account’ argument, he believes that the case for purchasing a total service from a separately controlled distribution service company, especially a professionally‐based transport company, grows stronger daily.
The effect of transport on company profits In the next few years, there will be an increasing awareness of the separate and frequently unique contribution that transport makes to…
Abstract
The effect of transport on company profits In the next few years, there will be an increasing awareness of the separate and frequently unique contribution that transport makes to the total profit performance mix of companies, as many isolate total distribution activities as cost and profit centres. This was stated by Mr. Dan Pettit, Chairman of Britain's National Freight Corporation at a recent two‐day conference in the UK sponsored jointly by The Times newspaper, the Institute of Purchasing and Supply and the Administrative Staff College, Henley.
Charlemagne Dossou Seblodo Judes Gbemavo, Joelle Toffa, Cyrille Tchakpa, Yêyinou Laura Estelle Loko, Gustave Djedatin, Eben-Ezer Ewedje, Azize Orobiyi, Paulin Sedah and Francois Sabot
The purpose of this study is to evaluate rice farmers’ perceptions on the manifestations of the climate change and identify efficient strategies and determinants of adoption of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate rice farmers’ perceptions on the manifestations of the climate change and identify efficient strategies and determinants of adoption of these strategies in the Republic of Benin.
Design/methodology/approach
Surveys were conducted using participatory research appraisal tools and techniques, such as direct observation, individual interviews and field visits through a questionnaire for data collection. A total of 418 rice farmers across 39 villages located in the three climatic zones of the Republic of Benin were interviewed. Farmers’ perceptions, temperature from 1952 to 2018 and rainfall from 1960 to 2018 data obtained from meteorological stations were analysed using descriptive and inferences statistics.
Findings
All the surveyed farmers were aware of climate change and perceived diverse manifestations including the delay in rainfall regarded as the most important risk. They perceived that deforestation, no respect for the laws of nature and desacralization of morals, no respect for cultures and the traditional rainmakers are the main causes of climate change. The disruption of agricultural calendar and the reduction in rice yield were perceived as the main impacts of climate change in rice production. They used various approaches to adapt and mitigate climate change effects. The adoption of adaptation strategies was influenced either negatively or positively by the household size, land size, education level, membership to rice farmer’s association, training in rice production, access to extension services, use of improved varieties and the location in climatic zones.
Research limitations/implications
For each climatic zone of the Republic of Benin, weather data were collected in only one meteorological station.
Practical implications
The study showed that it is important to educate rice farmers on the scientific causes of climate change for better resilience. There is an urgent need to train rice farmers in irrigation and water management techniques to cope with climate variability. To promote irrigation, the authors suggest the establishment of a subsidy and credit mechanism by the government. Factors that influenced adoption of efficient adaptation strategies to climate events must be taken into account for future adaptation policies in the Republic of Benin.
Originality/value
This study provided an overview of the perceptions and adaptations of rice farmers along the climatic gradient in the Republic of Benin. Therefore, the knowledge of the determining factors of the adaptation strategies used by rice farmers could be used in the setting up of effective climate change resilience policies in Benin.
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Reviews current literature in the field of interlending and document supply. Topics covered include UAP, national library policy, public libraries, resource sharing, distance…
Abstract
Reviews current literature in the field of interlending and document supply. Topics covered include UAP, national library policy, public libraries, resource sharing, distance education students, electronic copyright management and charging between libraries.
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Hafiez Sofyani, Mahfud Sholihin, Zakiah Saleh and Che Ruhana Isa
This study examines the mediating role of three psychological contingent factors: collegiality, creativity, and job satisfaction, on the relationship between management control…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the mediating role of three psychological contingent factors: collegiality, creativity, and job satisfaction, on the relationship between management control system (MCS) implementation and performance of study programs in higher education institutions (HEIs). This study also examines the impact of contingent factors from organizational aspects such as HEI types, lecturer’s age, experience and qualifications.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a survey method with 581 permanent lecturers who were subjected to MCS at HIEs as respondents. A partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach, with mediation analysis, is used to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The results show that the implementation of MCSs, in both public and private HEIs, from the output and behavioral control dimensions is positively associated with the performance of the study programs, but input control is not. Additionally, creativity and job satisfaction are positively associated with the performance of the study programs, but not for collegiality. From the mediation analyses, creativity and job satisfaction mediate the relationship of all dimensions of MCS in relation to performance, except for one, namely, creativity does not mediate the relationship between behavioral control and performance. The analysis, however, reveals that collegiality does not mediate the relationship between all MCS dimensions and performance. The results of the multigroup analysis on different HEI types (public vs private) and demographic factors are discussed further.
Practical implications
The study’s findings offer valuable guidance for authorities on designing MCS models to enhance HEI study program performance. It highlights seven key contingent factors to consider: collegiality, creativity, job satisfaction, HEI type, age, experience and educational qualifications.
Originality/value
This study addresses the research gap related to the design of MCS in HEIs, and the inconsistencies of their role in performance by examining the influence of seven contingent factors addressed in prior literature. By so doing, this study provides new insights into the impact of collegiality, creativity, job satisfaction, different HEIs types (public vs private), age, experience and educational qualifications on the relationship between MCS implementation and performance of HEIs.
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This paper aims to identify the effectiveness, student perceptions and impacts of integrating comics into the English as a foreign language (EFL) writing curriculum for…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the effectiveness, student perceptions and impacts of integrating comics into the English as a foreign language (EFL) writing curriculum for undergraduate Ecuadorian polytechnic students.
Design/methodology/approach
This research followed a mixed method design to obtain quantitative information through a researcher-made survey and paired T-test, which would be corroborated by the qualitative data obtained from semistructured interviews.
Findings
From the descriptive and T-test results and the interview answers, it is concluded that students have a favorable view of the effectiveness of using comics to improve their writing skills. They also expressed their engagement and motivation to work with comics.
Research limitations/implications
First, the research sample, comprised of 109 students, may restrict the generalizability of the findings beyond the specific context of this study. This constraint suggests caution in extrapolating these findings to broader student cohorts, emphasizing the need for larger-scale studies to validate the robustness and applicability of the outcomes. Second, the study’s focus solely on students from a polytechnic state university introduces a potential limitation concerning the diversity and representativeness of the participant pool. Consequently, the findings might be limited in their applicability and may not fully encompass students’ varied responses and attitudes from other educational backgrounds.
Practical implications
The scaffolding afforded by comics aligns with genre-based literacy perspectives, valuing instruction in textual genres and social purposes. From a practical pedagogical point of view, this paper’s results suggest the potential of comic narratives and storyboarding. Comics writing could be added to classroom activities to vibrantly aboard brainstorming, drafting and peer reviewing before dealing with higher-stakes assignments. Legitimizing alternative mediums like comics for academic writing tasks has social implications for promoting literacies in a multimedia world.
Social implications
Writing comics nurtures multiliteracies aligned with participatory digital cultures by expanding traditional linguistic-centric norms. This multimodal composing can potentially increase access and representation and amplify voices across identities and cultures.
Originality/value
Although the paper addresses a topic that is not entirely novel in research, its originality lies in its focus on data originating from Ecuador, where specific cultural nuances and educational contexts may influence the effectiveness of using comics to enhance EFL writing skills. Thus, it fills a gap in the existing literature on this subject.