Significant Positive Relationship Research Articles

Evaluation of the Performance of Operations Management in the Industrial Sector at the National Gas and Industrialization Company (GASCO), headquartered in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

Operations play a major role in the LPG industry where the business involves suppliers, some of who are the business owners and customers. Organizations in the LPG industry are faced with challenges in their quest to deliver their products to consumers while concurrently ensuring profitability. Thus, they have to tailor their business operations practices to fit the market. This scientific research aims to see to what extent operations management practices are being undertaken in the National Gas and Industrialization Co. (GASCO) headquarter in Riyadh city that also it owns seven (7) filling stations and a transportation and distribution fleet in Saudi Arabia by studying their supply chain and their process to determine how they impact on the operational performance of the factories. The target population in this study was the National Gas and Industrialization Co. (GASCO) headquarter in Riyadh city that also it owns seven (7) filling stations and a transportation and distribution fleet in Saudi Arabia. Primary data on the project implementation was collected using a questionnaire. Secondary data was obtained from relevant publications and literature review from the different organizations. Data was presented using tables, and pie charts to make them reader friendly and this study conducted a multiple regression analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The study found that there is a positive significant relationship between supply chain, lean management, value stream mapping, machine maintenance and operational performance. However, the study found a negative relationship between constraints and operational performance of an organization. The study recommends that factories should be urged to adopt all the practices under supply chain management, adoption of communication channels enhancement among all the staff working in various departments to improve value stream mapping. The study further, recommends that National Gas and Industrialization Co. (GASCO) headquartered in Riyadh city that also it owns seven (7) filling stations and a transportation and distribution fleet in Saudi Arabia should have a skilled LPG manpower to handle issues on machine maintenance and replacement as this will lead to continued production.

Oil and Food Price Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria: A Non-Linear ARDL Approach

Abstract This paper analyzes the relationship between food and oil prices in Nigeria before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, using monthly data from January 2018 to December 2021. The ARDL and NARDL models are applied to estimate the symmetry and asymmetric relationship that exists in food price behavior. The NARDL confirms the presence of asymmetries, and the bound test affirms the co-integration and long-run relationship among the variables. In the long run, there is a significant positive relation between oil price increases and food prices, but the long-run impact of oil price reductions on food prices is not significant. In the short run, only increases in oil prices exert a significant influence on food prices, while decreases in oil prices do not. Furthermore, the COVID-19 period exerts a positive and significant impact on food prices, while COVID-19 cases do not influence food prices in Nigeria.

An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship between Project Planning Management and Performance of Selected Mega-dam Projects in Kenya

The main objective of this paper was to determine the relationship between project planning management and the performance of mega-dam projects in Kenya. This study was guided by positivist research philosophy. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. In this study, the unit of analysis was 18 mega-dam projects launched and completed across Kenya as listed under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (MoWSI) while the unit of observation was the respective three officials (project manager, project engineer, geospatial engineer) in the MoWSI. A Census of all mega-dams completed in Kenya was conducted. In addition, the study purposively interviewed 5 key stakeholders including the cabinet secretary, permanent secretary from the MWSI, donor, contractor, and one randomly selected beneficiary from the community with the target mega-dam. This formed a total sample size of 180 respondents. Primary data was collected using the semi-structured questionnaires as well as the Key Informant Interview (KII) guide. The combination of quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources and perspectives provided a more comprehensive and robust understanding. Pretesting was done by way of pilot testing to ascertain the validity and reliability of the tools. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize and describe the key characteristics of the data, as well as draw conclusions and make inferences. Correlation snalysis found that project planning management had a positive significant relationship with the performance of selected mega-dam projects in Kenya (r= 0.869, p<0.05). Furthermore, regression found that the project planning management coefficient is 0.497, suggesting that a one-unit improvement in project planning management corresponds to a 0.497 improvement in the performance of these mega-dam projects. Based on the findings, the study concluded that project planning management positively and significantly influences the performance of selected mega-dam projects in Kenya. This study therefore recommends that project managers should give priority to project planning management

