OIDA International Journal of Sustainable Development
Open access peer-reviewed journal
Women leaders in a South African higher education institution: Narrations of their leadership operations
Tumo Kele a, Jacqueline Pietersen b
a Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, Sandton, South Africa.
b University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.
Volume 08, Issue 05, Pg. 11-16, 2015.
Abstract: Transformation of higher education in South Africa included among others, forcing institutions of higher learning to implement policies aimed at elevating women to managerial positions. Although the challenges to get to the desired government objectives are still there, universities have not been making a fast progress. Focusing on women already occupying managerial positions, this paper explored their lived experiences, views and attitudes about their roles in higher education leadership.
A random sample of eight female managers at an urban traditional university in South Africa was interviewed about their personal experiences as managers in higher education and difficulties associated with being a woman in management. The sample included Deputy Vice Chancellors, Deans of faculties, Heads of Departments and Executive Directors. The results were transcribed and analysed with the aid of computer assisted qualitative data analysis software, Atlas.ti.
The results suggested that, women are not afraid to make unpopular decisions. Women are also more considerate of others (peers) when taking decisions, especially in delicate situations where politics play a greater role. Additionally, it emerged from the study that empowerment of other people by not silencing or oppressing them is notable and important among women managers.
Keywords: higher education, women managers, leadership, universities, South Africa
Urban Storm Water and Residents’ Liveability in Akure, Nigeria
Abolade, Olajokea, Adigun, Folasade Oyenike b, Odunjo, Oluronke Omolola c
Okanlawon S.Ad , Arohunmolase, Olasijibomi Precious e
a, b, e Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology P.M.B 4000 Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria
c,d Department of Architecture, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology P.M.B 4000
Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
Volume 08, Issue 05, Pg. 17-27, 2015.
Abstract: The recent phenomenon of climate change and its associated quandary in the world, calls for urgent attention by respective government and the public. Several attempts to alleviate this challenge have not been really effective in developing nations and in particular Nigeria. The effect is worsened by improper use of land resources and other natural attributes like topography or terrain of land in the affected areas. This undoubtedly has continued to pose serious threats to environmental sustainability and human conveniences. Against this backdrop, the paper appraises impact of storm water on the liveability of residents in Akure Nigeria. It analyses topographical situation of land terrain, incidence of urban storm water and its associated impacts on residents, adequacy of storm sewers and allied facilities as well as perception of residents on government effort in solving the menace.
The study employed primary data from structured questionnaire. This was used to elicit relevant information on the subject of discourse. Using random systematic sampling techniques and interval of five buildings, questionnaires were administered to three hundred and eighty residents (380) in selected localities. The method of data analysis was both descriptive and inferential. Chi-square was used to compare the difference in storm water situation and adequacy of drainage facilities in the selected localities while correlation analysis was used to explain the relationship between incidence of storm water and liveability of residents.
The study reveals that a significant proportion (>70%) of respondents affirmed that the underlying factors responsible for storm water are heavy rainfall, inadequate drainage facilities, topography , unpaved surfaces , blocked drainage and indiscriminate disposal of waste to water channels. There is a strong relationship (correlation coefficient = 0.71) between incidence of storm water and inadequacy of drainage facilities. The Chi Square analysis shows a significant difference (P value= 0.00) among effects (i.e. loss of farm crops, loss of property, traffic problems, pollution physiological stress among others) suspected to result from urban storm water in different wards. There is also a significant difference (P=0.00) in the adequacy of drainages facilities among the wards. Government intervention towards the menace was also observed to be poor (P value of 0.00) for drainage construction, clearing of blocked drains, construction of bridge and tarring of road. Against this background, the paper recommends that government should be more pragmatic in provision of public utilities particularly construction of more drainages and repair of the damaged ones. Coupled with this, there should be proper environmental management through public participatory efforts and community monitoring, to discourage indiscriminate dumping of waste into drainages and water bodies especially during raining season. These would ultimately promote a sustainable environment.
Keywords: Liveability, Storm Water, Sustainability, Urban
Determinant Factor Analysis of Foreign Direct Investment In Asean-6 Countries Period 2004-2012
Eleonora Sofilda a, Ria Amalia b, Muhammad Zilal Hamzah c
a,b, Sustainable Development Management Program, Economic Faculty, Trisakti University
Jl. Kyai Tapa No.1 Grogol, West Jakarta, Indonesia
c Lecture of Sustainable Development Management Program, Trisakti University and
Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Bisnis, Indonesia.
Indonesian Business School, Jl. Raya kebayoran lama No. 46 West Jakarta, Indonesia
Volume 08, Issue 05, Pg. 28-44, 2015.
