Desk Officers Research Articles

Violence Against Women and their Children (VAWC) Cases During Pandemic: Experiences of Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) Officers in Cebu City

This study aimed to explore the life experiences of the Women and Children Desk (WCPD) handling Violence against Women and their Children (VAWC) cases during the pandemic in Cebu City. Specifically, sought to address the following specific problems: the experiences of the informants in handling VAWC cases during the Covid-19 pandemic, addressing the problems encountered by the informants, and aspirations of the informants to improve the quality of service to the victims of VAWC. The phenomenological and qualitative approach in this study was utilized through interviews as the key process in the gathering of data. There were ten (10) selected police officers handling Violence against Women and their Children (VAWC) during the Covid-19 pandemic in Cebu City. Five (5) of them were individually interviewed, while the other five (5) were included in the Focused Group Discussion (FGD). They were selected randomly but met the qualifications and have broad experience in the subject matter. The research locations are the top five (5) police stations in Cebu City with a high number of VAWC cases is Cebu City namely: Police Station (PS) 4- Mabolo; PS5- Carbon; PS7- Pardo; PS9- Guadalupe and PS10- Punta. A validated interview guide was aided by the voice recorder for the basis of transcribing the responses of the informants. Utilization of Colaizzi's method, a phenomenological analysis procedure, was used to analyze the responses of the informants during the interview. For the experiences of the informants in handling VAWC cases in Cebu City during a pandemic, themes created were Satisfaction with Desired Result, Attained Productivity, and Embracing Limitations of Official Functions in addressing the problems encountered in handling (VAWC) cases during pandemic, the following themes created were: Intensified Implementation of Restrictions, Established Online Presence, and Maintaining Effective Collaboration and for the aspirations of the informants to improve the quality of service to the victims of VAWC, the following theme were created: New Normal Retooling and Equipment for Stabilization. The Philippine National Police (PNP)- Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) officers, as a specialized unit in enforcing laws related to the protection of women and children and regarded as the “quick-response-unit,” must maintain dynamic and standardized public service. It is suggested that the Performance Standards and Assessment Tool for police service addressing cases of violence against women be amended where the assessment tool should not be done as “Self-administered” to identify committed officers who are working diligently to end violence against women and children. The retooling of PNP-WCPD should not only cover policy-related attitudes, habits, and work ethics but should also investigate an array of services that can be extended during a crisis. The provision of additional facilities and personnel to attend VAWC cases will expedite the acquisition of relevant documents for filing legal actions and will be timely in the recent health crisis. This will enable the Department of Health to provide prompt intervention on the outbreak of mental health problems aggravated by the pandemic. PNP-WCPD and other linkages should develop process-based alternatives and act on the research of shared resources from the Covid-19 experiences because health protocols altered policing strategies and are not conducive to problem-oriented crime prevention and innovation.

Is the national health insurance scheme a pathway to sustained access to medicines in Nigeria?

ObjectiveThe debate surrounding access to medicines in Nigeria has become increasingly necessary due to the high cost of essential medicine drugs and the prevalence of counterfeit medicines in the country. The Nigerian government has proposed the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to address these issues and guarantee universal access to essential medicines. Access was investigated using the 3 A’s (accessibility, affordability, and availability). This paper investigates whether the NHIS is a viable pathway to sustained access to medicines in Nigeria.DesignThis was a cross-sectional study using a mixed-methods design. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were utilized for the study.SettingThis study was conducted at NHIS-accredited public and private facilities in Enugu State.Participants296 randomly selected enrollees took part in the quantitative component, while, 6 participants were purposively selected for the qualitative component, where in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted face-to-face with NHIS desk officers in selected public and private health facilities.ResultsThe quantitative findings showed that 94.9% of respondents sought medical help. Our data shows that 78.4% of the respondents indicated that the scheme improved their access to care (accessibility, affordability, and availability). The qualitative results from the NHIS desk officers showed that respondents across all the socio-economic groups reported that the NHIS had marginally improved access to medicine over the years. It was also observed that most of the staff in NHIS-accredited facilities were not adequately trained on the scheme’s requirements and that most times, essential drugs were not readily available at the accredited facilities.ConclusionThe study findings revealed that although the NHIS has successfully expanded access to medicines, there remain several challenges to its effective implementation and sustainability. Additionally, the scheme’s coverage of essential medicines is could be improved even more, leading to reduced access to needed drugs for many Nigerians. A focus on the 3As for the scheme means that all facility categories (private and public) and their interests (where necessary) must be considered in further planning of the scheme to ensure that things work out well.