Flipped Classroom: Effect on the Academic Performance and Motivation of Grade 8 Students in Mathematics

Teachers nowadays are being challenged due to continuous decrease in the analytical and numerical ability of the students. Strategies were continuously studied by teachers to address such concern answering also questions such as how students perceived flipped classroom setting as an aid to the teaching learning process. This study utilized descriptive quasi-experimental design through 189 Grade 8 students where it had found out that in terms of the Pre-Assessment results, most of the students are in the “did not meet expectation” category but still are motivated in terms of Performance Task Making, Problem Solving, Classroom Participation and Examination. In terms of the post-assessment results, most of the students are in the “satisfactory” category and are highly motivated in terms of Performance Task Making, and motivated in Problem Solving, Classroom Participation and Examination. There is a significant improvement in the academic performance of the students where post-assessment results showed higher mean score than the pre-assessment results. There is a positive significant relationship between Performance and Level of Motivation. The main issues and concerns of the students in the implementation of flipped classroom is the slow internet connection at school and at home. Thus, concludes that indeed Flipped Classroom Learning is a way to better improve education identifying the effect on the academic performance and motivation of students in mathematics noting also that internet connection plays a crucial role in this type of learning setting.

The Role of Strategic Planning and Productivity in Predicting Competitive Advantage

Studies have been conducted to determine the nature of the relationship between strategic planning and competitive advantage, with some studies presenting that strategic planning has an impact on the organisation's competitive advantage, while other studies present that strategic planning has no impact on competitive advantage. Therefore, this research was conducted to settle this existing inconclusive debate by including a contingency variable as a mediator of this relationship using data collected from management employees of TAZARA. The research study contributes to the literature by determining the mediating effect of productivity on the relationship between strategic planning (SP) and competitive advantage. Reliability, model fit and validity were tested using factor analysis, principal component analysis and regression analysis using Jamovi software. The results of the study show that there is a positive significant relationship between strategic planning (SP) and competitive advantage, and also between productivity and competitive advantage. Productivity was found to partially mediate the relationship between strategic planning and competitive advantage. The results of this study would help decision makers to focus more on productivity when implementing strategic planning in order to survive this tense, fierce competition of the 21st century. Replication of this study in other industries is recommended. Future studies should also include other moderating and/or mediating variables.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Deposit Money Bank’s Financial Performance

The study examined the effect of corporate social responsibility on the financial performance of deposit money banks in Nigeria. Primary data were adopted for this study through the administration of some copies of questionnaire. The OLS regression was used to analyse the data and it was found out that the there is a positive significant relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility and the return on assets of commercial banks in Nigeria. It was suggested that the deposit money banks should ensure they embark on more structured and well planned Corporate Social Responsibility.

Work stress and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in nurses and office workers: a comparative study

Objectives. This study aims to compare the work stress and obsessive-compulsive symptoms of nurses and office workers and to determine the relationship between work stress and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Methods. A total of 127 nurses and 127 office workers participated in the cross-sectional study and comparative study. Data were collected using the perceived work stress scale and the Maudsley obsessive-compulsive inventory. Results. Nurses had higher work stress scores (p = 0.003) in general than office workers. In particular, nurses with a low (p < 0.039) and average (p < 0.007) economic status, nurses who had been employed for 1–10 years (p < 0.001) and nurses working 40 h per week (p < 0.042) had higher work stress scores than office workers. There was no difference (p > 0.05) between obsessive-compulsive symptom scores. There was a positive significant relationship (p < 0.001) between work stress and obsessive-compulsive symptom scores of nurses and office workers. Work stress explains 6.1% of the obsessive-compulsive symptoms in nurses and 12.4% in office workers. Conclusion. The results of this study concluded that work stress of nurses is higher than that of office workers and work stress affects the obsessive-compulsive symptoms in both groups.

