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A review of instructional delivery in social work education using ICT tools

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Benedict, H.T , Balogun, O.O
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Social work - Study and teaching , Information and Communication Technology
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5472 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13448
  • Description: Education has been aptly referred to as a veritable tool for meaningful development. The quality and effectiveness of teaching determine to a great extent the overall quality of education and the attainment of educational goals and objectives. Information and Communication Technology ICT) has been globally acclaimed as a tool that can accelerate and promote teaching and learning (National Policy for Information Technology, 2001). As opined by Kirschmer and Waperies, (2003), Information and Communication Technology can make the school more efficient and productive, there by engendering a variety of tools to enhance and facilitate teachers’ professional activities. This theoretical paper reiterates the vital role of ICT in effective teaching and learning generally and essentially in Social Work Education. It kicked off by examining the concepts of ICT and social work; establishing the need for ICT tools in instructional delivery in social work. The paper thereafter examined some applications of ICT tools in Social Work Education delivery and emphasizes the need for social work educators to judiciously utilize the opportunities and benefits inherent in ICT oriented instructional delivery. The paper concludes with a caution on the potential impact of ICT on professional identity of confidentiality.
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Airport capacity utilization in Nigeria : a performance and efficiency analysis

  • Authors: Stephens, Mobolaji S. , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2011-11
  • Subjects: Nigeria , Air transport , Air traffic flow , Staggered airport schedules , Air traffic management
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5780 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7787
  • Description: Most airlines in Nigeria fly at about the same time of the day creating great strains on airports’ runways and air traffic management. This study examines air traffic flow: recorded landings and take-off times, arrival times and time between arrivals and times spent in the airport. The data collected were analyzed using the queue theory to know the airport turnaround time and the rate of usage of the airport as well as time variation in usage pattern. The results showed that the airport was grossly underutilized; most domestic traffic movements had two main peaks (morning and evening) with the headway been dangerously close. There is grave danger in clustered take-offs and landings so it was advised that to boost airport capacity utilization staggering of airlines’ schedules should be encouraged.
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Application of grounded theory in career research reviewed

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Van Rensburg, Adele Janse
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Grounded theory
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5457 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13433
  • Description: Most research studies pose some element of concern, discrepancies and controversy. Grounded theory (GT) research is not an exception. This paper provides an overview of how GT was applied in a PhD study about career transition phenomenon. It should be noted that it is not the intent of this paper to provide a detailed account of the completed study, but rather to provide a practical example of the process followed, which first-time GT researchers might find useful. Therefore, firstly, this paper provides an overview of GT in general, including two of the most controversial topics which are the use of literature and the application of qualitative data analysis (QDA) programs. Secondly, the researcher’s school of thought and her first-hand account of how grounded theory was applied, is explained.
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Democracy and development in Rivers State of Nigeria

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Otto, Godly
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Democracy - Nigeria , Nigeria - Politics and government
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5466 , ISSN 2039-9340 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13442
  • Description: Democracy is popularly defined as the government of the people by the people for the people. In other words, it is a peoples’ government informed by the majority for the interest of the greatest number in society. Such a government must therefore aspire to improve the welfare of the greatest number in society to remain relevant. Nigerians clamoured for the return to democratic governance for a long time and that clamour was not without conflicts and injuries. However, since 1999, democracy has been in the country and currently is about 13 years old. The question is: are the expectations being realized? This work compares the pre-democratic and democratic dispensations in Rivers State using the unbalanced growth theory. The work observed that the cost of democracy in Nigeria at this time is relatively high compared to the military era. There is a need for more efficiency in governance in Nigeria now.
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Determinants of airline choice-making : the Nigerian perspective

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Stephens, Mobolaji S. , Ikeogu, Christopher C. , Ibe, Callistus. C. , Akpan, Edem O.P.
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Decision making , Air travellers , Airline choice-making , Air transport industry - Nigeria
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5905 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8024
  • Description: This study is on choice decision-making of the Nigerian domestic air transport industry. It is aimed at determining the factors that influences air travellers’ choice of airlines to fly within Nigeria. In doing this, data was collected from air travellers using questionnaires following Likert scale of ranking. This enabled us to obtain the socio-economic characteristics and the airline attributes that helped influenced the air travellers in making their choice of airlines at the selected airports. The data collected were analysed using correlation matrix to check for multi-collinearity problems among the socioeconomic characteristics of air travellers and airline attributes. It was discovered that there exist no multi-collinearity problem. Furthermore, a stepwise regression analysis was carried out to determine the factors/attributes that were significantly influencing air travellers in airline choice decision making. To further verify the result of the regression analysis, a discrete choice-modelling analysis was done using NLOGIT. The both results showed that sex, age, marital status, income, comfort, on-board services, frequency, crew behaviour, fare and power of monopoly were significant variables and therefore influence the choice of airline by air travellers. Recommendations amongst others include airlines should use target marketing to attract more patronage from the different age groups, improve comfort and on-board services, increase frequency on major routes, charge competitive fares and apply the power of monopoly by either serving undeveloped routes or make their products distinct from others in the market and airlines should avail their air travellers more opportunities of purchasing tickets before getting to the airport.
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Determining tourism graduate employability, knowledge, skills, and competencies in a VUCA world : constructing a tourism employability model

