A.J. Omole, F.O. Ajasin, J.A. Oluokun and O.O. Obi
In the livestock industry in Nigeria, maize is a major source of energy and it is expensive because of competition between man and animal. Dry plantain peel of minimal cost was…
Abstract
Purpose
In the livestock industry in Nigeria, maize is a major source of energy and it is expensive because of competition between man and animal. Dry plantain peel of minimal cost was used to replace the maize fraction of the diet of rabbit in order to reduce cost. The purpose of this paper is to examine the performance characteristics of rabbit fed plantain peel.
Design/methodology/approach
The feeding trial had five treatments, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 in which the maize fraction in the diet was replaced at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent, respectively. Completely randomized designs were used and each treatment was replicated thrice with three rabbits per replicate. The parameters taken were feed intake and weight gain on a daily and weekly basis. Feed conversion ratio, total feed cost and cost per weight gain were calculated.
Findings
The results show that there was no significant difference in the weight gain between the control diet (T1) and T3 (p < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio was relatively similar in T1 and T4. The cost per weight gain reduced from N53.57 in the control diet to N33.39 in T3 (75 per cent replacement).
Originality/value
In the livestock industry, maize is expensive because it serves as food for both man and animal. The results indicate that the feed cost of rabbit could be reduced by replacing the maize fraction of the diet with 75 per cent dry plantain peel.
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Keywords
– The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between perceived leadership styles and telecommuter intent to leave an organization.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between perceived leadership styles and telecommuter intent to leave an organization.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative non-experimental design was used to examine the relationship between perceived leadership styles and telecommuter intent to leave an organization. In all, three leadership styles were examined: transactional, transformational, and laissez-faire. Telecommuters responded to a single online survey combining two validated survey instruments, the MLQ 5X Rater Form and the Staying or Leaving Index. Respondents were instructed to consider their current manager when responding to the survey.
Findings
Linear regression results indicated a significant relationship between perceived transformational and telecommuter intent to leave an organization (F(1, 111)=34.36, p<0.001) suggesting the more a leader demonstrates a transformational leadership style, the more a telecommuter wants to leave the organization. Results indicated a significant negative relationship between perceived laissez-faire leadership style and intent to leave an organization (F(1, 111)=20.01, p<0.001) suggesting the more a leader demonstrates a laissez-faire leadership style, the less a telecommuter wants to leave the organization. No relationship existed between perceived transactional leadership style and telecommuter intent to leave an organization.
Research limitations/implications
The data collected represents perception of leadership behavior vs actual leadership style. Further research should gather both perceived and actual leadership behavior. Research encompassing perceived and actual behaviors would allow for an assessment of the degree of convergence and assist in judging the accuracy of perceptual data.
Practical implications
A relationship was found to exist between perceived transformational leadership style and telecommuter intent to leave an organization. A significant negative relationship was found to exist between perceived laissez-faire leadership style and telecommuter intent to leave an organization. No relationship was found to exist between perceived transactional leadership style and telecommuter intent to leave an organization. The findings were unexpected for all three leadership styles.
Originality/value
Extending the study to gather actual leadership behavior instead of perceived behavior, expanding the populations to include greater diversity, and conducting the study as a longitudinal study to capture leadership over time are recommended for future research. Organizational leaders may wish to use the results of the study to aid their understanding of which leadership styles affect telecommuter intent to leave an organization.
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Keywords
Uche Emmanuel Edike, Olumide Afolarin Adenuga, Daniel Uwumarogie Idusuyi and Abdulkabir Adedamola Oke
The purpose of this study is to advance the application of pulverised cow bone ash (PCBA) as a partial replacement of cement in soil stabilisation for the production of bricks…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to advance the application of pulverised cow bone ash (PCBA) as a partial replacement of cement in soil stabilisation for the production of bricks. The study investigated the impact of PCBA substitution on the characteristic strength of clay bricks under variant curing media.
Design/methodology/approach
Dried cow bones were pulverised, and an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence test was conducted on PCBA samples to determine the chemical constituents and ascertain the pozzolanic characteristics. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and PCBA were blended at 100%, 75%, 50%, 25% and 0% of cement substitution by mass to stabilise lateritic clay at 10% total binder content for the production of bricks. The binder-to-lateritic clay matrixes were used to produce clay bricks and cylinders for compressive and splitting tensile strength tests, respectively.
Findings
The study found that PCBA and OPC have similar chemical compositions. The strength of the clay bricks increased with curing age, and the thermal curing of clay bricks positively impacted the strength development. The study established that PCBA is a suitable substitute for cement, up to 25% for stabilisation in clay brick production.
Practical implications
Construction stakeholders can successfully use a PCBA-OPC binder blend of 1:3 to stabilise clay at 10% total binder content for the production of bricks. The stabilised clay bricks should be cured at an elevated temperature of approximately 90°C for 48 h to achieve satisfactory performance.
Originality/value
The PCBA-OPC binder blend provides adequate soil stabilisation for the production of clay bricks and curing the clay bricks at elevated temperature. This aspect of the biomass/OPC binder blend has not been explored for brick production, and this is important for the reduction of the environmental impacts of cement production and waste from abattoirs.