E-Collaboration and Academic Performance of Lecturers

Electronic collaboration is increasingly becoming more popular among both the practitioners and the academics; however, the practitioners have taken more advantage of it than the academics. Despite the importance of e-collaboration to the education sector over the years, there appears to have been a dearth in literature. Academic literature is yet to be explored more deeply. Only a few studies on e-collaboration are still considered a crucial feature in collaboration research in the academic domain. The correlation analysis result revealed that e-collaboration has positive strongly correlation with both teaching and research performance at p&gt;0.01. Also, the hypothesis testing result revealed that there is a significant relationship between e-collaboration and teaching performance, and between e-collaboration and research performance at p&lt;0.05 respectively. Based on this, the study therefore concluded that e-collaboration has a positive significant relationship with both teaching and research performance. The study offered limitations and suggestions for future studies.

The Relationship Between Preparedness for Caregiving and Spiritual Well-Being in the Carers of Stroke Patients: A Case Study in Türkiye

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between preparedness for caregiving and spiritual well-being in the carers of stroke patients. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 130 primary carers of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of stroke at the neurology clinic of a hospital. It was determined that the participants had moderate levels of preparedness for caregiving, they had high levels of spiritual well-being, and there was a positive significant relationship between these two variables. According to the regression analysis results, the spiritual well-being level of the participants was a predictor of their preparedness for caregiving (B: 0.144, p < 0.001). The results of this study demonstrated that the spiritual well-being of the carers of stroke patients is important in increasing preparedness for caregiving. In this context, to ensure that the carers of all stroke patients feel prepared for the caregiving process, it is recommended to evaluate their preparedness levels, support them in their preparation for their caregiving roles, and identify their spiritual needs.

Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure and Financial Performance of Listed Insurance Firms in Nigeria

The backdrop of contending views that CSR is merely façade, just a marketing campaign, and that CSR disclosures among insurance companies in Nigeria are very scanty; whereas organizations desire to be seen as legitimate corporate citizens satisfying various stakeholders, justify this study to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure and financial performance of listed insurance companies in Nigeria. Based on the ex-post-facto research design, this study employed secondary data obtained from published financial statements of sampled seven insurance firms between 2015 and 2022. These seven insurance companies are all currently listed in Nigerian Exchange Group. The data gathered was analysed using simple linear regression technique based on the ordinary least square method assisted by E-Views version 9. Three hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance based on the specific study objectives, using the results of analysis. The findings revealed that corporate social responsibility disclosures have statistically positive significant relationship with earnings per share, net profit margin, and return on assets of listed insurance firms in Nigeria. It was recommended that the management of insurance companies should adopt policies that would favour appropriate increase in corporate social responsibility to enhance performance and peaceful coexistence with their host communities.

Usefulness and Ease of Use of E-Learning Towards the Effectiveness of Training and Development Programs for Civil Servants

The e-learning system is a digital technology in the world of education that is increasingly used nowadays at all academic levels, whether pedagogy or andragogy, which is now an approach used for teaching and learning electronically to deliver information through online training. The effectiveness of training and development programs in the context of this study depends on several factors in the use of e-learning. Thus the objective of this paper is to examine relationships and analyze the influence of e-learning that includes the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use on the effectiveness of training and development programs for civil servants. The next objective is to identify the difficulty factors of participants following online training. This study used a survey method through the online questionnaire that was distributed to 152 respondents at the Department of Information Malaysia through the Google Form platform. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Kirkpatrick Evaluation Model were used in this study. The results of the study show that all aspects of the use of e-learning studied have a strong positive significant relationship with the effectiveness of the training and development program. Through regression analysis proved that the use of e-learning contributes as much as 74.1% to the effectiveness of training and development programs. While technical issues and face-to-face communication gaps are the main factors that cause difficulty in attending online training.