Home Grown School Feeding Programme: A Survey of Implementation in Ube Schools in North Central Nigeria

Providing school meals is not just vital in nourishing the children, but also keeps them stronger and healthier as well as sustains the desire for quality education. The study investigated the implementation of Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in UBE schools in North Central Nigeria. Three research questions guided the study, and three hypotheses were tested. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprised 169 respondents; (49 state officials and 120 local government desk officers from the 120 local government areas) in six states and FCT Abuja. The Census sampling technique was used to collect data from all the 169 respondents. Implementation of Home-Grown School Feeding Programme Questionnaire (IHGSFPQ) and Key Informant Interview were developed by the researchers and used for data collection. The instruments were validated by three experts in the Faculties of Education in Benue State University, Makurdi and Nasarawa State University, Keffi and the questionnaire was subjected to a pilot testing and analyzed using Cronbach Alpha to determine the internal consistency and reliability co-efficient which yielded 0.85. The data collected were analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation to answer the research questions while Chi-square test of goodness-of-fit was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. To collaborate the findings from the questionnaire, the qualitative data were analyzed using simple percentages, tables, and bar charts. The study’s findings revealed that the amount of funds provided for Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is significant for its implementation in UBE schools in North Central Nigeria. The finding also revealed a significant number of food vendors recruited to implement the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in UBE schools. Furthermore, the finding indicated that there is a significant level of monitoring and evaluation of the success of the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme in UBE schools. It was recommended among others that stakeholders including government agencies and international donors should prioritise increasing funding for the HGSFP to ensure sufficient provision of nutritious meals and necessary resources for its effective implementation.

EXTENSIVENESS OF POLICE GENDER DESK PROACTIVE STRATEGIES IN COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HAI DISTRICT, TANZANIA

This study investigated the Extensiveness of police gender desk proactive strategies in combating violence against children in public secondary schools in Hai District, Tanzania. Grounded in the Theory of Social Disorganization from the 1940s, a mixed methods approach with a convergent research design was utilized, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data. The target population included 6 police gender desk officers, 29 ordinary level public secondary schools, 4268 students, and 618 teachers in Hai District. A proportional stratified random sampling technique was employed to select 102 teachers and 429 students, while total population sampling was applied to select 9 heads of schools and 6 police gender desk officers, resulting in a total sample of 546 individual. The data collection instruments were validated by research experts at MWECAU in the field of education, and a pilot study was conducted in two public secondary schools. The reliability of the questionnaire for Likert scale items was estimated using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficients, which were 0.75 for students and 0.80 for teachers. The reliability of qualitative data was ensured through peer debriefing and triangulation. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview guides, and document analysis, adhering to ethical considerations throughout the research process. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data with SPSS version 22, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The study found that educational programs initiated by the gender desk effectively addressed violence against children. Teachers and students reported increased awareness and a reduction in violence, while school administrators observed improved student attitudes and behaviors, creating a safer, more inclusive environment. Specialized training for gender desk officers enhanced their ability to sensitively engage with affected children. Positive feedback from teachers, students, and administrators underscored the success of these initiatives. The study concluded that maintaining and enhancing these achievements is crucial. Continuous support and development of the programs are essential, providing a strong foundation for further efforts to create violence-free educational environments. To sustain and expand the success of these programs, the study recommends ongoing training and seminars for gender desk officers, strengthened collaboration with stakeholders, and targeted efforts to reach marginalized students. Continuous research and evaluation are vital for assessing long-term impact and identifying areas for improvement, ensuring the creation of safe school environments.