Dysfunctional psychological aspects of working in a fast food industry

  • Authors: Ukandu, Nnenna E. , Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Ukpere, Wilred I.
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Employees - Mental health , Work - Psychological aspects , Fast food industry
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5904 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8023
  • Description: The management within fast food industry has the ability to make their employees’ jobs equal, either enjoyable and rewarding or miserable and boring. Employees are the striking force of an organization, and without them, the organization cannot not function. Therefore, giving employees some forms of autonomy and offering them challenging work can enhance their levels of motivation and satisfaction. Conversely, workers can portray a good mood, emotion and morale if there is positive feedback, good communication and supervision. A case study approach was employed, since the study covered only the fast food industry. Semi-structured interview was utilised to obtain information from senior and store managers, while closed-ended questionnaires were distributed to the rest of the staff members. This research focused on fast food workers that have at least six (6) months of experience to enable the researcher to obtain a valid result. This paper offers managements at fast food outlets in Cape Town insight into how to deal with the psychological problems that (their) employees face, and to prevent potential dangers that these problems are associated with in terms of workers.
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Employee performance management at a South African government organization

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Khan, Saajida
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Performance management , Employees - Rating of
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5469 , ISSN 2039-9340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13445
  • Description: Performance Management is a process by which the outputs of employees are measured and controlled in order to improve organisational effectiveness and reward employees accordingly. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of Performance Management, inclusive of its policies; administration processes and systems on employees and determine how to optimize its current status at a South African Government Organization. Face-to-face interviews and performance management compliance audits were conducted with all Line Managers and a sample of employees in order to determine its impacts on employees and the management of their performance. It has been found that gaps exist in terms of understanding the use of the electronic performance management system, compliance to performance management policy & timelines, pertinent feedback from management with regard to development areas, and a lack of training initiatives to address training needs in order develop organisational effectiveness & employee morale. It is recommended that mechanisms are initiated such as information sharing sessions, feedback timelines and training plans in order to address these challenges effectually.
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Evaluating HIV/AIDS programme within South African universities

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Gobind, Jenni
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: HIV/AIDS programmes - South Africa - Evaluation , AIDS (Disease) - Government policy - South Africa
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5470 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13446
  • Description: This paper presents the occasion to consider the need and benefit of evaluating HIV/AIDS programmes within South African universities. The emergence of the need for workplace policy has resulted in a barrage of HIV workplace policies saturating the workplace. The International Labour Organisation and Higher Education HIV/AIDS Programme (HEAIDS) have made recommendations as to points, which policy and decision makers should consider in the development of national policies and programmes on HIV/AIDS. Many Higher Education Institution policy makers have yet to question the need and benefits of an HIV/AIDS programme. This paper further suggests that an HIV/AIDS programme should be followed by an evaluation that would determine the effectiveness of such programme.
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Exploration of psychosocial risk and the handling of unsafe acts and misconducts in the workplace

  • Authors: Visagie, Jan , Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Swanepoel, Jacquelene
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Occupational risks , Industrial safety
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5473 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13449
  • Description: The aim of this article was to investigate the psychosocial risk environment influencing employee behaviour, and subsequently the trust relationship between employer and employee. The unique nature and commonness of negative acts, such as unsafe behaviour, human errors, poor performance and negligence (also referred to as unsafe practices) are explored in this article. Pertinent literatures were reviewed on the nature of negative acts or unsafe behaviour. The findings of this study were used to draw comparisons between unsafe behaviour/misconduct and accidents in the workplace and finally recommendations were made on how the problem can be addressed from a labour relations perspective. The results indicate that a relationship between unsafe practice/misconduct and occupational injuries and accidents exist, owing to system flaws, human error or psychosocial risk.
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Exploring consistency inthe application of disciplinary measures within a state-owned entity

