Oil Marketing Research Articles

Economics of Lemongrass Cultivation in Jharkhand State

The present study was carried out to study the cost of cultivation and returns from lemongrass, oil bearing aromatic crop using different cost concepts, estimated from primary data collected from 75 cultivators. The cost of cultivation was calculated using operating expenses (Cost A1) at ` 51,713, while considering all types of costs (Cost C3) it reached to ` 68691 per hectare. The gross returns from cultivation of lemongrass in a hectare was found at ` 1,40,000 hectare, while net return over Cost A1 and Cost C3 was estimated at ` 71309 and ` 88287, respectively. The B: C ratio over cost A1 and cost C3 was calculated as ` 1.71 and ` 1.04, which indicated that lemongrass cultivation is profitable venture in the study area. Estimation of a regression model indicated positive and significant influence of expenditure on machine use, lemongrass slips and manures/ fertilizer on returns from lemongrass. There are two channels for marketing of lemongrass oil, i.e. (i) producer-local buyer-industry, and (ii) producer- industry. It was observed that marketing cost and price spread was higher in channel-I due to more number of intermediaries. The lemongrass cultivator can ease their marketing activities and enhance income through formation of cooperative society.

Redundancy Analysis to Reduce the High-Dimensional Near-Infrared Spectral Information to Improve the Authentication of Olive Oil

The high price of marketing of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) requires the introduction of cost-effective and sustainable procedures that facilitate its authentication, avoiding fraud in the sector. Contrary to classical techniques (such as chromatography), near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy does not need derivatization of the sample with proper integration of separated peaks and is more reliable, rapid, and cost-effective. In this work, principal component analysis (PCA) and then redundancy analysis (RDA)—which can be seen as a constrained version of PCA—are used to summarize the high-dimensional NIR spectral information. Then PCA and RDA factors are contemplated as explanatory variables in models to authenticate oils from qualitative or quantitative analysis, in particular, in the prediction of the percentage of EVOO in blended oils or in the classification of EVOO or other vegetable oils (sunflower, hazelnut, corn, or linseed oil) by the use of some machine learning algorithms. As a conclusion, the results highlight the potential of RDA factors in prediction and classification because they appreciably improve the results obtained from PCA factors in calibration and validation.

Modern science, moral mothers, and mythical nature: a multimodal analysis of cod liver oil marketing in Sweden, 1920–1930

This paper offers the first case study of the marketing of cod liver oil in Sweden (1920–1930), following the discovery of vitamins A and D. Drawing upon a large dataset of cod liver oil advertisements from the Swedish Newspaper Archive, it uses multimodal critical discourse analysis to investigate how language and other semiotic resources (e.g. image, typography, color) work together to convey the benefits of cod liver oil intake. It identifies three overarching themes—scientific rationality, scientific motherhood, and nature—noting how advertisements were aimed squarely at mothers and struck a balance between vitamins as scientifically formulated products and mythical, natural substances to convince them that cod liver oil was necessary for their children. Exploring how cod liver oil was marketed from a historical perspective shows how nutritional research gained prominence and became of increasing importance for marketing, as well as how food, through science, became incorporated into a consumerist lifestyle. It also provides a way to deconstruct contemporary marketing practices, thereby enabling consumers to rethink products framed as indispensable for their health.

Palm Oil Production and Marketing in the Municipality of Houeyogbe in South-West Benin

