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Article
Publication date: 30 October 2007

Patrick Okonta and Kaushik V. Pandya

Many researchers attribute poor performance of African‐Caribbean business people down to their ethnic backgrounds and traits. The purpose of this research was to investigate if…

817

Abstract

Purpose

Many researchers attribute poor performance of African‐Caribbean business people down to their ethnic backgrounds and traits. The purpose of this research was to investigate if African‐Caribbean business people possess entrepreneurial quality.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample population of 400 (with 150 contributing) African‐Caribbean business owners in London was surveyed using a questionnaire. Selected business owners were also interviewed.

Findings

The analysis and tests carried out conclusively disproved the hypothesis that African‐Caribbeans are devoid of entrepreneurial attributes.

Research limitations/implications

The data collection was limited to African‐Caribbean business owners in London. A generalisation should not be attempted to reflect on all African‐Caribbean business owners. Further research is planned in the near future.

Practical implications

The results of this research show that African‐Caribbean business owners have entrepreneurial tendencies, and that financial institutions and authorities at national and regional levels may want to consider this in their business approaches.

Originality/value

The African‐Caribbean businesspersons were subjected to a “litmus test” in order to discover whether they are entrepreneurial. The authors developed an ANN and the E‐Factor models and both models offer the originality.

Details

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, vol. 14 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1462-6004

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 28 June 2024

Ebere Donatus Okonta and Farzad Rahimian

The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the potential of existing buildings in the UK to contribute to the net-zero emissions target. Specifically, it aims to…

587

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the potential of existing buildings in the UK to contribute to the net-zero emissions target. Specifically, it aims to address the significant emissions from building fabrics which pose a threat to achieving these targets if not properly addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

The study, based on a literature review and ten (10) case studies, explored five investigative approaches for evaluating building fabric: thermal imaging, in situ U-value testing, airtightness testing, energy assessment and condensation risk analysis. Cross-case analysis was used to evaluate both case studies using each approach. These methodologies were pivotal in assessing buildings’ existing condition and energy consumption and contributing to the UK’s net-zero ambitions.

Findings

Findings reveal that incorporating the earlier approaches into the building fabric showed great benefits. Significant temperature regulation issues were identified, energy consumption decreased by 15% after improvements, poor insulation and artistry quality affected the U-values of buildings. Implementing retrofits such as solar panels, air vents, insulation, heat recovery and air-sourced heat pumps significantly improved thermal performance while reducing energy consumption. Pulse technology proved effective in measuring airtightness, even in extremely airtight houses, and high airflow and moisture management were essential in preserving historic building fabric.

Originality/value

The research stresses the need to understand investigative approaches’ strengths, limitations and synergies for cost-effective energy performance strategies. It emphasizes the urgency of eliminating carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming and meet the 1.5° C threshold.

Details

Urbanization, Sustainability and Society, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2976-8993

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 8 February 2016

Uchechukwu Nwoke

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria’s Delta region and draw a distinction between philanthropic CSR…

867

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Nigeria’s Delta region and draw a distinction between philanthropic CSR (positive affirmative CSR) and the more demanding duty not to harm the ecosystem (negative injunction CSR). It suggests that for CSR to contribute to sustainable development, oil multinational corporations (MNCs) need to perform the more demanding duties and not only philanthropy.

Design/methodology/approach

The method applied is a critical evaluation of the nature and categories of CSR. It thoroughly reviews existing literature on CSR and uses them to identify and separate for analytical purposes, the different obligations arising from the concept.

Findings

The paper highlights the inability of oil MNCs in Nigeria to differentiate between philanthropic CSR and the more demanding duty to care for the host communities and their environment. It suggests that this failure, arguably attributable to the “shareholder value” model of corporate governance, appears to lie at the heart of the unrest in the region.

Practical

By performing only the positive CSR duties, while neglecting the negative injunction obligations, oil MNCs continue to attract hostility from the host communities who feel that their survival is at stake.