Assessment of the Impact of Health Maintenance Organizations on Access, Utilization, and Quality of Service among National Health Insurance Authority Enrollees in Kano, Kano State Nigeria

Effort by government in Nigeria to provide effective ways of accessing quality and affordable healthcare service has been contentious with high cost of health care service delivery. The ineffective management of health care funds over the years was observed as key contributor to the rising cost of healthcare services. The need for the establishment of health maintenance organizations (HMOs) whose responsibility as purchasers, was to manage health care services with health facilities providers under the National Health Insurance Authority Scheme (NHIA). However, this research seeks to assess the impact of healthcare purchasers in Kano state Nigeria, as regards knowledge, utilization, and satisfaction of enrollees whose healthcare services they manage. The study utilized analysis of enrollees, HMOs and desk officers under the scheme. Quantitative and qualitative methods using interviewer administered questionnaire and Key stakeholders’ interview was used. Data were recorded in Microsoft Excel 2010 and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. NVIVO version 12 with verbatim transcription was used for thematic analysis of qualitative data. Chi-square used to test degree of association and Logistic regression utilized to predict factors for the determinants. Results were presented as tables and charts. Statistical significance p-value <0.05 at confidence level of 95% was considered significant. Thus, analysis of the general demographic outcomes showed a significant association between HMOs and enrollees’ level of knowledge, utilization and satisfaction (p<0.05). Conversely, analysis of federal, state and private run facilities separately, revealed varying outcome as regards the three determinants, with the state-run hospitals mostly affected in terms of enrollee’s outcome. Keywords: Desk officers, Health Maintenance Organizations, Knowledge, National Health Insurance Authority, Satisfaction, Utilization.

Analysis Of The Filipino Brand Of Customer Service In The Accommodation Sector

In recent times, accommodation and hospitality industry is one of the fastest growing sectors because of significant tourism campaigns, government efforts, and development of economy. This industry requires manpower who are proactive and compassionate to their guests. Filipinos manifested such qualities which made the country as the supplier of manpower to other countries. The purpose of this study was to determine the Filipino brands that represent the hospitality manpower and explore the actions that demonstrate these qualities. Thirty-two (32) participants were purposively sampled, 16 as front desk officers in hotels Zamboanga City and 16 as general customers. Findings indicated that there were major characters that Filipino workers in accommodation industry demonstrated. Some of the character include dedication, Filipino warmth, friendly, tactful, and articulate. The natural disposition of Filipinos to be happy and friendly plays a significant role in customer service interactions, making customers feel welcomed and valued. Filipino brand of customer service in the accommodation industry is built on a foundation of hospitality, positive attitudes, and a genuine desire to ensure customer satisfaction. These characteristics, along with the training and proactive management of human resources, contribute to the growth and success of the accommodation industry in the Philippines, attracting more tourists and foreign business travelers to the country.

Impression Management and Employee Contextual Performance in Service Organizations (Enterprises)

This study aims to investigate the effect of impression management on employee contextual performance in service organizations using quantitative methods. The social influence theory, which explains the role of superior influence over the subordinate, served as the theoretical underpinning for the study. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted in line with positivism research philosophy. The accessible population of this study consists of one hundred selected service-oriented firms (four-star hotels, fast food restaurants, and travel agencies) operating in the southern part of Nigeria. The sample consists of middle managers, human resource managers, front desk officers, housekeepers, and customer relationship managers. Frequency distribution was used to analyze participants’ profiles, while linear regression was employed to analyze the formulated hypotheses. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 served as statistical software. Linear regression results suggest that self-promotion exerted a significant positive effect on co-worker support. Ingratiation demonstrated a significant positive effect on customer satisfaction. It appears that exemplification exerted a significant positive effect on enterprise compliance. The outcome of this study has demonstrated that traditional managerial skills can no longer hold water in contemporary service-oriented organizations because of the workplace's dynamic and changing technological structure. This study concludes that impression management can assist managers in influencing their employees positively to achieve organizational objectives. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-02-05 Full Text: PDF

The Impact of Health Maintenance Organizations in the Implementation of the Nigeria National Health Insurance Scheme in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Nigeria.