Acceptance Factors Affecting the Intention to Use Mobile Payments: QR Code Applications

This study explores the intentional use of QR code applications in Malaysia through the lens of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT 2), focusing on five key constructs: which is performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), hedonic motivation (HM), habit (H), and trust (TR). An online survey was constructed and disseminated to a random sample of 215 respondents located in the Southeast region. The primary objective of this survey was to collect data regarding their intentions to utilize QR code applications. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), aiming to understand the relationship between the UTAUT 2 factors and behavioral intention towards QR code usage. The analysis revealed that all the UTAUT 2 factors which are performance expectancy, effort expectancy, hedonic motivation, habit, and trust have a positive significant relationship with the behavioral intention to use QR codes application. Among these, trust emerged as the most influential factor, underscoring its critical role in the adoption of QR code technology. This finding highlights the importance of addressing security and privacy concerns to foster trust among users, which is pivotal for the wider acceptance and use of QR codes in Malaysia. The study provides valuable insights for developers, marketers, and policymakers looking to enhance the adoption of QR code technology, emphasizing the need to build a trustworthy and user-friendly QR code ecosystem.

The ability of tidal volume challenge test to predict early post-operative acute kidney injury and intra-operative hypotension in laparoscopic abdominal surgeries

ABSTRACT Background Improper management and late detection of complications, especially peri-operative acute kidney injury (AKI), could result in higher morbidity and mortality rates. This work was aimed at confirming the tidal volume challenge (TVC) test’s predictability while performing laparoscopic abdominal surgery for early postoperative AKI and intra-operative hypotension. Methods Our prospective observational study involved 70 cases whose age ranged between 18 and 65 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I and ASA II going through general anesthesia (GA) for laparoscopic abdominal elective surgery. Patients went through a categorization into AKI or Non-AKI according to the worst Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) classification according to serum creatinine and urine output that are measured at 0, 24 and 48h. Results TVC exhibited significant correlation with the AKI development with the OR of 2.3, 95% CI, p = 0.052, while the exposure index was deemed to be an AKI development risk factor with the OR of 1.0, 95% CI, p = 0.034. However, baseline neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in urine (UNGAL) showed insignificant association with the AKI development with the OR 1.04 and p = 0.366. The relationship between TVC and hypotension frequency was estimated using linear regression. The regression showed that there exists a positive significant relation between these two parameters; as hypotension frequency increases, TVC increases as well with a coefficient estimate of 0.5. Conclusions AKI represents complication after laparoscopic abdominal surgery. To avoid peri-operative renal impairment, the limiting exposure index should be considered. Our work introduces the TVC test for AKI prediction in laparoscopic abdominal surgeries.

ACCOUNTING INFORMATION DISCLOSURE: HOW FAR IS SO FAR

Purpose: Accounting information asymmetry increases moral hazard, agency costs, shareholders’ discontent, and further aggravates the discomfort of minority shareholders. As such, how far is so far when connecting information disclosure with firm characteristics has remained a debate. This study thus investigated the nexus between firm characteristics and accounting information disclosure with emphasis on the banking sub-sector in Nigeria. Theoretical Framework: Accounting information disclosure is not hidden from theoretical discussions within the corridors of opportunistic behaviors, agency-theory and information asymmetry or information failure theory Design/Methodology/Approach: Annual reports of eleven top banks in Nigeria were analyzed covering a period of 5 years from 2010 to 2014 using the firm characteristics – size, profitability, age, and international presence. A disclosure checklist consisting 137 voluntary items was developed and multiple regression analysis performed. Findings: The results revealed a positive significant relationship between accounting information disclosure with age, international exposure, and a negative significant relationship was observed for profitability and size. Generally, the level of disclosure in the banking sector was found to be high at 62%. Research, Practical &amp; Social Implications: This study recommends accounting information democratization and sharing to build and restore confidence in banks’ activities and public perception. Originality/Value: The investigation on how far is so far in accounting information disclosure should be perceived from the eye of the stakeholders investments. Be that as it may, it is only fair and ethically moral for persons/groups that have invested in a business and or in a bank to regularly have access to concrete and verifiable mandatory and voluntary information disclosure on the financial position of their hard-earn funds to make reasonable decisions.