Originality/value

The paper extends the knowledge of the CSR practices of MNCs in Nigeria, by clearly delineating the two CSR duties and by linking the failure of MNCs to perform the negative injunctions to the shareholder value model of corporate governance.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 58 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 8 February 2016

Samuel Ayofemi Adeyeye, Olusola Bandele Oyewole, Adewale Olusegun Obadina, A M Omemu, O E Adeniran and Hakeem A Oyedele

This study aims to assess the quality and microbial safety of traditional smoked spotted tilapia fish from Lagos State and, by doing so, determine the quality and microbial safety…

443

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to assess the quality and microbial safety of traditional smoked spotted tilapia fish from Lagos State and, by doing so, determine the quality and microbial safety level of traditional smoked spotted tilapia fish, their distribution, effects and possible public health implications of the quality/rancidity indices and microorganisms on the consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

Fresh spotted tilapia fish (100 samples) were collected from 20 different fishing/processing centres and divided into two batches. One batch was smoked with local drum kiln at processing centres, and the second batch was smoked with convective smoking kiln as control in the laboratory. Each batch was assessed for moisture content, protein content, fat content, crude fibre content, ash content, pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), total volatile base- nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA), peroxide value (PV) and free fatty acid (FFA) values. Microbiological analyses were also conducted. Each batch was assessed for total viable count (TVC), fungal count, Listeria monocytogenes count, Staphylococcus aureus count, Salmonella paratyphi count and presence or absence of Escherichia coli.

Findings

The results of the proximate composition, quality indices and microbiological analyses revealed that there was significant variations (p < 0.05) between smoked fish with different smoking methods. The mean pH, TBA, TVB-N, TMA, PV and FFA values of fresh and smoked spotted tilapia fish samples were within the range recommended by United States Food and Drug Administration. The mean TVC of fresh spotted tilapia fish samples was 6.3 × 106-8.8 × 108 cfu/g and TVC of samples of smoked spotted tilapia fish and the control were 2.0 × 104-6.4 × 104 cfu/g and 1.0 × 103-8.6 × 103 cfu/g, respectively. The mean L. monocytogenes count of fresh spotted tilapia fish samples was 1.3 × 102-2.4 × 102 cfu/g and that of samples of smoked spotted tilapia fish ranged from 1.6 × 101 to 23.1 × 101 cfu/g while samples of smoked spotted tilapia fish using convective smoking kiln showed no count for L. monocytogenes. The mean S. aureus count of fresh spotted tilapia fish samples ranged from 4.7 × 103 to 8.0 × 103 cfu/g and that of samples of smoked spotted tilapia fish ranged from 5.1 × 102 to 88.6 × 102 cfu/g and 1.1 × 102 to 3.8 × 102 cfu/g. The mean fat content (FC) count of samples of smoked spotted tilapia fish ranged from 1.1 × 101 to 6.0 × 101 cfu/g. S. paratyphi and E. coli were not detected in all smoked spotted tilapia fish samples. The study, however, concluded that the traditional drum smoked spotted tilapia fish could expose consumers to high microbial risk because of the presence of L. monocytogenes.

Research limitations/implications

The fresh fish used in this study were obtained from coastal villages in Lagos State, and there were limitations in getting the samples in time to the processing centres and in preserving the fresh fish because of poor or non-availability of power (electricity).

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of a cost-effective smoked fish, to ensure food safety, enhanced health and improve the preservation and post-harvest losses of fresh fish.

Social implications

The paper helps in developing an effective smoked method that will produce good-quality smoked fish, reduce the incidence of food poison and enhance the health of consumers.

Originality/value

This research is of value to the traditional fish smokers and consumers. Smoked fish has been implicated as a source of microbial infection in Nigeria and West African sub-region in recent times and the need for good manufacturing practices cannot be overemphasized.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 46 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

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