The agricultural sector play important role in the development of Houeyogbe municipality. This study aims to analyze the production and marketing of palm oil in Houeyogbe. The methodological approach is based on data collection, processing, analysis and interpretation. A total of 294 farmers were interviewed and, the data collected was processed using Excel software. Finally, the SWOT analysis was used. The results reveal that, oil palm exploitation is an activity carried out primarily by women. 30 % of the earnings from the sale of palm oil are intended for home-consumption and the remaining 70 % for sale and export. In addition, for a production of 15 liters of palm oil in the dry season, the producers make a revenue from 135000 FCFA (245.45 $) to 330000 FCFA (600 $) with an estimated expense of 80000 FCFA (145.45 $). The profit margin varies from 55000 FCFA (100 $) to 250000 FCFA (454.54 $) in the dry season. In the rainy season, the processing of 200 measures of palm nuts yields a quantity of 150 liters of red oil, the selling price is 9000 FCFA (16.36 $) per 25 liter can, which gives a revenue of 135000 FCFA (245.45 $) with an estimated expense of 60000 FCFA (109.9 $). The profit margin is 75000 FCFA (136.36 $). Retail marketing of palm oil is not developed in Houeyogbe’s municipality. Most retail marketing is directly linked to consumption. Most of the wholesalers are beginners who come from urban areas with trucks to buy palm oil in bulk. They sell for the most part in the markets of Lokossa, Azovè, Dogbo, Athiémè, and sometimes in Cotonou. It is recommended that actors at various levels take into account the various constraints that constitute bottlenecks so that appropriate solutions are provided to improve the performance of the various actors in the palm oil sector in the commune of Houéyogbé.

Comparison of some physicochemical properties of edible vegetable oils available in Al-Najaf, Iraq

This study was conducted at the laboratories of chemistry Department / College of Science/ Al-Nahrain University, Iraq. The primary determinants of edible oils' acceptance, preferred uses, and market value are their purity and stability. Therefore, the goal of this study to measure some of a set physical and chemical properties for four (canola oil, sunflower oil, corn oil and olive pomace oil) before using .The main physico-chemical properties determined for oils were Refractive index(RI), Viscosity (μ), Iodine value (IV) , P-Anisidine value (P-AV) and Peroxide value (PV). The values Refractive index were 1.4721, 1.4735, 1.4730 and 1.4685 respectively .While, viscosity (μ) were 78.44, 60.52, 63.79 and 79.91 cps respectively. IV was 112.75, 109.13, 102.61 and 96.43 (g I2/100g) for the four oils respectively .P-AV were 0.60, 2.59, 0.71 and 2.63 for four oils respectively. PV was 1.98, 2.19, 5.05 and 6.03 (Meq.O2/Kg) respectively. These results showed that the oil samples have acceptable values when compared with the range recommended by FAO/WHO standards.

Modeling the impact of green supply chain practices on environmental performance: the mediating role of ecocentricity

PurposeThis study aims to examine the relationship between green supply chain management (Green SCM) practices and environmental performance, and develop an integrated model to explain the mediating role of ecocentricity on the relationship between Green SCM practices and environmental performance in the context of the Ghanaian downstream petroleum industry.Design/methodology/approachTo address the objectives of the study, a survey had been conducted among companies in the Ghanaian downstream value chain. The paper used the structural equation modeling approach and smart partial least squares (Smart-PLS) analytical tool.FindingsThe study revealed that Green SCM practices had a significant and positive relationship with supply chain ecocentricity and environmental performance. The study further revealed that supply chain ecocentricity significantly mediated the relationship between Green SCM practices and environmental performance.Practical implicationsThe study has developed a new integrated model to enhance oil and gas marketing and distribution company's adaptation and implementation of Green SCM practices.Originality/valueThe study had successfully applied the natural resource-based view and the stakeholder theory in the context of Ghana's downstream petroleum industry. Specifically, these theories had been integrated to form a new model to explain the relationship between Green SCM practices, supply chain ecocentricity and environmental performance in the context of Ghana's downstream petroleum industry. The newly developed integrated model has wider predictability as compared to the individual theories.