The activities of Health maintenance organizations (HMO) are central to the achievement of universal health coverage. This study sought to examine the number of HMOs actively operating in the FCT and to determine whether the HMOs are promoting or inhibiting universal coverage and proffer recommendations for the overall progress of the scheme. A descriptive prospective cross-sectional study design was used and mixed (qualitative and quantitative) methods A pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire make was used to collect quantitative data while qualitative data were collected through a review of literature and in-depth interviews to examine the roles of HMOs from stakeholders' points of view. A total of 250 participants comprised predominantly 230 enrollees into three major programs of the NHIS that is the formal sector social insurance program (FS-SHIP), tertiary institution social health insurance program (TI-SHIP), and community-based social health insurance program (CB-SHIP). The remaining 20 (twenty) enrollees comprised NHIA desk officers, HMO managers, community-based representatives, and healthcare providers. The majority of the respondents (64.8%) reported a high level of awareness of the knowledge of NHIS, while fewer than 19% indicated a lack of awareness as compared to 17% who did not respond to the question. Similarly, most of the respondents (62.2%) reported having satisfactory knowledge of the structure-function modalities of HMOs, while 20.4% were not aware of the mode of operation of HMOs.Contrasting contributions of HMOs to NHIS implementation, approximately half of the respondents (50%) reported dissatisfaction. Likewise, about 50% of the study subjects were of the view that HMOs are not putting the desired commitment towards achieving this goal of universal health coverage. The report from the in-depth interview reiterated that the enrollees were not well satisfied due to the perceived poor and inadequate operational mechanisms of both the HMOs and NHIS. The study revealed a high level of awareness of the knowledge of NHIS and good working knowledge of the structure and function of the HMOs. However, this study demonstrated a low understanding of the working interactions between the NHIS and HMO, among the respondents. Understanding HMOs and how they work is critical for choosing a health plan during open enrollment, hence, there is a need for more client enlightenment.

Microfinance Policy Thrust and Women Empowerment in Ogun, State, Nigeria

The study examined the microfinance policy thrust for women empowerment in Nigeria; these were with a view to investigating the impact of microfinance policy on women economic development in Ogun State. The study adopted survey research design. Primary and secondary data were used utilised for the study. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaire and conduct of interview. For the questionnaire, a sample size of 221 respondents, consisting market women who were the beneficiaries of the microfinance scheme (180), Microfinance Desk Officers of the Central Bank (11), Ogun State branch, and staff of Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development (30) selected across the three senatorial districts in Ogun State. Multistage sampling technique was also used for the study. Secondary data were obtained from official publications, textbooks, journals, and internet. Data collected were analysed using content analysis. The study revealed that local governments of Ogun State were participating in the microfinance policy thrust (̅χ=3.6), the policy grants women access to loans (̅χ=3.6), and the policy enhanced linkage among microfinance institutions (̅χ=3.7). The study concluded that microfinance policy had a positive significance on women empowerment in Ogun State.

Facility Based Maternal and Perinatal Mortality: Evidence from Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response, Gombe State, Nigeria

Background: Globally, women and their unborn babies continue to die from preventable causes. This study aims to highlight the causes of maternal and perinatal deaths and bring to the fore areas that need to be improved in order to improve maternal and perinatal health indices in Gombe State. Methodology: Information for this report was obtained from Maternal and Perinatal Deaths Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) desk officers and chairmen across MPDSR supported health facilities in the state. Secondary data abstraction from registers was conducted using an electronic questionnaire and was analysed using SPSS version 23. Findings: The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) was 1,092/100,000 livebirths in 2019 and 993/100,000 live births in 2020. Majority of the women (84.3% and 86.7% in 2019 and 2020 respectively) were severely ill at presentation, while most maternal deaths were as a result of eclampsia/pre-eclampsia and Post Partum Haemorrhage (PPH). Only 15.9% and 14.4% of maternal deaths in 2019 and 2020 respectively were reviewed. Perinatal asphyxia accounted for 36.4% and 31.8% of perinatal deaths in 2019 and 2020 respectively, while prematurity resulted in 24.7% and 35.6% of deaths in 2019 and 2020 respectively. The Perinatal Mortality Rates (PMR) were 78.3/1000 births in 2019 and 76.1/1000 births in 2020. Conclusion: Although MMR and PMR have been on a decline in Gombe state from 2018 till date, these figures are still far from achieving the SDG 2030 target. There is therefore the need to revive MPDSR activities in the state and improve emergency obstetric health care services.