Exploring the triggers of transformational change in the South African Department of Correctional Services

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Coetzee, Jos , Mdletye, Mbongeni A.
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Organizational change , South Africa. Dept. of Correctional Services
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5459 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13435
  • Description: sChange is a critical phenomenon in any organisation that wants to optimise its performance at individual, team and organizational levels in order to survive and remain competitive in the intensely competitive and globalised operational environment – be it economic, social, political, technological, international or labour market environment. This paper presents empirical evidence gathered from research participants in the Correctional Centres located in the KwaZulu-Natal Region of the Department of Correctional Services on the factors that triggered the fundamental culture change from the punishment-oriented philosophy to the rehabilitation-driven philosophy in terms of the treatment of sentenced offenders (herein referred to as DCS change). An interest in the triggers of transformational change within a correctional environment has motivated the authors to embark on an empirical study which sought to establish the triggers of the transformational change in the Department of Correctional Services of South Africa. The study was significant, particularly if one considers the fact that there is generally an interest in the factors that force organisations to initiate and implement organisation-wide changes. Change and transformation strategists, organisation development practitioners, and managers in general in both the public and private sector globally and in South Africa in particular will benefit from the study, particular if one considers the fact that transformational change interventions are currently being implemented across the South African public service as part of the government’s agenda of reconstructing and developing the South African society. An extensive literature study on the external and internal triggers of organisational change was undertaken as part of contextualising the triggers of transformational change within the South African Correctional Services environment in general. The literature study was followed by the empirical study which focused on gathering data from correctional officials and offenders through utilising two survey questionnaires. The empirical findings revealed that the fundamental culture change from the punishment-oriented philosophy which was characterised by nonexistence of a human rights culture to a rehabilitation-focused philosophy underpinned by the promotion and maintenance of a human rights culture was sparked off by various internal and external factors. These ranged from financial, social and political reasons to complaints about service from offenders, complaints from national and international bodies regarding human rights violations, competitive forces, proactive and progressive leadership,and the need to reduce recidivism.
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Factors impacting job satisfaction of employees in the fast food industry in Cape Town

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Ukandu, Nnenna E.
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Job satisfaction , Fast food restaurants - Employees
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5451 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13427
  • Description: Job satisfaction increases the level of performance in any organisation including the fast food outlets. Job satisfaction helps to stimulate employees’ commitment in the workplace. In other words, employee satisfaction is vital for organisational development and growth. The fast food workers are unique and have their individual needs, potentials, values and goals. Job satisfaction can also enhance the level of motivation in the workplace. Hence, when the workers are satisfied, they also tend to be motivated towards organisational goals. This paper aims to look at factors impacting the job satisfaction of employee within the fast food industry, in order to proffer ways of improving the level of job satisfaction of fast food employees, in order to achieve a high level of employee and organisational performance. A survey concentrated mainly on the fast food industry. Only fast food employees with at least six (6) months experience were selected for the study, in order to obtain a reliable and valid response. Data was obtained from both the operational workers, administration, cashiers and the managers. A total of 200 closed-ended questionnaires were distributed and 123 employees responded, which gave a response rate of 62.5%. Research finding shows that the rate of personal growth of the employees in their workplace was not satisfactory with a rate of 56.1% respondents. Also, the flexible time plan was not very satisfactory to the workers since they were given a flexible time sometimes during busy periods. In addition, the employees were not allowed to participate in decisions that affects them. It is thus proposed that fast food employees should be empowered through effective participation in decision making. Moreover, the employee skills should be improved through coaching and feedback system.
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Federalism and the quest for true revenue mobilization, allocation and fiscal commission in Nigeria : a comparative analysis.

Financial performance measures and business objectives attainment in fast food SMMEs in the Cape Metropoli s: a preliminary liability and suitability analysis