Patronage Factors of Motor Vehicle Takaful in Kano State, Nigeria

The Nigerian insurance industry has been associated with low patronage, thus contributing less than 1% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The marketing and distribution segment of the Nigerian oil and Gas industry is facing multiple challenges including difficulty in transporting product through pipelines which necessitate the use of alternative means of transportation by road (Trucks). The main objective of this study is to empirically examine the determinants of patronage of motor vehicle Takaful by members of National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO-PTD) Kano State. The population of the study is 320 registered members of NARTO-PTD. Using Taro Yamane sample size formula, the study arrives at a sample of 178 respondents who were selected using simple Random Sampling Techniques. Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) method was employed to test the hypotheses of the study. The result reveals that while awareness is insignificant but perception and religiosity significantly affect patronage of motor vehicle takaful by members of NARTO-PTD in Kano State. The study recommends Takaful Companies to develop policies that will further encourage those highly religious and attract those that are not highly religious through organizing educative programs in masjids and other religious avenues and places of worship. Lastly, the study recommends developing policies that will strengthening the perception (NARTO-PTD) members toward Takaful.

Supply Chain Risk Management and Business Performance of Selected Oil and Gas Marketing Companies in Lagos State, Nigeria: Moderating Role of Firms' Size

The oil and gas marketing firms in Lagos State are faced with issues such as natural disasters (pandemic), man-made hazards (pipeline vandalization and oil theft) and macro-economic events (economic downturn, high inflation and foreign exchange volatility). These challenges have critically affected consumers purchasing power, cause increasing high cost of operations, dwindling revenue and consequently decline in operating performance of oil and gas companies, especially oil and gas marketing firms. This study investigated the effect of supply chain risk management strategy on business performance of oil and gas marketing companies in Lagos, Nigeria as moderated by firm size. The study adopted a survey research design. The study population study was 1,044 full-time employees of five selected oil and gas marketing companies in the downstream sector of petroleum industry in Nigeria where a sample size of 362 employees were selected. The study adopted purposive, stratified and proportionate sampling techniques. An adapted and validated questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the respondents. Data was analyzed using descriptive and hierarchical multiple regression technique. Findings indicate supply chain risk management strategy had significant effect on usiness performance of oil and gas marketing companies in Lagos, Nigeria. Finding further revealed that firm size significantly moderated the relationship between supply chain risk management strategy and business performance among oil and gas marketing companies in Lagos, Nigeria. The study recommended that management of oil and gas marketing companies need to employ strategic agility measures in order to thoroughly understand the Nigerian oil and gas business environment which is germane for oil and gas marketers so as to enable them build a framework that will enable them survive the changing environment and gain overall performance. Keywords: Firm Size, Food and Beverage Companies’, Business Performance, Supply Chain Risk Management Strategy, Lagos State

Siting of Petrol Stations and Compliance to Environmental Regulations in Jalingo Metropolis, Taraba State, Nigeria

Environmental regulation is a complex interdisciplinary effort involving ethical principles, political interests, scientific knowledge, and technological capacities, that covers environmental media and protection and conservation of wildlife, fulfilling environmental legislation requirement. Compliance is a substantial element of environmental regulation. This study appraised the siting of petrol stations and compliance to environmental regulations in Jalingo metropolis. Specifically, it assessed the extent of compliance in the siting of petrol stations in Jalingo metropolis and compared the compliance level of the three categories of petrol stations-Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), major oil marketers and the independent oil marketers. The study adopted the survey research design. Data was obtained from twenty (20) petrol stations, two hundred (200) copies of questionnaires using 3-likert scale and published documents. Both inferential and descriptive statistics was used. The mean cut off of 2.5 was taken as threshold for decision, and any item below 2.5 falls below average and considered negative. Chi-square was used for test of hypothesis which was rejected and the alternative hypothesis was accepted. The findings revealed that major marketers complied more than the independent marketers and the NNPC. It further revealed that the environmental regulations followed by a successful implementation and monitoring, will improve petrol stations level of compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The study recommends the need to reassure the petrol station operators that environmental legislation and environmental regulation requirements are not punitive, but guidelines to help conserve the environment.

Determining the COVID-19 effects on spillover between oil market and stock exchange: a global perspective analysis.

