This paper aims to test the political-economy hypothesis that country sizes are related with constraints associated with Chinese trade.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to test the political-economy hypothesis that country sizes are related with constraints associated with Chinese trade.
Design/methodology/approach
This study applies a generalized linear mixed approach on panel data of Southern African (henceforth SADC) economies from 2001 to 2014 to observe common Chinese trade patterns among SADC countries.
Findings
Empirical results support the hypothesis that structural differences exist and smaller SADC countries are disadvantaged in their trade relations with China.
Research limitations/implications
This paper is exploratory by nature. Its scope and the depth of analysis is constrained by data availability.
Originality/value
The manuscript has been approved by the author and has never been published, or has been considered for publication elsewhere.
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Emmanuel E. Baro and Joy Oyinnuah Asaba
In this digital age, students and researchers are less and less dependent on physical libraries. Any university library without internet connectivity is simply cut‐off from the…
Abstract
Purpose
In this digital age, students and researchers are less and less dependent on physical libraries. Any university library without internet connectivity is simply cut‐off from the rest of the world. Because they cannot provide quality and timely services to its users, neither can they communicate or share knowledge with others globally. The purpose of this study is to investigate the availability of internet connectivity in university libraries in Nigeria, and to bring to limelight their readiness to render quality services and communicate with the rest of the world.
Design/methodology/approach
The study covered the 104 universities in Nigeria made up of federal, state, and private universities. Out of the number, 86 university libraries responded to the survey. E‐mail and telephone interview methods were used to elicit data from the university librarians and senior library personnel.
Findings
The study revealed that despite the laudable directives from the National University Commission (NUC), many university libraries in Nigeria are still operating without internet connectivity. They are mostly the state‐owned and private university libraries. This may be why many programs in the universities are either suffering from partial or no accreditation from the NUC Accreditation Team. Many of the university librarians and senior library personnel interviewed mentioned lack of fund, absence of technical staff to maintain the networks, and lack of maintenance culture as some of the factors hindering internet connectivity.
Practical implications
The paper will help decision makers plan for installation of internet facilities in their libraries.
Originality/value
The paper calls for proactive effort by the library administrators to lobby for fund and the technical staff to enable their libraries get connected to the rest of the world.
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Oluwatoyin.A. Matthew, Romanus Osabohien, Emmanuel O. Amoo and Bosede C. Olopade
Post-harvest losses are becoming a huge issue globally and predominantly severe in developing countries. Food losses decrease farm income by 15% for about 480m small-scale farming…
Abstract
Purpose
Post-harvest losses are becoming a huge issue globally and predominantly severe in developing countries. Food losses decrease farm income by 15% for about 480m small-scale farming households. With technology adoption, particularly, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) usage, minimising post-harvest losses will be more effective, because of its ability to build households’ human development by bridging the information gap.
Design/methodology/approach
This study empirically examines the impact of ICT usage on post-harvest losses in Nigeria, utilising Wave 4 (2018/2019) of the Living Standards Measurement Studies (LSMS), Integrated Survey on Agriculture (ISA). The study engages the Logit regression and Propensity Score Matching (PSM) to analyse the data.
Findings
The findings show that post-harvest losses constitute about 38% of household agricultural production. In addition, it shows that the influence of ICT is statistically significant and positive in reducing post-harvest losses.
Research limitations/implications
It implies that access to mobile phones and the Internet by households helps in developing their human capital through information access, for example, by linking them to the market and enhancing value chain participation. In addition, the implication is that mobile phone and Internet access contribute 1.87% and 2.68%, respectively, to reducing post-harvest losses. The findings suggest that there is a need for the government to improve support mechanisms for ICT usage among farming households.
Social implications
The study contributes to the society by examining how the well-being of farmers can be improved upon in order to increase their productivity.
Originality/value
The study on the contribution of ICT to post-harvest losses is relatively sparse in the extant literature. Therefore, this study is among the very few to empirically examine the impact of different ICT indicators, using the LSMS-ISA (2019) data and engaging propensity matching, while focusing on the household heads.
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Olayinka Erin, Alex Adegboye and Omololu Adex Bamigboye
This study aims to examine the association between corporate governance and sustainability reporting quality of listed firms in Nigeria.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the association between corporate governance and sustainability reporting quality of listed firms in Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors measure corporate governance using board governance variables (board size, board independence, board gender diversity and board expertise) and audit committee attributes (audit committee size, audit expertise and audit meeting). The authors measured sustainability reporting quality using a scoring system, which ranges between 0 and 4. The highest score is achieved when sustainability reporting is independently assured by an audit firm. The lowest score refers to the absence of sustainability reporting. The study emphasizes 120 listed firms on Nigeria Stock Exchange using the ordered logistic regression technique.
Findings
The results indicate that board governance variables (board size, board gender diversity and board expertise) and audit committee attributes (audit committee size, audit expertise and audit meeting) are significantly associated with sustainability reporting quality. Additional analysis reveals that external assurance contributes to the quality of sustainability reporting through corporate governance characteristics.
Research limitations/implications
This study is restricted to a single country. Future studies should consider a cross-country study, which may help to establish a comparative analysis. Likewise, the future study could consider other regression techniques using a continuous measurement of the global reporting initiative in measuring sustainability reporting quality.
Practical implications
This study’s findings have important implications for policymakers and practitioners, especially the corporate executives and top management. Companies are encouraged to restructure their board to enhance better monitoring and support towards better sustainability reporting.
Social implications
Disclosure on sustainability reporting helps corporate organizations advance the issues of sustainability both nationally and globally.
Originality/value
This current study adds to accounting literature by examining how corporate governance contributes to sustainability reporting practices within the Nigerian context. Drawing from the result, the study provides strong interconnectivity between the corporate board and audit committee in driving sustainability reporting quality within an organizational context.