Florence Olu Ogunrin, Olubunmi Ogunrin and Adebayo Akerele
The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of need dissatisfaction and need importance in the two groups of orthodox medical doctors in Nigeria, relating these…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of need dissatisfaction and need importance in the two groups of orthodox medical doctors in Nigeria, relating these motivational variables to quality in‐patient care.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on Maslow's theory, and the question format in Heller and Porter's study; 33 government‐employed doctors, and 29 private practitioners were surveyed. The “t‐test” and Mann‐Whitney test were employed in statistical analysis.
Findings
The paper finds that the two groups differed significantly in perceptions of need dissatisfaction with respect to 13 of 26 need items; and in the importance attached to “opportunity to belong to social groups” and pay. When absolute values are considered, the overall picture suggests that the two groups are most dissatisfied with pay, physiological, security, self‐actualization, and transcendence needs.
Practical implications
If doctors as a microcosm of Nigerian workers are to replace poor work habits with quality concepts, their needs for better pay must be satisfied to enable them to meet their physiological needs, and better facilities provided in hospitals to support skill utilization. An economy functions as a system. Doctors consume and render services. If they do not have to procure personal power‐generating sets, self‐protection, and other services that ought to be accessed as public utilities, they will be more emotionally engaged with their tasks.
Originality/value
The main contribution in this paper lies in the evaluation of the motivational needs of Nigerian doctors, healthcare being fundamental to life, and the emphasis on centrality of employee motivation in any planned service improvement efforts.
Details
Keywords
Florence Olu Ogunrin and Anthony U Inegbenebor
The purpose of this paper is to examine the distribution channels used by a Nigerian sample of apparel producers and investigate the association between the channels in use and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the distribution channels used by a Nigerian sample of apparel producers and investigate the association between the channels in use and the sample’s export involvement. In this era of sophisticated computer- and internet-mediated marketing practices, the larger proportion of entrepreneurs in developing economies still deploy largely informal marketing practices. Countries indeed have adopted the marketing revolution to varying degrees, consistent with prevailing level of development.
Design/methodology/approach
A structured interview schedule was used in collecting data from 111 apparel entrepreneurs.
Findings
Most of the respondents were domestic market-focused haute couture producers or low-volume producers of ready-to-wear (r-t-w) clothing who supply institutions or boutiques, using direct channels. Only a few export, mainly through ethnic-commercial networks involving overseas-based family/friends.
Practical implications
For now, current distribution channels seem adequate for the personal and business goals of these entrepreneurs. However, large-volume clothing exporting through formal global distribution channels is what drives industrialization and development. These apparel entrepreneurs therefore require institutional assistance to link up with formal global marketing channels. It is only then that the industry would serve similar development roles as witnessed in other emerging economies which have climbed the development ladder through export of labour-intensive manufactures like clothing.
Originality/value
The study confirmed earlier observations about apparel exporting in Nigeria, such as prevalent use of informal channels, and also draws attention to less-known details, including the existence of fledgling local trade intermediaries, “disappointed exporters” and an emerging group (yet miniscule) of exporters who utilize more formalized channels.