This paper investigates volatility spillovers between the global crude oil market and the stock markets of the global oil stock markets (Russian, Canada, China, Kuwait, and the USA) pre and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We use wavelet Granger causality methods to study the volatility spillovers between global oil stock markets, mainly from January 1, 2019, to March 31, 2021. Our Results (1) shows that WTI and Brent oil prices had a negative mean return before COVID-19 but a positive mean return during the pandemic spread. Other Results (2) find the positive, significantly lowest, and highest frequency during the COVID-19 outbreak for all selected countries. The results also show that the link between oil WTI & Brent prices and stock markets return in the lowest (33-66 days) and highest frequency range (4-16) before the Covid-19 epidemic, especially in the first quarter of 2020. Before the COVID-19 period, the Russian oil stock market is seriously prejudiced with oil prices on a modest scale, but not after the pandemic's start. This study also perceives direction opposite between the COVID-19 period. The Canadian and United States America oil and stock markets influence the lowest scale in the previous COVID-19 sample for the U.S. market. Moreover, this paper exposed that oil marketing highest oil futures in their portfolios than stock shares for all times. We found that oil price shocks had a more significant impact on the stock markets of the United States and Canada than on the stock markets of other countries.

Strategies to Deregulate the Downstream Petroleum Sector of Pakistan

Oil products play a dynamic role in the overall energy domain because it supports country-wide transport, industries, and households. The oil market in most countries is deregulated and provides free access to every organization or independent player. Some of them have followed this policy from the very beginning, while others have followed the strategy regarding deregulation at a later stage. In Pakistan, there is a usual tug of war between Government authorities and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) concerning the decision of setting oil prices. This exploratory study aims to assess the prospects of deregulation of oil prices from the point of view of stockholders from the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). Data is gathered through interviews from the professional stakeholders who are working in the supply chain department in the downstream petroleum sector of Pakistan, and a thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data. As per the data obtained from the interviewees, there are both advantages and disadvantages of deregulation of petroleum. Advantages are like low prices of petroleum products, positive impact on the economy, opportunities for new entrants, and creation of new jobs. While the disadvantages are oligopoly created by the mafias, failure of the system, dumping of fuel, and increase in cross border smuggling. While the major barriers to deregulation are the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and political forces, and the facilitators for the deregulation are foreign direct investment and high tax collection of the Government. The deregulation must be done immediately to pass on the benefits of reduced and appropriate prices of petroleum products besides their availability in every city of the country. Government should also promote bulk import and storage of petroleum products so that the companies get possible economic ordering benefits of low prices.

Margin Analysis and Marketing Efficiency of Patchouli Oil in Wonua Sangia Village Landono District South Konawe District

This research aims to analyze margins and efficiencies for each marketing agency. This research was conducted in Wonua Sangia Village, Landono District, South Konawe Regency. This study was conducted from June 2021 to March 2022. Thes objects in the study were patchouli farmers in Wonua Sangia village of Landono Subdistrict and patchouli oil marketing agencies. The sample in this study was done by purposive sampling method for patchouli farmers and Snowball Sampling for fishing institutions. Their search was analyzed using margin analysis and marketing efficiency. This study showed two patchouli oil marketing channels in Wonua Sangia Village, Landono Subdistrict. Marketing channels (I), Farmers, Middlemen, Collecting Merchants, Wholesalers, and Consumers. Then Marketing channels (II), Farmers, Collecting Merchants, Wholesalers, and Consumers. Marketing channel II has the highest Farmer's Share value of 81%, with a total marketing margin of IDR97.000/kg. It is indicated to have the best marketing efficiency of a channel, 80%, with a total marketing margin of IDR110.000/kg. Both marketing channels have been efficient because the farmer's share value obtained>50%.

