Ilesanmi Daniyan, Khumbulani Mpofu and Samuel Nwankwo
The need to examine the integrity of infrastructure in the rail industry in order to improve its reliability and reduce the chances of breakdown due to defects has brought about…
Abstract
Purpose
The need to examine the integrity of infrastructure in the rail industry in order to improve its reliability and reduce the chances of breakdown due to defects has brought about development of an inspection and diagnostic robot.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, an inspection robot was designed for detecting crack, corrosion, missing clips and wear on rail track facilities. The robot is designed to use infrared and ultrasonic sensors for obstacles avoidance and crack detection, two 3D-profilometer for wear detection as well as cameras with high resolution to capture real time images and colour sensors for corrosion detection. The robot is also designed with cameras placed in front of it with colour sensors at each side to assist in the detection of corrosion in the rail track. The image processing capability of the robot will permit the analysis of the type and depth of the crack and corrosion captured in the track. The computer aided design and modeling of the robot was carried out using the Solidworks software version 2018 while the simulation of the proposed system was carried out in the MATLAB 2020b environment.
Findings
The results obtained present three frameworks for wear, corrosion and missing clips as well as crack detection. In addition, the design data for the development of the integrated robotic system is also presented in the work. The confusion matrix resulting from the simulation of the proposed system indicates significant sensitivity and accuracy of the system to the presence and detection of fault respectively. Hence, the work provides a design framework for detecting and analysing the presence of defects on the rail track.
Practical implications
The development and the implementation of the designed robot will bring about a more proactive way to monitor rail track conditions and detect rail track defects so that effort can be geared towards its restoration before it becomes a major problem thus increasing the rail network capacity and availability.
Originality/value
The novelty of this work is based on the fact that the system is designed to work autonomously to avoid obstacles and check for cracks, missing clips, wear and corrosion in the rail tracks with a system of integrated and coordinated components.
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Ibrahim Alley, Tajudeen Egbetunde and Blessing Oligbi
Most studies on electricity-economic growth nexus in the literature are preoccupied with causality, with little attention paid to the transmission mechanisms. The orientation of…
Abstract
Purpose
Most studies on electricity-economic growth nexus in the literature are preoccupied with causality, with little attention paid to the transmission mechanisms. The orientation of most of these studies is obviously predicated on their assumption that electricity enters the production function in a Hicks-neutral fashion. Based on the assumption that productivity of capital is affected by electricity supply, this study estimates a production function in which electricity enters the model in capital-augmenting style. The study aims to examine the transmission channels in the electricity-economic growth nexus.
Design/methodology/approach
Using monthly data on Nigeria from 1980 to 2013, the study uses the three-stage least square regression technique, which not only controls for possible endogeneity in the model but also allows for tracing the transmission linkages to estimate the relationship between electricity and economic growth in Nigeria.
Findings
This study establishes that electricity positively affected economic growth in Nigeria however through its positive effects on industrial output. The direct effect of electricity on economic growth was insignificant. This study thus concluded that the transmission mechanism in electricity-economic growth nexus is the electricity-induced industrial growth.
Practical implications
Nigeria should increase her electricity supply (for increased electricity consumption) because this would significantly stimulate her industrialization and economic growth.
Originality/value
This study differs from earlier studies in that it did not primarily focus on causality; it examined the transmission channels in the electricity-economic growth nexus. Moreover, it differs from them on the implicit assumptions made by earlier studies that electricity enters the production function in a Hicks-neutral fashion. It rather estimated a model in which electricity enters the production function in capital-augmenting fashion because the study assumed that productivity of capital is affected by electricity supply.
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Samuel Sekyi, Paul Bata Domanban and George Kwame Honya
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of informal credit access on agricultural productivity in rural Ghana.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of informal credit access on agricultural productivity in rural Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
Data sets from the Ghana Feed the Future baseline survey involving a total sample of 2,437 rural farm households were used. In order to address the problem of endogeneity and sample selectivity bias, the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model was employed to examine whether rural farm households’ with access to informal credit and those without access differ in terms of their productivity levels and whether access to informal credit affects agricultural productivity.
Findings
Estimates from the ESR show that access to informal credit significantly promotes agricultural productivity. Specifically, farmers with access to informal credit were able to achieve a yield of 48.42 kg/ha more than their counterparts without informal credit access. In terms of the counterfactual, farmers without informal credit access would have increased their yield by 57.61 kg/ha if they were to have access to informal credit.
Research limitations/implications
The study was restricted to the savannah ecological zone of Ghana. This limits the extent of generalisation of results.