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Smit, Yolande , Ngary, Clency , Bruwer, Juan-Pierre
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Fast food restaurants - Economic aspects - South Africa - Cape Town
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5455 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13431
  • Description: According to the Small Business Act No. 102 of 1996, Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) were introduced by the South African government to assist with the achievement of uplifting the national economy to reduce the rising trend unemployment and poverty in the country. SMMEs are believed to contribute up to 30% of the Gross Domestic Product of South Africa and are further believed to be responsible for absorbing up to 80% of the national labour force. Regrettably, prior research suggests that these initiatives have not succeeded in reducing unemployment and eradicating poverty, since more than 75% of SMMEs have been reported to fail within their first two years of existence. Economic factors have been blamed for the dismal outcomes. However, the achievement of business objectives is very relevant to how a business is managed, particularly from a financial outlook. In essence, the current authors are of the view that SMMEs were not attaining their objectives owing to the ineffective utilisation of financial performance measures, which consequently affects the smooth existence of these entities as a going concern. The main objective of this paper was to determine the extent to which SMMEs make use of financial performance measures to attain their business objectives. The research adopted a quantitative approach, which entails the collection of data from 30 SMMEs leaders (owners and/or managers) in the Cape Metropolis. All participants were required to adhere to a list of strict delineation criteria. The finding reveals that SMMEs leaders do make use of financial performance measures to manage their respective businesses towards the attainment of business objectives, but only to a limited extent.
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Financial sector performance and economic growth in Nigeria

  • Authors: Otto, Godly , Ekine, Nye Tom , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2012
  • Subjects: Financial sector - Nigeria , Economic growth - Nigeria , Bank regulation - Nigeria
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5895 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8014
  • Description: Towards the end of 2010, banking halls in Nigeria were crowded with people. Following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s advice, banks were updating records of their clients. The essence was for the banks to be better informed about their clients and their sources of funds with a view to eliminating or limiting the problem of money laundering in Nigeria. This is only one of several policies or reforms that the financial sector in Nigeria has gone through in recent times. The numbers of banks were pruned down through the recapitalization programme, non-performing microfinance banks were weeded out, and five bank chiefs were accused of mismanagement and replaced. The Nigerian Stock Exchange also experienced difficulties leading to the exit of its Chief Executive Officer. Practically, every aspect of the Nigerian financial system has in recent times experienced one form of reform or challenge but these are the sources of capital formation for the real sector in Nigeria. In view of these how well has the sector performed its role as a driver of economic growth? This work using data obtained from the Central Bank spanning 24 years was able to establish that there is a positive relationship between the performance of the sector and economic growth in Nigeria.
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Globalisation and the challenges of unemployment, income inequality and poverty in Africa

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2011
  • Subjects: Globalisation - Africa , Unemployment - Africa , Income inequality - Africa , Poverty - Africa
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5906 , ISSN 1993-8233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8025
  • Description: There is an urgent need to re-investigate the functional relationship between globalisation, unemployment, income inequality and poverty in Africa. Unemployment accelerates the level of income inequality and poverty within a given society. In spite of the beautiful slogans associated with it, the current globalisation seems to have aggravated the problem of unemployment, the corollary of which is endemic income inequality and mass poverty in Africa. In fact, the trickle down economy pattern has consistently failed Africa. What is good for Wall Street may not necessarily be good for Africa. Viewed from any angle, the African continent seems to have been marginalised and left behind by globalisation. Capitalist globalisation undeniably, created wealth but also intensified inequality and poverty, particularly in Africa. High growth rate of Gross domestic product (GDP) may be a good statistics to parade at international conferences and seminars. However, for the hungry jobless youths in the streets, these are meaningless numbers since they do not translate into job creation or cure their hunger. Therefore, it is high time that African nations look beyond the official statistics of the so called high GDP growth rate and get down to the hard business of creating real jobs that take out the hungry, angry and jobless youths from the streets into workplaces. African countries need to develop comprehensive strategies to create jobs locally. In this paper, the current author posits that there is a strong linkage between globalisation, unemployment, income inequality and poverty in Africa. Some mechanisms were proffered to overcome these bottlenecks.
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Impact of leadership styles on teaching and learning process in Imo State

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Anyanwu, O.J. , Okoroji, L.I.
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Leadership , High school teachers
  • Type: Journal
  • Identifier: uj:5462 , ISSN 2039-2117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13438
  • Description: The research examined the effect of leadership styles on teaching and learning process. The population comprises the academic staff of selected secondary schools in Owerri North Local Government Area (LGA). The academic staff members selected includes junior and senior staff members, as well as male and female staff. Sixty-six teachers, which constitute the population of academic staff of selected from secondary school makes up the sample for the study. Stratified random sampling technique was used for sample selection. Self structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The method of data analysis used on this research work is ANOVA statistics. Based on the summary of the findings, Gender to a high extent, influences the leadership style used in classroom teaching and learning process. The result also reveals that majority of secondary school teachers in Owerri North used democratic leadership style more than other types of leadership styles. Having listed some findings of the research work, it is necessary to make recommendation. Both male and female teachers should be exposed to constant and relevant seminars, workshop by the school management boards in order to ensure that these teachers are equipped with better understanding of leadership style as well as better combination of these styles.
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Influence of materialism, job satisfaction, and perceived managerial trustworthiness on attitude towards fraudulent behaviours in selected Nigerian Universities