Mathematical Model & Feasibility Study for Construction an Invested Refinery of 100,000 (bbl / Day) in AL-Nasiriya Governorate

A mathematical Model and feasibility study of construction an invested Refinery with 100,000 (Bbl/day) in AL-Nasiriya governorate was performed. The project is composed of three Units, Atmospheric Column Distillation Unit (CDU), Catalytic Reformer Unit (CRU) and Residue Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCC) that produce different products. Based on the Platts prices of petroleum products which was provided by State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) for May of this year and by standard specifications and technical information of Petroleum Research and Development Center (PRDC), Material balance for feed and products as well as optimization process using LINGO software for these three Units were calculated in order to determine influential financial parameters: (NPV), (IRR), (PI) and Payback period of the project. Different calculation scenarios were prepared taking into account discount of crude oil and products prices, inflation indicator of Capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operation expenditure (OPEX) in addition to extending the life of the project and increase in the cost of capital as well. These scenarios are illustrated as followings: -
 1- The refinery was considered non-feasible in case of the crude feed price is taken (65$) and the products prices still constant. Discounted of oil feed was taken gradually by 10% and the products prices stay constant turns the project to be feasible at (50%) discounted oil price which gives positive financial parameters as can be seen in scenario (1), (2) but no longer feasible when increasing inflation by (3%) and (5%) as shown in scenario (3) and (4).
 2- The price of crude oil feed was taken constant (65$) and the products prices were gradually increased by (10%) till (50%) with constant other parameters gives negative financial parameters means non feasibility as can be seen in scenario (5).
 3- Increasing products prices by 10% and discount crude oil price by 10% together makes the project feasible at (25%) for both as shown in scenario (6). Conversely, when inflation was taken into account for OPEX and cost of capital, the project shifted to be feasible at (40%) for both crude oil and products as seen in scenario (7, 8, 9). The crude oil feed price and products was increased gradually by (10%) and decreased by the same percent. Both scenarios give negative financial parameters as shown in (10) and (11).
 4- Extending life of project from (4) to (6) years and let other parameters constant including CAPEX to study the impact on the financial parameters. It is noticed that the refinery gives negative income compared to previous period of project in scenarios (12), (13). The cost of capital was increased from 2,100 million to 3000 million with no change in the other parameters gives negative income as seen in scenario (14) and (15). On the other hand, cost of capital and life of project were changed together makes the project worse income due to decline in the financial parameters as illustrated in scenario (14) and (16).

STRUCTURE, BEHAVIOR, AND MARKET PERFORMANCE ON MARKETING OF PATCHIE OIL IN BUKUT VILLAGE, TERANGUN DISTRICT GAYO LUES DISTRICT

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth) is an essential oil-producing plant which is a source of foreign exchange for the country. Indonesia is currently the world's producer of patchouli oil with a contribution of 90%, for that it is necessary to maintain market opportunities by increasing production through appropriate cultivation techniques, improving the quality of patchouli oil and developing patchouli plantings in areas that have bright prospects seen from the level of suitability. land and climate.The purpose of this study was to determine market structure, market behavior (various forms of collusion) and market appearances that occurred in the marketing of nimal oil in Bukut Village, Terangun District, Gayo Lues Regency. The data used are primary data and secondary data, for market participants, snowball sampling is used. The method used to analyze the market structure is Concentration Ratio analysis tools (Market Share, Herfindal Index and Concentration Ratio for Biggest Four or ), Degree of Product Differentiation, Barriers to Market Entry and Level of Market Knowledge. To analyze Market Behavior, it is descriptively analyzed about collusion and strategies that occur. To analyze the Market Performance used the analysis tools of Marketing Margin, Share Price, and Cost and Profit Ratio.〖CR〗_4.Market share at the collector levelthere is an oligopoly marketing system for patchouli oil with loose concentration. The concentration of buyers in marketing patchouli oil in Bukut village, both collectors, village collectors, and representative warehouses/ wholesalers is oligopsony. The marketing structure of Patchouli Oil in Gayo Lues, at the level of collector traders is a loose oligopoly with a CR4 value of 0.5421, at the level of a village collector it is a tight oligopoly with a CR4 value of 0.8855, while at the warehouse representative/ wholesaler level it is a tight oligopoly with a CR value, reaching 1.00. should have a value of 1.00 is a monopoly, but because there are still three competing companies, it is categorized as a strict oligopoly.