Customer Relationship Management of the Front Desk Officers of the Hotels and Resorts in Calbayog City, Samar

Customer Relationship Management of the Front Desk Officers of the Hotels and Resorts in Calbayog City, Samar

Circumstances Behind Land Conflict in Wakiso and Mukono Districts

Purpose: To examine the circumstances behind land conflict in Wakiso and Mukono districts. Methodology: The research adopted a cross sectional and descriptive survey research design involving both qualitative and quantitative studies where both purposive and stratified random sampling methods were used in selecting respondents (Police land desk officers, district land board for purposive and others like victims of land conflict were under focused focus group comprising of 8 to 10 individuals with a sample of 385 respondents being used whereas both SPSS and content analysis were used to analyze the field data. Findings: The findings indicate that weaknesses in the police force to investigate and gather evidence over land conflicts in a timely manner as presented by mean 4.01 std. deviations 2.01, also courts depended on investigations by the police to try cases as represented by mean 3.79 std. deviations 1.187. It was also found out that population growth in Uganda has the fastest growing population in the world, therefore much land that isn't occupied by people. The need for land has increased its value making it a very important resource than it was many years ago as shown by mean score of 4.64 Std. Deviation 2.097. In addition, inefficiency and confusion in all the country's land registries as shown by mean score of 4.90 Std. Deviation 2.010. Lastly, high political interference where court orders are often times not respected by politicians this was represented with mean 4.03 and a Sdt. Deviation 2.0 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: by a matter of fact Mukono and Wakiso district surrounds the capital city Kampala; increase in demand for land would be on the rise resulting from increased population from the city towards these districts. Therefore, police land desks are developing and identify the determinants of this development, and the implication of the development processes on land conflict management, Understanding the bases of land conflicts, and by unbundling these land conflicts by type, the study will shed light on the comparative impact of different conflict types on national budget. There would be ideal situations to share experiences and advocate collectively for equity in access to land, use and distribution among beneficiaries.

Changes and Continuities of Land Conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono Districts

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the changes and continuities of land conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono districts. Methodology: The research adopted a cross sectional and descriptive survey research designs which involving both qualitative and quantitative studies where both purposive and stratified random sampling methods were used in selecting respondents (Police land desk officers, district land board for purposive) and stratified sampling for community/victims of land conflict. Sample of 385 respondents was used whereas SPSS was used for data analysis. Findings: From the field findings, it was found out that 23.90% of respondents from Mukono and Wakiso district a number of land conflicts have successfully been resolved by Police land desks as one of the changes and continuities of land conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono districts. After analysis from the field, it was found out that 30.65% that police land desks when resolving land disputes they hear cases to give advice and opinion which was an indicator of changes and continuities of land conflicts taking place in both districts. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The findings would offer different experiences of the land desks both in Uganda police and elsewhere in the world and validate the need for long-term processes to address some of the critical barriers to achieving justice especially women, children among others trying to enforce their land rights, as opposed to short-term projects or work on individual cases. To governments of Uganda and others, these findings would offer ideal situations to share experiences and advocate collectively for equity in access to land, use and distribution among beneficiaries.

Challenges Facing Uganda Police Land Desks in Managing Conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono Districts

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the challenges facing Uganda police land desks in managing conflicts in Wakiso and Mukono districts. Methodology: The research was guided by a cross sectional and descriptive survey research designs which involving both qualitative and quantitative studies. The study population consisted of community members in Wakiso and Mukono districts who were affected by (victims of) land conflicts; Police land desks officials and the district land boards with purposive and stratified sampling used to select them. A sample of 385 respondents was used and questionnaires, interview guides, focus group discussion and documentary review were used to collect data with both SPSS and content analysis was used to analyze the field data. Findings: it was found out that there was corruption on the side of police land desk officers as represented with (mean=4.74, strongly agreed). findings revealed from Mukono and Wakiso district there was lack of professional training by land desk officers in land matters as represented with (mean= 4.65, strongly agreed). Further findings revealed that there was lack of enough financial resources was as follows (mean=4.45, strongly agreed). After analysis findings revealed that 38.1 % of respondent attributed to poor administration of the desk, 23.8% corruption, 19% lack of facilitation, 9.5% low salaries, 4.8% to communication gap and money transaction used by the ring leaders in causing conflicts and distorting peace. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study findings would shed light on how police land desks are developing and identify the determinants of this development, and the implication of the development processes on land conflict management. Additionally, the findings will help in understanding the bases of land conflicts, and by unbundling these land conflicts by type, the study will shed light on the comparative impact of different conflict types on national budget. After the findings, this thesis will commend necessary policy options that will bind the benefits of police land desks, boost available laws, and restrain land conflicts.