Psychological Skills in Relation to Academic Achievement through Swimming Context

This study aimed to investigate: (1) the level of psychological skills among students enrolled in swimming courses at the Physical Education faculties in the Jordanian Universities. (2) the relation between their psychological skills and academic achievement. (3) the differences in these psychological skills according to gender. The descriptive approach was used to conduct this study. The study sample consisted of (260) male and female students enrolled in intermediate and advanced level swimming courses at the School of Sport Sciences/ University of Jordan. Students’ final academic achievement records in addition to the “Life skills through swimming context” scale was used to collect required data. The results of the statistical analysis revealed an average level of psychological skills, significant differences in psychological skills level in favor of female students, A level students, and JU students, and a positive significant relation between psychological skills and academic achievement. In conclusion, it is important to design comprehensive psychological skills-based study plans for swimming courses and in different sports fields. Also, to conduct specified training and guidance courses in this domain to improve psychological skills, teaching competencies, and academic achievement.

Relationship among sleep quality, quality of life and academic self-efficacy of university students

This study aimed to explore the interconnections among quality-of-life, sleep quality, and academic self-efficacy as loads of researches have indicated a correlation between these elements, suggesting that they are intricately linked. The current investigation delved into the reciprocal relationships between these concepts, examining their bidirectional correlations with 410 students (Female = 267, Male = 143), (M = 22.04, SD = 3.367), and the findings indicated an interrelationship among the quality-of-life, academic self-efficacy, and sleep quality of university students. The results of the study revealed a continuous positive significant relationship between all sub-categories of the quality of life and academic self-efficacy (r = .396, p < .01) which is a novel result in the field. Another novel result is that decreasing sleep quality is associated with low academic self-efficacy (r=-.121, p < .01). Studies in the field were supported with this study in terms of revealing the existing correlation between quality of life and sleep quality measured with Richards – Campbell Sleep Scale (r = .341, p < .01) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (r = .439, p < .01) both of which indicate a relationship between an increasing sleep quality and high quality of life. On the other hand, the quality of life and sleep quality are found to be significant predictors of academic self-efficacy which is an important contributing result to the field (R2 = 0.226, p < .0,01), (R2 = 0.015, p < .0,05). These results must be taken into account when the role of sleep quality and quality-of-life on academic life of individuals is researched.

Does work–family conflict lead to abusive supervision in the construction projects? The role of project commitment and psychological resilience

Drawing on conservation of resources theory, the study aimed to investigate the relationship between work–family conflict (time-based, strain-based and behavior-based) and project manager abusive supervision in the presence of mediating mechanism and boundary condition. Time-lagged data were collected from 235 respondents working on construction projects to examine the proposed relationships by utilizing regression analysis. Findings indicated that the dimensions of work–family conflict had a positive significant relationship with abusive supervision and negative relationship with project commitment. Additionally, project commitment mediated the relationships and psychological resilience were found to alleviate the negative influence of work–family conflict on project commitment. Surprisingly, the results delineated that strain-based work–family conflict have more pronounced influence in instigating abusive supervision. This study is unique as it broadens the empirical research on work–family conflict and more particularly negative supervisor behavior in the project context.

Institutional Pressures and Environmental Management Accounting Adoption: Do Environmental Strategy Matter?