Modeling Enablers of Transporter’s Performance in Downstream Logistics of the Indian Oil Sector

Oil industry in India has entered the competitive world, and each organization used probing strategies to reduce cost. India is a non-oil-producing country, and the scope for this lies in reducing supply chain cost in downstream logistics. This research provides an integrated model of key enablers for transporter’s performance in downstream logistics excellence of Indian oil sector to provide oil marketing companies’ a direction for design of future strategies to reduce downstream logistics cost. The sequential mixed-methods design is adopted. It identifies the enablers through literature review and interviews with transporters, working managers, and logistics experts (qualitative), and then, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis (quantitative) are used to develop the diagraph and matrix to establish the contextual relationship and find their role and influence on each other. This readymade, unique, and unified model provides enablers for transporters’ performance in different individual categories, namely, dependent, independent, and autonomous enablers, and link them based on their driving power and dependence power along with their influencing behavior to enable transporters, working managers, and top management to focus on for reducing the logistics cost and shall add value for the ultimate customers. The academicians shall be benefited by appreciating practical aspects of this business.

Environmental Perpetuity Cost and Earning Yields of Oil and Gas Marketing Firms: Nigeria’s experience

The study examined the environmental perpetuity cost and earning yields of oil and gas marketing firms: Nigeria’s experience. Its main objective was: to specifically examine the extent to which environmental perpetuity costs influence earning yields of oil and gas marketing firms taking evidence from Nigeria. To achieve the objective, an ex-post facto design was employed and relevant data were obtained from secondary source. Multiple regression analytical tool was used to analyse the data in order to verify the hypotheses formulated for the study. The findings indicated that donations as a perpetuity cost positively influences earning yield though the influence is not a very strong one; support/social cost to destitute and less privileged significantly affect earnings per share; support to motherless babies’ homes and others significantly affect earnings per share; and donations/ social cost to nongovernmental organization significantly affect earnings per share. The researchers then recommended that government should encourage listed firms to disclose their donations which will strengthen the earning per share of these firms via increased employee productivity.

An IoT business model for public sector retail oil outlets

PurposeThe fuel retailing landscape in India is undergoing a structural shift with the reforms undertaken by the government that would help the private and foreign firms to enter this market. India is poised to become the world's largest growth market for energy by the mid-2020s. IoT has become an integral digital technology for the fuel retailers in the retail oil outlet (ROO) ecosystem. The purpose of this paper is to develop an Internet of Things (IoT) business model for the Indian oil marketing companies (OMCs') ROOs.Design/methodology/approachUsing literature review along with a survey among 660 respondents led to 402 valid observations, and the variables that contributed to IoT adoption at the OMCs' ROOs were identified. Using the BMC tool (Osterwalder and Pigneur, 2009), the relative importance of the variables within each building block was established. The means of all the variables were measured against the average of all the variables, and significant differences were searched for in each block. The notable differences of the means along with significant high and low means were highlighted.FindingsThis paper depicts empirical research that led to a framework of an IoT business model for Indian public sector ROOs. It also represents the usefulness of the Technology-Organization-Environment framework at the OMCs ROOs and extends the literature by incorporating “data security” to the existent framework of technology, organization and environment within the IoT ecosystem.Research limitations/implicationsThe outcome of the research should be analysed in the Indian context as all the respondents were from India. The study was conducted for the ROOs of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and excluded their downstream operations. The dispensers in the OMCs vary along with their marketing strategies in the retail segments. The IoT business model can be customized for a particular OMC, which is scope of further research.Practical implicationsThe study has practical implications for those global fuel retailers embarking on the IoT adoption drive at their ROOs about the need to install “data security” measures in the connected IoT environment. The study provides insights on how the OMCs can stay ahead of competition in the Indian market vis-à-vis the private sector fuel retailers by embracing the IoT business model.Social implicationsThe new emerging technological business models provide competitive edge to those organizations adopting them (Barney, 1991; Clemons and Row, 1991; Feeny and Ives, 1990). The study will enable the OMCs to implement the IoT business model at their ROOs for enhancing their revenue streams and profitability and lowering of operating costs. The study provides insights on how the OMCs can stay ahead of competition in the Indian market vis-à-vis the private sector fuel retailers by embracing the IoT business model.Originality/valueThe contribution of the paper is that it is among the first to map the variables that contribute to IoT adoption at the OMCs' ROOs, within the building blocks of the BMC tool (Osterwalder and Pigneur, 2009), according to their importance. To retain their dominance and have a first-mover competitive advantage, this study enables the OMCs to adopt the IoT business model and transform their ROOs into Internet-connected intelligent fuel outlets.