Originality/value
This study provides a rigorous econometric analysis of the impacts of access to informal credit on agricultural productivity in rural Ghana. The study contributes to the current debate on the link between access to informal credit and agricultural productivity and provides valuable input for policymakers.
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Tochukwu Victor Nwankwo, Rosemary Anwuli Odiachi and Ifeanyi A. Anene
The purpose of this paper is to explore relative deprivation and implicit bias in library and information science research publications of Africa and other continents.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore relative deprivation and implicit bias in library and information science research publications of Africa and other continents.
Design/methodology/approach
Research design used for this study is descriptive survey research. Specifically, the study will adopt both web content analysis and survey to collect data. The content analysis covers the whole continents of the world: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Middle East, Northern America, Pacific Region and Western Europe; using the Webometrics World Ranking of Universities and the SCImago/Scopus Journal Ranking. Library and information science was used as the search and control parameter. The scopes covered by the research are: 1. Ascertaining the visible publishing and assessment standards of top library and information science (LIS) journals, which was evaluated using Kleinert and Wager (2010)'s study.
Findings
It was found out among others that editors making fair and unbiased decisions as policy is seen in 33% of the journals, which is very poor. All the structural disparities, such as presence ranking, impact ranking, excellence ranking, etc. were favouring Europe and the Americas mainly. As much as rejection is getting to these respondents, research generally is also suffering by missing out on some untapped knowledge and ideas from these deprived populations. Many authors are losing faith in their capabilities and are now afraid of venturing into tedious research exercises because it will most likely be rejected either ways.
Research limitations/implications
It is an established fact that social media gains research impact and attracts international collaborations. In support, studies such as Hassan et al. (2019) reported the fact that tweet mentions of articles with positive sentiment to more visibility and citations. They claim that cited articles in either positive or neutral tweets have a more significant impact than those not cited at all or cited in negative tweets. In addition, Hassan et al. (2020) equally highlighted tweet coupling as a social media methodology useful for clustering scientific publications. Despite the fact that social media have these influences on research and publications visibility and presence, the context of the present research did cover this scope of study. The study focused mainly on sources from Scopus as well as results from responses. Further studies can be carried out on this area.
Originality/value
Research studies linking “Black Articles Matter” to relative deprivation and implicit bias in research publications, especially in library and information discipline, are very rare. Also, the scope of approach of the study is quite different and interesting.
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Samuel Osei-Nimo, Emmanuel Aboagye-Nimo and Doreen Adusei
Inequality in the creative industries often serves as the starting point for public debates over culture in the UK. Academic literature has long recognised the precarious nature…
Abstract
Inequality in the creative industries often serves as the starting point for public debates over culture in the UK. Academic literature has long recognised the precarious nature of the fashion industry. This chapter offers a critical review of the relationships of power existing in the support offered to ethnic minorities in disadvantaged communities in the fashion and creative sectors in the UK. In addressing these issues, a Foucauldian perspective is adopted. The chapter focuses on Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) fashion entrepreneurs’ challenges in promoting young designers from disadvantaged communities.
Our findings show that the BAME entrepreneurs are active agents who are essential in identifying and shaping new creative and talented young designers. The chapter contributes to the debate through a critical review of the relationships of power existing in the support offered to ethnic minorities in disadvantaged communities in the fashion and creative sectors in the UK.
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Samuel Tromans, Verity Chester, Eli Gemegah, Kristian Roberts, Zoe Morgan, Guiqing Lily Yao and Traolach Brugha
The purpose of the paper is to review autism identification across different ethnic groups. Diagnosis of autism may be missed or delayed in certain ethnic groups, leading to such…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to review autism identification across different ethnic groups. Diagnosis of autism may be missed or delayed in certain ethnic groups, leading to such groups being underserved relative to their needs. This can result in members of such groups being effectively denied essential avenues of support that can substantially improve the quality of life of autistic persons as well as those whom care for them.
Design/methodology/approach
A literature search for articles reporting autism identification across ethnic groups was undertaken. Data are compared, with a special focus on possible explanations for any inter-group variation.
Findings
Autism identification appears to be generally lower in minority ethnic groups relative to the majority population. Individuals presenting with autism from minority groups appear to have more severe forms of the condition.
Originality/value
There are a multitude of potential explanations for inter-ethnicity variation in autism identification, including health care-related factors, broader environmental influences, cultural factors and possible biological differences. Implications for clinical practice and public health include a need to look at means of ensuring equitable access to relevant autism diagnostic and support services across ethnic groups. Further work is required to better understand the belief systems that operate within specific ethnic groups, how this may potentially impact upon autism identification and measures to address the concerns of such groups.