This paper examines the impact of institutional pressures (IPs) on Environmental Management Accounting adoption (EMA). The current research also aims to examine the moderating effect of environmental strategy (ES) on the relationship between IP and EMA. Data were collected from managers working in all registered Egyptian manufacturing companies (N = 491). The collected data were analyzed using smart partial least squares (Smart-PLS) software. The results revealed that there is a positive significant relationship between IP’s three components, namely, coercive, normative, and mimicry pressures, and EMA. The results also revealed that ES was found to moderate the relationship between IP and EMA. The study model was able to explain 68.9% of the variance in EMA adoption. The findings of this study serve as a pivotal yardstick for guiding corporate policy formulation, offering valuable insights to drive continuous improvements in EMA, environmental performance, and sustainable development. The present investigation extends the discourse on the role of IP and ES by revealing a substantial influence on EMA adoption. Positioned as one of the initial studies to delve into the moderating role of ES in the relationship between IP and EMA adoption, this research offers insights within an emerging market context.

Effectiveness of Job Responsibility Initiatives for Satisfaction on Commitment of Non-Academic Staff In Universities in Kenya: A Case of University of Eldoret

The level of job commitment by non-academic staff in universities is a critical factor that influences organizational success. By creating a supportive work environment, offering growth opportunities, promoting work-life balance, and recognizing employee contributions, universities can enhance the job commitment of their non-academic staff and ultimately improve overall performance. By balancing workload, providing support, recognition, and growth opportunities, institutions can cultivate a more committed workforce that contributes positively to the overall success of the university. The level of satisfaction obtained from job responsibilities assigned to nonacademic staffs in universities plays a significant role in determining their commitment levels. Incorporating job responsibilities into the management and leadership practices within universities, universities can foster a work environment where non-academic staff feel fulfilled, engaged, and committed to their roles and the mission of the university. However, this is deficient in most universities, including Kenya, which is contrary to a multifaceted role non-teaching staff play in supporting national development goals in many nations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which effectiveness of job responsibility influences commitment of non-academic staffs in University of Eldoret in Kenya. The study was based on expectancy theory of motivation. This study adopted on a quantitative research approach. The study utilized a correlational research design to determine the extent of relationship between job responsibility and commitment of non-academic staff in the research site. A sample size of 137 nonacademic staffs was drawn from target population of 208 using Yamane formula. both Stratified random sampling and simple random samplings were used to select units of analysis. Structured self-administered questionnaires were used for primary data collection. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics as well as inferential statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Analyzed data was presented in using suitable tables and figures. The study’s findings revealed a positive significant relationship between job responsibility and commitment of workers (β1=0.802, p=0.000 &lt; 0.05). The study concluded that there is a significant relationship between job responsibility and commitment of non-academic staff in the university of Eldoret.

The impact of online health information source preference on intolerance to uncertainty and cyberchondria in a youthful generation.

The increasing utilization of the Internet to access health-related information is believed to heighten anxiety and trigger cyberchondria due to the presence of conflicting and sometimes overly detailed information. To investigate the levels of cyberchondria and intolerance of uncertainty among university students and their relationship with different online health information sources. Between June and July 2022, 420 university students (mean age = 21.5 ± 2 years, 54% female) participated in this cross-sectional study. The socio-demographic form, Uncertainty Intolerance Scale (IUS), and Cyberchondria Severity Scale (CSS) were used in data collection. Pearson correlation test and binary logistic regression analysis were used to identify factors associated with cyberchondria. Forums and private hospital/clinic websites were the most frequently utilized online health information sources, while governmental websites were the least. The mean scores for CSS and IUS were 81.5 and 41.0, respectively. There was no significant gender-based difference in CSS and IUS scores. Students who used newspapers/magazines and social media for health information had significantly higher scores on both scales. Cyberchondria had a negative association with age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.90], a positive significant relationship with newspaper/magazine website use (OR = 7.24), and IUS score (OR = 1.09). There was a positive and moderate correlation between CSS and IUS scores (r = 0.39, P < 0.001). Our results underline the susceptibility to cyberchondria and intolerance of uncertainty among young adults who used less reliable online health information sources and highlight promoting online health literacy to reduce vulnerabilities and the need for further research on socio-demographic determinants in both mental problems.