Hambatan Penerapan Table Official Pada LIMA Basketball

In basketball matches there are match devices that have the task of helping the game run smoothly. One of the match devices in basketball matches that has an important role is the official table. The purpose of this research is to find out the obstacles of table officers in the implementation of Basketball Central Java Student league matches and Special Region of yogyakarta conference season 7. The research method uses qualitative narrative design. The instruments used are observations, interviews, and documentation. The subjects of this study were desk officers and steering commite on duty at LIMA. Data analysis techniques using data triangulation techniques. Analyze data by collecting data, reducing data, and presenting data, and drawing data conclusions.the results showed that 1) the availability of good tools and have a backup tool in case of errors in the tool;2) there are obstacles on the timer officer to adjust in the match;3) some tools such as scoreboard and buzzer do not have fiba standards;4) the condition of the tool is still good;5) the function of the tool runs well;6) the tool can work in accordance with the procedure of using the tool in FIBA regulations except scoreboard;7) environmental conditions such as spectators and weather can cause during a match;8) the table clerk has not been granted legality or license to serve;9) the conditions before, during, and after the match are in accordance with the rules written in fiba. From the results of the study showed some obstacles from equipment, desk officers and environmental conditions.

Community-Based Violence Against Women (VAW) Desks in the Philippines: A Multi-Level Assessment

This study is a multi-level assessment of community-based Violence Against Women (VAW) desks status: (1) VAW system (policies and legislation); (2) entity (VAW desk setup), and (3) individual (VAW desk officers) levels’ capacities in Calamba City, Laguna, Philippines. Data were gathered through a survey of 105 VAW desk officers and key informant interviews of five local officials. In addition, document reviews of national and local policies and reports on VAW were also employed in this study. Findings suggested that policies on establishing barangay-level VAW desks were properly enforced in Calamba City. However, the research results also showed a lack of equipment and resources to address VAW cases properly. In addition, VAW desk officers’ age and educational background limit their capacity to implement their responsibilities effectively, for there are no clear qualifications needed to be a desk officer. There is also no clear local system on the orientation of roles and responsibilities of the desk officers. Thus, the following recommendations: (1) national or local policy amendment to include the basic qualifications of desk officers; (2) maximize the role of the local group of desk officers in capacity-building and advocacy while partnering with civil society; (3) proper fund allocation of the city to ensure full functionality of VAW desks; and (4) strengthen feedback system and enforcement of rewards and penalties to motivate proper functioning of the desk offices. The paper contributes to local governance perspectives, specifically on multi-level coordination, to effectively address VAW and provide gender and development (GAD) support services.

Dapat, kita: Representations of the Schema of Heteronormativity and the Visibility of Abuse in Domestic Violence

Barangay Violence Against Women (VAW) Desk officers are the frontliners in the provision of services to a victim/survivor of domestic violence. They are the first persons that a woman encounters, and they determine whether her truth claim identifies her as domestic violence case, thereby enabling her to access State-provided services and interventions. Thus, it is important to inquire into the Desk officers’ worldviews and beliefs, also called schemas, and how these influence the ways they communicate and interact with the victim/survivors they encounter daily in their work. Guided by gender schema theory, this study examines the drawings of the VAW Desk officers—and the ecology of images that accompany these drawings—to delve into their cognitive constructions of the gendered nature of domestic violence. Two dominant schemas emerge from this examination: the schema of heteronormativity (dapat), and the schema of the necessary visibility of domestic violence (kita). These schemas govern the Desk officers’ everyday judgments and decision making, and inform the ways they communicate with domestic violence victim/survivors.