  • Authors: Adekanmbi, Foluso Philip , Ukpere, Wilfred I.
  • Date: 2020
  • Subjects: Influence , Materialism , Job satisfaction
  • Language: English
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/457507 , uj:40600 , Citation: Adekanmbi, F.P. & Ukpere, W.I. 2020. Influence of materialism, job satisfaction, and perceived managerial trustworthiness on attitude towards fraudulent behaviours in selected Nigerian Universities.
  • Description: Abstract: The current study examined the influence of materialism, job satisfaction, and perceived managerial trustworthiness on attitude towards fraudulent behaviors among finance officers of selected universities across the south-west, Nigeria. Therefore, it is hoped that this paper will help to reduce employees’ favorable disposition towards fraudulent behaviors within the Nigerian educational sector, especially among the finance officers of selected universities across south-west Nigeria. This paper adopted a quantitative research approach, as well as a cross-sectional research design. The empirical findings revealed that job satisfaction, materialism, and perceived managerial trustworthiness jointly and significantly influence attitude towards fraudulent behaviors. They all had a substantial main effect on attitude towards fraudulent behaviors among finance officers of designated universities across south-west Nigeria. Similarly, the current findings showed that among the six demographic factors (marital status, age, gender, the highest educational level, name of the university, and work experience) that significantly jointly influence attitude towards fraudulent behaviors; only gender, age, and marital status exhibited a significant independent (leading) influence on attitude towards fraudulent behaviors. Besides, this paper concluded that attitude towards fraudulent behaviors is a factor of how materialistic employees are, their level of satisfaction on the job, trust in their organization, gender, age, and marital status of the employees. Notably, this study is distinctive, as it significantly adds to knowledge concerning the appropriate management strategies of getting reorientation about materialism, increasing job satisfaction and managerial trust, which increases attitude towards fraudulent behaviors, specifically amongst the finance officers of designated universities across south-west Nigeria. Hence, the study highlighted the importance of materialism, job satisfaction, perceived managerial trustworthiness, gender, age, and marital status on attitude towards fraudulent behaviors.
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Innovation through global collaboration : a new source of competitive advantage (a study of Nigerian Breweries PLC)

  • Authors: Ukpere, Wilfred I. , Otto, Godly
  • Date: 2014
  • Subjects: Competitive advantage , Breweries - Nigeria , Nigerian Breweries Plc
  • Type: Article
  • Identifier: uj:5467 , ISSN 2039-9340 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13443
  • Description: Recent studies on innovation portray traditional approaches to innovation, wherein firms focus solely on their centralized Research and Development team in their pursuit and creation of innovation, as fast becoming outdated; bringing about the need to rethink the way firms managed innovation. This study was motivated by the need to understand the strategies and practices used by firms that have achieved greater success in their collaborative innovative efforts, and how this gave them a competitive advantage, using Nigerian Breweries Plc., as a case study. The research objectives are to: ascertain ways of measuring and developing innovation capabilities for business growth; provide an insight into the concept of global innovative collaboration and how it leads to organizational efficiency; and find out how an effective collaborative network can enhance innovativeness as a springboard for attaining competitive advantage. The research design adopted was the survey method. Primary data were collected using the questionnaire; our hypotheses were tested using the Chi-square, and our respondents comprise of the Management staff, and other category of workers at Nigerian Breweries Plc., which resulted in the following findings: that Nigerian Breweries Plc. was able to achieve efficiency and an immense growth in business by developing adequate collaborative innovative capabilities which have positive impact on the competitive advantage of the organisation. Therefore, the effective collaborative innovative network is the springboard of Nigerian Breweries Plc.’s attainment of competitive advantage; and a corporate collaborative innovation environment helps reinforce and amplify employee morale, build leadership and career opportunities by helping employees work better together. It was concluded that, collaborative innovation is an effective and efficient way to achieve competitive advantage. It is recommended that organisations should, critically assess their collaborative innovation strategies alongside those of other players in preparing for collaboration, tactfully address the issue of trust, focus on efficient use of firm’s resources, and continually foster an organisational climate that promotes the processes of collaborative innovation.
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