Examining Determinants of Absenteeism among Blue Collar Employees in Petroleum Sector of Pakistan

The study focuses on the relationship between job satisfaction, job performance, and social / family compulsion and absenteeism in blue collar employees working in petroleum sector of Pakistan.150 blue collar employees from refineries and oil marketing companies were included in the survey and responded the questionnaire, encompassing all variables. Results prove hypothesis 1 whereas, hypothesis 2 could not be proven. Results will help Pakistani organization to reduce absence rate in their blue collar employees by understanding the social and family compulsions.

Audit Firm Type and Sustainability Performance: A Study of Quoted Oil and Gas Marketing Companies in Nigeria

The study specifically examines the impact of audit firm types on sustainability performance effort (health care, employment and education) of quoted oil and gas marketing company in Nigeria. The population of the study consists of all the 13 oil and gas marketing companies quoted on the Nigeria Stock Exchange as at end of the year 2020. Secondary data was sourced from the annual reports and accounts of the sampled companies for the period of 5 years (2016-2020). The dependent variables for the study were Sustainability Performance effort proxied by expenditure on education, employment and health care by the oil and gas companies, while the independent variable was audit firm type. A panel regression model was employed for the analysis as the data cuts across different firms over periods. The results revealed that there is no significant relationship between audit firm type and sustainability performance. This is evident from the p-value of 0.554 which is related to audit firm type and health care. Also, the result of the audit firm and education revealed a p-value of 0.422 and that of audit firm type and employment 0.364. This result provided a basis for rejecting all the hypotheses. The study therefore, recommends that the oil and gas companies should continue to undertake their responsibility in the sustainability performance without any reference to whether they are being audited by any type of audit firm

Antibiogram Screening of Edible oils Sold in two Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria

Edible oil is of the most important and widely used processed foods. The study was carried out to assess the microbiological quality of edible oil (Shea butter, Coconut oil and Palm Kernel oil) from two geopolitical zones of the country. A total of thirty (30) samples were gotten from four (4) different markets in the two geopolitical zones. Bacteria and Fungi were isolated and identified base on cultural, microscopic, biochemical characteristics and antibiotic sensitivity test were carried out. The total heterotrophic bacteria count (THBC) of the sample ranged from 3.1 x 103 – 3.6 x 104cfu/ml. The total heterotrophic fungi count ranged from 1.0 x 102 – 6.4 x 103cfu/ml. The bacteria isolated and identified were Bacillus sp., Escherichia sp., Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Staphyloccus sp., Enterobacterium sp., and Klebsiella sp while the fungi were Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizopus, Fusarium, Candida sp and Penicillium sp. The antibiogram of the Gram positive bacteria showed that all the organisms were sensitive to Erythromycin (100%) while Gram negative organisms were sensitive to Ofloxacin (100%) and Ciprofloxacin (100%). The bacterial load of all the samples fell within the minimum acceptable range according to CODEX standard. It is important that improve aseptic techniques be employed in the production, handling and marketing of edible oil.