Abstract: Region of Association of South East Asian (ASEAN) has become an attractive region as an investment destination and regional production base in the last two decades. As a whole region, ASEAN with a total population of 567.6 million peoples and a total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached about USD1.1 trillion in 2012, promises enormous economic and a huge market potential. In addition to favorable demographic factors as well as the growing purchasing power of regional, natural resources, also offers promise. Hence, inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) continually were increasing from year to year.
In 2010, the inflow of FDI in ASEAN reached about USD 75.7 billion (double incerease) compare to the year 2009, which amounted to USD 37.8 billion. The amount in 2010 has exceeded the highest level achieved in the period before crisis of 2008, which reached approximately USD75.6 billion. In the last decade (period of 2002 to 2010), the inflow of FDI in ASEAN grew by an average of 19%. This is very helpful for countries in the ASEAN region to develop their own potency.
FDI is one of the sources of financing or capital that important for a country, especially for developing countries. This investment also provides a great contribution to development through the transfer of assets, management improving, and transfer of technology in enhancing the economy of a country. In the other side currently in Asean countries emerge the interestng phenomenom where some big producers are re-locate their basic production among those countries.
This research is aimed to analyze the factors that affect capital inflows of foreign direct investment into the 6 ASEAN countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philiphines, and Vietnam) in period 2004-2012. This study uses panel data analysis to determine the factors that affect of foreign direct investment in 6 ASEAN. The factors that affect of foreign direct investment (FDI) are the gross domestic product (GDP), global competitiveness (GCI), interest rate, exchange rate and trade openess (TO).
Based on the statistical tests results, there are three of five independent variables (ie: global competitiveness, GDP, and trade openness) are positive and significant effect on the entry of FDI in ASEAN-6. Among these three variables, GDP is a variable that has the greatest influence on the inflow of FDI in ASEAN-6. However, the ease and attractiveness of investment between ASEAN countries is quite diverse. Currently, the European Union countries as the highest source of investment in ASEAN countries, is hit by the crisis. In anticipation of a possible reduction of investment into ASEAN due to the crisis, ASEAN needs to attract greater investment from another region. The facilities that have been provided by ASEAN Investment Forum, like: investment promotion, investment services, after-care for investment, fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, co-investment, and the Public-Private Partnership is as a strategic steps in attracting investment into ASEAN.
Keywords : foreign direct investment, the gross domestic product, global competitiveness, interest rate, exchange rate, trade openness, panel data analysis.
Towards good governance and sustainable food security in Nigeria: challenges and the way forward
Sunday O. Igbinedion a, Joseph O. Aihie b
a Department of Economics and Statistics,
Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
b Department of Political Science and Public Administration,
Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Volume 08, Issue 05, Pg. 45-52, 2015.
Abstract
In the past three and half decades, food security has evolved to become a burning contemporary issue in view of the role it plays in transforming peoples livelihood, promoting good health and mitigating endemic poverty. In Nigeria, the state of food insecurity has attained a worrisome dimension, particularly, when weighed against the rapid increases in the country’s population; thus making Nigeria a food-deficit country with escalating food import bills. Various factors have been identified for the nation’s problem of relative food insecurity. These include governance crisis which manifest in various forms like poor implementation of economic policies, high cost of governance and corruption. Others include undercapitalization, dysfunctional institutions, and poor infrastructural facilities, amongst others. The subject matter of good governance has captured the interest of inter-governmental institutions, development agencies as well as international institutions, including the World Bank and the Ontario International Development Agency (OIDA). These institutions have made this concern a critical precondition in their aid and donation policies to countries with poor track records on governance.According to the World Bank, governance means “the manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development”. In this regard, good governance, will imply the use of power by the government, i.e., the President and his cabinet, members of the National Assembly and how the public service operates: to promote democracy, accountability and transparency; to formulate and implement good policies; to effectively and efficiently manage the Nigerian human and financial resources in order to achieve sustainable national development in order to achieve economic prosperity to ease poverty. Good governance includes both a broad reform strategy and a particular set of initiatives to reinforce the institutions of civil society with the objective of making government more accountable, more open cum transparent and more democratic. Against these backdrops, this paper opines that if the looming food crisis is to be averted, then stakeholders at all levels should, as a matter of urgency, embark on the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive and sustainable food security policy aimed at fostering food availability, food accessibility and food adequacy for all. To fully realize this, the government should work in a genuinely collaborative manner with the private sector, with the former providing the enabling environment for the latter to develop and assume the role of economic prime mover in the drive towards achieving food security, alleviating poverty and creating the required ‘commonwealth’ for the generality of the population. Methodologically, the paper adopts the paradigms of positivism and interpretivism couched on inductive as well as deductive approaches.
Keywords: food security; good governance; poverty alleviation; sustainable development