INVESTIGATING THE EFFICIENCY OF INDIVIDUAL-EXPLICIT KNOWLEDGE IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION’S SECTOR OF AN EMERGING ECONOMY

This study investigated efficiency in the utilization of the individual-explicit knowledge of a firm. The sample included 42 customer service centers (CSCs) of the four most active Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) organisations in Lagos State and FCT, Nigeria. The research adopted the input-oriented data envelopment analysis model to determine the extent to which individual-explicit knowledge, as a vital input resource to telecommunications firms, is efficiently utilized by the CSCs to improve the firms’ values. The study revealed that 10 CSCs, representing 23.8 percen of those studied, were technically efficient using the constant returns to scale model. In contrast, the variable returns to scale model showed that 22 CSCs, or 52 percent of them, were technically inefficient. The results suggest that, with less than 50 percent of the total number of CSCs in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry being inefficient, there is a large volume of operational inefficiency, especially concerning the utilization of individual-explicit knowledge. As such, the telecommunications industry could benefit from managerial intervention, especially in building the capacity of the customer desk officers in the CSCs to attend promptly and accurately to customers’ queries. Also, the study established that a viable strategic direction would be that organizations in the telecommunications industry renew their focus on a balanced mix of supervisor-subordinates in each CSC. This study contributes to operations management and the organizational knowledge management literature by showcasing the data envelopment analysis methodology as a legitimate tool for improving understanding of the investigations into the efficiency of individual-explicit knowledge. This study offers practical implications for firm managers about specific activities and units of their firm that contribute the most to the organization, and other specific units/activities that are less productive. The study also provides directions for future studies.

An Investigation of the Socio-Economic Benefits of Small-Scale Gold Mining in Malawi

In the recent years, there has been a surge in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in various districts of Malawi. Reports of a gold rush have emerged in various districts, including Mangochi, Lilongwe, Balaka, and lately in Kasungu. There has been persistence by many indigenous communities participating in ASGM activities, yet little is being done by the government to formalize and support the sub-sector. The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of artisanal small-scale gold mining in Malawi and expose the shortfalls so that key stakeholders and policy makers are well informed. A quantitative approach which used semi-structured questionnaires was used and the data was analyzed using Microsoft excel and Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study shows that ASGM is characterized by people with low literacy levels, who use traditional tools (low-tech) and use methods fueled by lack of capital, and deficiency of basic knowledge of mining and geology. The study found that the government could achieve substantial socio-economic development from the sector by: (1) revising the current artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) legislation so that it embraces the customary practices whilst safeguarding the environment and improving the tax collection base; (2) providing support in form of mining related training and education to these communities; (3) leading in transfer of modern technologies for improved extraction; (4) supporting ASM cooperatives in securing credit facilities from financial institutions; and (5) closing the existing knowledge gap for ASM related issues through introduction of mining desk officers in district councils.

An Assessment of the Implementation Impact of SURE-P Intervention on Maternal Mortality in the Selected Local Governments in Niger State, Nigeria

The objective of this study was to explore the implementation of the SURE-P intervention on primary healthcare among the selected local government areas of Niger State, Nigeria. In these local governments, the primary health centers are not enough, and the existing ones are dilapidated with the absence of facilities needed to operate effectively. To access medical services, some communities must travel long distances, resulting in high mortality rates. This study examined the perceptions of Desk Officers regarding implementing the SURE-P intervention in primary healthcare among the selected local government. A descriptive design within the qualitative tradition was used in the Study. Thirteen SURE-P desk officers from the state and selected local governments were purposively selected as participants for this study. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data, and a thematic framework was used for interpretation. The results revealed that the primary healthcare SURE-P initiative had improved access to medical facilities across the selected local governments, resulting in a slide reduction in maternal motility. Furthermore, there was a lack of adequate assessment of needs, insufficient funding, relatively low inclusion, and political pressure in the implementation process. Based on findings, it is recommended that the SURE-P intervention be sustained, adequately financed, that the community members' priority needs should be addressed, that the community members should be more inclusive, and track the implementation of the SURE-P intervention.