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Darlington Richards, Gladson Nwanna and Sonny Nwankwo
Heavy debt burdens and corruption have not only had a debilitating effect on development but also undermined efforts at economic recovery and market‐enhancing initiatives in many…
Abstract
Heavy debt burdens and corruption have not only had a debilitating effect on development but also undermined efforts at economic recovery and market‐enhancing initiatives in many African countries. Africa is the world’s most aid‐dependent and indebted region of the world. Much of the resources that could have been ploughed into investments are used to service debts and/or misappropriated by corrupt leaders – with all the attendant negative perceptions of Africa’s business environment. Therefore, in developing a “business plan” for Africa’s economic renascence, corruption and debt management and mismanagement (by both lenders and borrowers) need to be put squarely on the agenda. Against the backdrop of the currency of opinion for debt relief, this paper highlights the institutional processes that underlie the misallocation and misappropriation of original receipts, policy dynamism of their management and the overall market impact.
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After discussing the fundamental importance of education, touching upon its role in cognitive and social development, the chapter highlights the urgency of ensuring equitable…
Abstract
After discussing the fundamental importance of education, touching upon its role in cognitive and social development, the chapter highlights the urgency of ensuring equitable access to quality education for all children, regardless of their social backgrounds, and tackling the barriers that hinder educational access for marginalized groups. Subsequently, the chapter examines the historical challenges that indigenous communities have faced, particularly in relation to oppressive educational policies imposed by colonial powers and dominant governments. Drawing from the context of SDG 4 and the broader 2030 Agenda, the chapter concludes by emphasazing the critical role of education in safeguarding cultural diversity and promoting social inclusion, while showcasing the innovative efforts in helping indigenous communities reclaim and revitalize their linguistic and cultural heritage on a global scale.
Adeola Samuel Adebusuyi and Olubusayo Foluso Adebusuyi
The purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and entrepreneurial outcome expectations (EOE) using the distal parts of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the antecedents of entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and entrepreneurial outcome expectations (EOE) using the distal parts of the social cognitive career theory (SCCT) in an entrepreneurial context. Specifically, this study examined the influence of indigenous ethnic groups in Nigeria (Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa) and entrepreneurial learning experiences (ELE) on ESE and EOE.
Design/methodology/approach
The design of the study is cross-sectional. Data were collected from 335 students from three purposively selected tertiary institutions in Nigeria. This study analysed the data with Bayesian structural equation modelling.
Findings
Firstly, there are no indigenous ethnic group differences in ELE except for negative emotions and vicarious learning. Secondly, contrary to popular beliefs, the Igbo ethnic group did not perform better than the other ethnic groups on the significant ELE. Thirdly, three of the five ELE factors directly led to ESE and EOE and indirectly led to EOE.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to compare the indigenous ethnic groups in Nigeria on entrepreneurial outcomes and investigate the antecedents of ESE and EOE as posited by SCCT.
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Collins Osei and Ayantunji Gbadamosi
The purpose of this conceptual paper is to explore how Africa has been branded, and to suggest ways the continent could be re‐branded to attract both international and domestic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this conceptual paper is to explore how Africa has been branded, and to suggest ways the continent could be re‐branded to attract both international and domestic investments.
Design/methodology/approach
An extensive review of literature that encapsulates branding, nation branding, place/destination branding, foreign direct investment and issues associated with investment opportunities in Africa was conducted towards exploring how Africa has been branded and could be re‐branded.
Findings
This paper finds that the extant literature is replete with publications that essentially associate Africa, as a brand, to poverty, underdevelopment, corruption, doom, pestilence and several other inauspicious features. Nonetheless, the article also shows that there are several existing virtues especially in the form of business opportunities in several sectors that could be accorded extensive publicity to espouse the continents' brand equity. These range from agriculture, to tourism, to real estate, to sports and several existing foreign direct investments already thriving in several parts of the continent. Hence, the suggestion for re‐branding Africa as a viable continent for global business transactions is strongly emphasised in the article.
Practical implications
This paper has a significant implication for positioning Africa as a relevant business partner in the global marketplace by echoing the extensive business opportunities that await both the indigenous and foreign investors in the continent.
Originality/value
The article espouses the brand equity of Africa as a continent and suggests avenues for constantly communicating the inherent virtues of the content to the world towards maintaining her rightful position in the international business community.